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What does this day mean to us? A time of family gatherings! Turkey! With Stuffing! And, pumpkin pie! Yum!

In many countries of the world a special day is marked as a national holiday set aside for thanksgiving. Those official Thanksgiving days provide us a time to pause and consider all that we enjoy.

Thanksgiving Day is a day we can use to express thanks to those around us. And, it is a day we can use to reflect on the truth that it is Almighty God Who has provided us with our lives and all of our bounty. It is to God that we owe the greatest of thanks. He is the Source.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

All Peoples of the earth who live in lands God has blessed can affirm a long list: “I am thankful for….”

For life, for health, for friends and family, for a sense of belonging, for gorgeous skies and landscapes, for an abundance of varied kinds of food, for safety, for entertainment, for laughter, for puppies and kittens, sights and sounds, colors and textures, for the kindness and charity of others, including those people we hold in memory who played a part in providing what we enjoy today, whether by simple generosity or great sacrifice, perhaps on a field of battle; for law and order and all the things that make for a secure peace; for the ability to get wealth and enjoy a sense of success, for big things and little ones, for things past, present, and future, and on and on and on….

Rejoice, and make thanksgiving a season of the heart!

Thanksgiving Day is a day to rejoice and savor our blessings with a greater joy than usual. It is a day to anticipate life filled with even more blessings.

And, it is also a good day to prepare our own list of things for which we are thankful – so we can recount them more often. All people can benefit by taking the time to recount every one.

Thanksgiving can become a continual season of our heart as we practice the giving of thanks and add to our lists day by day.

Developing an attitude of gratitude!

We frequently take for granted many circumstances where we can develop an even greater attitude of gratitude.

Some of us do not recognize a blessing until it is gone – disappeared.

Let us shake off any dullness, and warm up any cold spots in our hearts. Let us ask God for the eyes to see and feel and respond in gratitude.

We can improve or expand a true spirit of thanksgiving by simply being alert and seeing life as the great gift from God that it is.

Ponder just how we got our bodies made in God’s own image. Who granted us the opportunity to be born with a “will?” Who gave us our intelligence? Who gives us hope and faith?

Why not give some time and attention to the perfection and the beauty of a newborn baby’s face and the love and loyalty of a faithful mate? And, what about the energy and drive to work hard and feel the pleasure of success and achievement, a job well done?

The ability to enjoy our blessings and be thankful is a gift from God in itself. In the Bible, we read of this gift.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

For thanksgiving to be real, it needs to be expressed. Give it a voice with a hearty thank you OUT LOUD to those who deserve it!

Another very special way to express thanksgiving is to generously provide blessings to others so they might be thankful also.

You may also want to expand the spirit of thanksgiving by encouraging others to give as well.

On this special day set aside for thanksgiving, let us especially remember the greatest Giver of all. God has out-given us all and always will.

John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. So, let’s do it, individually, as a family, as a community, as a nation. Let us give thanks! Sing! Rejoice! Celebrate God’s goodness, His love, and His mercy to us all!

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.
Psalm 100: 1 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! 2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3 Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

If you would like encouragement and further details on giving God thanks, please contact us.

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What do we think of when we hear the word prayer? The word pray means to entreat, to beseech, to intercede, to make supplication, to ask for something humbly or earnestly. The Holy Scriptures provide much guidance about this vital subject – about how we are to pray. Although this article is not a thorough study of the subject, it looks at some specific examples of Jesus Christ, King David, the Apostle Paul, and others. And, it examines verses where God has given us detailed instructions about how we are to pray.

Religions of the World

When we look around us, we can see society and its many civilizations and religions have developed multiple ways for human beings to pray – to approach their idea of God. Each religion has its own special way for worshippers to make their voices heard before their god.

Some pray by chanting or reciting the same words over and over again. Others write their prayers on paper or cloth and burn them so that the prayers are carried to their god in the smoke. Others may place their prayers inside of a prayer wheel so that at every turning of the wheel, the prayer is offered to the deity or deities. Others pray facing a certain direction, towards a certain city, and at specific times of the day.

Prayer to the True God

Is the God of the Bible approachable through these methods? If not, then we must understand that billions of human beings are now, and have been for millennia, using methods that the true Creator God does not recognize or to which He does not respond.

Has our exposure to these various methods of prayer, devised by men, affected us in our personal appeals to God and in our understanding of the subject of prayer?

As we examine this important question, let us also consider whether there is a difference between the God of the Bible and the gods of the other religions of the world. Have we accepted that there IS a difference, and have we recognized that our heavenly Father’s Son, Jesus Christ, IS our personal Savior and the Savior of all of mankind? If so, then we can understand that we must go to Almighty God’s Source Book, His Instruction Manual, the Holy Bible, where He reveals to us how we are to structure and live our lives.

We Want God to Hear Us!

Certainly, all of us want to have God hear our prayers. We all want our heavenly Father to respond. We want to know we are not alone in the universe. We want to know that we are loved – that our Creator cares about each and every one of us, and that He wants the best for us. We also want to know our prayers can make a difference in our own lives and in the lives of our loved ones. Simply put, we want to know that our Creator hears us and that He will respond to our petitions – that He hears our words when we praise Him and tell Him we love Him.

How to Pray

So, with these things in mind, let us look at some specific instructions given to us by Jesus Christ, the Firstborn Son of God, during His earthly ministry. Some significant instructions are recorded for us in Matthew 6:9-13, with a parallel in Luke 11:2-4. These Scriptures are known to many as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

In Matthew 6:7, a few verses prior to the Lord’s Prayer, we are admonished “do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.” So evidently, there is a difference in how the God of the Bible should be approached compared to how various religions of the world approach their deities. This would include pre-manufactured, man-made prayers, chants, or Scriptures repeated over and over in personal prayer or in a ritualistic worship service.

Why is it that millions of professing Christians mindlessly utter, over and over, the specific words of the “Lord’s Prayer” when approaching God? Or why do they repeat the words of Luke 1:28 and Luke 1: 42, words spoken to the virgin Mary by an angel sent from God? Why recently have people been taught to repeat The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles. 4:10) every day for one full month, so that they can receive this very same blessing Jabez received from God (The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson)? Is there something powerful or “magical” about speaking these exact words? Or perhaps, have many been misinformed about the proper approach to prayer?

Jesus instructed us not to repeat what people have referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” or any other Bible verses over and over verbatim and in vain repetition to our Heavenly Father in prayer. The words, “do not use vain repetitions” are simple and basic.

According to the words of Jesus Christ, a person who uses vain repetitions is following the lead of the heathen. And, what is a heathen? The word heathen carries with it the meaning of pagan or unbeliever. What is it the unbeliever does not believe? Why, an unbeliever does not accept or believe in the Word of God, the Holy Bible. This revelation may seem shocking to some, but Jesus’ words are plain.

If we believe the words of Jesus, and if we believe the Holy Scriptures are the divine, inspired words of our Creator recorded for our benefit (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then we must not be using “vain repetitions.” The word vain means futile. Do we want our prayers to God to be futile? Of course not!

It is obvious that followers of Christ must begin to believe the words of God and stop following after the “traditions of men” (Mark 7:6-9, Matthew 15:3-9). What, therefore, should a believer do? How should a believer pray? When we look at Jesus’ own example of prayer as recorded in John Chapter 17 and Luke 22:41-44, we can see that our prayers must be spontaneous, sincere, fervent, and from the heart.

In Matthew 6:9 Jesus says, “In this manner, therefore, pray….” In other words, when we pray, these are major topics that we should pray about. And additionally, this is a proper order in which we should pray about those topics. It is wise to look to Christ’s model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 for guidance, direction, and inspiration. So, let us examine these Scriptures verse by verse and commit ourselves to understanding what Christ is specifically teaching on this subject.

Our Father Who Is in Heaven, Hallowed Be Your Name

The first important aspect of prayer is the acknowledgment of God as our heavenly Father, our “Abba,” our Daddy (Romans 8:15). God wants us to be in His Divine Family. We recognize His power, majesty, wisdom, mercy, and patience. We come before Him as begotten sons and daughters and communicate with Him to establish the very personal and intimate relationship that He desires to share with us. And we praise His Holy and Righteous Name, while telling Him how thankful we are that He IS God and that He loves us.

Notice Hebrews 11:6 plainly says, But without faith it is impossible to please him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. To start our prayers by praising God and acknowledging His sovereignty over our lives helps build that faith in Him that we all must have. And we talk to Him as any son or daughter would talk to their loving father.

Your Kingdom Come

Is there anything more important on God’s “Calendar of Events” than the Kingdom of God being established on the Earth under the righteous rulership of His Beloved Son? Romans 8:19-22 reveals the answer: For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (emphasis ours).

This “revealing of the sons of God” begins at Christ’s triumphant return (1Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, Revelation 3:11-12; 5:9-10; 14:1-5). It is quite evident from these scriptures why we now focus our minds on God’s Kingdom and His will for each of us as well as all of mankind. The vision of the soon coming Kingdom of God is what gives a Christian hope for the future. And, certainly each and every one of us truly desires “peace on earth.”

So, when we pray for the Kingdom, we reinforce this vision of hope in our own minds. And we demonstrate to our Heavenly Father that we understand what is most important to Him and His Son –– the One who will very shortly become “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Your Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is in Heaven

What is God’s overriding will for mankind? Is it not that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1Timothy 2:4, Romans 11:26-27)? When we consider God’s overriding will, is there any more important message for the world to hear than the gospel, the good news, of the soon-coming Kingdom of God?

Matthew 24:14 says, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. And Jesus Christ tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Assisting the Church through our prayers in the announcing of this good news gives a Christian’s life purpose and meaning. We become less selfish. Our thoughts are turned outward toward others. We grow to truly desire that everyone would hear the only message of love, hope, and liberty.

Prayer helps us learn to ask God to mold us and shape us into new Spirit-led creations so that we could be used as effective instruments in His hands for the announcing of this precious gospel. When we pray “Your will be done,” we surrender our will to God’s will and learn to view the Church, our brethren, our peoples, our lives, our future, and this world from our heavenly Father’s perspective. Jesus deeply understood this kind of surrender. His words in Matthew 26:39, 42, and Mark 14:36 are clear. He told His heavenly Father, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

Notice that Christ’s model prayer is ordered in the same general manner as the Ten Commandments: God first, then man. This is an important lesson.

The Commandments teach us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In our daily prayers, after we talk with our Father of our “heavenly hope” (Colossians 1:5), and the work of preaching the gospel, we next address the needs of others, before our needs.

When we pray for our family, our brethren, and others in intercessory prayer, we become empathetic to their needs and suffering. Their pain becomes ours. We share in their trials. We learn to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

Praying in this manner helps us learn to greatly appreciate the pain and suffering our Savior endured so that we could have our sins forgiven and be healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). We come to understand that we are all part of the “body of Christ” and “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1Corinthians 12:26-27). And, as we look outward to the needs of others, we become more merciful, compassionate, and tenderhearted. We take on the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:3-5). And, we desire even more fervently that God’s Kingdom does come to release this world from it’s suffering and bondage.

Although God knows our needs before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), He wants us to learn to trust Him and be dependent upon Him. He very much wants us to share our hopes, dreams, desires, questions, faults, concerns and problems with Him. We are to become as “little children” (Matthew 18:3-4) who are teachable. Thus we come before our Heavenly Father as a child comes before its father.

Notice in Luke 11:3, the instruction is, “Give us day by day our daily bread.” Yes, sometimes it might appear to us that we are receiving just “the bare minimum” from God – that our most basic needs are being met “day by day.” During “lean times” it might appear that we have just enough food to eat or that the money to pay the bills arrives just in the nick of time. Are we “OK” with that? Certainly, it is a part of our human nature to want to have abundance and to not have to worry about “making ends meet.” But sometimes the depth of our faith is being tested, isn’t it?

The Bible is full of examples of how the great men and women of God were faced with seemingly insurmountable problems and perils from which they could not deliver themselves. Yet the great Sovereign God of the Universe did provide deliverance – many times at the very last instance. We need to be consciously aware of God’s day by day deliverances and to be thankful that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there for us.

We need to carefully consider the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:12-13, I know how to be abased and how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. After all, it is Christ Who is our spiritual daily Bread. It is Christ Who provides the strength we need for a full, abundant life. We need God to give us this Bread daily.

And Forgive Us Our Debts, As We Forgive Our Debtors

Scripture says, All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

None of us wants to receive the wages of sin, do we? Surely most of us want to receive that most precious gift of God – eternal life, right? So each one of us needs to have our sins forgiven. That forgiveness is available to us according to promises in Acts 2:38, Luke 24:47, and Ephesians 1:7.

The forgiveness we receive from God is tied to our desire and ability to forgive the wrongs that other human beings have done to us. Can we see why this is so? It just makes sense that when God transforms human beings into the very image of His Son (Romans 8:29, Philippians 3:21, Ephesians 4:13) by creating His holy, righteous nature in them that they must learn to forgive and extend the same mercy to others as He extends to them.

Notice in the verses immediately following “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus gives us this instruction (Matthew 6:14-15), For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. This same teaching is echoed in Mark 11:25-26. Sounds serious, doesn’t it?

Unfortunately, it is just not natural for humans to forgive each other, is it? It requires desire and dedication. It requires God’s help and His Holy Spirit. We can have confidence that those things we lack, we can receive as spiritual gifts from God (James 1:5-6). So we must pray fervently that God will give us a spirit of forgiveness and humility. And we must follow the instruction Paul gives us in Ephesians 4:32, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

And Do Not Lead Us into Temptation, But Deliver Us from the Evil One

The night of Jesus’ betrayal and arrest, He prayed for His disciples, including all of His true disciples down through history. John 17:15, I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. The “evil one,” of course, is Satan (Adversary) the Devil (Accuser), and by extension, Satan’s demons. Christ’s prayer applies to us today.

Following Jesus’ example, we are to pray that God delivers us from Satan’s spiritual attacks. The “us” in “do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (emphasis ours)” refers not just to each of us individually, but also to our brethren, our families, and other people. We pray so they are also delivered from the powers of darkness.

Scripture reveals to us that Satan has deceived “the whole world” (Revelation 12:9), and that includes us. Yes, God can keep us from the evil one, but there are things the Christian must also be doing to win this spiritual battle. We are told in Ephesians 6:11, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The spiritual armor is described in Ephesians 6:12-18.

The Apostle James instructs us in James 4:7-8, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.

Notice how the topic of forgiveness is taught again in Ephesians 4:26-27, Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. The teaching is plain. We are to maintain control over our emotions and be quick to forgive, otherwise we provide a place in our minds which Satan can occupy. Sadly, this is the typical state of the world around us. Until Christ returns and Satan is placed in a place of restraint for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3), we must be ever vigilant to resist temptation and avoid deception.

For Yours Is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever

The model prayer ends as it began with our praising and thanking God for our calling and for His blessings, while recognizing His sovereignty over our lives. We again speak of heavenly things. We firmly fix the vision of the soon-coming Kingdom of God in our minds. And we can remember our Savior’s comforting words that He inspired to be written by the Apostle John. These words voice our greatest desire – the return of Christ, Revelation 22:20, He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Our Spiritual Growth

Over time God develops something very special inside us. He develops it using our involvement in seeking what is best for others, by our spending countless hours communicating with our Heavenly Father in prayer about the problems facing our loved ones, our brethren and the world, and by our sharing with Him our understanding of the ultimate solution, that is, His truth, His laws, His government, His perfect judgment and justice. These are the behaviors that allow Him to develop in us His “agape” love, the greatest love, the selfless, sacrificial, intelligent, spiritual form of love expressed as an outgoing concern for others. That is the essence of Who and What the Family of God is.

During our Christian journey, especially in moments of great stress, there are times when we may feel frustrated that our prayers are not being heard or that we somehow have nothing to pray about because God has heard our words before. Let us not be discouraged! One of the reasons Jesus gave us this model prayer, this outline of prayer, is to remind us that there is always something or someone to pray about.

If we occasionally experience a prayer block, we can also remind ourselves of all the many reasons we have to be thankful. In fact, it is certainly very spiritually healthy to have some of our prayers consist only of words of thankfulness to God the Father and Jesus Christ for all that they have done, are doing, and will do for us.

To assist us as we develop an active prayer life, it is most certainly helpful to read through the book of Psalms several times a year and meditate deeply on the words of love, praise, thankfulness, belief, and repentance as recorded by King David and the other Psalmists. David has been described as a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; 16:7,12). It would be wonderful for us all to have the same close, intimate relationship with God that David had. Reading and meditating on the Psalms and coming before God in humility, love and worship in our prayers can help us to take on many of David’s positive attributes.

The Apostle Paul also addressed these positive aspects of prayer with encouraging words in Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be made known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Let us meditate deeply on those words.

In Summary

Let us all pray fervently, as we lift up our voices, hands and hearts in an attitude of praise, trust, humility, and thankfulness (Psalm 134:1-2, 1Timothy 2:8) to God. Let us pray fervently that His Kingdom will come to earth to bring peace and happiness as soon as possible. Let us cry out for understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-9, James 1:5-6). Let us request that He will provide for both our physical and our spiritual needs (Matthew 6:25, 31-33). Let us ask for His correction, and that it would be done mercifully (Jeremiah 10:24, Psalm 6:1). Let us come boldly before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), confessing our sins, asking for His forgiveness and asking that God will create in us a spirit of forgiveness toward others. Let us request God’s protection and deliverance from temptation for our family, our brethren, and ourselves. Let us grow in “the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) and claim all of God’s promises revealed to us in the Scriptures.

Christ’s model prayer is a wonderful guide, providing some specific instructions we can use to structure and organize our prayers. As we use it daily to praise God, pray for the Kingdom, pray for the work of preaching the Gospel as a witness and a warning to the world, pray for our brethren, our families, our peoples, or leaders, our nation, and finally pray for ourselves, our outlook can become more focused on what is truly important and less on our selfish passions and desires.

Let us come to understand that without God we can do nothing (John 15:5), and that every good and perfect gift comes from our heavenly Father (James 1:17). He is constant, never changing, always trustworthy, always faithful, always merciful (Malachi 3:6, Joel 2:12-13, Psalm 136).

It was Daniel’s custom to pray three times a day (Daniel 6:10). King David did this also (Psalm 55:17). What examples! And King David also set us another example, that of renewing our relationship with God at the start of each day. In Psalm 5:1-2 David says, Give ear unto my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.

Paul instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” In other words, we are to talk to our heavenly Father continually – at any time of day or night. And when we do, our hearts should be thankful and joyful.

Yes, personal prayer is our lifeline to God, and God offers a direct communication link with Him to everyone He is now calling (John 6:44). And God wants to hear from us!

As we study the Scriptures, we can learn more how to pattern our prayers after the great servants of God like Abraham, David, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and of course, after the example of Jesus Christ. Let us grab onto the lifeline God has offered to us and hold on for dear life. Then we shall enjoy that special intimate relationship with our loving Creator that He desires to have with each of us.

Please contact us for additional information or for assistance in effectively accessing your lifeline to God.

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When was the last time you took a long, hard look at yourself? I don’t mean when was the last time you admired yourself in front of your mirror! No, the question is when was the last time you deeply considered who you are in matters of character, behavior, and thought?

Unfortunately for many of us, the idea of a self-examination that would focus on our behaviors, habits, motivations, and intents of our hearts is a highly frightening experience! We are not born with a natural desire to want to take stock of who and what we really are, or to make changes in our lives even for our benefit. In fact, the opposite is true. We have a natural desire to hold on to who we are and to what we have become and to resist change forcefully.

However, through the love and grace of our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to experience true repentance which is a complete change of our life’s direction. And, it is God who will provide us with the courage and strength to examine ourselves (2 Timothy 1:7) in preparation for that change.

A Spiritual Mirror

We are told in James 1:22-25, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work this one will be blessed in what he does.

We can determine from these Scriptures that God’s “perfect law of liberty” is a kind of mirror for us to use, so we are not forgetful in the things God would have us to do. We must understand though, that this “perfect law of liberty” is not just the Ten Commandments, but is the entirety of the Word of God which instructs us in God’s way of life, and leads us to real liberty and deliverance from spiritual bondage.

If we are willing to look intently into God’s spiritual mirror, our true nature can be reflected back to us. Undoubtedly we will see many things that need changing. This can be an unnerving experience, especially when we are new Christians.

We can be thankful God does not expect us to change everything all at once. He is “longsuffering” toward us (2 Peter 3:9). However, God does desire that we be willing to allow Him to be our Master Potter, and to mold and shape us into the new creation He wishes us to be (Isaiah 64:8).

An Instruction to Examine Ourselves

We read in 2 Corinthians13:5, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? –– unless you indeed are disqualified. We should notice the purpose of the examination is to see whether we are “in the faith.” The question is not whether we have faith, but rather, whether we are living within the faith. In other words, are we faithfully living God’s way of life? Are we following all His laws and instructions, as revealed to us in the pages of the Bible? And, more importantly, is our purpose for doing so from a right motivation?

Can we see evidence of Jesus Christ living His life in us through the Holy Spirit which we received following our baptism and the laying on of hands (Galatians 2:20)? We are told to “test” ourselves. One way we do this is by comparing ourselves to the supreme example of Jesus Christ. (It is very helpful to study the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John several times a year.) And, we should look closely at the instructions given to us by God’s prophets and apostles and see how we are measuring up.

If we fail to test ourselves or if we fail to make any and all necessary changes, we are told we could be considered “disqualified.” In other words, we could be in danger of losing our salvation. Notice what the Apostle Paul said about himself, But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

A Specific Instruction Before Passover

Paul gave specific instructions to the Church of God in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 concerning how members of the Body of Christ were to examine themselves before the annual Passover. In this New Testament Passover observance which utilized the new symbols of the bread and wine instituted by Jesus Christ on the night of His betrayal, Paul said, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment of himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (verses 28-29).

This passage of Scripture is often referred to in sermons prior to Passover, and it is vital for Christians to understand what is being said here. Certainly, it is clear we are told to “examine” ourselves. This is not a suggestion, it is a specific instruction! We are told those who have not examined themselves and are therefore taking of the bread and wine of the Passover service in an “unworthy manner,” bring judgment upon themselves. The judgment flows from not discerning “the Lord’s body” (the Body of Christ).

What is the meaning of “the Lord’s body” in this context? Of course, these verses (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) refer to the physical flesh and blood Body of Jesus. But, “the Lord’s body” also has a spiritual meaning. The context of these verses, along with many other passages of Scripture, indicate a reference to the entire Body of believers, the Church of God.

If we are careless in our worship, and if we count the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as a common thing, our own behavior can weaken the entire Body of Christ (the Church). We can then understand because of this lack of discernment of the needs of the Church and how our actions affect others, many in the Body of Christ are weak and sick (physically and spiritually), and many have died. In other words, we can be doing spiritual damage to each other instead of being a blessing.

Then, in verses 31-32 Paul says, But if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. The understanding is clear. We need to exercise godly judgment on ourselves. But if we do not, then God will judge us and will then bring correction into our lives for our own benefit, “that we may not be condemned with the world.” However, we can clearly see there is another reason God chastens us. It is so the Body of Christ (the Church of God) becomes stronger, to no longer be spiritually weak (feeble, impotent, without strength) or sick. It is so the entire Body will become perfected as each individual Christian becomes perfected (Matthew 5:48, Revelation 3:12).

Love Toward God and Love Toward Neighbor

The verses in 1 Corinthians offer very strong motivation for us to examine ourselves. Do we want to be a blessing to our spiritual brethren and our physical families? Is it possible that sometimes we really do not care whether our actions or attitudes cause harm to those we should be loving? Do we want to be spiritually strong so we can serve and uplift others, or are we content with being served? Are we really thankful for our Savior’s supreme sacrifice, and do we deeply appreciate and recognize the love our Father in heaven has for us? If so, are we willing to examine ourselves, and with God’s help, make necessary changes? Are we willing to change so our lives can be a blessing to others, and so we bring praise, glory, and honor to God’s Holy Name? Are we willing to be “living sacrifices” to God (Romans 12:1)?

We need to approach this goal of self-examination based on a foundational motivation that stems from a love for our brethren and families, and love for our Savior and our Heavenly Father.

The Right Attitude

As true believers study the Bible and grow in grace and knowledge, they undoubtedly make changes in how they live from day to day. Have you ever asked yourself WHY you want to live a Christian life? Or, if you are one who has recently found yourself drawn to God and are a spiritual babe, have you asked yourself WHY you may want to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, and become a begotten son of God? Why would you be willing to be out of step with the rest of the world? Why would you want to start keeping the Ten Commandments and many others of God’s laws, statutes, and judgments as you learn about them? Certainly, if you are a babe in Christ then the idea of self examination will probably seem quite foreign to you and maybe a bit confusing. Yet, as we have seen, it is a necessary, vital, and commanded facet of a Christian’s life.

If we were to ask a handful of people the same questions covered in the paragraph above, we would probably receive quite a few different answers. But is that the way it should be? Or should we all have the same basic answers?

Having the same basic answers is related to understanding WHY Jesus was willing to suffer horrible things at the hands of men to complete the job He was sent to do. Consider for a moment that His attitude and His motivation for serving His Heavenly Father and for His being willing to give up His very life should also be our motivation and our attitude. Jesus is our Example. We are to become like the Father and the Son (John 17).

Why was Jesus obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8)? The simple answer was that He was able to love the Father with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38, Deuteronomy 6:5-6). And He loved His neighbor as Himself (Matthew 22:39-40, Leviticus 19:18). Jesus’ heart was right.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit and because of Christ’s complete love of the Father, nothing, absolutely nothing, was able to take His focus off of the Father and from His mission to be mankind’s Savior and Messiah. Do we follow God’s instructions and commands in the Bible, because we want to please God, and because we really LOVE the Father and the Son? This becomes the essential question! Or, is our motivation to escape trouble or punishment, or to get something from God?

If we can look honestly at ourselves and sincerely know we are surrendering our will to God, if we know we are living God’s way of life, and if we know we are worshiping Him in the total integrity of our heart because we are thankful and really love Him, then we can examine ourselves with the right attitude and from a proper motivation. However, if our attitude and motivation is wrong, then our self-examination will not bear much fruit.

What Do We Look For?

Do we look at things? In other words, do we carry around a mental list with one column containing those bad things we used to do when we were of the world, and with a second column containing the good things we now do as Christians? Do we then say, “I’m a pretty good Christian” if my list of good is longer than the list of bad, and if the list of the good is growing longer each year. Is that how God would like us to examine ourselves? What is God looking for?

Is it possible our hearts are deceiving us? The prophet Jeremiah said, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Do WE know our own heart?

An examination of ourselves requires more than comparing a list of what we used to do versus what we do now. Rather, we must examine our minds and determine if we are thinking differently. Thinking differently is a good beginning toward repentance. It is not just a matter of what we are doing (or not doing). It is more accurately a matter of how we are thinking.

If we are thinking differently as we are being converted, and if we are having our minds renewed (Romans 12:2) as we are allowing the mind of Christ to reside in us (Philippians 2:5), then we will also be doing more good things. However, we could be doing more good things and less bad things even if our motivation and attitude are not correct. Yes, God is interested in what we are doing. But He is more interested in why we are doing what we are doing.

The deeper question is: Are we obeying and serving God by the “letter of the law” or are we fulfilling both the letter and the spirit of the law? Are we worshiping God both in spirit and in truth? John 4:23-24 says, But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

Our process of self examination must involve not only looking at what we are doing by asking ourselves if we are following God’s instructions, but it must also involve an examination of our thinking or why we do what we do. We must determine if what we are doing is being done in the right attitude and from a right motivation.

A Measuring Stick

God’s Holy Scriptures are a ”lamp to our feet, and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105). We are told in James 1: 22 to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The Apostle James also says in James 2:22, 24, Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Emphasis is placed on being active Christians! We are to be doing and working along with having faith in order that we are justified before God. James drives the point home in verse 26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Strong words, those!

Paul exhorts the Church in Titus 3:14, And let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. Throughout God’s Word we find the writers were inspired to write down many instructions for us to follow. Certainly, we understand we have been given God’s Ten Commandments to live by. But the Bible contains literally hundreds of other commands and instructions which our Heavenly Father also expects us to follow.

God’s instructions assist us in maintaining good works, so we become fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ, as Paul explained (Titus 3:14). God also knows how we think. After all, He designed us, and He knows we are forgetful. Paul exhorts us regarding our memories in Hebrews 13:16, But do not forget [emphasis ours] to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

These instructions and exhortations help us remember what it is God would have us to do. They give us a yard stick by which to measure ourselves. We must remember though that while we examine ourselves and use God’s yard stick of Biblical instructions, we must be conscious of the fact it is our attitude and motivation coupled with our works and actions that truly determine if we are being led by the Holy Spirit, and thus are “sons of God” (Romans 8:5, 6, 14).

Works done from a wrong motivation can be described as “dead works.” Putting away dead works (Hebrews 6:1) is central to Christianity. One of the “elementary principles of Christ” is “repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1). It is one of the first things new Christians are to understand when they receive the Holy Spirit and begin their life long walk with their Savior.

Rephrasing Instructions as Questions

To assist you in your self examination, there is a select group of Scriptures provided at the conclusion of this article. All of these verses have been rephrased as questions. Although these verses are a cross section of instructions given to us in the New Testament, the same format can be used with any Scripture where instructions are given. The procedure of rephrasing verses into personal questions allows the human mind to process the words in a special manner.

It is well known in psychology, education, sales and other disciplines that questions affect the mind differently than do statements. Consider the following illustration: A person who is learning skydiving would have a teacher who has instructed many necessary things, including things like, check your parachute, check this, check that, avoid this, do that, and so on. Asking questions about preparation and the vital instructions allows the human mind to process the important information so the skydiving experience is a safe one. People ask questions, don’t we? We make for ourselves a check list. “Have I done this?” “Did I check that?” And on it goes. This process helps people to internalize and remember the instructions that have been given.

Hopefully, the reader will find this process of rephrasing instructions as questions a useful tool to help as they follow God’s command to examine ourselves. And, as each individual is perfected, so is the Body of Christ perfected. Although we are individuals, we make up a collective whole. We are the begotten children of God.

Through self-examination that leads to repentance, confession, forgiveness, and spiritual growth, we will be converted or transformed and able to love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is THE method used by God through His Holy Spirit that enables us to live godly lives from a motivation of love.

Let Us Now Examine Ourselves

To utilize the following verses effectively, simply read the rephrased question first, then read the instructional verse, and then reread the question. This will help you internalize these Scriptures. God desires that we hold up His Word as a spiritual mirror. Allow the words into your heart with the help and guidance of God’s Holy Spirit.

Some questions are from an individual perspective (“Do I,” or “Am I”). Others will be worded from a congregational perspective (“Do we,” or “Are we”). Primarily these Scriptures are from the books of Colossians, Philippians, Ephesians, and Galatians.

Throughout our self examination, we need to remember it is the attitude and motivation behind our good works and obedience to God that is most important to Him. Our attitude and motivation are an important way God comes to know whether or not we are truly repentant and being converted, and whether our minds are truly being renewed.

May the Almighty, Loving, Merciful, Everliving God Who gives us life and breath, encourage and guide us all as we examine ourselves and apply His Words of life in our walk with him. If we can assist your self-examination, please contact us.

Selected Scriptures

Ephesians 4:1-3
Do I walk worthy of the calling with which I was called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with others in love, and am I endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace?

Ephesians 4:22-24
Have I put off, concerning my former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? And, have I put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness?

Ephesians 4:25-27
Have I put away lying, and do I speak truth with my neighbor? For we are members of one another. When I am angry, do I choose not to sin by not letting the sun go down on my wrath, and by not giving place (in my spirit) to the devil?

Ephesians 4:28
If I have stolen, do I steal no longer, but rather, do I labor, working with my hands what is good, that I may have something to give him who has need?

Ephesians 4:29-30
Does no corrupt word proceed out of my mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers? And, do I avoid grieving the Holy Spirit, by whom I was sealed for the day of redemption?

Ephesians 4:30
Am I putting away from me all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, with all malice?

Ephesians 4:31
Are we kind to one another, tenderhearted, and do we forgive one another, even as God in Christ forgave us?

Ephesians 5: 1-2
Are we imitators of God as dear children? And do we walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling aroma?

Ephesians 5:3-4
As is fitting for saints, do we not let it even be named among us: fornication, and all unrighteousness or covetousness, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting; but rather giving of thanks?

Ephesians 5:11
Am I careful to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather, do I expose them?

Ephesians 5:15-17
Are we making sure we are walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as those who are wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil? And, do we endeavor to not be unwise, but rather to understand what is the will of the Lord?

Ephesians 5:18-20
Are we careful not to be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but to be filed with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God?

Ephesians 6:10-18
Am I striving to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might? Do I daily put on the whole armor of God, that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil? Do I understand I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places? Am I diligent to take up the whole armor of God, that I may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand? Do I gird my waist with truth; put on the breastplate of righteousness; shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and above all, take the shield of faith which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one? And, do I put on the helmet of salvation and take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints?

Galatians 6:1-3
Do I, as one who is spiritual, when I see a man who is overtaken in any fault, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering myself lest I also be tempted? Do I bear other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ? Do I know not to think of myself as something, when I am really nothing, so I do not deceive myself?

Galatians 6:9-10
Are we striving not to grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart? And, as we have opportunity, are we doing good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith?

Philippians 2:1-4
Are we being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind? Are we careful to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, do we esteem others better than ourselves? Do we look out not only or our own interests, but also for the interest of others?

Philippians 2:5-8
Are we letting the mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus? Who made Himself of no reputation, and took the form of a bondservant, and having come in the likeness of men, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:12-13
Am I working out my own salvation with fear and trembling? For it is God who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:14-16
Do I do all things without complaining and disputing, that I may become blameless and harmless, a child of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I shine as a light in the world, as I hold fast to the word of life?

Philippians 3:13-15
Am I, as my mind matures, forgetting those things which are behind, but rather reaching forward to those things which are ahead, and pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?

Philippians 4:4-8
Do I always rejoice in the Lord? Is my gentleness known to all men? Because the Lord is at hand. Am I anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, do I let my requests be made known to God? So the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. And, am I diligent to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy?

Philippians 4:11-13
Have I learned that in whatever state I am in to be content? Have I learned how to live both humbly and to live in prosperity? Do I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?

Colossians 2:20-23
Do I subject myself to regulations, the commandments and doctrines of men, which have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but which are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh?

Colossians 2:2-3
Have I set my mind on things above, and not on things on the earth? For I have died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:5-8
Am I putting to death what is earthly in me: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry? Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Am I being diligent to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of my mouth?

Colossians 3:12-14
Are we, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, putting on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering? Are we bearing with one another and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave us? And above all these, have we put on love, which is the bond of perfection?

Colossians 3:15-17
Are we letting the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which we were called in one body; and are we thankful? Are we letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom; and are we teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, while singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord? And whatever we are doing in word or in deed, are we doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him?

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever I do, am I doing it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men? Knowing that from the Lord I will receive of the inheritance; for I serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 4:2-3
Am I continuing earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; praying also for the ministry that God would open to the Church a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ?

Colossians 4:5-6
Do I walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time? Is my speech always spoken with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how I am to answer each one?

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A question clearly comes to mind on the topic of the immortal soul: Does the Bible contain anywhere in either the Old or New Testaments the combined words “immortal soul?” Is this phrase in Scripture? The surprising answer to most of our readers is, NO! The Bible simply does not contain that phrase!

Prove it with research!

A concordance is a valuable tool for a Bible reader to use to check, study, and verify every distinct word or topic that appears in any of the books of the Bible. Any Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (KJV) will verify that the two words “immortal soul” are not combined in the entirety of the Holy Bible, in either the Old or New Testaments.

When God created man in the beginning, Genesis 2:7 says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul [being].” God could have taken the opportunity in this second chapter of the Bible to make it simple and clear to everyone that man was given an immortal soul, yet God did not do so because God did not grant humans an “immortal soul.”

Man does have a spirit!

In the book of Job we read, “But there is a spirit in man [humans], and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding” (Job 32:8). God has given each human being a human spirit that grants the powers of reasoning, intellect, and the ability to make choices. We can read of these capacities in Job 20:3, Psalm 51:10, Proverbs 18:14, and in many other verses. Yet none of these refer to the human spirit as being immortal.

So, what does the Bible say about these two words? What does the Bible have to say about the words “immortal” and “soul?”

Where are the words “Immortal” and “Immortality” in Scripture?

It will probably surprise some people to learn that the word “immortal” appears only once in the whole Bible (King James Version). Check any concordance to verify this. It appears in 1Timothy 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” Notice! The Sovereign God is referred to as being immortal.

The word “immortality” is a separate word derived from “immortal” that appears five times in the entirety of the Bible.

▪ Romans 2:7, Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality;

▪1 Corinthians 15:53, For this corruptible must put on incorruptible and this mortal must put on immortality.

▪ 1 Corinthians 15:54, So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then it shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

▪ 1 Timothy 6:16, Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

▪ 2 Timothy 1:10, But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Immortality must be granted!

As most of these verses demonstrate, immortality is something that is attainable, yet other verses show it is granted by grace and faith only through Christ Jesus Who sacrificed His life to give us the GIFT of everlasting life. Clearly, everlasting life cannot be earned by anyone doing any works or any deeds. In addition to everlasting life, God promises reward to those who seek Him, to the true servants of Jesus Christ – those who believe Him, obey His words and understand with the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit to be doers and not just hearers of the Word.

How the Bible Uses the Word “Soul.”

The Bible uses the word soul in a very different way from that which most people have heard expressed. Ezekiel 18:4, “Behold all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” Notice, also, in this same chapter, a second reference to the word soul, Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul who sins shall die….”

Twice in this chapter of Ezekiel, we read that the soul that sins will die. The Holy Bible states clearly that a soul can die! It does not state that it is immortal.

Believe the Words of Jesus!

What did our Savior Jesus Christ say about the soul? One surely must believe the words of Jesus. In Matthew 10:28 He said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [known as gehenna, meaning the lake of fire or the consuming fire].”

In numerous places, the Holy Bible instructs that the soul is not immortal, but temporary or simply mortal. Human beings do not possess immortal life from natural birth. All human beings men or women have but a temporary life span on this earth. There are numerous scriptural witnesses of man’s mortality.

▪ Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6).

▪ I Corinthians 15:47, “The first man was of the earth, made of dust [referring to Adam]; the second Man is the Lord from heaven [referring to Jesus Christ].”

▪ Wise King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and time to die.”

Immortality Is Available! It Must Be Granted!

God, both Father and Son, alone have immortality (1 Timothy 6:16) at this time. Our Savior Jesus Christ is the One who died for our sins on Mount Calvary. The risen Jesus has life inherent in Himself as declared in John 5:26, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” And, now we have access to immortality. Only Almighty God can impart everlasting life to us, through His beloved Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Our all-loving God has made available His Holy Spirit to mankind after Christ Jesus ascended into the heavens. His Holy Spirit is the presence of the Eternal God within believers now.

We encourage readers to examine our articles and look for more written information on the subject of God’s Holy Spirit. In addition, keep studying the Bible, confirming all things and holding onto the weightier matters. Be sure to focus on matters of salvation and a relationship with God and His Son. These things will make a difference in overcoming and being successful in this life. These issues can bear fruit for eternal life.

If you would like encouragement and further details about receiving God’s gifts of immortality and eternal life, please contact us.

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The best good news we’ll ever hear is the awesome reality of the plan our gracious Creator has worked out for us because He loves us so much. It involves every human being – past, present, and future.

In spite of what some people think and loudly proclaim, God has not been thwarted in His dealings with mankind. God is not bumbling about, almost losing out to evil. God has a PLAN. And, He WILL accomplish it.

From ancient times, God has peppered seven annual Holy Days with prophetic signs foretelling what was to come in His intricate, eternal plan. A summary of these days is found in Leviticus 23, yet there are hundreds of references to these Holy Days in scripture once a person knows what to look for.

Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread

First is the season of the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread, along with the Wavesheaf Offering. This season pictures the flawless Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, offered for the complete payment of the sins of all mankind. The bread and wine of Passover symbolize the broken body and blood of our Savior.

The Days of Unleavened Bread signify the need for repentance and putting away the sin that required the death of the Lamb in the first place. Putting away sin from one’s life involves our hearts and wills being submitted to God. And, it requires the supernatural intervention of Almighty God to release us from our bondage to sin. It is God who grants us repentance and the faith we need to accomplish it.

The Wavesheaf during Unleavened Bread indicates the resurrected eternal Christ before God’s throne, picturing God’s acceptance of the perfect life, sinless sacrifice, and completion of the Work of Jesus Christ on earth. Jesus Christ became the first of God’s firstfruits.

Pentecost

Fifty days following the Wavesheaf Offering is the Feast of Pentecost (also known as the Feast of Firstfruits) when God sent the Holy Spirit He had promised. The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers humans to become the sons of God. It impregnates them with an earnest of the Spirit with which Christ was filled on earth. It bestows a measure of the divine nature, writing the laws of God on our hearts and ultimately will bring about eternal life.

Power came to the Church God sired, and He began to shape those He intended to call and work with first among humans. While Jesus Christ is the first of God’s firstfruits, the Church is the remainder of the firstfruits.

Feast of Trumpets

The next significant fulfillment in God’s plan is explained in the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets. God sounds forth seven trumpets, announcing events very near the second return of Christ.

The seventh trump (the last trump) sounds as Jesus Christ returns, gathers together His saints (the Church, now eternal spirit beings through a resurrection like that Jesus experienced), and begins to set up a literal world ruling government for 1000 years.

Christ is the ultimate in power and authority; He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will rule with the full authority of His Father to subdue all enemies forever.

There will be a great war (Armageddon) as humans, deceived by Satan, the devil, will audaciously fight their Creator and Savior.

Day of Atonement

One of the first things God’s government will do is remove the influence of Satan, the devil. The Day of Atonement pictures Satan being chained and placed in solitary confinement for 1000 years. It also pictures the blood of Jesus Christ covering all the sins of mankind, so each person can have access to God, the Father, and can come to be at one with Him.

Feast of Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the 1000 year reign of God’s government on earth through Jesus Christ and the resurrected Church, a nation of kings and priests. They will rule the nations of the earth and administer the law of Almighty God. People will be healed and whole.

There will be prosperity and universal peace (SHALOM). Then, when the 1000 years concludes, Satan will be loosed for a little season, during which he will again set out to deceive humans, trying to wreck God’s great plan. He will finally be thrown forever into the Lake of Fire which is the second kind of death, i.e., the death from which there is no return.

Last Great Day

The Last Great Day is the last one of seven annual Holy Days. After the 1000 year reign of Christ, all, yes, all who have ever lived will finally have access to God. God will resurrect the rest of the dead back to human life. God will offer them truth, mercy, and eternal life. They will have an informed choice to live forever, free from sin, fear, pain, and tears in productive paradise with God, with free access to the water of life and tree of life.

Only the most incorrigibly wicked will choose the second death over glorious eternal life in God’s family. Finally, death and hell will be destroyed. And, God will create a new heaven and a new earth. And then, Almighty God the Father will Himself come to dwell with us. In this new heaven and earth, there will be only righteousness.

Defining the Gospel

The gospel is not just about the man, Jesus. It is not just about the Kingdom of God in the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth. Both of these are essential parts. But, as you have just read, the gospel is even more good news than these two great issues.

For more details about your glorious, exciting, future, please contact us.

If you would like encouragement and further details on knowing and serving the God Who made you, loves you, and has prophesied to you the witness of His salvation through seven annual Holy Days, please contact us. We will provide you with more details about the Holy Days and where they can be found throughout the scriptures.

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In today’s society, one of the biggest problems is failure to see God in what we do. Life is moving so fast with our jobs and society in general that we do not make time to thank our Creator for the blessings He has given us. In some instances we do not even seek Him until a tragedy has occurred in our lives.

What does our Bible tell us about seeking God?

The Bible is the instruction book God wrote to man on how to live and how to respect God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Without God’s instruction we have no clear vision, meaning, or purpose for our lives.

So, what is the meaning of human life? It can be summed up simply: To see God in everything we do.

How do we learn to see God in everything we do?

We can do it by keeping God’s commandments, statues, and laws. We are made in God’s likeness and image (Genesis 1:26), and we have been given God’s perfect law. We need to change the way we think and act, do away with our selfish desires, and learn the way God wants us to live, described in His perfect law.

We need to submit to God, resist the devil, and the devil will flee from us. Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. But, by drawing close to God, Satan will lose his grip on us. When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. God wants us to purify our hearts and do away with selfish ambitions.

James 4:7-10 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

How do we submit to God?

We begin submitting to God when we come to the realization that our life style is miserable, and we need a change. It’s usually hard for humans to admit fault because we grow up in such a competitive world. We were taught competition. The goal of the games we played as children was to win. We were taught to lift ourselves up and to win! But, what did we win? Perhaps we won some bragging rights for the day or week.

When we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord,
He will lift us up.

God is so great that He wants us to play the “game” of life His way. His way is called salvation – for all eternity! And, through Jesus Christ, everybody can win except those who do not want to play.

What are the rules to this “game?”

One of the rules is seeing God in what we do. And, we start seeing God in what we do when we start putting God in what we do. We have to repent from our old way of living. We have to begin living a different way of life. We change our attitudes. We think of others, not just ourselves.

Christ died for us!

What would this world look like if Christ was selfish and did not die for us? There would be no hope! Only death! Our sins could not be forgiven.

However, we are blessed because there is hope. Christ did die for all of mankind, and though His blood we have the opportunity to go to God in repentance. We have the opportunity to ask God to change us so that our life styles will be pleasing to Him. Then we can seek the praise of God instead of the praise of man.

By submitting to God’s way of life, His government of love and compassion, we will find that our life styles will change. Then the things that were bogging our lives down will slowly disappear. Peace and love will fill our hearts, and the joy of life will abound in us. We will know life’s meaning.

As the Apostle Paul wrote, “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Christ in Paul!

Paul understood that having Christ living in him meant submitting to God regardless of whatever struggles and trials he was facing. And, we can have that same opportunity.

Christ in us!

If we humble ourselves before God and allow God to work with us, Jesus Christ will live His life though us. We can do all things and accomplish all things because it is Christ doing those things for us. Christ is our strength (Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.)

Our desire to have Christ living in us is evident by our willingness to see God in whatever it is we do.

If you would like encouragement and further details on the benefits of seeing God in all you do, please contact us. We are happy to assist you to see the God who loves you and has prepared a fantastic future for you.

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No one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth. No one knows the day or the month, for sure. In fact, we are not even certain about the year. It seems obvious that God has chosen not to reveal the specific date. There is, however, one important point we can know and rejoice over, and that is Jesus was born! He came as a human man, and for the very fact of His true humanity, it was necessary that He be born!

Nowhere is it commanded that humanity celebrate the event of Jesus’ birth. Yet, it is celebrated in winter by more than two billion “believers” each year. Although we do not have the exact date, there are some details we can prove historically that help us to closely approximate the date of His birth. And, those who are true Believers hold the words of the Bible as real truth, not just supposition or myth. By relying on the Bible, in concert with historical data, we discover specific details about Jesus’ birth we can trust, including facts relating to the season of His birth (Luke 2:8, Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night).

It is clear from Luke 2:8 that flocks of sheep were still “living” in the fields at night. In the area of Israel, from about mid-October to mid-March, flocks were kept in shelters because of the cold weather. They were only in the fields at night during hotter weather. The weather in Israel on December 25th would have been far too cold for sheep in open fields at night. Also, the Jewish Talmud indicates that during the rainy season (our October-November), flocks were stabled. So, the passage in Luke 2 narrows down the timing of Jesus’ birth to spring, summer, or early fall months. More details about Luke 2:8 can be found in many commentaries.

Another aspect to consider about the timing of Jesus’ birth is related to the story of John the Baptist. He was six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26-27, 36, Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary…. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren).

John’s father, Zacharias, was serving in the temple during the priestly course of Abijah (Luke 1:5, There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth) when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. Because of the consistent, cyclical occurrence of the course of Abijah (1 Chronicles 24:15), we can conclude that John was conceived about mid-June and was born in late March (Luke 1:23-24, So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months…).

A quick calculation to add six months puts Jesus’ birth in early autumn (Luke 1:31, 36, And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS…. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren).

Another detail provided in scripture can also help to narrow down the time of Jesus’ birth. Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, including Bethlehem (about 4 miles from Jerusalem), would have been crowded in early autumn because of the Jews and people from other lands who would have traveled to the area to observe the fall Holy Days (Leviticus 23:23, 27, 34, 36). The presence of the annual visitors to observe the fall Holy Day may provide the proper explanation as to why Mary and Joseph found no room at the “inn.”

Scripture shows us that it was the custom of Mary and Joseph to travel to the general area of Jerusalem for the annual Holy Days (Luke 2:41; John 7:1-10). The fall Holy Days were celebrated in the Jewish seventh month, which corresponds to our current September-October. These Holy Days did not occur in the middle of winter. (Please see our article, Holy Days Foretell God’s Salvation. It will describe all of God’s Holy Days that occur yearly in three seasons: spring, summer, and fall.)

Certainly, it is highly unlikely that Jesus was born anywhere near December 25th. So, why do professing Christians celebrate a birthday that was never commanded by God to be celebrated or even marked with cyclical significance on a day that is highly improbable as the day of birth, anyway?

In truth, there are other questionable practices some people observe and simply assume are “Christian.” If you would like more details and additional explanation about the history of the observance of December 25th as a special day (prior to the birth of Jesus), please contact us.

We also invite you to contact us regarding the ultimate importance of the birth of our Savior as a human being. There is great significance in His birth, and many Believers are missing crucial elements available to us in Scripture regarding the human life of Jesus Christ because we focus on the “day” of His birth and its festivities instead of focusing on our Savior. May God bless you richly as you search for His Truth.