God's Case Against (America?) 

   The Lord himself challenged his people, as written in Micah chapter 6. 

   Stand up, plead your case... For the Lord has a case against his people. My people, what have I done to you? 

   They had rejected their covenant God. He asks if he had failed them in some way. Could it be his fault? 

   The people had no excuse.

   If you know the story of John Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony - find him on the internet - he had a vision for America...city on a hill. He carved his vision in stone, in Hebrew, linking America with God's intention for ancient Israel. 

   Today, God may ask the same questions. If we have turned from God and his righteous standards, we have no excuse. The Lord had intentions for America, allowed the calamity of Civil War, and may have used us to subdue Nazism and Japanese militancy - one war, two fronts, four years. 

   Since then, not so much. Freedom is cherished, but...

   If we are more concerned with our desires, if we are ungrateful for his grace and love, if we don't even acknowledge him, what should we expect? 

   What does the Lord require? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8.    

Commentary: We must humble ourselves daily before him in godly fear and reverence for his will. - James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5-6. Public worship is only a small part of our total commitment to Christ.

   If our leaders don't join us in prayer and fasting...  

   Therefore, I have begun to destroy you... - Micah 6:13. I will give you over to ruin ... you will bear the scorn of the nations. - v. 6:16 

   Do some nations scorn us today? Was 9/11 just the beginning of another calamity? 

         Jimmy

    

 

Back on Monday 😎

Take His Word for It 

   If I say, "I give you my word," hold me accountable. Are we as good as our word?" 

   Words have been crucial since the beginning. God said, Let there be light, and there was light. At least 4,000 years later, this:

   Creation: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made... In him was life, and that life was the light of men. - John 1:1-4. 

   Who is "him," this "Word?" Some 50 to 60 years after Jesus ascended to the Father, his special disciple John revealed more fully the mystery of Jesus' personhood. 

   Visitation: In John 1:14, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

   John had nothing personally to gain by promoting his long ago friend/rabbi.  

   The "Word" is Jesus, of the Trinity, who speaks to us through the Word written for us by Moses, many prophets, and finally by himself. Also by people who came after...inspired by the Holy Spirit...third person of the Trinity...given us by Jesus...the Son...to help us. 

   God's written words make him accountable. He promised Abraham: Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies and through your offspring (Jesus) all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me.  - Genesis 22:17-18.  

   Take his word for it. This still has not happened, but it will. See Revelation. 

   Christians are obligated to think God's thoughts and behave in ways that match our words. We have much to improve on. "But we can make our walk match our talk, and use words as God uses them." - Joel Belz, WORLD magazine.

          Jimmy

 

We're Not Perfect. So? 

   Are we loyal to our family, even though an uncle drinks heavily, an aunt is bossy and a cousin shuns his responsibilities? Yes.

   Do we root for a professional team, even though some players cheat on their wives, some are "look at me," and all would leave us for a better offer? Yes.

   Do we staunchly support a political party, even though many representatives seek financial opportunity, many go along to get along, and many don't reveal their true ideology? Yes. 

  If we feel so attached to our worldly favorites, why do some turn their backs on Christianity at the first sign of an imperfect worshipper? Or a particular congregation that doesn't meet expectations? 

   There are shortcomings among us mortals. Hypocrites, some. The Bible deals with all of that, in both Old and New Testaments. Even some clergy make the (bad) news. Attending church doesn't make us perfect representatives of Christ, although we are supposed to grow in that direction. 

   We are directed to come together with determined love, difficult love, challenging love. If we belong to Christ, we are "Christians," no matter the stain that some "believers" left behind over the centuries. 

Our score is kept up there! 

   What we do or don't do is "written in the books." True believers will know their final score at the judgment...whether reward or loss. Saved? Yes. 

   It is not the accuser - though he or she may have a point - who matters. The critic of the faith doesn't know Christ and doesn't want to know him, or turn his or her worldly life over to the perfect, Higher Power. 

       Jimmy   

   

The Gift of Grace 

   I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace, given me through the working of his power. - Paul, Ephesians 3:7 

   Stephen was a man full of God's grace and power. He did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. - Acts 6:8 (which got him stoned to death.)

   By the grace of God I am what I am. I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. - Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:10

   But he (the Lord) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' - Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9 

   For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.      - Paul, Philippians 2:13 

   For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. - Titus, 2:11-12 

   To each one of us grace has been given as Christ has apportioned it. - Paul, Ephesians 4:7 

Grace is available to each believer,

through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Tale of Two Bakers

   There was a crusty old baker who knew how to bake a cake. He and his helpers in the kitchen began with a large Golden Delicious apple. 

   They added 3 T. brown sugar, 1/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. vegetable oil, 1 egg, 1/2 c. dark molasses and 1-1/2 c. flour. Also in the mix were ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground cloves and hot water - all in precise amounts.

   Then there were the directions: peel, core and slice, combine and toss gently. Using vegetable spray, they baked at 350 degrees for five minutes. 

   Meanwhile, they combined sugar, oil and egg, beating for two minutes, then adding molasses and beat for another two minutes. Day after day they combined, added, mixed, baked and cooked until all was in order.

   Americans great and small benefited from this recipe. Even the least of us got a taste of the icing on the cake. When the baker said, "Let them eat cake," he  improved many lives. And we no longer relied on foreign powers for vegetable oil.

A Different Baker 

   Then another old baker replaced the first. He brought his own cooks into the kitchen, claiming the first baker was bad for our diets. He promised to Bake Back Better, even if it added trillions in debt, replacing electric ovens with solar heat. 

   From the first day he began changing the recipe. No vegetable oil would be in the cake, and if it was, it would come from foreign sources. Brown sugar was okay, but egg whites were omitted. 

   Most ingredients - including ginger, salt, cinnamon and ground cloves - were omitted or decreased in amount. Baking and skillet times had to be adjusted. The first baker had it all wrong, you know. 

   The second baker assures the people his way is superior. And thousands of helpers are teaching children the first baker and all his admirers were oppressing them ... with delicious cakes. 

   Well, the elite among us can still have their cake and eat it too. But many of us are thinking the apple isn't so delicious anymore. 

        Jimmy

    

God is Loving...                                                                                             So, He Tolerates Us?  

   On Friday, we wrote of Jonah explaining to God why he didn't want to preach to the wicked Ninevites: 

   I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2

   If that's all God is, we're good to go. We can live and think as we wish.  ???

   Another prophet, Micah, living in the same century, helps us know also the judgment of the God we fear. 

   First, note that the Old Testament is more than the history of Abraham's children. God had much to say to the surrounding nations. The OT is a record of about 15 centuries when God gradually revealed himself to mankind, letting us know what pleases and what angers him. 

   Micah gives us a vision he received, of Samaria and Jerusalem, capitals of the northern and southern kingdoms. He wrote, Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen O earth and all who are in it, that the sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. v. 1:2

   The Lord would come down...mountains would melt...valleys would split apart like wax before the fire. You get the picture. Micah mentioned Jacob's transgression and sins of the house of Israel.  

   God is displeased with idolatry, immorality, crime and injustice. Incurable. v. 1:9 

His Larger Message

   Abraham's children were not worse than the world around them. They had just adopted the world's ways, after the Lord had taught them differently. 

   Samaria fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC, and Sennacherib captured the walled cities of Judah - 2 Kings 18:13.  Assyrian records list 46 cities. Then, our God "who relents" destroyed the Assyrian army and offered to renew the covenant - if the people would place their trust in him. 2 Kings 19  

          Jimmy

 

Views by the Sea

Returns on Monday

A Most Difficult Test

   Do we have concern if not love for the people of Iran? How about Russia, China, Somalia and other nations that don't share our best interests? 

   The prophet Jonah was concerned that the Lord might save 120,000 wicked people of Nineveh. So he refused to preach to them, took a ship in the other direction, was tossed into stormy waters, and swallowed by a great fish.

   It's a true story. Jesus himself referred to Jonah while addressing a crowd: For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. - Luke 11:30, 32

   After God delivered Jonah, who reluctantly went to Nineveh, and the people great and small repented, the prophet explained himself:

                      I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God,                                                         slow to anger and abounding in love,                                    a God who relents from sending calamity. - Jonah 4:2

   The Lord replied: Have you any right to be angry? The people cannot tell their right hand from their left. Should I not be concerned about that great city?           vv. 4:4, 11

   Jonah was more concerned about his own comfort and his attitude. He was not dedicated first and foremost to God's will.    

Commentary:      

   Jesus is concerned enough about all people in all nations that he gave his own life as a ransom for sin. - Romans 5:8. Beyond human love. Beyond concern for his own people (Jews and would-be Christians). He died for all. - John 3:16

   He sent his disciples into all the world to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. God relents from sending calamity and cancels his judgment when we repent.  

   We can be committed to the success of our church, while not for God's will and purposes for the world. Do we have some of Jonah in our hearts? 

           Jimmy

 No More Gloom 

   This week, with attention on life for the unborn, we remember that God provided a supernatural wonder, dividing history into the before and after, BC and AD. His natural branches are the Jews, while he grafts Gentiles into the tree. (Amos 9:11-12). After his resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit on full-time mission to help all his children in numerous ways. Jesus said, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.  

   The Messiah (Christ, in Greek) came as prophesied, and he will come again in power, to dispatch the devil and to rule. Some commentary:

Isaiah speaks of a coming deliverer to lead God's people into joy, peace, righteousness and justice. This prophecy reveals, 

(1) the Messiah would minister mostly in Galilee. 

(2) He  would bring the light of salvation and hope. 

(3) He would enlarge his community, primarily by the inclusion of Gentiles. 

(4) He would deliver his people from the yoke of oppression. 

(5) He would come from the nation of Israel and be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. 

(6) He would rule over God's people forever. 

In Isaiah's prophecy, no distinction is made between a first and second coming. Christ's entire redemptive work and rule was viewed as occurring in one distant coming. Nowhere does the Old Testament reveal that Christ's rule on earth would involve a first and second advent. Likewise in the New Testament, time gaps between end-time events are not always clearly distinguished. 

Tomorrow: Concern for Iran?

 

      

Light of the World  

    We are to seek the kingdom of God like children, or else. The kingdom of God belongs to little children, God said. 

   The Messiah himself came to us by way of miraculous conception, birth, and a normal human life up to age 30. At some point he knew who he was. 

   He himself would have been murdered shortly after birth, if King Herod had his way. 

   "Wise men" from the east asked where to find the future King, so they could give him gifts. A number of small children in Bethlehem died, as agents of Herod sought to kill his "rival," not knowing which child was the one. Evil. This horrible massacre was prophesied in Scripture.  

   While untold, uninformed nations throughout the world practiced child sacrifice, some today are snuffing out unwanted preborn. They don't know the sixth commandment: You shall not murder. - Deuteronomy 5:17.

   Yes, God allows some babies to be stillborn, and others have deformities and such. Sometimes the problem is a mother's drug addiction. Ours is a fallen world. 

Darkness turns to light.   

   The Messiah did something for all of us. After he taught what the Father gave him to teach, and healed those the Father permitted to be healed, he allowed himself to be sacrificed. This too was prophesied. He reappeared in resurrected body and convinced his disciples to believe the good news.   

   Authorities could not deny his miracles; neither could they permit the people to rally to him rather than themselves. 

   The Messiah did this for you and me, for anyone in the world who believes, trusts and obeys. We all sin, and we all can repent, and receive his peace and mercy. 

Tomorrow: Commentary on this topic

        Jimmy      

   

Let Them Come  

   So, while America continues to legalize ending the lives of the unborn, more than 100 thousand people will join the annual March for Life this week. 

  What does God think? Will he leave us in gloom and distress? How many more babies will know nothing but the land of darkness? 

   We know the message God gave to a prophet about 700 years BC. 

   There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. For to us a child is born, to us a child is given ... and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. - Isaiah 9:1, 6-7. 

   Who could this be Isaiah might have wondered? A child king? 

   When Mary, a virgin, learned she will bear a son, Joseph, her husband-to-be, wanted to "put her away." No marriage with an unfaithful bride for him. Today, we imagine many unmarried men whose girl is pregnant asks, no, commands her to abort. 

   Well, the angel came through, assuring Joseph this child is a miracle by the Holy Spirit. Take her as your wife. 

   Years later, when the child had grown up and was drawing large crowds, People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. (Children - not important) 

   But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." - Luke 18:16. Also in Matthew and Mark.  

   Imagine, demanding or having an abortion, or performing same, or someone who gave us Roe ... before heaven's Court ... seeing Jesus ... the Judge.

   Forgiveness is possible, but sincere repentance comes first. 

   Tomorrow: More about the child given to us.

            Jimmy

 Subduing God's Command 

   We didn't create ourselves nor did we make the (original) rules. 

   In Genesis chapter 1, God said let us (plural) make man in our (plural) image, in our (plural) likeness. Think on that.

   So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - v. 27 Whatever he meant by "image," we would be blessed above all creatures. 

   Special. 

   He went on to say we should be fruitful and increase in number (get it?); fill the earth and subdue  it. We are to rule over fish, birds and every living creature. Oh, and work the garden he made and take care of it. 

   Sounds reasonable. Just subdue the earth and enjoy life. 

   We checked our Bible again, and nowhere can we find permission to destroy babies. Abortion doesn't fall under the fruitful and increase.   

   Abortion was happening secretly for decades before 1973, but the U.S. Supreme Court (our wise justices) legalized it across the land. It began in New York City, was sanctioned in Albany, the capital, and soon the practice spread like wildfire.

   There is hope the Court might overturn Roe, but states would still have rights. 

   WORLD magazine offers this: "Crisis pregnancy centers have demonstrated love for both the unborn and their mothers. Public polling suggests most Americans don't want Roe overturned. More and more Americans acknowledge the full humanity of the unborn and want more restrictions on abortion itself." 

   We just wish Americans would understand - humanity is God's creation. 

   Inca's in South America sacrificed children during important events. This was called qhapag hucha. Ancient Israel sacrificed thousands of babies to foreign gods. Maybe that was the last straw. God allowed Assyrians and Babylonians to overtake them. 

   We have - under our law - aborted millions, with no end in sight. How dare we sing, God Bless America. Would he be justified in subduing us?

          Jimmy 

 Views Returns Monday

Trouble in the Family   

   In just the second generation of the family that God would use to teach the world about himself and what he wants from us, somebody messed up. Abraham's son Isaac took Rebecca - a distant relative - to be his wife. Okay so far.

   She was barren, but God answered her prayer. Months later, she asked the Lord why her twins were "jostling" in her womb. He could have said, "Boys will be boys." 

   Instead, Two nations are in your womb and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Esau was born first, but Jacob grabbed his ankle as they came out. Oh Oh.

   Esau was a hunter, while Jacob just hung around the tents. Isaac favored his adventurous son, but Rebecca wanted Jacob to receive Isaac's blessing. She plotted the trick; Jacob was wary, but went along with the deception. 

   Her scheme worked, but Jacob had to flee for his life, and Rebecca never saw her son again. Many years later, Jacob thought that his favorite son Joseph was dead. When the family fled to Egypt for survival, he admitted to Pharaoh: My years have been few and difficult... - Genesis 47:9.    

   Did the culture ever improve? We have the same human nature. Jacob and Esau eventually made peace, but their descendants did not. 

   Obadiah is one of three prophets critical of a nation other than Israel. Jacob's descendants lived in Judah, while Esau's lived across the Jordan in Edom, but subject to the Judeans. When they broke free, they never ceased hostility, aiding foreign armies in their attacks.

   Through Obadiah, God roundly scolded Edomites for rejoicing over their "brother's" misfortune. He would remove their pride, do to them whatever they had done to others, and return their deeds on their own heads. 

   After the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, Edomites were nearly destroyed, forced to live in Judah, and after AD 70 were never heard of again. 

   Pride leads to self deception. - Proverbs 16:17; 1 Peter 5:5; and James 4:6 (Proverbs 3:34).

   The good news: Israel (God's name for Jacob) and all God's faithful will inherit the earth and reign with Jesus the Messiah. He will return, defeat evil, and the Kingdom will be the Lord's for a thousand years.

          Jimmy

One Way or Another

   The Great Reset will not succeed, ultimately. 

   Dr. Rectenwold, conclusion:

   Monopolistic corporations have consolidated their grip on the economy from above, while socialism advances on the rest of us below. 

   In partnership with Big Digital, Big Pharma, mainstream media, national and international health agencies, and compliant populations - especially Australia, New Zealand and Austria - formerly democratic Western states are being transformed into totalitarian regimes modeled after China.

~ ~ ~

   Views By the Sea - our sea is everyone's sea - believes much of what we've seen and heard the past two years could be coming from Great Reset proponents. How much vaccination/mandate/lockdown activity has been true science, and how much is outright falsehood? If the source is one of the above groups, or certain politicians, we question their motives.  

   When we read or hear about world events we look for signs of one-world government. It will come. Eventually, Bill Gates, commercial and political Babylons will be destroyed (Revelation 18 & 19). 

   Meanwhile, Dr. Rectenwold's final words:

   "But let me end on a note of hope. Because the goals of the Great Reset depend on the obliteration not only of free markets, but individual liberty and free will, it is perhaps ironically, unsustainable. Like earlier attempts at totalitarianism, the Great Reset is doomed to ultimate failure. 

   "That doesn't mean it won't again like those earlier attempts (like hurricanes) leave a lot of destruction in its wake - which is all the more reason to oppose it now and with all our might." 

       Jimmy 

The Great Reset  

   Like a hurricane, the Great Reset is leaving destruction in its wake. Even if their goals aren't totally met, there is urgent reason to oppose it. 

   We pass on to you a few comments by Michael Rectenwald, Ph.D., delivered in November at Hillsdale College. 

~ ~ ~

   What is it? Since 1971 there has been a move toward "stakeholder capitalism," public-private partnership, worldwide. The term Great Reset emerged about 10 years ago.

   It is the Chinese system, in reverse. The West began with capitalism, and is now implementing a Chinese-style political system, authoritarian measures to control populations. 

   Acute crises help boost the power of the state. Draconian lockdown measures serve the purpose, including destruction of small businesses, competitors of monopolists. Have we been watching the news? Millions of small businesses closed, with 60 percent now permanent. 

   Travel restrictions, unrestrained printing of money, broken supply chains, job losses due to vaccine mandates and more ... all serve the stakeholders (not the shareholders). 

   "Fairness" means lowering the economic status of people in nations like the U.S. Woke ideology makes people - but not the elite - feel guilty about their wealth. States and favored corporations combine in public-private partnerships to control governance, largely unaccountable. 

   Corporations are deputized as major additions to governments. The state then has enormous corporate assets, with no obligation to voters. Since these corporations are multinational, the state essentially becomes globalist, without the need to formalize "one-world government." 

Tomorrow: A note of hope

    

Amos, Paul, James, Peter in Agreement 

See Monday's Views if you haven't read it.

   Rejecting God's word invites God's silence, perhaps a judgment worse than enemy attacks or acts of nature. He gives people over to their sinful desires.

   Eight centuries B.C., Amos saw in a vision the Lord standing by the altar in the temple, ready to destroy it. When Christ returns to stay, "Christians" with sinful lifestyles - while outwardly believers - will also suffer the wrath of God. 

   In Amos 9:11-15, God promised that Israel would not be totally destroyed. There would be a day when the nation is restored and bless all "nations" who worship God. We know this as the "millennium." 

   James was the half-brother of Jesus (born to a virgin). He and his brothers didn't understand or believe the Jesus they knew when he began his ministry. But James knew the truth when his half-brother, risen from the dead, paid him a visit.

   James became leader of the Jerusalem church and wrote a hard-hitting, general letter to churches in numerous regions, calling for faith and deeds ... "without deeds faith is dead."  - James 2:26 

   The council at Jerusalem had a dispute and debate about whether gentile Christians must follow Jewish traditions. Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, said, God who knows the heart showed that he accepted them (gentiles) by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. - Acts 15:8

   James added, quoting Amos, After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. It's ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it. That the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things. - Acts 15:16-17; Amos 9:16-17 

   Ingrafted branches. Paul, also Jewish, wrote to the Romans, Because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and ... Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! - Romans 11:11-12. 

   Paul added, Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. ...The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. - Romans 11:25-26.

   Amos wrote that the earth will be transformed and abundantly productive. Israel will be restored to the Lord. The Messiah will reign over all nations, and Israel will be a blessing to them, fulfilling God's covenant with Abraham and David.

          Jimmy

       

Mankind's Happy Days 

   Thanks to God and a shepherd who lived in the 8th century, B.C., Israelites, Americans and everyone can know about the happy millennium of life on our present earth, if they choose to.

   There were prophets whose writings provide us with important information about the centuries following Abraham. Amos wasn't one of them. He lived in the southern kingdom, Judah. But God called on this shepherd one time, to deliver a warning to the northern kingdom, Israel (Jacob's God-given name), among "God's chosen." 

   Americans take heed. 

   Israel was at its zenith in territory, political peace and prosperity. But the people became seriously out of synch with their God. 

   Before we continue: Amos prophesied during the two years prior to a major             earthquake in the area. Citizens fled for their lives. The prophet Zechariah wrote       of that earthquake 200 years later (Zech. 14:5) in his final chapter,                         describing the (still) future Day of the Lord. (Archaeologists found evidence,             centered in Samaria.) 

   Amos went to Bethel, home of King Jeroboam II, a religious center. He spoke of failures in matters of justice and righteousness, that there would be divine retribution for sin. God's mercy was available, should they repent. 

   The people expelled Amos, forbidding him to return. He later wrote (the book of Amos) of his experience, including several visions, and the certainty of God's judgment. Three decades later, the northern kingdom (and surrounding nations) were overrun by Assyrians, never to recover.  

   Nevertheless, God says: In that day, I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations (Gentile Christians) that bear my name, declares the Lord, who will do these things. - Amos 9:11-12. 

   Tomorrow: More about the powerful promise for "David's tent" and the remnant of God's faithful the world over. 

        Jimmy

 

More Views on Monday

Future Happy Days

Enoch, then Elijah, and...

   Paul commends believers for turning from idols to serve the one true God and to wait for his Son, from heaven, whom he raised from the dead ... Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 

   Of all the churches Paul wrote to - Galatians, Romans, Philippians, Corinthians, etc. - it  was to Thessalonica that God chose to reveal this awesome, singular act through Paul's letter. 

   For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. We who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. 

   This could happen in our lifetimes. Or not.

   It helps to read the latter chapters of Revelation - to follow the course of events. It's not complicated, as the cell-phone company says in commercials.

   Most early people displeased God, which explains the Flood. Most people displeased God in "Bible times," which explains the miraculous visit of Christ, his voluntary death and resurrection. And his assignment for us - tell the world the "good news" of his free offer to save.

   Most people in our much-advanced world still displease God, by disbelief if nothing else. Which explains the coming 7-year tribulation, concluded by his return to Jerusalem - in power - and his millennial Kingdom to follow. 

   The trib will be a time of judgment not only for disbelievers, but for fallen angels as well. 

   Do you doubt the Lord could take living believers directly to heaven? Make your case with Enoch and Elijah.

            Jimmy

  

Like Enoch ... Elijah 

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   Let's not disregard Enoch's experience just because God took him before the Flood and started over. His story is one of three with a message for all of us.

   Beyond the Flood, beyond Abraham, Egypt and the Exodus, Elijah was a "man of God" whose life Jezebel swore to take. In the book of 1 Kings he ran for his life, becoming exhausted. An angel came to his aid.

   In second Kings chapter 2, now filled with the Spirit, he somehow knew God was going to take him. While crossing the Jordan with his next-in line, Elisha, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them. Elijah went to heaven "in a whirlwind."  

   Commentary: God's seal of approval was on Elijah's work, spirit and ministry. He was united with God's word and lived for God's honor...against sin and idolatry. Elijah also encouraged a faithful remnant of God's people.  

   So, we have two examples of Godly men, many centuries apart, taken by God straight to heaven. 

   We too live in an evil and ungodly generation. Do we walk with God, live in true holiness, denounce sin and warn people to flee the coming wrath?   

   Tomorrow we'll find in Scripture another shortcut to heaven - no passing through the portal of death. 

   No, it's not Jesus. Someone would die to redeem sinners - those of us who confess, repent and believe in faith. That someone is Jesus. Many saw him also rise into the clouds, but by then, in his resurrected body.  

   Meanwhile, you might like Hebrews 11:6, 13-16; Acts 3:18-20;                          1 John 1:5-7; Job 19:25-26 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

 

          Jimmy

He Never Died 

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   We can learn from a man who lived 365 years, and never died.

   God saw to it that early men lived for hundreds of years, and died of really old age. There was an exception that is a teaching moment.

   Enoch, son of Jared, was in the seventh generation from Adam. In Genesis chapter 5, Moses (presumably) wrote that Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. That's it?

   As many cables connect all the continents of our world today, countless invisible connections bring Old and New Testament histories and prophesies into harmony. God was, is and always will be.  

   In Hebrews 11:5-6, the faith chapter: By faith, Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. and without faith, it is impossible to please God. Lesson 1. 

   Commentary: Walking with God means living by faith, trusting his word and promises, striving to live a holy life and standing firm against ungodliness. Enoch highly pleased God, who honored him by taking him directly into his presence.

   Jude, in verses 14-15, adds: Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Lesson 2.

   Commentary: Jude may be quoting from the book of Enoch written before 110 B.C., or from Jewish tradition. 

   Then, The Lord saw how great man's wickedness had become. He was grieved over his creation, and would flood the earth, saving just one family.  

Thursday and Friday: Another special delivery, and one yet to come

               Jimmy

Setting an Example 

   After the risen Lord encountered Saul, persecuter of Christians, and gave him an assignment he couldn't refuse, and renamed him Paul, the rest of the story is...

   Paul wasted no time sharing the gospel.

   He built friendships, worked with helpers and strengthened local churches. 

   Paul relied on gifts of the Holy Spirit, preaching with power.

   He is known for apologetics, giving God the glory, and making spiritual detours.                  (Acts 17 and 27)  

Views By the Sea

   In the new year we could challenge ourselves and you with new Bible studies.

   Here are four questions to test your learning talents.

1. What color are blue jays?

2. What comes first, the cart or the horse?

3. In what direction do we find the north star?

4. Why don't we call the combined Old and New Testaments the Whole Bible?

   If you got at least three answers right, congratulations. You are capable of joyfully learning along with us in 2022. 

   All people are going to answer before the Lord ... not bosses, politicians, athletes, entertainers, dictators or even popes. Can we make God smile? 

        😀  😄    Jimmy   😇  😉

   

Does God Want Equality? 

   Two words: equality and equity.       

   Are they two sides of the same coin? We need to understand these words, because one of them is being abused for political benefit.

   We go to the Bible for examples of equality, or equal.

   In Deuteronomy 33, Moses in his final writing said of the sons of Asher, "Your strength will equal your days." 

   Samuel wrote that Saul was "without equal among the Israelites." Saul was a head taller than any of them. 

   The Lord said through Isaiah in chapters 40 and 46, "To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal? says the Holy One." 

   King Nebuchadnezzar found "none equal" to Daniel and his three friends. 

   The Jews were angry with Jesus for "calling God his Father, making himself equal with God." 

   Finally, Paul wrote of the new covenant, "the fragrance of life ... and the smell of death. And who is equal to such a task?" (preaching). 

   Our dictionary explains equity as justice by natural law, freedom from bias or favoritism, and justice under rules of equity. The same word has meaning in financial matters, but that doesn't matter here.

   Equity is found in Scripture, all in Psalms. 

   Verse 96:10 - The Lord ... will judge people with equity.

   Verse 98:9 - He will judge the world in righteousness and people with equity.

   Verse 99:4 - The King ... loves justice - you have established equity. 

   Beware of the word equity in political usage. They don't mean equal justice; they mean equal outcomes for all ... as in Cuba. 

         Jimmy

PS. After the millennium, every human of all ages (or all the lost?) will face equitable justice before a great white throne (Revelation 20:11-15) according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. If anyone's name is not written in the book of life, he will be thrown into the lake of fire.

How can this be? Our bodies decay, but our spirits never cease to exist. That's why the Bible says, "It would be better if he had never been born."

What's His Name?

   Amos chapter 4 is dedicated to serious judgment of the self-centered upper class, but we like the last verse, 4:13:

He who forms the mountains, creates the wind,

and reveals his thoughts to man,

he who turns dawn to darkness, and 

treads the high places of the earth - 

the Lord God Almighty is his name.