Meditate. Pray.
My heart is filled with
bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters.
I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save
them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God's adopted children. God
revealed his glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them his law.
He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful
promises. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was
an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. And he is God, the one
who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Romans 9:2-5
Christ Jesus is God. Paul tells us that again here in Romans. Can it be stated any clearer? Is there any doubt? Jesus Christ is God. Jesus came to the Jews first, but generally the religious Jews during Jesus’ time did not believe in Him as their Messiah. Even during Paul’s missionary journeys, he encountered Jews who rejected Jesus.
Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared,
"It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But
since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we
will offer it to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46
Although there are about 20,000 Messianic Jews in
Israel today and more around the world, generally Jews today are still waiting for
their Messiah. He has come…and they missed His arrival and departure. But good
news…He is coming again. The Jews are being given another chance…all humanity
will have a second chance. Isaiah prophetically wrote about Christ’s return.
This is what the LORD says: "Be just and fair to all.
Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my
righteousness among you." Isaiah 56:1
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi and Thessalonica about Christ’s return and how we should live our lives as citizens of Heaven already, waiting His return. With great joy Paul also shares how Christ will return.
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine,
and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before,
and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct
shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for
destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and
they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven,
where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return
as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into
glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring
everything under his control. Philippians 3:17-21
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| Angels or Clouds? We'll see them in the air when Jesus calls us Home. |
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
Believers have an awesome trip
ahead of them. Up. Up. And Away! Keep your relationship with God…Father, Son
and Holy Spirit…in good order so that you are ready when He comes to call the
Christians home. Jew or Gentile believers hearing that trumpet call will have an
exciting flight to Heaven.
Verse of Salvation ~ For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)
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Daily Devotional for Building Character
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