by David Brenneman
"Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22.
"But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13.
"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:7-8.
What we do and why we do are probably among the more important things we consider in our daily lives.
What should be ever more to the top of the list of considerations is that Jesus is indeed the same, yesterday, today and forever. When considering the span of time between Saul's almost immediate fall after becoming Israel's first King up to what Jesus told the Pharisees...it shows that God hasn't changed.
People in our world love to try to show how mankind has grown, has improved.
Yet in a moment, not even as quickly as the twinkling of an eye that's coming, lives are changed.
A simple storm that doesn't have a lot of punch being just strong enough to topple a tree onto a car or house. A day of high winds causes a drought. 2 minutes from a home and a life-threatening accident occurs.
Yet in all that and more Jesus hasn't changed. People don't realize the enormity of what's really coming with the Rapture of the Church. Jesus made His promise to return for His Bride the Church and He will keep His promise just like all the others written in the Scriptures. All the promises that generations of Believers have seen coming true all because Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
With this in mind, my Dear Reader, do not be lulled into a false sense of security about life. As the Scriptures also state (paraphrasing) while the world is getting all hung up on peace and safety disaster is going to come.
If what I understand of the Old Testament prophesies is true...all of the electronic things we are holding so dear to life and living could be shut down in an instant at or after the Rapture of the Church.
Jesus was serious about all He said to both the Disciples and all whom He taught. Proving in His life that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Jesus foretold of the Temple destruction and it happened. Told Paul what all he would endure for Jesus and it happened. Told Peter what he should both expect and do with the Gentiles and it happened. Scriptures foretold of the rebirth of the nation of Israel and it happened. Hundreds of prophesies concerning the life of Jesus were written and came true.
If we accept and believe these things, what manner of Christians ought we to be?
Are we interested in the things of God that are for our benefit and growth in Christ only on a Sunday morning or are we laying aside every encumbrance and running the race set before us?
Are we finding satisfaction and joy in these offerings of the world through television, internet, streaming, games, movies, AI, books, world travel, sports, but aren't giving our hearts wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Are we doing our best as unto the Lord in all that we do or are we seeking first our kingdom rather than His? Convinced that the two can be one in the same?
We either follow Jesus first and foremost or we follow ourselves.
We either truly believe that the Word of God is fit for every day of our lives or we don't.
We either really do believe the promises of God or we treat them like advice and don't take them seriously.
We either do believe all the Scriptures say about Jesus or we pick n choose.
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
We live in a world immersed in temptations to sway the minds of humanity in pretty much every conceivable way. We are to "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16.
We are His Ambassadors in this fallen world...are we believing and acting like it?
Or are we pursuing our own agenda hoping it aligns with His?
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Not a suggestion.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Not a suggestion.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself. Not suggestions.
We don't live a life in Christ that's based on suggestions but on the promises of God because we have this assurance that He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
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