You Have Eternal Life!

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

There are times when we all might feel unworthy. We become downcast as we wonder what will become of our lives. St. John reminds us of the promise that all who believe in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God, will not perish; but, have eternal life. That eternal life is in the presence of the one true God; the God who loves you so much that he was willing to die for you.

All is not lost! Rejoice, for the Kingdom of God is for all who believe! And, then even as St. John shared the good news, we are to go and share it with others that their hope may be restored, as well.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 47-48 - Now God's People

“You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel." (Ezekiel 47:21-22 NIV)

We have come to the final vision in Ezekiel. He is given a vision of the restored Jerusalem. In that restored Jerusalem, the land is allotted not only to the Israelites, but to all the foreigners who reside among them who have children. They are to be considered Israelites.

The Book of Ezekiel ends in much the same was as the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. John, too, had a revelation of a new Jerusalem. In both, there is a tree-lined river. In Revelation it is for the healing of the nations. That is, for many people of different nations. In both Ezekiel and Revelation, those people who were not God's people, are welcomed among God's people.

As God desires that we live in harmony with one another, may His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 49 - Listen, Learn, Be Restored!

The LORD has a message for the Ammonites, for Edom, Damascus, Kadar, Hazor, and Elam. They will all face consequences for their unfaithfulness. Some will learn from the consequences and be restored. Others will not.

The LORD has a message for all people. Listen to Him. Learn from Him and be restored. Live life according to the will of God and you will truly live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Jeremiah 31 - Old & New Covenants

More good news! The people will be restored. They will be reconciled to the land that God has given them. But, even more importantly they will be reconciled to God.

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
    though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people." (Jer 31:31-33 NIV)

God's people broke the old covenant (contract) that they had with Him. Essentially, they attempted to divorce Him and marry others. They went chasing after false idols. Still, God loves them and wants them to be restored to Him. This prophecy was written for those in exile at the time, but it also pertains to us and any future generations that might follow. He desires that we be reconciled to Him in a loving relationship. He desires to be our God and that we should be His people. Under the old covenant we cannot be restored. But, in His mercy, He sent His only begotten Son to be the new covenant with and for us. Thanks be to God! We are restored and reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, our LORD!

God's Peace - Pr. J