Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3, ESV
Our only hope is found in that the Father sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins, and the Holy Spirit guides us to this truth.
Over the next couple of months, I will upload short messages based on the book of Malachi. It will probably be eight total and based on the section divisions in the English Standard Version of the Bible.
No special titles. Just taking a quick look at what was said.
So read along with me, and let us study what Malachi said to his people about 2,400 years ago.
A prophecy: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi.
2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”
But this is what the Lord Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. 5 You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Great is the Lord—even beyond the borders of Israel!’
Malachi literally means “my messenger”, so he is God’s messenger, as all the Prophets were.
There is nothing new being said today from over two thousand years ago. People are still asking about the existence a good, loving God. People are still claiming God would never cause a calamity or leave people to suffer, especially for eternity.
But why should God help people who want nothing to do with Him?
Why would God force people into heaven if they want nothing to do with Him?
We must remember that the difference between God’s love and hate for us is that His love is given to those who take it, and those who hate Him remain under His wrath.
It is our own fault if we do not receive God’s love.
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:8, ESV
Christ defeated death and sin at the Passover weekend 2000 years ago. We are merely in the small closing battles until His triumphant return!
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8, ESV
God put Himself through torture and death to free us from sin and wrath. Are we willing to empty ourselves and humbly obey God? Can I love my neighbor with Christ’s sacrificial love?
Post Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday, we have that time period between the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
Here is fill-out-able lesson that you can try completing before watching the video, and then you check the answers and get the full teaching in the video!
Jesus rose from the dead on what we now call Easter Sunday.
Acts 1:1-3 – He interacted with his disciples for days before He ascended to the Father.
What did Jesus do during this time?
Jesus r with His followers
Luke 24:30-35 – disciples going to E
John 20:19-29 – the E , even D T
John 21:15-19 – P is restored
This shows us that Jesus shows grace but calls us to truth and understanding.
Jesus t His followers
Luke 24:13-49 – again, on the way to Emmaus and back in J .
Acts 1:1-5 – He spoke of the K .
Matthew 28:18-20 – The G C
This shows us that Jesus reiterated and revealed how the Scriptures spoke of Him, and He commanded us to share this with the world.
Jesus e his followers
Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission under His authority
John 20:21-23, Acts 1:5-8 – Giving the H S
This shows us that we have the power to proclaim the Gospel, for we have the Word of Truth (Jesus, and the Spirit-inspired Bible)
So, may we trust the empowering Holy Spirit who connects us with Father to teach the world about Jesus – the One revealed in Scripture who saves us from sin!
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:35, ESV
Firstly, we are blessed when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, for we will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6) Secondly, all our appetites shall be satisfied in the Lord, most especially in eternal life.
saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38, ESV
First the angels at His birth, and then Israelites at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, gave glory to God at Jesus’ arrival. Someday [soon], all the [believing] world will celebrate Jesus’ return for His faithful!
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!