Reading this special book

 

Most religions of the world have a focus on one person hoping for enlightenment. The Bible is focused on Jesus the Messiah. The Bible is so much more than a guide book for living. The continuing theme from the many different Old Testament writers, is the hope of the Messiah, the King, the Saviour, the final revealer of the Lord God.

The New Testament was written was written about the life of Jesus the Christ and His being the Messiah, the King, the Saviour for all people.

The first four records of His life describe His birth, His life, His teaching, His miracles, His death and resurrection. The evidence for His claim to be the “Son of the Blessed” (Mark 14), is abundant. The purpose of His death is clearly explained by the Lord Jesus in His own words and the teaching of His Apostles.

We do well to study in depth the subject of Jesus death. The links to the Old Testament are important. But through the New Testament, the focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ alive from death – now in the place of highest honour in heaven.

When reading the New Testament, remember it is about a living person who delights to  act and interact with all who truly trust and love Him.

-      A living Saviour to bring us forgiveness.

-      A living Shepherd to lead us through life.

-       A living Lord to guard and guide us through life.

-       A living Advocate to maintain our fellowship with God.

-       A living King, who will make His appearance at the set time.

 

This is not a dead religion belonging to an ancient past. This is a relationship with a living Lord, achieved by His grace.

jiohnmckee@internode.on.net

Bible

 

For those people new to the Bible I write:

This book begins with God making the world. God made all things very good.

After that, humans rebelled and sin (attitudes and actions against God), has caused trouble for thousands of years.

The Bible is a history of God the LORD seeking to connect with people. Many responded – Noah, Abraham, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Daniel…

After many years God the Father sent His Son, Jesus into the world. This part of Bible history is called the New Testament.

Jesus spoke God’s words to the people, but also showed them what God was like.

He rebuked sin (like selfish greed). This showed people the holiness of God.

His compassion and healing for so many showed the undeserved favour of God (grace).

As you read the Old Testament and the New, you will notice how often it mentions sacrifices for sins, so that people could be friends with God again. Jesus stated clearly that this was the greatest purpose of His mission. He died, as recorded, for a purpose. This purpose is clearly explained by His Apostles in their writings at the end of the Bible. (He died and rose again to bring forgiveness and acceptance with God).

For many this large book is too big to read through (especially those learning English). Remember it is 66 different books written at different times.

My advise :- Read the history of humanity, enjoy the prayers and songs (Psalms), read slowly the four biographies of Jesus and search carefully the teachings of the Apostles (New Testament).

For those searching with a sincere heart, God by the Holy Spirit promises true enlightenment and understanding.

A call to repent

 

A message from the Lord to the King via Jeremiah:

“Be fair minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; recue them from their oppressors. 

Quit you evil deeds!  Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans and widows.  Stop murdering the innocent.”

A timely message for our leaders, for us all.

(Jeremiah 22:3)

The Grace of God

 

Grace – the undeserved favour of God

Religions of all sorts have proven that humanity is unable to reach God’s holy standard. The ten commandments show the holiness of the Lord God, but also verify the verdict of God – ‘All have sinned and come short of the glory of God’.

God has a better way:

He in His mercy and GRACE , offers free forgiveness and acceptance to all who believe in His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

All believers are transformed by God’s Holy Spirit to live for God – not seeking acceptance, but because of acceptance into the family of God.

Bible quote:

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self controlled , upright and godly lives in the present age. Waiting for the blessed hope , the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous of good works.”  (Titus 2:11)

This is true grace . We can choose self justification, or we can choose justification through faith by Grace. Those who despise God’s undeserved favour will miss heaven and their proud thanklessness will incur the wrath of God.

“The law was given by Moses,  Grace and Truth came by Jeus Christ.”  (John 1:17)

Fake faith

 

My daily  readings in Jeremiah have exposed underlying problems.

-         He highlights ‘pretending to be sorry’ (Jeremiah 3:10} – some are sorry to be caught doing the wrong thing. Other are sorry that they did not get their own way. Some are sorry that God has no tolerance  for evil! Some speak words without reality.

-         So many people live , as in Jeremiah 2:31 – “The people say ‘ At last we are free from God’” I fear this is the attitude of so many in Australia!

-         And then they dare to blame God for wars, blame God for sickness, blame God for failed relationships, blame God for business failures etc etc

-         When people choose their own way instead of God’s way, HE often ‘lets them go ahead….’ (Romans 1:24) . The consequences are just, the outcomes are tragic for themselves and others around them and maybe for generations to come.

-         It is now common to change the rules, to call sin pleasure, to call evil good, to call rebellion normal.

-         Is their any hope??  Yes – by repentance. – turning to God, acknowledging He is the Just One and His way is truth.

-         I quote Jeremiah again:

-         “Acknowledge your guilt, admit your rebellion, confess your refusal to follow Me,  throw away the idols, live good , honest lives and uphold justice. Cleanse your minds and hearts before the Lord” (Chapter 3:13)

It all seems so hopeless until you go back to the beginning of the chapter. The Lord God was/is willing to break His own rule to recover, restore, redeem, revive, regenerate the unworthy who are genuine in repentance.

“I will heal your wayward hearts.” (3:22)

Is this hope just for Israel. Rather  this call to repentance has been granted to us Gentiles (Acts 11) and the hope of forgiveness, justification and glorifcation is promised to all.

This is the meaning of “Grace”

It was Jesus who said “Repent and believe the Gospel”

Confession that leads to forgiveness

 

Meditation from Isaiah 64,65

I enjoy the good promises from the Bible, but here, like other places we have words of confession of sin. Even the gracious Lord Jesus exposed sin as a root problem in all humanity – Mark 7:21

Isaiah 64:5

“But we are not godly. We are constant sinners, so Your anger Lord is heavy upon us. How can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. Yet no one calls on your name, or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore You have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins.”

Then the prophet takes the humble place “We are the clay,  You are the potter….”

Then the LORD says (Chapter 65) : “People who never before inquired about Me are asking about Me. I am being found by people who were not looking for Me. To them I have said “I am here”.

I opened my arms to My own people but……………”

And so the good news for repentant sinner holds true:

‘Whoever will call upon the Name of the LORD will be saved ‘ (Romans 10:13) . 

 Let us take time to confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1) .

It is not the purpose of God for us to live in morbid introspection, but it is healthy to humble ourselves and see the situation as by the holy vision of the Lord.

Peter wrote “God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” 

   (1 Peter 5)

The change God can make

 

As I return to my work with migrants the following Bible verse gives encouragement. Many have suffered much and lost much. But now they have an opportunity for good change. Best of all the opportunity to have God’s love, joy  and peace.

Isaiah chapter 61:

God gives beauty for ashes

Joy instead of mourning

Praise instead of despair

The Lord God through our Lord Jesus Christ is in the work of recovering wasted and crushed lives.

Are you one of those -  seek HIM today !