"The Scriptures"

“The Scriptures”

 

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:4-6

 

Have you ever wondered why we have the OLD TESTAMENT as well as the NEW TESTAMENT?  After all, to some the Old Testament is antiquated and so much of it is not applicable to the Church Age.  At least that is the mindset of a lot of people.  However, in my own opinion, I believe that God’s Word is applicable to us today, ALL of His Word.  And I believe that it is applicable because it TEACHES us GOD’s ways and His expectations for His Children.  It also shows us the ENDURANCE of God’s people and the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as the New Testament Scriptures, gives us ENCOURAGEMENT that we might have HOPE for our future.

 

In these Scriptures, the Apostle Paul tells us of the PURPOSE and MINISTRY of the SCRIPTURES.  They are for our INSTRUCTION, and to promote ENDURANCE or STEADFASTNESS in our DAILY walk with the Lord.   As we LEARN from the PAST, the HISTORY, of God’s people, we will be ENCOURAGED as we LEARN of their FAITH and their DESIRE to PLEASE GOD and NOT themselves.  We are motivated to PRESS ON in our FAITH, and to ENDURE whatever we face in the PRESENT, and we then can look FORWARD to the FUTURE with HOPE or CONFIDENCE in what lies ahead.

 

God, who gives us ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT, through His Holy Word, the Scriptures, will also give us, the TRUE BELIEVERS, the SAME ATTITUDE toward each other like Christ Jesus had.  In order for us to GLORIFY God with ONE mind and ONE voice, UNIFIED, working together, because of the HOPE we have through the PURPOSE and MINISTRY of the SCRIPTURES.

 

Do you have the ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT to PLEASE God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?  Are you READING and STUDYING the Scriptures, God’s Holy Word?  If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, and your answer to these questions is “NO” then you cannot possibly have the ENDURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT, afforded to you, through the SCRIPTURES, and given to you by God.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you’re headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  The Scriptures, both OLD and NEW tells us of the FATE of an UNBELIEVER.  God wants to give you the HOPE for an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, but you MUST FIRST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and LEARN and GROW in the LORD, through the SCRIPTURES, and through the work of the Holy Spirit.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!