Unchanging Truth

When we fell, we fell hard. That's what the book of Genesis shows us again and again. When God created us (the human race), he gave us everything we could possibly want, including the opportunity to choose for ourselves whether to obey or disobey him.

We looked around at paradise, saw how perfect everything would be if we would just follow God's plan . . . and then took off on a sin spree that ruined everything. Creation hasn't been the same since. And once we got a taste of sin, we were hooked. Lying, cheating, sex with strangers, incest, kidnapping, rape, murder, human sacrifice—nothing was too disgusting or too nasty for us.

The thing is, though, no matter how far we fell, no matter how sick and twisted things got, no matter how badly we messed things up, God never stopped loving us. Sure, he called down some scary judgments to remind us how seriously he takes sin, but he never wiped us off the face of the earth or abandoned us. He never gave us what we deserved. Why? Because God had a plan to make things right again, a way for us to enjoy the kind of relationship with him that he had in mind all along.

If you've done some things that have seemingly ruined your relationship with God, don't let that be the end of your story. Do something about it. Admit what you've done. Ask God to forgive you, and start again. Remember, God allows "do overs."

Source: NIV Revolution: The Bible for Teen Guys Author: Christopher D. Hudson Reading level: Ages 13 and up Hardcover: 1664 pages Publisher: Zondervan (October 20, 2003) Language: English Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1.8 inches

From Harm to Good

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)

A variety of good reasons might cause the sons of Jacob to proceed in Egypt, despite having the prophetic vision Abraham had of their bondage there. Assessing Joseph from the common temperament of human nature, they assumed that he would most likely avenge himself on those who loathed and wounded him without reason. Not being in position to stand up against, or to run away, they attempted to soften him by humbling themselves. They pleaded with him as the servants of Jacob's God. Joseph was considerably affected at witnessing this complete fulfillment of his dreams. He sends them not to fear him, but to fear God; to humble themselves before the Lord, and to seek the Divine forgiveness. He reassures them of his own kindness to them.

Witness what an exceptional spirit Joseph was of, and learn of him to render good for evil. He comforted them, and, to eliminate all their anxieties, spoke kindly to them. Broken spirits has to be bound up and encouraged. Those we love and forgive, we must not only do well for, but speak kindly to.

Hearing and Doing - Be Doers

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. 
Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
(James 1:22 NLT)

You are only deceiving your own selves and your souls when you are just merely reading the Bible or hearing the word of God but not doing it. If you think that by reading your Bible daily, by being punctual in attending the church service, or by giving respectful attention to the sermon, you have done all that is required of you, you are laboring under a most gross self-deception.

There are multitudes that seem to imagine that they have done all that is demanded of them when they listen attentively to the word preached, or read the Bible regularly. They heard the word, they believed it, but they did not obey nor put it to practical use. They tend to forget that the main thing is that they should be obedient to the word. They put a sort of inactive faith in the place of all moral righteousness and reasoned themselves into a state of carnal security.

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. (Matthew 7:26)

Though the word should be heard quickly and eagerly, and received with humility and submission; yet it should not be just heard and accepted; but what is heard should be put in practice. You should not depend upon your hearing, as if that would save you; this is deceiving your own selves.

It is not sufficient to "hear" the word of God; they must be "obeyed."

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)

Be ye doers of the word - And they are such, who spiritually understand it; gladly receive it; and from the heart obey it, and make a sincere and honest walk of life; and who submit to its direction, and keep them as they have been delivered.

I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. (Luke 6:47)

He is not only a hearer, but a doer of the word of God. He receives the doctrines in the love of them, and cheerfully obeys and exercises faith on them. This is the great work and calling of a true Christian; he is to do, and does do in this life because of his love for God; not to obtain eternal life but as a result of God's grace and righteousness through Christ our Lord.

Do Not Be Deceived

Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV) Do not associate with them or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

[photo by: Anupriya]

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NLT)

The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 7:25)

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Patience in Suffering

Dear brothers and sisters*, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. (James 5:7-8, NLT)

The farmer must wait patiently for his crops to grow; he cannot hurry the process. But he does not take the summer off and hope that all goes well in the fields. There is much work to do to ensure a good harvest.

In the same way, we must wait patiently for Christ's return. We cannot make him come back any sooner. But while we wait, there is much work that we can do to advance God's kingdom. Both the farmer and the Christian must live by faith, looking toward the future reward for their labors.

Don't live as if Christ will never come. Work faithfully to build his kingdom--the King will come when the time is right.

* all who believed in Jesus Christ, to all who are already saved

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog -- it's here a little while, then it's gone. (James 4:14 NLT)

You always hold on for your dear life. You value your life in this world so much that you sometimes or most of the times tend to forget the life after. Life is short no matter how many years we live. Don't be deceived into thinking that you have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy your loved ones, or to do what you know you should.

Live for God today! Then, no matter when your life ends, you will have fulfilled God's plan for you.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV)

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21 NLT)

Put on Your New Nature

"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." (Colossians 3:10, NLT)

What does it mean to "put on your new nature?"

It means that your conduct should match your faith. If you have truly received Christ in your life, that is, if you are a true Christian, you should act like one. To be a Christian means more than just making good plans and resolutions and having good intentions. It does not just mean doing the good things; it means taking the right actions. Doing good things is good but will not always be right; but doing the right things will never be wrong and is always good and pleasing to the Father who gave us life. This is a straightforward step that is as simple as putting on your clothes but may not be very easy for many.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self [and your old sinful ways], which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24) ... as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life (Romans 6:4).

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Romans 13:14)