CHRISTIAN AGENDA QUESTION?

[nChrist]

Amen Pastor Roger!

Brothers, when Christians talk about Hope and Riches, they seldom have anything all at to do with this world or the things in this world. If all we had for hope was this world and this short life, we would be miserable.

Armorbearer, I had planned to have several more posts ready for this thread, but I got behind with illness. So, I worked on some things I already had prepared for some other threads. I'm hoping to feel better and be able to do more tomorrow. Our Agenda for GOD is not motivated by wealth or anything this world has to offer. Our most priceless riches are Spiritual Riches in CHRIST for Eternity. When we witness to the lost, we talk about CHRIST, the CROSS, being rescued from the curse of sin and death, and Joy with CHRIST for Eternity. CHRIST is the Core of our short life here, and CHRIST is the Focus for any agenda that would please GOD. One of the things that most lost people don't understand is that this short life IS NOT the END or all there is. This short life is less than the blink of an eye when compared to Eternity, and the BIG question is where we will spend Eternity and with Who. Leading up to this is the knowledge of sin and the consequences of sin. We graduate from there to the Love of GOD and our Love for HIM.

What we do for GOD in this short life MUST be motivated from Love of GOD and appreciation for what CHRIST has already done for us. It will be burned up if it's for payment, recognition, bragging, or any other reason. Flesh and blood can't inherit the things of Heaven, so part of our final deliverance must be a Glorified Body. For Christians, Eternity will not involve struggle, pain, sorrow, and tears - rather a MUCH BETTER HOPE that is the PROMISES OF GOD. We won't be wrestling with the powers of darkness for Eternity either, but these are just the beginning of the Promises of GOD. It's these Eternal HOPES and Promises of GOD that are the focus for our Agenda. By the way, it's more properly labeled GOD'S AGENDA for us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

2 Timothy 1:7-12 NASB
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Revelation 21:1-6 NASB
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He *said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

[armorbearer]

What is this "inheritance of the saints in light"? This is alluding to the inheritance of division of land to the twelve tribes of Israel. This is just an analogy of that for Christians, for we know that our inheritance is in heaven and not of this world:

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  Amen.  I agree. And to add to this, Christ said this:

      John 14:      1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions;[a] if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

    This is our hope. And this is what we believe.  We have faith in His Word. And we know that what He said, shall come to pass. 

   

[armorbearer]

2 - What was the real purpose for GOD Creating mankind?

    Psalm 102: 18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

    Psalm  148:  5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

   According to scripture we were created to praise HIM. HE wanted a people that would willingly praise HIM and serve HIM.  HE wants us to willingly follow HIS directions and yield to the direction of HIS Holy Spirit.  Beyond this, I know not another reason HE created us.

[nChrist]

    Psalm 102: 18This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.

    Psalm  148:  5Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.

   According to scripture we were created to praise HIM. HE wanted a people that would willingly praise HIM and serve HIM.  HE wants us to willingly follow HIS directions and yield to the direction of HIS Holy Spirit.  Beyond this, I know not another reason HE created us.

AMEN ARMORBEARER!

This is 1000% Correct! Mankind was created to Love, Worship, Praise, and Glorify GOD. AND, this must be willingly by our own choice to Please GOD. GOD could obviously create a bunch of robots who would do anything that HE Pleased, but HE wanted mankind to do these things by choice - because we LOVE HIM.

Brother, I've still not done some of the things I planned. I am feeling some better. LORD Willing, I'll get some good rest in a little bit and feel well enough to do what I planned. In the meantime, anyone is more than welcome to post their thoughts here and go ahead with the discussion. Let's talk about GOD'S Agenda for us, and it might even be interesting to contrast "OUR Agenda", especially when it conflicts with "GOD'S AGENDA" for us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

   

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

We should already know that Loving GOD and Others should be at the top of our priority list. I was just reading a beautiful portion of Scripture that I want to share with everyone. Please let me put this out for thought - what do we think GOD'S Agenda is for us RIGHT NOW? There's more, but is this part of it?

2 Corinthians 4:1-18  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

[armorbearer]

  WOW!


  BLACKEYEDPEAS, this is a powerful scripture and is going to require some digestion on my part before I can give my full answer.  GOD's agenda for us is by no means to be taken lightly.  I thank GOD for using you to provoke this thread. I'll admit, for a brief moment, in seeking and studying the Word, I forgot the basic principle, that I was created to praise HIM. I didn't really neglect to praise HIM, but in times of seeking the LORD for strength, I forgot that HIS strength for me comes when I praise. GOD BLESS YOU.

      The scripture you gave is going to require some meditation on my part so that I can get this into my spirit. These scriptures could be a thread all by itself!      Thanks for the Fellowship

[nChrist]

Hello Armorbearer,

You are most welcome. I am also enjoying the fellowship and exchange of Scripture. I'm ill right now and haven't been able to do what I planned yet, so I apologize. LORD WILLING, our exchange of Scripture will continue and others will join in.

Love In Christ,
Tom