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Know God

If you prefer, you can click below to listen to the audio version of this article as recorded by Jacob Gardner.

What an odd behavior!

The more I think of it, the weirder it seems. Talk about your double standards.

When things are going well, “Thank you God for such a wonderful _______” (you fill in the blank). How amazing you are!

When things do not go the way we want, “I can’t believe God would do this to me! How could He let this happen! If He’s such a loving, caring God, why did He allow _________.” (you fill in the blank).

I’m sure you can see where I’m going with this.

When things are going our way we can’t thank God enough. When things are not going our way we can’t blame God enough. And why do you suppose that is?

I would say it is partially due to not knowing God and His ways well enough.

Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

We sometimes have this self-righteous thinking that we deserve God’s love as long as it comes without problems.

If we have a better understanding of God’s ways then we would be able to have a stronger faith in Him, knowing that, “All things work for the good for those who love the Lord. ”  This includes all the things we can’t understand even when God allows them to happen.

Having a “deeper knowledge” of God produces a “deeper faith in God.” Having a deeper faith allows us to accept whatever life throws at us, knowing that all things work for good for those who love God.

The deeper our knowledge “of” God, the deeper our faith “in” God, then, the more we will be able to give thanks to Him in all situations, Good and bad.                       Amen.

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Did Jesus Come to Bring Peace to the Whole Earth?

No, not the first time He came, but yes, He will, upon His return.

Why didn’t He come to bring peace the first time? Because the world does not know Him. Because the world continues to reject Him. The world does not accept Him, as the Prince of Peace.

However, for true believers, He does bring peace – a peace that transcends all human understanding.

Jesus said he came not to bring peace – yet he is called the Prince of Peace.

How can this be? Does the Bible contradict itself?


Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Jesus said he came to bring a sword

Matt 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Yet, Jesus told Peter to put away his sword

John 18:11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Matt 26:52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all, who draw the sword will die by the sword.”

Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. While this is referring to the physical sword it also applies to the spiritual sword – the living word of God

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Jesus sword (His word) divided families because some would believe in Him and some wouldn’t believe in Him, in this age.

Luke 12:52-53 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

You will live by the Word of God or you will die by the Word of God.

And if you do not live by faith in the word of God, you will die. You will not receive the gift of eternal life. If you do not surrender your life to Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life, you will die.

However, when you come to truly believe in the word of God, and God lives in you and, you will have died – meaning you no longer live to satisfy your natural, carnal or fleshly desires, which are enmity against God.

Rom 8:7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Jesus is our peace and His purpose is to create peace in one new humanity.

Eph 2:14-15 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The truth is, true peace can only come through belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in each and every person. To achieve this peace, not man’s peace, but God’s peace, God will put His laws in everyone’s heart and write them on everyone’s mind.

Heb 10:16 “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.”

Then, we shall all become the children of God!

Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Click for Related post: There is No Peace Apart from God
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There is No Peace

We live in a world of constant strife, racism, sexism, xenophobia, riots, and war. Will this world ever have peace? If so, how will it be achieved?

Why does this world not have peace?

Rom 3:17 “ and the way of peace they do not know.”

Jesus said, “My peace I give you.” Jesus does not give “peace”, as the world gives.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The wicked never have real peace

Isa 57:21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

What was the message that God sent to the people of Israel and to everyone?

Acts 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Eph 2:17 He (Jesus) came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Why does the city of Jerusalem not have peace, yet the city name means “city of peace”?

Luke 19:41-42 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 

Heb 7:1-2 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Why did Jesus tell his disciples, in advance, that they would be scattered and leave Him, all alone?

John 16:32-33 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What were Jesus’ first words to the disciples when he appeared to them in the locked room?

John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

What did Jesus instruct his disciples to first say, after they entered a house?

Luke 10:5-6 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.

Can a human being, without the Spirit of God, understand real peace?

Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Jesus is our peace and His purpose is to create peace in one new humanity.

Eph 2:14-15 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups (Jews and Gentiles) one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,

Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

How do believers who have been justified through faith, have peace with God?

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

What is it that believers are instructed to do, as it relates to peace?

Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Eph 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

As members of one body of Christ, what are we called to?

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Is peace one of the components of the fruit of the Spirit?

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from heaven?

James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

What do peacemakers have to sow to reap a harvest of righteousness?

James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

By accepting Jesus Christ, the Lord of peace, what kind of peace can you have?

2 Thes 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

What does a mind that is governed by the Spirit produce?

Rom 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

True and lasting peace – that is a peace within our own minds, a peace between tribes, nations, races, and languages, and a peace between all of God’s creation and God can only come through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is a peace that surpasses all human understanding. It cannot be understood or achieved apart from God.

Rom 15:33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

RElated blog post: did jesus come to bring peace to the whole earth?
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The Foundational Parable

Which parable did Jesus say was the foundational parable to understanding all of the other parables?

Mark 4:1-20 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
    and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’[a]”

13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

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God Is Still In Control

If you know God, you will have the peace of God within you and these things that are about to happen and are now happening, will not phase you. Remember, God is in control.

Most people in the world today are deceived by Satan but you do not have to be.

I believe that the current trial that is now on the earth and everything we are going through is a lesson in deception for the whole world. It shows what can happen when people move away from God, ignore God, deny God, reject God, blaspheme God, mock God, and have replaced God himself with a false god, no god or have become a god unto themselves.

The world is about to know the truth about a big deception that has been carried out over the past several decades, culminating to this revealing. This is a big deception but it is not the great deception, spoken of in the Scriptures.

This revealing by God of this big deception is to awaken people out of their stupor and spiritual blindness and to have them repent and believe in the true of gospel of Jesus Christ and of the God the Father, who does not want anyone to perish.

1 Tim 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

The world will be astonished when the truth is revealed. Some will believe it and some will continue to reject it. Only those in Christ; those who rely on Christ will come to know the whole truth.

Proof will be shown that cannot be denied but still some will reject it.

This whole scenario is a pre-cursor to the great deception that is still coming on those who are not in Christ. Those who have not learned from this current deception to turn only to Jesus Christ for truth, will fall for the next one. You could say that this deception is like your warning…WAKE UP and turn to God now!

Let’s look at another current deception of this world.

There are people who really believe that they can force or even educate people not to a be racist. To counter Proud Boys, KKK and organizations like this, we now have BLM and other groups that want to fight. Common decency and discourse are no longer considered, especially by the growing radicals and influence from Communist infiltrators.

There are those who want to “educate” you about racism from their perspective. They fail to see the serious constraint within education.

Yes, education truly is very valuable and I take courses on a variety of topics, almost on a continuous basis. I love education. But education has a tremendous limitation.

While education can change your mind, it cannot change your heart.

And to stop racism, it will require a change of heart! Of everybody’s heart!

To believe that man can come up with a way to solve racism on its own, is to deny God. It’s another lie and a deception. It will take God’s involvement; it will take the very love of God to live in each and every one of us. And that is made possible only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit!

Here is the proof.

Jesus Christ said he would build His church and gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Matt 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

And He has been building his church for over 2000 years. When this true church is revealed to the world, the world will be astounded. The world will see a group of people from every tribe and language and people and nation – where racism does not exist.

Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Rev 7:9a After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.

When the true church of God is revealed to the world, many will ask who could have accomplished such a remarkable feat? A feat that that no other person or group of human beings could do, even over thousands of years of trying.

Who could possibly totally eradicate racism?  And how did he do it?

Yes, Jesus Christ, the Son of God will do it, and is doing it and He will continue to do it through the gift of the Holy Spirit that he freely gives to all believers!

Do you truly want to end racism?

Become a believer in the word of God and allow His spirit to change YOU!

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Does Evil Truly Exist?

If you prefer, you can click below to listen to the audio version of this article as recorded by Jacob Gardner.

We always ask why. Why is there so much evil in the world; why so much hatred, so many lies? But, have you ever asked yourself not why evil exists, but rather, ‘how’ evil exist?

Evil is the denial of Good; hatred is the denial of Love; a lie is the denial of the Truth.

If there was no good in the world, there would be nothing for evil to deny, therefore, evil would not exist. If there was no love in the world, hatred would have nothing to deny therefore, it would not exist. And, if there was no truth in the world lies could not deny the truth therefore, lies would not exist.

So, if there was no Good, no Love, and no Truth then God would not exist. If God does not exist then neither does His creation.

The lesson we can learn from this is:  Whenever you are confronted with or the victim of evil, hatred, and lies, look beyond them to Good, Love, and Truth.

For Good, Love and Truth can exist without evil, hatred and lies; but, evil, hatred and lies cannot exist without Good, Love and Truth.     Amen!

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Currency Exchange!

If you prefer, you can click below to listen to the audio version of this article as recorded by Jacob Gardner.

Planning a trip to another country; or already had one? If so, you would already know about currency exchange, and of course, before you left you had to convert your currency into the currency of the country you visited.

But, suppose you were leaving your home country to go to another country, and you were not returning. And, suppose you could not take anything with you. Nothing!

What would you have to do before leaving?

You would have to convert everything you have to the other country’s currency, and what you cannot convert must be left behind. If you are going to another land, another country, permanently, there are things you must know and do before you leave. Even if you have already been approved into your new homeland you still have to prepare before you get there.

Heaven is no different. First, you must be approved in order to get to heaven. And how does this happen? Your currency into heaven is your “faith.” Faith in God’s son, Jesus Christ, who said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one shall come to the Father in heaven but through me.’ (John 14:6).

Believing Jesus died on the cross for your sins, that he was buried and rose three days later, ascended into heaven, and will return again to gather together his children, that is, all believers. Once you have established your faith in these things you must then begin the conversion part of your plan to prepare for your new Homeland.

Converting all things of your current home land into that of your new Homeland. Learning a new language. In other words, speak differently. Practice living a new lifestyle according to the way of your new home. And in doing so, prepare to leave all the things behind because the number one law of the new land is, you cannot take anything from your old land with you.

Oh, did I forget to mention, your trip to your new land can happen at any time.

You are not given a departure or arrival date. Just told to be ready to go at any time. But remember, without the proper currency, (faith in Jesus Christ), your new home cannot accept you. Your model should be, “Take from your own land (earthly possessions,) the things you can never keep, and exchange them for what can never be lost!   Amen!

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The Truth

If you prefer, you can click below to listen to the audio version of this article as recorded by Jacob Gardner.

The future is an interesting concept.

Many try to find the future for their lives. They look to fortune tellers, astrology – the unwise advice of the wise ones of the world. God says in his word that he will destroy the wisdom of the non-believer. But as for the believer and their wisdom (which is accepted by God), what makes his or her wisdom different than a non-believer? Simply this. Although no one knows what the future holds, the believer knows who holds the future.

It is normal to think about the future and hope it gets better, but, it is wiser to trust the future to someone who knows what the future will be, and that is God. And those of us who do, have two things going for them.

1) Whatever your future holds it is for your own good. (All things work for the good for those who love the Lord).

2). Whatever your future is, its number one purpose is to bring glory to God.

Plan as you will, dream if you dare, but if your plans and dreams are not according to God’s will, the only thing you have left is a future that lacks fulfilment, and is full of uncertainty. 

There were two men who were granted one wish each for his future. One asked for eternal life and received hell. The other asked for truth and received heaven. The moral of the story is – eternal life without truth is a place called hell; eternal life with truth is a place called heaven.

The secret lies in the reality of WHO the truth is. Jesus said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but through me.” 

Amen.

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Are You on the Side of Truth?

What is truth or more accurately, who is truth?

John 14:6a Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

And, so if you want to know the truth, who should you listen to?

John 18:37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

What does this mean for you? Well it means, if you are not listening to Jesus Christ, you are not on the side of truth; you are not listening to the truth. In fact, Jesus said that the reason he was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. And if you are not on the side truth, then you must be on the side of a lie or on the side of a deception.

So, is God always on the side of truth? Can God lie?

Heb 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.

It is impossible for God to lie! God cannot lie!

So, where are all of the lies and deception in this world, coming from?

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan, the devil, is a liar and in fact, is the father of lies. There is not even one iota of truth in him. His native language is lying. Because there is no truth in him, he cannot tell the truth.

So, what does the “world” think of Jesus?

John 7:12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him (Jesus). Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”

Notice, some people think Jesus is a good man. That’s nice of them. Today, we might say, “he’s not a bad guy,” or “he’s a pretty good fellow.” They are not really acknowledging that he is God, only that he’s a good man. Still others accuse Jesus, who is the truth, of being a deceiver. A truthful person, and as we have seen, even the Son of God, can be accused of being a deceiver by people of this world.

Did Jesus warn his followers to watch for deceivers?

Mark 13:5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.

Yes, as we can see that Jesus did warn us of deceivers. And there are many deceivers.

Why can’t the average person see what is really going on in the world?

2 Cor 4:4 The god of this age (Satan the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Rev 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Satan, the devil, has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel. It is Satan that leads the whole world astray through his lies and deception.

What will eventually happen to those who refuse to love the truth (Jesus Christ)?

2 Th 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Those who refuse to love the truth – (the truth being Jesus Christ), will perish. They will have no life in them.

But what about those who do believe, the truth – Jesus Christ?

John 3:16 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.

True believers in Jesus Christ will be given eternal life. That is, those on the side of truth, will be given eternal life.

Are you on the side of truth?

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Ask! Seek! Knock!

If you prefer, you can click below to listen to the audio version of this article as recorded by Jacob Gardner.

Jesus said, ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you. (Matthew chapter 7 verse 7). Jesus said, when we seek after the things of the Kingdom of God, then all other things (the necessities of life) shall be given to us.

God wants us to focus on his Kingdom, and those matters related to His Kingdom. He promises us that when we do He will make sure we receive the necessities of life, such as food, clothing, employment, etc., as well as, spiritual blessings, such as peace, joy, wisdom, love, mercy, gentle spirit, grace, etc.

The three number one matters of the Kingdom of God are love, mercy, and justice. God wants us to love at all times. He wants us to show mercy where mercy is not deserved. He wants us to enforce justice where justice is warranted.

As we carry out the matters of the Kingdom of God, He will supply us with our needs, as well as extra blessings. 

Amen.