Why Study the Bible

Continuing in the teachings of Jesus, the Holy Spirit showed me something in Matthew 13 a few weeks back that I want to share with you now. 

Matthew 13:12 NIV

[12] Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 

As we study the Bible, more truth will be revealed and we will have an abundance. If we do not stay in the Bible, renewing our minds to what we have already learned, continously learning and applying truth to our lives, it will fade away. "Even what they have will be taken from them."

So, brothers and sisters, keep reading and studying the Bible daily. Keep it fresh on your minds to feed your spirit. Jesus said this when he was tempted in the wilderness. We can't just feed our physical bodies. We must feed our spirits too. We don't want what we have learned so far, to fade away. Keep it in the front of our minds to feed us and sustain us.

Matthew 4:4 NIV

[4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

For example: Tonight while getting ready for work, I woke up drained. The Holy Spirit flashed this passage across my mind:

Psalms 91:9-11, 14-16 NIV

[9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. [11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

[14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.

See? Since God is my dwelling place, I don't have anything to worry about. Why? Because I believe His word, believe this promise. If I did not stay in the Word, I would not know this passage. 

So stay in the Bible daily. Make it a top priority and God will add more truth to what you already know. 

Renew your mind daily. Even if you've read a passage a million times. Read it over and over. So that truth will not be taken from you. This "will transform us by the renewing of your mind."

Romans 12:2 NIV

[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Renew your mind daily. Feed your spirit with the Bible, daily. Then truth will continually be added to what you already have learned.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

It's Really Easy

 Once you are "born again" by the Holy Spirit and the Father adopts you as His child in the Kingdom of God, the family of God, Jesus shows how easy it is to live as a Christian. Satan and the dark forces try to complicate it with confusion and what not, but God keeps it simple and easy. 

Be good. Do good. That's it. Do not follow the old ways of the human sinful nature which naturally rebels against God. Be a good person and do good things, not evil things. Look...

Matthew 12:33-35 NIV

[33] “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [35] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

So, Jesus says be a good person and your actions will be good. Follow the Holy Spirit inside you and He will always guide you to be good and do good. 

God makes it simple for us. Look in Romans...

Romans 2:6-11 NIV

[6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. [9] There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; [10] but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism.

Persist in doing good, He will give eternal life.

Those who reject the truth about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and do evil, they are separated from God.

We, who put our faith in Christ Jesus are born again into God's kingdom. So we are able to be good and do good. So, by the Holy Spirit's help in our spirit, let's be good people and do good things. Easy Peezy!! 

Why be good and do good? We all represent Jesus, and belong to Him. God uses us to draw the lost to Himself. He uses us so others can be saved too and added to His Kingdom.

So, be good and do good Church family.

Please share this post with others.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Be Humble

 As Christians, sometimes we can lose sight of the main function of the Church, which was Jesus's purpose, "to seek and save the lost." Our whole purpose is for God to use our lives, and work through us so that unbelievers may be saved too. In whatever way we influence people, our lives should lead them to Jesus. That's our purpose. That's God's will:

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

[9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

He uses us to carry out His will.

Having said that we continue on in Matthew and extrapolate how to treat others which will influence them for good.

Simply? Love everyone. Stay humble. Treat everyone with love and compassion as Jesus did. This will open doors so they can be saved too.

Matthew 9:10-13 NIV

[10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus hung out with everyone, no matter who they were. He never rejected anyone, which is how we have to live. You never know who will be saved because of our influence over their lives. We must be willing to associate with all people.

Romans 12:16 NIV

[16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

We never puff ourselves up over anyone. We never think we are better than someone else. Pride, arrogance, conceit must never be in our lives as we interact with others. We just love all people equally and without partiality. Just like Jesus did.

All this does not mean that we are close companions, close friends with unbelievers. Jesus wasn't. Again, it does mean that we love and approach all people equally and without partiality.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV

[14] Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? [15] What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? [16] What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [17] Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” [18] And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Remember the goal of our lives. Live so others can be saved too. We exist so others can be saved too. Put that in the front of your mind as you live day by day. Love people and interact with people as Jesus did, so they can be saved too. 

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Be Wise!!

 As we come to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, we add another layer to why we are learning the teachings and commands of Jesus. We started because Jesus said,"If you love me you will obey my commands." So we started with my January 3rd blog entry, learning His teachings and commands because we love Him and want to do what He says.

Here we learn that His teachings are the foundation we build our lives upon. His teachings first and then branch out from there with the rest of the Bible. He is our foundation. We belong to Jesus now as Christians. He is the Rock we stand on. Having been "rooted and established in Christ" by Christ. 

When we do this,when the storms of life come, we will stand firm in Christ as we are. We will not fall.

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

[24]  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 

[26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

We are wise when we build our lives on His teachings, and show our love for Him when we obey His commands and teachings. Let's continue to do it Church as we move forward in the study of the Gospels. Have a great day!!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Be Careful!!

 Continuing with the teachings and commands of Jesus, He warns us about false teachers and people.

Matthew 7:15-23 NIV

[15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Here He is saying to watch out for people who would try to lead you away from Jesus by their teaching or by their lives.

Those who teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, or who "does the will of the Father in heaven," these are the people that are good for us to have in our lives. 

In learning, we do not accept just anyone's teachings, but see if their teaching lines up with the Bible. See if they teach "Jesus Christ and Him crucified." See if they teach from the Bible.

We love all people, but are not close companions with just anyone. Proverbs teaches "the righeous are cautious in friendships." Just because they say,"Lord, lord," doesn't mean they follow Jesus. 

How can we know who is who? Easily. Listen to what they teach if they are teachers. If just people, listen to how they talk. In minutes you will know the real person by hearing what they say. Words spoken reveal what is in a person's spirit or heart.

Matthew 12:34-35 NIV

[34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [35] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Good teachers and preachers proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, and teach from the Bible. False teachers might teach the Bible, but put their own worldly philosophies or heresies in with it. Make sure strictly Bible teaching. It's like my mentor, Carroll Sites, taught me. He said,"Jeff, if you stick with the Bible, you'll never go wrong." The Holy Spirit "teaches us all things" as we study the Bible. So stick with the Bible or those who teach only the Bible and you'll never go wrong.

When deciding who to befriend or have in your life, remember good people will produce good things, and bad people will produce bad things. 

In the main passage, Jesus is telling us to be careful who teaches us and who we allow into our lives.

Here are some passages to read that explore this topic.

1 John 4:1-6 NIV

[1] Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, [3] but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. [4] You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. [5] They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. [6] We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

2 Peter 2:1 NIV

[1] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 

Acts 20:29-31 NIV

[29] I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. [31] So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 NIV

[1] If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, [2] and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” [3] you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. [4] It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 

1 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 

Jude 1:4 NIV

[4] For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Roads and Gates?

 As we continue in the teachings and commands of Jesus, He tells us about two gates and two roads.

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13]  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The wide road leads to the wide gate that leads to destruction. Why do many people find it? Because it is the common road that mankind walks on from birth. People are born onto this road because we are all born with a sin nature. This road is where we all are separated from God initially because of sin. People just naturally walk on this road.

You might say, "Heck with that!!! I'm getting off this crappy road!! I'm not going to that 'gate of destruction'!" That's awesome!! Good for you!!

Now, how do we get on that narrow road that leads to life? How do we walk through that narrow gate? How are we not separated from God anymore? Through Jesus Christ who spoke those words. He is the only way to have access to the Father in heaven. He is the narrow path. He is the narrow gate we walk through. 

John 14:6 NIV

[6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

He is the "narrow road."

John 10:9 NIV

[9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

He is the "narrow gate."

Ephesians 2:18 NIV

[18] For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

He is the only way that we have access to our loving Heavenly Father who is in heaven.

How do we get to Jesus? By believing that He is the Only Begotten Son of God. By believing that He is the Savior of the world, the Messiah. By believing that He paid the penalty for your sins when He died on the cross over 2,000 years ago. Believe that He was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit. Believe He ascended into heaven and now He sits at the Father's right hand, alive and well. By believing in His name, you receive Him into your life. 

When you believe this you are "born again," by the Holy Spirit, and are adopted as God's child into the kingdom of God, the heavenly family. God gives you the gift of eternal life by His grace. 

John 3:1-8 NIV

[1] Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [3] Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” [4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” [5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

1 John 5:1a NIV

[1a.] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God,...

John 1:11-13 NIV

[11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

When you believe in Jesus, you are saved. You are put on the narrow road, you have eternal life!! You are no longer separated from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.

If you have not been "born again," you can be right now. Do this!!

Romans 10:9-13 NIV

[9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. [11] As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Then do this,

Acts 2:38-39 NIV

[38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Jesus Christ is our narrow gate, our narrow road. Don't be separated from God another minute. Get off that wide road. Don't walk through the wide gate. Come to Jesus Christ NOW!!!

Why? Because God loves you and wants to save you and add you to His family!! 

John 3:16-17 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you are saved, please share this post with those who are not saved yet.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

The "Golden Rule"

Continuing our study of the teachings and commands of Jesus, we come to Matthew 7:12. This is known throughout history as the "Golden Rule." Treat people how you would want to be treated. So let's look at this.

Matthew 7:12 NIV

[12] So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

This coincides with the two greatest commands that Jesus said sums up the Bible:

Matthew 22:35-40 NIV

[35] One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” [37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

"Love your neighbor as yourself," is the point of this command. Love and treat people how you would want to be treated. This is so great because this command goes all the way back to the people of Israel when they were freed from the bonds of Egypt. Once in the wilderness, God gave various commands for their good and this was one of them.

Leviticus 19:18 NIV

[18] “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

So, He always wanted us to love people and treat them how we would want to be treated, which still holds true today.

Paul took it a step further in Romans. I think this verse shows us how to love people and how to treat all people. (I am surprised that this verse is hardly ever referred to.)

Romans 13:8-10 NIV

[8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Verse 10 is the key thought here. Love never does any harm to it's fellowman. 

If we never do any harm to our fellowman, then we are loving them. 

So, profound. That sums up the Bible. Love God and love people by never doing any harm to them. THAT is treating them as you would want to be treated.

That sums up how to love and treat people:

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Let this epitomize our lives. This is "letting our light shine before men."

Never do harm to anyone in word or actions. That is loving them.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

PS- Other related passages:

1 John 4:20-21 NIV

[20] Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:19 NIV

[19] We love because he first loved us. 

Luke 10:27 NIV

[27] He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV

[43]  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Romans 12:17-19 NIV

[17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Leviticus 19:34 NIV

[34] The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Galatians 5:14 NIV

[14] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

Keep On Praying

 As we continue in the teachings of Jesus, we renew our minds today about talking to God in prayer. He said earlier to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." The Father already knows what we need, but just like in any other relationship, He wants us to interact with Him by talking to Him in prayer. It is so amazing that we can talk to God everyday at any given time. So that is what today's text focuses on.

Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

[7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Whatever we need, desire, or ask from God, He hears us and will do what is best for us, His children. So here, Jesus is saying be persistent and keep asking and God will give us good gifts. He will work things out for good for those that love Him.

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

We just have faith and trust God with our requests. Believe He has already done it and it will happen, IN HIS TIME, not ours. Be patient and wait on Him to make it happen. Never lose hope. "Believe you have received it and it will be yours." Jesus said.

Mark 11:22-24 NIV

[22]  “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. [23] “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

The main thing here is to have a constant relationship and dialogue with our Heavenly Father everyday. Know that we can talk to Him with boldness and confidence everyday because we are in Christ.

If we lack confidence to ask, James says we do not have because we do not ask. So just ask anyway!!

James 4:2b. NIV

[2b.] ...You do not have because you do not ask.

So talk to God all the time in prayer. Ask and keep on asking. He will give us good gifts and all we need, as we seek Him everyday. Have faith, trust in God, be patient, and then watch Him work in our lives.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

PS- Other passages:

1 John 3:18-23 NIV

[18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. [19] This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: [20] If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. [21] Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God [22] and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. [23] And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 5:14-15 NIV

[14] This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. [15] And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

James 1:5-7 NIV

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [6] But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 

James 5:13-16 NIV

[13] Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. [14] Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Proverbs 8:17 NIV

[17] I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. [12] Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

Teachings of Jesus

 On January 3rd, I started with the teachings and commands of Jesus in Matthew. Because He said, "If you love me you will obey my commands." So, we all started learning the commands and teachings of Jesus in the blog entries that followed the Jan.3rd blog post.

I want to resume exploring the teachings and commands of Jesus. We will pick up where we left off at, at Matthew 7:7 in the next blog entry. 

If you are new and want to study with us, go back to January 3rd post and study all the blog entries to catch up with others here. Let's take the rest of the year progressing through the gospels of Jesus.

You comments, questions, and interactions are welcome here in the comments section below.

Join us. Share with your friends and family. The next post will be me resuming our study.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Look At the Present Tense

In the following passage, we find our hope.

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

In context, it says this is for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. This applies to all who believe.

Look at the present tense in verse 23, it says we "fall short of the glory of God." We always fall short of the glory of God. We know this as we live day by day. Where is there any hope for us?

It is found in verse 24: "and all are justified freely by His grace..."

We are all justified freely by God's grace. How? "through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." 

Because of the redemptive work of Jesus while He was on the Earth, God justifies us with Him. We are no longer guilty of sin because of the finished work of Jesus. Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all on the cross. We are made right with God by His grace, because of the finished work of Jesus, as we put our faith in Jesus.

God's grace sustains us and keeps us because of what Jesus has already done for us.

So, our hope is in the finished work of Jesus that saves us completely, forever for those who put their faith in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 10.)

 Hebrews 10:1-17 NIV

[1] The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. [2] Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. [3] But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. [4] It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. [5] Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; [6] with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. [7] Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ ” [8] First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. [9] Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second.

 [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

 [11] Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. [12] But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, [13] and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 

[14] For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 

[15] The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: [16] “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” [17] Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."

So, although we always fall short of the glory of God, He saves us by His grace because of the finished work of Jesus once and for all.

Thank you Father! Thank you Jesus!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Good News Today?

What's the good news about Jesus Christ? The good news for all humanity is that Adam brought sin and death into the world, but Jesus Christ brought eternal life and peace into the world. 

Before Jesus, mankind had no hope for an eternal future. Sin separated us from God. We could never get to our Creator because of sin.

When Jesus came and lived on Earth, carrying out His Father's will, God made a way through Jesus for us to be with Him forever. Sin separated us from God. Jesus and His sacrifice has given us the ability to come to God, whereas beforehand we could not.

Jesus took the problem of sin out of the way when He died on the cross. He took away the sin of the world when He laid down His life being crucified on the cross. He paid the penalty of our sins, he took our punishment for the sins of the whole world. So, now, we can come to our Creator, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. We can be united with God. We have access to God. All because of Jesus Christ.

So the greatest news ever is that because of Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, we do not have to be eternally separated from God. 

If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross and took the penalty of sin out of the way, and that God raised Him from the dead 3 days later, and that He ascended back to heaven a few days later, and now He lives, seated at the right hand of God, then you can be what is known as being "born again." You can be born-again by the Holy Spirit and added to the kingdom of God, which is God's family. God will adopt you into this eternal family and give you the gift of eternal life!!! How awesome is that? You can live with God forever in heaven.

He made you. He loves you. He wants to adopt you into His family to live with Him forever. Isn't that incredible? This is what He calls "being saved." 

If you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. If you confess with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord." If you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, then that's it. You will be saved. You'll be born again, adopted into the Kingdom of God, the family of God. When you go and get baptized, then you receive total forgiveness of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then, He comes to live in your Spirit forever. He is the Helper Jesus sent to Earth when He went back to heaven. He will help you navigate life the rest of your time on Earth. 

By believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, you receive the free gift of eternal life. God gives you the free gift of eternal life and adds you to His family forever.

So that's the good news of Jesus Christ. You can go to heaven when you die. You can live with God forever in heaven. All made possible by the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Jesus Christ your Savior today!! That is my ongoing hope for you. Be saved today!! 

Comment below if you got saved today!!

I love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Just Ask!

 As I continue to do this blog, many people all around me are getting hit with frustrating things. I will not go into the specifics, but my boss, my Mom, my brother, and my colleague at work are getting beat down with traumatic things that are thrust upon them by life. They spiral down into a pit of desperation and I totally see how that can happen in the craziness that comes in their circumstances.

It says, "Beware when you stand, lest you fall." I see why now. You can be doing everything right or not, it doesn't matter, and Satan will still come along and tear your world apart. We wrestle against these dark forces all the time:

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

[12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

That's where all this crap comes from.

These past few weeks, I have seen it in the lives of those dear to me. 

However, I know and trust in what God says in Hebrews:

Hebrews 13:5b. NIV

[5b.]...because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

I know He never leaves or forsakes us. In all our circumstances, He will never fail us. He watches our comings and goings (Ps.121:7-8). Whatever is thrown at us, He will work out the outcome for our good:

Romans 8:28 NIV

[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

So whatever happens, we have to remember who is sovereign, who is in control. God is always in control. Nothing happens to us that He is not aware of. Nothing escapes His knowing. He knows all things and sees all things. He is aware of every single person's situation. 

When our circumstances are out of control, remember He is still in control. He loves us and is with us, right in the middle of all the craziness. We have to trust that He will work in our lives to resolve all things. Trust that He will deliver us. Ask for His help in prayer and believe that He will help us and deliver us from our troubles. Jesus said to be persistent and keep on praying and asking for help until it comes.

Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

[7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask. 

So we pray and keep on praying until these things are worked out. This shows God that we trust and depend upon Him and Him alone. We do not give up. We keep our hope in God.

Remember these promises from God. Nothing that comes up against us will succeed.

Isaiah 54:17 NIV

[17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

God will always deliver us from everything!

Psalms 3:8a. NIV

[8] From the Lord comes deliverance...

He watches over us and helps us in our troubles.

Psalms 118:6-7 NIV

[6] The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? [7] The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.

According to Jesus, God will give good gifts to those who ask Him. So, pray and ask and keep on asking in prayer!! Be persistent and then be patient, and He WILL work in our lives. Believe He will help and He will!!! As Robin Williams said in "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Help is on dee way!"

Mark 11:24 NIV

[24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

You have to ask for help when you need it!!

James 4:2b. NIV

[2b.]...You do not have because you do not ask God.

So in all these crazy situations and circumstances, pray and ask God to help you. Believe He will help and He will! Whatever you need, run to the Father. Get as close to Him as you can. He will be your help, your protection in these times of trouble. He loves you and will help you. He is right there with you and will not leave you or forsake you.

So whatever happens. Pray!! Just ask Him!! He will help!!

Love you dear readers,

Jeffrey Post