The Book of Mark – passages specific to question’s about God’s Plan for Man’s – Salvation
Mark 1:
v.4 – And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
v.14 – After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. v.15 – “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 16:
v.15 – He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. v.16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but who ever does not believe will be condemned. v.17 – And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; v.18 – they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
February 14 2009 | New Testament - Salvation | No Comments »
“Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Genesis 5:24 NIV (Read also; Jude 14-25 and Hebrews 11:5)
All that is – began with God – was created and formed – in His Image – and ultimately – finds its creative purpose in – His Destiny (our destiny). Much of human history is a record – of humankind – forgetting our origin. We have, throughout much of history, followed our own natural instincts – seeking our own destiny. We desperately try to create our own version of the “human story”. We wander aimlessly – ignoring the divine compass within us – missing - our “true destiny”. We are all – too often – unwilling to face the reason – behind so very many – of our human struggles. We persist in resisting the idea - that it is – in our abandonment of a pure – reliance on God – that we continue to find oursleves – lost, suffering and failing.
The story of Enoch makes me aware of the distinctive difference – between – being willing to accept God – as our God – instead of being determined - to be our own god. Enoch was – the son of Cain, (Gen. 4:17,18). When Enoch was born, his father, Cain – was building a city. In fact, Cain named the city that he built, after his son, Enoch. Enoch was the seventh generation, in line – down from Adam – and he prophesied about the Lord’s disappointment in those – who lived lives that denied the sovereignty of the Lord – and who were pursuing a destiny of their own making – and who spoke harsh words against the Lord. Enoch’s faith was firmly placed in God’s Destiny. By faith – Enoch was taken from this life. He did not experience death; no one could find him, because God – had taken him away. He was commended – as one who pleased God. Enoch was a man who “understood the difference” – and who lived in God’s Destiny, and it became his destiny.
I don’t know what will be said about my life, when I am gone. I am sure – however – that something will be said. What will be said about your life? What will your epitaph be? Are you living in His destiny? ……. or one of your own making?
My Prayer: Dear Father, help me to see with your eyes and to know my place in your creative work. Help me to humble myself on bent knee before you and to seek your destiny in my life. Help me to hold on to the example of such a man of faith as Enoch, and to live in such a way – that You – Father – will take me also – away from the cares of this world to live with you – forever – and ever. Father, help me to apply myself to deeper understand and internalize the truth of your understanding and your purposes – for your creation – so that it may be known of my life – that I have lived in Your Destiny – and not my own. Father I long to be with you, in your presence.
In the name of Jesus, Amen
February 10 2009 | Living in the Word | No Comments »