Paul was to know and proclaim God's will, His purpose, in view of Israel's rejection of christ. Had god been taken by surprise in the crucifixion of Christ Would He now be forced to resort to some makeshift arrangement No, for the crucifixion was all part of--indeed, the central part of, His secret, eternal plan, now revealed to Paul.
quote by Cornelius Stam
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When Paul went to the Jew first, it was not because it seemed that Israel might yet accept Christ and His kingdom, but simply because God would leave Israel no excuse for rejecting Messiah. Paul confirmed Peter's message, and mightily contended with the Jews everywhere that 'Jesus is the Christ.' And miracles accompanied this confirmation testimony--greater miracles, indeed, than Peter himself had wrought. But, unlike Peter, Paul never offered the kingdom to Israel. His ministry among them was not to turn the nation to Christ, but to save any from among them who might believe, receiving salvation by grace, and to leave the rest without excuse. Thus God was concluding Israel in unbelief and, even at that early date, mightily using Paul to proclaim grace to the Gentiles.
quote by Cornelius Stam
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Paul's evangelistic mission was different from the Kingdom Apostles, but in many ways the same. The Kingdom Apostles preached Jesus the Messiah, ready to return to Israel and set up His Messianic Kingdom. From Israel, the Apostles, with Christ on David's Throne, were to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything Christ had commanded them. They would do that because all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Christ. As we all know, that did not happen. It will happen in the future, but it has not yet happened. What has happened is that Christ revealed a Mystery through His Special Apostle Paul.
quote by Mark McGee
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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God’s Righteousness
God’s Righteousness was revealed, when to The Church, Paul appealed,
As he proclaimed Truth to everyone, who was saved by God’s Own Son,
Teaching every one of those, who believed in Christ, who died and rose,
Who would grant all believers in Christ, eternal hope and a righteous life.
Through Paul’s letter, Spirit Inspired, he stated righteousness is required,
From everybody on this earthly sod, who desires to please Eternal God,
As no one is righteous, no not one, except for God and His Eternal Son,
And without Him on the present path, we’ll only see His Righteous Wrath.
But, Righteousness is provided for us, when in Christ we place our trust,
Imputed to believers as they believe, when God’s Truth they truly receive,
The Righteousness of Jesus Christ, provided to all through His Sacrifice,
So we can stand before our Creator, in The Righteousness of our Savior.
God’s Righteousness is explained, from the knowledge Paul had gained,
For he was a well taught Pharisee, and he had meet The Lord of Eternity,
As Paul explains how we are justified, by Christ, who for all sinners died.
And He purifies the believer’s heart, with His blood, as they are set apart.
Paul practiced what he would preach, for the people that he would reach,
As an example for all Believers today, as they walk Christ’s Narrow Way,
While they work out their salvation, through the process of sanctification,
With our old lives for Christ crucified, we live so Christ Jesus is glorified.
(Copyright ©01/2009)
A Message To Proclaim
With many slipping into eternity daily we have a message to proclaim,
However many people are ignorant of the Gospel to The Church's shame.
When Paul prayed for the boldness to fearlessly speak Christ's name,
He was filled with Power so many of his hearers were never the same.
The Gospel message is for all to hear; The Bible makes it very clear,
However, many will not give an ear as the end of this age draws near.
And men who simply mock and jeer will be condemned eternally I fear.
Jesus said to all with ears; with sober understanding let him hear.
Jesus was clear at the start but is The Church carrying out her part?
Since the time is so dark, has indifference settled into our heart?
If you haven't done your part, with Jesus it's not too late to start.
But if His appeal doesn't move your heart He may tell you to depart.
Israel had zeal without knowledge; do we have knowledge with no zeal?
Like Israel do we have a stone heart or one with love that can feel?
Without love that leads to zeal, perhaps like Israel we're not real.
From Christ's end it's a done deal, we just have to obey His appeal.
With the only true message of life we are told to become a sacrifice,
And remember, Paul was jailed and beheaded for the cause of Christ.
Told to snatch men from the pit, so why do we choose to quietly sit?
You can be sure that Paul didn't quit, until his head hit the basket.
Mysteries Revealed
Mysteries that men have heard, are revealed in God’s Word.
What were once mysteries, have been revealed for all to see.
The mystery of Jesus Christ, who’s the very Author of all life.
A mystery of purpose in Christ, how in Him we have New Life.
Another mystery of Jesus Christ, is how we gain Eternal Life.
There’s the mystery of Israel, and how they fit into God’s will.
Israel is hardened for awhile, so God can include the Gentile.
God didn’t forget the nation; they’re included in His Salvation.
By redemption in God’s Son, Jew and Gentile become one.
The mystery of The Gospel, and how in Christ it was fulfilled.
And the mystery of The Church; those in Christ by New Birth.
My Friend, not to be remiss, there’s the mystery of Godliness.
The mystery of His Revelation; an unveiling of God’s Salvation.
The mystery of end times friend; what God shall do in the end.
The mystery of hope in Glory; the purpose of the Gospel story.
Behold, I show you a mystery, one that every eye shall see.
Christians will not all see death, but be changed in a breath,
In the twinkling of an eye, they will see Christ, but will not die.
While men left upon the earth, will not see men of New Birth,
For only those men born again, shall be raptured in the end.
All the mysteries of past sages, are fulfilled in the Rock of Ages.
God spoke in prophets of old, in Christ fulfilled mysteries untold.
Christ’s Revelation revealed to all, redemption from Adam’s fall.
Christ revealed His Salvation, to every Jew and Gentile nation.
If you accept Christ as Lord, the mystery is a mystery no more.
Your Preferred Disposition
Come follow me were Jesus' words to the Apostles right at the start,
But words alone aren't enough, as you must follow out of your heart.
From Heaven Christ sent The Spirit to guide us in Truth my friend,
As Believers we must hear and obey His direction right to the end.
Paul, the light to the Gentiles said I wish you could all be like me,
He was crucified with Christ and in his life it was Christ you'd see.
Being crucified with Christ he said I don't live, Christ lives in me,
Believers too must follow Paul and crucify our lives upon that tree.
You will be tossed to and fro if you are influenced by this world,
Or grow in Grace if you heed the words Godly men continue to herald.
The choice is yours for God did not cut all of us out of one mold,
But we are all accountable to just One Shepherd, over one Holy Fold.
Individually we were knitted together with God's Grace and His Love,
With one eternal purpose of reflecting Christ, who now reigns above.
Out of the abundance of the heart words reflect the attitude of man,
And in deeper recesses could be unspoken motives of a hidden plan.
But remember, all things shall be revealed by Christ's Eternal Light,
So friend test the spirit and be certain that your attitude is right.
You can obey or quench the spirit of the One Jesus said He will send,
Knowing this, what will be your preferred disposition my dear friend?
(Copyright ©01/2004 Bob Gotti)
Saved To Be Commissioned
Lord help us see what we’re not and change us not a little but a lot.
There is work to do for the harvest is plentiful but workers are few.
Christ came to show us The Way, why are we quiet almost every day?
He didn’t give us a spirit of timidity but of boldness for eternity.
Saved by The One and Only Name, how can we choose to remain the same?
We were saved out of the night to lead men to the only saving light.
Many today do not know His Name; Paul points this out to our shame.
But, we’ve been saved to proclaim our Blessed Lord and Savior’s Name.
We do live by faith in Christ alone but we need to point others home.
Remember back in your youth when someone shared with you The Truth.
The truth that all need to hear is that Christ’s return is very near.
First they must hear The Good News and there’s little time to lose.
Of The Gospel Paul was not ashamed for it is power when proclaimed,
Its power unto salvation meant to be preached to every single nation.
Salvation comes to all who believe, preach The Word and you will see.
Paul was a part of The Great Commission which today is our mission.
Our mission is sharing of God’s Word until men everywhere have heard.
The Gospel is Christ died for you and me and will return in Victory.
He’s coming back to redeem His own and take us to our Eternal Home.
Christ saves all who do believe; accept Him now and you won’t grieve.
(Copyright ©04/2004)
In The Will of God
We are part of God’s Sovereign Plan; every saved and willing man,
To reach the heart of every nation, with God’s Hope and Salvation.
Even when we don’t understand, the ways of God’s Guiding Hand,
Through the darkest of the night, we are used as His guiding light.
God’s guiding light to the world, with a message of Hope to herald,
The Lord wills in our life my friend, what shall bring His perfect end,
God guides us safely place to place, with His Mercy and His Grace.
Sustained for the Purpose of God, wherever God’s will has us trod.
As forgiven sinners to proclaim, His Salvation in our Savior’s Name,
As men begin to view our life, He turns their hearts to Jesus Christ.
By Christ Jesus, we are set apart, used by The Holy Spirit to impart,
The Gospel Message to everyone, drawing men to God’s Own Son,
Through our new life devoted to, The Lord who died for me and you.
The plan that God has for us, begins when in Him we place our trust,
Which all began way back in time; as an eternal part of God’s design.
As we live our lives in God’s Truth, we become for God, living proof,
That He who died and rose again, lives in the heart of believing men.
Moving sinners just like you and me, to focus their minds on eternity,
As the larger point of God’s plan, is Eternal Life for every single man,
To be redeemed by Christ our Lord, and to live with God forevermore.
Another Season
We have another season ahead, when we think of death instead,
Instead of the birth of Jesus Christ, Who, came to be a sacrifice,
We think of a Hill called Calvary, where our Savior died on a tree,
When cursed is the one on a tree; this, Christ did for you and me.
It was part of God's Eternal Plan, for the babe to become a man,
As a body was prepared for Him, Eternal God, to bear all our sin,
He became a curse for everyone, with God's wrath upon His Son,
Christ paid sin's eternal cost, as The Sinless Lamb for all the lost.
He was then buried in a tomb, all appeared, to be His final doom,
But in three days to much surprise, from that grave He would rise,
From the tomb Christ had risen again, to be the Savior of all men,
Now, behind Christ was Calvary, while ahead for man was victory.
As this alone is the very reason, we celebrate this Easter Season,
Better known as Resurrection Day, when God for us made a way;
Unlike Christ, we were born in sin, and only in Christ can men win,
That final victory over death, and receive from Him eternal breath.
The victory to be gained by us, is through The Lord, Christ Jesus,
Who as The Savior of all men, enables us to become Born Again,
As believers, still upon this earth, through a spiritual second birth,
And through the Lord Jesus Christ, we instead will see eternal life.
(Copyright ©02/2012)
As we study the Word of God rightly divided we are to understand that God has arranged His dealings with mankind into two programs. We have His prophesied purpose and His secret purpose. Prophecy has to do with the earth and Christ's reign upon it during the millennial kingdom, while the Mystery concerns our exaltation with Christ in the heavenlies.
quote by Paul Sadler
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Real Meaning Of Life
The real meaning of present life, begins at The Cross of Christ,
The cross on Mount Calvary, where Christ died for you and me,
Anywhere you travel on this sod, the Cross points men to God,
With a meaning far much higher, than any human earthly desire.
The Cross, purposed in this life, for man's Savior, Jesus Christ,
For the earthly life of Christ Jesus, not for Him, but for all of us,
His purpose came with a price, which was to be God's sacrifice,
As The Lord God purposed for Him, to be The Lamb for our sin.
Christ's example is for all men, in this world, God did condemn,
After sin had entered the earth, then The Lord put down a curse;
With a plan God had initiated, in a place where Christ was hated,
Crying for Him to be crucified; for them and All, Christ had died.
The Lord had left Heaven's majesty, to die for sinners at Calvary,
Surrendering His life for sinful man, all part of God's eternal plan,
Where Christ became sin for us, so we could gain righteousness,
This that through Jesus Christ, fallen man could attain eternal life.
For believers now on this earth, our present life has eternal worth,
Now with that promise of paradise, we are to be a living sacrifice,
Surrendering to God, all our life, to be witnesses for Jesus Christ,
So others, by the Cross of Calvary, may also secure life eternally.
Unchanging Law
Jesus is God, this I proclaim, and Jesus as God, remains the same,
Two as one may sound strange, but, Jesus as God doesn’t change;
The Law God had fingered in stone, today, is Law for all of His own,
Laws given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, were instituted also for you and I.
Our Lord today, in who we trust, remains today, both Pure and Just,
The Law that was given to Israel, is the basis of God’s present Rule,
Of The Law, that God has willed, every jot and tittle shall be fulfilled,
And Christ, as the unchanging God, shall return to rule with Iron Rod.
But, many who profess His Name, do not view God’s Law the same,
Ignoring all that led to Israel’s fall, they make changes to God’s Law,
Adopting what God calls idolatry, they provoke The God of Eternity,
Not recalling He’s a jealous God, they condone the idols, with a nod.
God’s pure Justice will not be denied, in this Age that we now reside,
For God has His unchanging plan, that includes every believing man,
Even as we’re in the Age of Grace, His Law remains for men of faith,
God’s not subject to changing rules, instituted by the religious fools.
The Law that God has put in place, carries through the Age of Grace,
An unchanging standard of Justice, to be enforced, by Christ Jesus,
God’s Truth, not in part but whole, shall be used to judge every soul,
As we all stand before Jesus Christ, The Only Author of Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©02/2010)
Other Gospels
There are many ways, you know, preached by many, on how to go,
To Heaven to be with Eternal God, preached with a convincing nod,
There are many ways we’re told, for sheep to reach the eternal fold,
To then dwell forever in God’s Love, in the Shepherd’s Fold above.
Some men teach a gospel of works, with a list of man-made perks,
With salvation contingent upon, works ordered by a spiritual liaison.
Some tout a universal salvation, that includes every man and nation,
Suggesting whatever you believe, eternal life above you will receive.
Some even abandon The Cross, believing there’ll be no eternal loss,
Not needing the work of Calvary, as a god lives in both you and me.
All other gospels many proclaim, still pointing to the Savior’s Name,
Have been devised by only man, and are not of God’s Eternal Plan.
Satan’s deceiving many my friend, as Christ warned, during the end,
For many will come claiming to be, Christ, returning for you and me.
But Christ’s sheep know His voice, so won’t make the wrong choice,
As a strange voice they’ll run from, knowing it’s not from God’s Son.
Paul went on to say all men, of another gospel, God must condemn,
For there’s only one Christ to reach, only one Gospel we can preach,
The only Gospel from Christ Jesus, is the only message we can trust,
And only as we accept this Truth, will we avoid God’s eternal reproof.
(Copyright ©06/2008)
Dark As Before
In this darkened world we live, God’s Only Son was sent to give,
A Hope and Light to every nation, through The Lord’s Revelation,
Spoken of through all the ages, by Prophets and Ancient Sages,
And revealed by our God’s plan, to bring Salvation to every man.
Revealed to the Nation Israel, a peoples waiting for God to fulfill,
The many promises, to that land, yet, they would not understand,
He was their Messiah to come, and not sure, where He was from,
But, He was that promised One, not only for Israel, but everyone.
They were blinded through unbelief, so, their Nation saw no relief,
From that darkness, they were in, brought on them by all their sin.
God sent salvation to that race, who had fallen from God’s grace,
But, blinded by all their iniquity, they had eyes that could not see.
The darkness when Christ first came, in our land is quite the same,
Shifting hearts against The Lord, so revealed Truths goes ignored,
Opposing all they should’ve feared, consciences, now are seared,
So that believing in Satan’s lies, is now seen to be politically wise.
As John the Baptist paved the way, for what Jesus Christ did say,
Those of us, who are Born Again, must be God’s voice to all men,
While leading men to a second birth, before Christ returns to earth,
So others too, can have Eternal Life, with The Savior Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©07/2009)
Ditch The Religion
Ditch religion and come to Christ, the Only Way to Eternal Life,
God’s single Way, for all men, is that they must be Born Again,
From the words of The Creator, Who is both Judge and Savior,
Who desires all men to be saved, upon the path He has paved.
God’s path is narrow, not wide, and in His Word we must abide,
It is the Lord’s Word alone, that comes from His Eternal Throne,
With great Power and Authority, over each man’s eternal destiny,
God’s Authority not that of man, which provides salvation’s plan.
In Christ alone, we have salvation, without man adding revelation,
Things not revealed by God at all, but sadly tainted by man’s fall,
Added instruction and men’s rules, commands by religious fools,
Men whose religion is their god, not led by Christ’s staff and rod.
Christ is the Author of Salvation, the Living Word and Revelation,
God’s final Revelation revealed to us, in His Son, our Lord Jesus,
For religion God does not need, as it’s His Word men must heed,
God’s Word, revealed to everyone, fulfilled, in God’s Eternal Son.
Religion is lost man’s way to God, but God saved us on this sod,
Through just one perfect sacrifice, Christ, who paid sin’s full price,
Our religious works were diminished, as Christ said “it is finished.”
Completing salvation for every man, as one accepts His only plan.
The Battle Is Hot
The road is long, the battle is hot, but many Christians just are not,
They are not on fire for The Lord, and opportunities just go ignored.
In the end times Jesus foretold, that hearts of many will grow cold.
But the gates of Hell will not prevail, for Jesus Christ can never fail.
Christ said His Church He will build, and that friend will be fulfilled.
Friend many are ignorant today, of God’s Truth and The Only Way,
Many do not embrace His Name; and Paul says this to our shame.
For all who know His Name, we need to lift our voice and proclaim,
Proclaim to all the Truth of God, everywhere that our feet will trod.
We must rise above the crowd, to proclaim Truth and to do it loud.
For we were saved to impart, The Word of God with all our heart.
And commissioned by Jesus Christ, to lead all men unto New Life.
We’ve been equipped for the task, to share Truth with all who ask.
For Christ sent us The Comforter, the teaching Spirit of The Lord.
He guides believers in The Way, giving us the right words to say.
He gives to us a bolder spirit, to speak to all who need to hear it.
We need to reach all the world, with the message prophets herald,
That anyone apart from Christ, shall never enter into Eternal Life.
We need to rekindle a new fire, in our hearts with a strong desire,
To reach the lost for Jesus Christ, so they can receive Eternal Life.
It’s Not About Us
It’s not about me or about you, but, about God, Who sees us through,
Through all the days and times in life, through the joy and all the strife,
For it was The Lord Who created us, in His own image, from only dust,
Then God breathed life into man, and given purpose by His command.
We were created for God’s pleasure, created to be His eternal treasure,
Created for Pure Fellowship with Him, until Satan introduced man’s sin,
But, that fellowship, God repealed, as sin, through Satan was revealed,
As the serpent lied to Adam’s wife, and turned their Paradise into strife.
Today, that fellowship is restored, through God’s Son, Christ, The Lord,
Then He uses believers in this life, to draw others, back to Jesus Christ.
When through a trial or tribulation, we can point men to God’s Salvation,
To that bloody cross of Calvary, where The Savior died for you and me.
And now, in this life, we die for Him, Christ, Who had died for all our sin,
To live our new earthly life for God, lead by Jesus Christ’s staff and rod,
When something becomes a bother, we are here for our Heavenly Father,
As part of our Lord’s purpose and plan, to be God’s Light for every man.
This life which we live is not about us, but, about God, in whom we trust,
About The Lord God and Creator, Who sent to all men a Blessed Savior,
Christ is the reason life’s worth living, as through all, He keeps on giving,
When we live our life in God’s Will, with a greater purpose for us to fulfill.
(Copyright ©01/2009)
Are We In The Apostasy?
Community service is fine and well, but, what about Heaven and Hell?
And God’s message we’re to proclaim, serving in our Savior’s Name?
What happened to the Church of God, sent out by Christ on this sod?
Are we living in that Apostasy, which Paul warned would come to be?
We seem to be walking broader ways, as we live in these darker days;
Have we forgotten our true mission, to carry out Christ’s Commission?
Worldly ways we seem to embrace, as we finish out the Age of Grace;
Have we left God’s narrow path, only to invite God’s Righteous Wrath?
Is the Church straying like Israel, seeking not God’s, but, our own will?
And is there only a small remnant, of that Church that Christ had sent?
With a majority straying from Him, being seduced by this world of sin,
Following the many ways of men, that Christ shall ultimately condemn.
Have many today truly fallen away, seduced into Satan’s spiritual fray?
Simply the blind leading the blind, leaving God’s Spiritual Truth behind.
We were warned by Apostle Paul, in these latter days, many would fall,
From God’s true Church of Christ, to follow others into an apostate life.
Are we witnessing this first hand, inside the churches across this land?
The apostasy of so-called believers, lead astray by Satan’s deceivers?
So to all those still on God’s side, we must in Christ become crucified,
With His Eternal Gospel to preach, to every soul we still need to reach.
(Copyright ©05/2009)
Outta Here
Very soon we’ll be outta here, as Christ’s Return draws near,
When God lifts us into the sky, true believers, like you and I,
As The Lord raptures all of us, to see our Lord, Christ Jesus,
But, within His time and His plan, not a time devised by man.
The Rapture is God’s Truth, One Thessalonians, is our proof,
Truth, revealed to Paul by Christ, a time we enter Eternal Life,
With His words we’re to comfort, believers about the trumpet,
As we stay fixed on The Lord, men’s words are to be ignored.
Man’s careless predictions can, deter the belief of some men.
Where is Christ’s Coming, they jeer, as His Return draws near,
But, His Truth is forever true, a Blessed Hope, of me and you,
Hope that is not hindered by man, for it is God’s inerrant plan.
God’s Word is flawless friend, a Truth we can trust to the end,
His Word is above man’s ways, only God deserves our praise,
His thoughts are higher than ours, and man’s thoughts He bars,
From association with His Word, when errant ideas are inferred.
In The Blessed Hope be assured, words to Paul from our Lord,
All of the flawed views of men, the Lord our God will condemn;
Believers today can be sure, in God’s Word, flawless and pure,
To be taken from the ground, when we hear that trumpet sound.
God's Purpose Given Will
What talent thy have is
God's purpose given will
sometimes forecast God
chooses Paul prime example
had no freedom no choice
his passion inherited direct
interaction by God's will
Christ struck Paul blind changed
Paul’s devoted life focus.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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