Bible - United In Christ Jesus

From 2022 to the Hope of 2023 by Shane Sands

Perhaps you have heard there are no short cuts to anything you truly desire? Maybe you have heard if you want to be healthy you should not smoke, eat right, exercise and get proper sleep? No matter what, you have to be diligent, steadfast and disciplined if you want to succeed – if you want to grow. Which brings me to the one Scripture verse which has been on my heart before the new year:

10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra 7:10 NASB

The year was 2021, and the LORD had been putting in my heart for a rebranding and change of focus for the ministry. Rising out from that call to change direction the ministry was blessed with a new logo and graphics. Then we were led to start a podcast as the main focus of the ministry to reach the lost and build up the church.

The year was 2022, and the podcast got rolling! Week after week, the LORD sustained us and we recorded episode after episode. Then the last couple of months before the start of 2023, the LORD started impressing on me Ezra 7:10. It is one of my favorite verses because it tells us, as Christians, there is an order to our growth, development and being prepared to teach. Yes, we are all supposed to be able to teach. There are those who are given the gift of teaching by GOD the HOLY SPIRIT, but we are all to make disciples. Shortly after having Ezra impressed on me, my wife Holly, got me a new bible and we started to visit a new church. Then the stage was set for ringing in the new year.

Since the beginning of 2023, an emphasis on studying the gospel, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15, has been on my mind and heart. So, LORD willing, this year it is my hope to apply Ezra 7:10 to every aspect of the gospel. Please pray for me in this respect.

Now, I want to encourage and exhort you to strive for Ezra 7:10 in your daily time in the Word. I want to challenge you to take your daily devotions to another level. I want you to have the goal of putting into practice what GOD is teaching you in HIS Word. But that’s not all. I want you to have in your prayer life an earnest plea to the LORD to give you the opportunity to take what you have learned and practice and teach it to another. I want you to set your heart on being a student, a practitioner and a teacher. I want you to be a proclaimer of the excellencies of HIM who called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous light. I think 2023 will be the year where, if we seek the LORD with all our hearts, we can see HIM move in a mighty way and a new generation of believers will rise up! Oh may the LORD be exalted and glorified!

There is no short cut in our growth in CHRIST. It’s not enough to be students. It’s not enough to be doers of the Word. Unless we are teaching and discipling each other, especially new believers, we are missing the crowning jewel of our journey home. Just as the resurrection is the crown of the gospel; so too is teaching what we have learned and put into practice. Don’t miss out on this great blessing of the LORD.

Study, practice and teach – in that order. Let that process be the focus of this year.

Grace and peace from GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST to all whose only hope is the unfailing love of GOD!

Shane Sands is the founder and president of United In Christ Jesus, a gospel evangelism missions ministry which began in 2010. Shane is husband to Holly, his godly wife (he defiantly married up). They both live in South Carolina at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along with their ever idiotic cat, Mister Bojangles. Shane has been blessed to travel to numerous countries and states, along with his wife, to preach the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those Pesky UFOs and the Word of God by Shane Sands

Over the last six months a certain topic has come up over and over again. This topic has been brought up on TV shows and there was even a congressional hearing on it. The topic is UFOs. For the Christian, the topic of UFOs can be difficult to examine and even to talk about. Truly, there “seems” to be a large amount of evidence to advance the thesis that UFOs (objects and/or life of an other world origin) are real. But, how do (and should) Christians examine this phenomenon? As you can see, I have entitled this article, “Those Pesky UFOs And The Word Of GOD.” What I will set out to do is examine this topic as well as setting the foundation for all other examinations of topics which can be a challenge to a believer. I hope also to assist you, the reader, with learning how to ask questions, in order to know how to look at GOD’S Word for guidance. Think of it like typing into a search engine; once you know how to phrase the question you can get a better result.

Not too long ago, I was asked by a fellow co-worker, who also professes CHRIST JESUS as LORD, what I thought about UFOs. He, at this point, as far as I know, is still a firm believer in UFOs. From the Word of GOD, I am now even more convinced UFOs are not alien, in nature (i.e. alien life outside our solar system including aircraft also not of this solar system which is not mentioned in GOD’S Word). Before I go further, I want to make clear I am not disparaging my co-worker. I informed him some time ago I would be writing on this topic and showing why UFOs, as the media describes, cannot be. Indeed, the last time I actually had a conversation with someone about UFOs was about 12-13 years ago. I am grateful for him bringing the topic up, because it made me have to go back and re-examine everything so I would know how to articulate clearly on the matter. I will also be sharing this with him, so if I have not represented his position clearly and/or accurately, he can give clarity and I will update immediately. First, his position and then mine:

** He believes UFOs are real due to the vast amount of video and analysis done on those videos, along with other capabilities in tracking and/or identifying objects that have unknown origins. He reconciles GOD’S Word with UFOs by claiming the Bible was only given to men for men. The Bible does not have application or is necessary for those things which lie outside our solar system – really, outside of the earth’s atmosphere. He also believes GOD did create all things. He is clear that GOD has created the universe. He simply believes UFOs are outside of the authority of the bible due to the bible being given to man and not to aliens. **

** I believe that UFOs are not true, in the aspect of there being alien life or technology in the universe which GOD has not disclosed in HIS Word. I also hold and put forth that GOD’S Word is authoritative for all of creation everywhere – that which is seen and unseen. I also hold that GOD does not act in secret towards HIS image bearers – if there is a blessing or judgement to come, or if there are schemes which can be used to lead mankind astray, GOD makes us aware of those things (if not specifically, then in the general broader application). **

Let me begin by sharing a couple of verses from the LORD JESUS.

24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to… (Mark 4:24)

18 “So take care how you listen…” (Luke 8:18)

Do you see the difference in the two verses? However, the two separate books and chapters are the same context. Both of these chapters are dealing with the parable of the sower. Specifically, the general context of the above verses is regarding the lamp being placed on a table (freely sowing the Word of GOD to all). Thus, these two verses give us insight/application, on how we should go about studying and/or examining GOD’S Word, materials, documents, or other items. Look at the first word, “what.” It implies the object of information being presented. If you are in medical school, what you listen to are the teachers and text books etc. It also gives indication that there is a hierarchy of authority and importance in the material you examine. The next word is , “how.” This identifies the process or the mode in your listening. Think of reading the Word of GOD. When you open it up, hopefully, you come in a humble manner and seek to have understanding and grow in CHRIST. Now think of reading a comic book – its a different manner than reading the Bible. These are two very different modes or processes in listening, reading, understanding and evaluating. Both the “what” and “how” then give clarity on how we should process and proceed. With that, let us then proceed on how to address the topic of UFOs.

The first place any Christian should go when seeking to have understanding on a specific subject is the Word of GOD and prayer. Seeking the LORD to give you guidance and clarity in how and where to look in HIS Word is of the upmost importance. The main area to explore is asking the following question, “If GOD has made the universe (everything in it and most importantly), is HE is Sovereign over HIS creation?” Yes, we have to begin with creation. Once you have solidified that first question it becomes apparent there is no other “god” and no other “creator” and everything that has been created and come into being (seen and unseen) is by GOD alone, and for GOD alone. The next question that has to be addressed is, “Is the Bible the ‘actual’ Word of GOD?” Here is where the rubber meets the road. If you answer the bible is not really the “actual” Word of GOD – at best, “it is inspired of GOD, but its the word of man” – then you have no basis for objective certainty and you have made GOD a liar. However, if you do hold to the truth that the Bible is the “actual” word of GOD; then your foundation is solid and you have a basis by which to filter the world/creation and all that is in it. Now that those two base lines have been established, the next area to look into is: “Has GOD said anything directly on the subject (in this case UFO’S)?” If HE has, then great, lets see what it says. What is the context and are there any other sections of Scripture that validate the former? If there is not, does GOD give us any guidance that helps to direct us on the topic? Are there any questions to the character of GOD, contrary to the Word of GOD or call into question the existence of GOD? These are types of questions which would help us to identify a deception or lie by the evil one and/or give clarity. So, with that, it s now time to switch gears and just lay things out.

My friend’s thought that the Bible is only for me and not for what is outside our atmosphere is a flawed thought. Is it true the Bible is a self disclosure of GOD to man? Yes, that assertion is true! My friend has, in that limited respect, answered truly. But, it is the wrong question with the wrong focus. The right question is: “Does the Word of GOD change for anyone?” Is GOD ever changing? Let me put it this way, when GOD said whoever sins will die – are there “any” entities anywhere in the entire creation that are not subject to that? The answer is no. How do I know this? GOD. Is there another sentient creation of GOD that has the capacity to sin? Yes, the angels. What happened to the angels when they sinned? They became demons and are sentenced to an eternity of torment in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone. The next consideration is: GOD never changes! So, when GOD declares HIS Word to us, HE is declaring HIS very essence and character – HIS very being – to the extent a creation of HIS can comprehend. Because GOD never changes, HIS Word is authoritative over all that HE has created. Just because GOD disclosed this to us in HIS Word does not mean HIS Word does not have authority over all creation everywhere. GOD simply revealed this part of HIMSELF to us so we might understand HIM more. Look at the following from Psalm 103:

19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalm 103:19–22)

The above Scripture clearly indicates that GOD is Sovereign over all, throughout the entire universe – all that is seen and unseen. This means, if there was alien life outside what is disclosed in Scripture, GOD has created it and HE is Sovereign over it. This is an absolute fact according to GOD’S Word. To further expound on this briefly look at the following:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1:1–3)

Now there can be no misunderstanding everything that has come into being has done so by GOD the FATHER, and the agent which manifested it was GOD, the SON – JESUS. Since HE is the CREATOR, all HIS creations are governed by HIS Sovereignty. Next, in GOD’S Word, does GOD warn us of dangers ahead of time to keep us from sinning? Does GOD reveal to us those things which can cause division, call our faith into question, lead us in deception and have us to stumble? Yes. Throughout GOD’S Word, HE has clearly told us and warned us of what happens if we do not obey HIM. Also, GOD has told us of the lies and deceptions of the devil and his demons. GOD has even told us of the deceptions which will occur in the last days (see Matthew 7,24 and Revelation, just to mention a couple). So, it is fair to say, if there was a creation of GOD’S which was sentient and had the capacity and would be used to tempt us, cause us to stumble and sin, GOD would tell us before hand in HIS Word.

Now, the very foundation of alien life, apart from that which GOD has revealed, comes crumbling down. You see, my friend said UFO’s were not bound by the Word of GOD. However, because UFO’s, reportedly, have already interacted with and thus influenced us already – this then calls into question the very existence of GOD and that HE alone is CREATOR – in other words “did GOD say?”. That is the lie the devil has used, literally from the very beginning. There are, as far as I know, only two sections of Scripture that illustrate alien vehicles. First, Elijah in 2 Kings 2 and second in Ezekiel 1. Both of these sections leave open to me our ability to encounter something from the unseen spiritual world and even a vehicle from that realm, if GOD so wanted it. But, it is clear that the life and vehicles encountered are of the LORD and more than that HE has informed us of them in HIS Word. GOD has not left us in the dark on this matter. So, by the Word of GOD I can say there is alien life – angels and demons. One, angels are for our good and used to conform us to the image of CHRIST. The other is fallen angels which are now demons. These are used to deceive and keep people from GOD. But, there is no indication of any other life form which GOD would have to interact with us and which could be for our benefit or our harm. Indeed, there appears to be video evidence of objects we cannot explain. However, before thinking they are alien we should examine the Word. GOD is faithful! HIS unfailing love is everlasting! If GOD had made another life, outside of our earth, which would eventually interact with us – GOD would have revealed that. HE is a good GOD! HIS Word is authoritative over all of HIS creation – seen and unseen. When we first come to the LORD in HIS Word and prayer we become equipped on how to examine and digest what this dark and evil world would throw at us to try and deceive us. When we come to HIM first to seek and understand we honor HIM and thus honor the FATHER. Let whatever we do always be done to bring GOD glory through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Grace and peace to all who are in CHRIST JESUS.

If Clothes Make The Man by Shane Sands

They say clothes make the man. Well, if that is true, then the very first set of clothes man had is the best! It is a foreshadowing of CHRIST JESUS and HIS sacrifice on the cross. Let’s go back to the beginning and see where this first set of clothes originated from.

21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21)

Here we are in the garden of Eden, immediately following the judgments of GOD on the serpent, Eve, and Adam. But, in order, for us to get a good understanding of what the above verse says, let’s travel a bit further back and do a quick recap.

GOD creates. GOD, creates the light, darkness, day, night, stars, earth, seas, dry land, sea creatures, birds, land animals, vegetation and man. GOD puts Adam in charge of the garden and over everything on the earth. This Adam is GOD’S representative on earth. You have to get that! Adam is created in GOD’S image. This same Adam is the only creation created in GOD’S image. GOD gives Adam authority to name all the animals on the earth. To use a modern euphemism, “Adam was the man”! GOD gave Adam only one negative command – do not eat from the tree of good and evil or you will die. Afterward, when GOD saw Adam was still without a suitable helper, GOD caused Adam to go into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and fashioned Eve from it. A little later on we have this interaction between the serpent and the woman (Eve was actually named after the judgement):

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat;
3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ ” (Genesis 3:1–3).

Did you notice the underlined portion? Hopefully, the first question which comes to your mind is, “where did she get this information”? GOD never said they could not touch the tree. Adam and Eve could have slept in the tree, made swings, carved their initials in the tree, and I guess you could have even argued, cutting the tree down. What is implied is Adam told her not to touch it. Because Adam cared so much for Eve and did not want her to die, he made a rule that went beyond what GOD had said. Which, incidentally, would be the very opening that would lead to Eve being deceived! Just a side note: never add to or take away from GOD’S Word!

What happens next is an investigation and then judgement pronounced. What is interesting to me is the order of the investigation and then the order of judgement. The first party GOD asks a question of is Adam. Adam’s reply was to blame GOD for his sin (the woman you gave me…). What Adam said to GOD was “Had you not given me the woman I would never have eaten, so basically its YOUR fault, GOD. GOD does not reply to Adam, but addresses Eve and she blames the serpent for deceiving her. Because Adam was GOD’S representative GOD went directly to Adam first to inquire. Adam had the primary responsibility, above all other things, to represent GOD correctly and obey HIM perfectly. I don’t know if you have ever asked the question, “why did GOD not ask the serpent any questions?” But, for me, it seems a bit remarkable that GOD did not ask why of the serpent. GOD now proceeds to the judgement phase and immediate goes in reverse order. The serpent is punished first, then Eve, and finally Adam. Then, the truly unexpected happens. GOD, instead of instructing Adam how to provide clothing for Eve and himself, makes garments of animal skin to clothe Adam and Eve. GOD takes the initiative – the first step in redemption. Just like the judgement of the serpent, when GOD declares the crushing blow to him (serpent) will come from the seed of woman – GOD takes the initiative in declaring the end from the beginning. Now, we don’t just hear of what GOD will do – we see. GOD demonstrates it will take the shedding of blood, death of the innocent, to make atonement for the guilty. GOD HIMSELF will choose and make the sacrifice. It will be GOD who will clothe a sinner with the garments which will make them acceptable before HIM. **Another brief side thought. I know it does not specifically say it, but do you think the animal that GOD sacrificed was a lamb?** This first set of clothes GOD provided for Adam and Eve was a foreshadowing of GOD sacrificing HIS own SON, JESUS, so that we would be clothed in the righteousness of CHRIST. GOD, takes an animal, pours out its life’s blood, skins it and makes garments and clothes the rebellious. This would be the same as when the FATHER had HIS SON JESUS go before Pilot and then condemned to death. The predetermined plan of GOD to have HIS SON JESUS die on the cross for the sins of HIS creation man. GOD, instead of leaving us naked, helpless and doomed, made a way where there was none to have us reconciled to HIMSELF! Blessed be the LORD JESUS CHRIST and glory to HIS holy name!

10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”(Zechariah 3:3–4)

Death to Life – The Love of God in Christ Jesus by Shane Sands

There is a saying, “the higher you go up the flag pole, the more your rear end shows”. Many will equate this to a person climbing the ladder of life and career and not being afraid to make the tough decisions which might bring about negative consequences. While that can be an interpretation, what I think is more applicable is how this relates to sin, more pointedly to CHRIST JESUS and HIS glorious sacrifice. Death to life, the love of GOD in CHRIST JESUS.

Every so often I go on YouTube and just surf around to see what is showing up on my feed. There are those animal videos which make you smile with the sound of “Awww” coming from your lips. There are the other ones which show the traumatic side of animal life/death especially in the wild. The last two weeks, my mind has had the ending of one of these videos repeating in my head. It is this particular video which the LORD used to have me think, reflect and mediate about and apply to HIS Word.

Here it was, in the wild, a mother Giraffe has just given birth to her new baby. A short time later, lions attack and are successful in separating the baby from the mother and apparently ending the life of the baby. But, that was not the case. This baby had managed to take two bites to its throat and still get up and get away. This baby then went through four days of no food or other nourishment. Finally, you see the baby giraffe in a body of water when the look on its face…the look in its eyes, show its pain and its suffering was finally beyond what it could take. There is even a fear displayed, a deep sadness I cannot explain. The baby falls backward into the water, submerges and never comes up. This baby came into the world and suffered, its only life was one of suffering. Even now, as I think about that video and the way that animal looked at its end brings me nearly to tears. Why could not the lions have just ended the animals life? Why could not the bites to its throat have crushed its wind pipe and let the suffering end? Why did it have to go on for four days – a baby doomed to die, it was just a matter of time? Why has the LORD allowed me to be so affected by this part of the wild, with this one particular giraffe?

Then my mind was directed by the SPIRIT and remembered something from Scripture:

14 “However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.”
15 So Nathan went to his house. Then the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s widow bore to David, so that he was very sick.
16 David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground.
17 The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them.
18 Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died…
(2 Samuel 12:14–18)

Then as I thought about this Scripture another text came to my mind:

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely;
17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
(Genesis 2:15–17)

Then it began to come clearly into my mind. I was receiving instruction and for the first time beginning to see the hope behind the horror of the suffering baby giraffe. What astonished me was the LORD did not remove the deep sadness and empathy I had for the baby giraffe – I was and am grateful to the LORD JESUS for it.

You see, the higher you go up the flag pole, the more you pursue your selfish dreams and have a greater sphere of influence the more your sin will effect others around you. Quite often the consequences of my/your/our sin will have devastating, if not catastrophic outcomes on our own person, more importantly, on those whom are in your sphere of influence. When you are by yourself and have a limited number of people in your life your sin still has drastic consequences and even infects those few in your life. As iron sharpens iron so does one man sharpen another. The people you are around influence you and you them. If you were the head of a small company, as the leader of that company you would have a direct influence on many areas of the employees lives you employee.

Lets now examine, David, a man after GOD’S own heart. This is the one whom GOD found and chose. It was David from whom the line of the Messiah come forth. It was this David who brought the king and the priesthood back to one city, Jerusalem. David is the very one who had the plans and began storing up material for the temple to be built. How could we forget it was this David who defeated Goliath with a sling and stone. David was a mighty man of GOD, he is a legend throughout GOD’S Word. However, David was also a man who caused so much death, destruction, heartache, pain and suffering. Because of one sin David brought about the death of 72,000 people! But look at the Scripture above. Look at what one sin of David led too! First, he was not where he was supposed to be, out to fight with the armies of Israel. Next, he looked upon the nakedness of another man’s wife, Bathsheba. Next, he had her summoned to the palace and then slept with her. Next, she became pregnant and informed King David. Then, in an attempt to cover it up, David attempted to have her husband, Uriah, get drunk and sleep with her. When that did not work, he had Uriah murdered. Now, look closely at what is said. GOD said, “because by this deed you have given the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child born to you shall surely die.” It is bad enough that David caused adultery, murder and sowed sin in the army. This act gave rise to the enemies of GOD to blaspheme. The judgement which came as a result of this, was the death of the child born in adultery. But, pay even closer attention. GOD is the one who inflicted the sickness that lasted seven days before the child died. The child did not die right away. David’s sin caused the suffering of a baby child. This child, like the baby giraffe, was born and its life was only of suffering.

Now, lets go all the way back to the beginning to Adam. Adam was created in the image of GOD. Adam was placed on the earth to be the representative of GOD. Adam was the person in charge of the entire earth. GOD only issued Adam on negative command – don’t eat of the tree of good and evil or you will die. GOD made woman from man and Adam was the head of her. Adam had charge to teach her the command of GOD and to care for her. Instead of obeying GOD’S Word, Adam added to GOD’S Word which led to Eve being deceived. Not only was she being deceived by the devil, Adam stood there, did not protect her, and even listened to her and ate of the forbidden fruit. Because of Adams position, in the world, at that time. He was the representative of GOD and all mankind; his sin brought about death and destruction to all mankind and creation! Trace it back and all the pain, suffering, sin, death, destruction, and hopelessness come from one man – Adam. That baby giraffe suffered because Adam did not obey GOD!

Hopefully, at this point, everyone who reads this should be in a place thinking about the harm to themselves and others their sin has caused! But, the world, like Adam, wants to blame GOD for their sin!

The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”
(Genesis 3:12)

If GOD had not given Adam the woman, (the very good blessing he needed!), he would not have sinned. GOD it’s YOUR fault!

3 The foolishness of man ruins his way,
And his heart rages against the LORD.
(Proverbs 19:3)

But, from the very beginning GOD had a plan to work through the very suffering and death which sin brought about and through HIS SON JESUS, whom HE sent, to make all things new.

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned
(Romans 5:12)

24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:24–25)

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
(Revelation 21:1–7)

What shines brighter than all the darkness of sin and death is, JESUS CHRIST the LORD, the SON of GOD, whom the FATHER sent to make a way where there was none! When we see the effects of sin as they are and realize that very same condition is in us – each of us – we can understand what a blessing of GOD it is. Because, once we know how vile and repugnant sin is to GOD, and all the pain, destruction and death it causes, we then can look to GOD, who is love and see what HE has done and is doing in and through HIS SON JESUS. You can cry out for HIM to save you from your sin and HIS wrath and be made new…a new creation in CHRIST JESUS and for CHRIST JESUS! GOD is not an evil GOD! GOD is holy and MUST punish sin regardless of intent. GOD is good and must remove sin because of the death it brings! GOD is love and did not leave us hopeless, but sent HIS Son to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. JESUS lived the life we could not – sinless. HE died the death we deserve! The third day, after being placed in a tomb – GOD raised HIM from the dead! The sacrifice and penalty for sin was paid – the innocent for the guilty! The acceptance of that sacrifice and validation of GOD’S Word was accomplished by the resurrection. Now, on the basis of JESUS’ life, rising from the dead we have the guarantee of forgiveness and life if we come to the FATHER, by faith, through JESUS. The old things passed away – behold new things have come! JESUS the beautiful, majestic, KING of GLORY – worthy is HE! If you do not know JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR come today while you still have time! Tomorrow is not guaranteed!

8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
(Romans 10:8–10)

Look Long! by J.R. Miller

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly!” Colossians 3:16

It is in His Word, that God reveals Himself. We cannot know what He is like, nor what the attributes of His character are—unless we ponder the Scriptures. We cannot learn what God’s will is, nor what He would have us to do and to be—if we do not look into His Word. There is nothing that we need more, than to hear God speaking to us every morning. This is possible, only as we open the Bible and let its words whisper their messages to us.

No matter how familiar we may be with the teachings of the Scriptures, we need to ponder them anew every morning to keep their pure ideals and lofty requirements ever before us—lest we allow our standard of holy living to be lowered.

If we leave off for only one day, we shall become conscious of a loss of power in living. If for two successive days we fail to look into God’s perfect law—our friends around us will notice the failure in the beauty, the sweetness and the grace of our character and disposition. If for three days we fail to study the Scriptures to see how God would have us live, even the people of the world will see a lowering of the spiritual quality of our life!

One of the ways the Bible helps us, is by making Christ known to us. The noblest Christian is he before whose eyes, the character of Jesus shines in brightest splendor. Indeed, it is only when we have clear visions of Christ, that we really grow like Him.

Christ will never appear really great in our eyes, unless we make His Word our daily study. And only as He becomes great and glorious in our thoughts—will our character and standard of life be lifted up to what they should be.

James Russell Miller (1840 – 1912) was born of Irish/Scottish descent. He pastored churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois and was the author of over 60 published books, as well as countless booklets and pamphlets; and also served as supervisor of over two dozen periodicals with a combined annual circulation of over 66 million copies at the time of his death.

Neglect of the Bible by J.C. Ryle

I am convinced that one of our grave defects today, is a most serious diminishing of the good old custom of private reading of the Bible. Between the growth of Christian periodicals and books, I have a strong impression that Bibles are not read as much and as carefully as they were two hundred years ago.

I am well aware that there are more Bibles in Great Britain at this moment, than there ever were since the world began! There is more Bible-buying and Bible-selling, more Bible-printing and Bible-distributing, than there ever was! But all this time, I fear we are in danger of forgetting–that to have the Bible is one thing–and to read it privately ourselves quite another!

I am afraid that the Bible of many a man and woman in Great Britain is never read at all. In one house, it lies in a corner–as stiff, cold, glossy and fresh as it was, when it came from the bookseller’s shop! In another house, it lies on a table, with its owner’s name written in it–a silent witness against him day after day! In another house, it lies on some high shelf, neglected and dusty–to be brought down only on grand occasions, such as a birth in the family–like a heathen idol at its yearly festival. In another house, it lies deep down at the bottom of some box or drawer, among the things not wanted, and is never dragged forth into the light of day–until the arrival of sickness, or death! These things are sad and solemn. But they are true.

I am afraid that many in Great Britain who do read the Bible–yet do not read it aright. One man looks over a chapter on Sunday evening–but that is all. Another reads a chapter every day at family prayers–but that is all. A third goes a step further, and hastily reads a verse or two in private every morning, before he goes out of his house. A fourth goes further still, and reads as much as a chapter or two every day, though he does it in a great hurry, and omits reading it on the smallest inconvenience. But each and every one of these men does what he does–in a heartless, scrambling, formal kind of way. He does it coldly, as a duty. He does not do it with appetite and pleasure. He is glad when the task is over. And when the book is shut–he forgets it all! This is a sad picture. But in multitudes of cases–oh, how true!

But why do I think all this? What makes me speak so confidently? Listen to me a few moments, and I will lay before you some evidence. Neglect of the Bible, is like disease of the body–it shows itself in the face of a man’s conduct. It tells its own tale. It cannot be hidden.

I fear that many neglect the Bible–because of the enormous ignorance of true religion which everywhere prevails. There are thousands of professing Christians in this country, who know literally nothing about the Gospel. They could not give you the slightest account of its distinctive doctrines. They have no more idea of the true meaning of conversion, grace, faith, justification, and sanctification–than of so many words and names written in Arabic! And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do!

I fear that many neglect the Bible–because of the utter indifference with which they regard false doctrine–as if it did not signify much, and was all the same thing in the long run–whether one was a Roman Catholic, or a Socinian, or a Mormonite, or a Deist, or an Agnostic. And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do!

I fear that many neglect the Bible–because of the readiness with which they receive false teaching. They are led astray by the first false prophet they meet with, who “comes in sheep’s clothing,” and has a pleasant voice, a nice manner, and a gift of eloquent speech! They swallow all that he says without inquiry, and believe him as implicitly as papists believe the Pope! And can I suppose that such people search the Scriptures? I cannot suppose it. I do not believe they do!

I declare my firm conviction, that an idle neglect of the Bible is one cause of the ignorant formal Christianity which is so widely prevalent in these latter days!

Brethren! We are drifting, drifting, drifting–and what the end will be–no man can tell.

John Charles Ryle (May 10, 1816 – June 10, 1900) was an evangelical Anglican clergyman and first Bishop of Liverpool. He was renowned for his powerful preaching and extensive tracts.

Love Letters from God to You by Shane Sands

1 Peter 2:2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation

All too often people say they can know and worship GOD in their own way. But, it is these same people who will readily admit to not reading GOD’S Word. Here is a short video which will encourage and exhort you to be daily/faithfully in GOD’S Word.

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