The Parallel Between the New Covenant and Being a New Creation in Christ

 

The Parallel Between the New Covenant and Being a New Creation in Christ

There will be a lot to read in this writing, so if you may need to read it in several sittings. 

This is one of those blogs where I can easily let scripture speak for itself.  Therefore, I will keep my comments brief.

When reading my daily Bible study, I am often inspired to see scripture from a new perspective.  While reading through Colossians a few days ago it was when I suddenly saw the parallel between the New Covenant Jesus Christ created and our responsibility for becoming a new creature when we choose to accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

I know it can be confusing when the Bible says we are not under the law but yet it also says we need to follow the law.  I recently even heard a woman on a "Christian" YouTube video say that we do not need to follow the ten commandments because we are no longer under the old laws.  She was so very wrong and obviously did not read her Bible but was probably just looking for an excuse to sin.  The facts are this: Jesus Christ abolished manmade laws when He died on the cross and shed His blood for our sins.  This does not mean we quit following the laws of God.  Jesus Christ said it Himself.

(Matthew 19:16-21) And, behold, one came and said unto Him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" And [Jesus] said unto him, ".. if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments... Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself... give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

Now let me supply you with a lot of scripture (this is not even all the Bible says, but just a sample), first about the New Covenant and then about our role in honoring Jesus' sacrifice when we choose to call ourselves a Christian. 

New Covenant Scriptures

In this verse you see how it states we must follow Jesus and not the old laws, or we are in danger of falling from God's grace.  Paul even says it is as if Jesus' grace does not affect one who refuses to give up the Mosaic laws. The old ways are a yoke of bondage.  There is more below from Galatians 5 that ties in perfectly with the theme of this blog showing how the new covenant and new creation concepts are so perfectly linked.

I did not post Hebrews 7, 8, or 9 or Galatians 3 & 4 because there are too many verses to post, but please read all from those chapters as well.

(Hebrews 10:8-10) He said, "Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law," Then said He, "Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

(Galatians 5:1-5) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage... Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Now it is Peter who reminds fellow believers that the old law is a yoke and a burden, that they should not encourage new coverts to follow.  Our hearts are purified through faith in Jesus and following His ways alone.

(Acts 15:7-11) And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Here Paul is making a comparison between physical circumcision and spiritual.  Paul does an excellent job of showing the parallel between the new covenant and being a new creation in Christ.  The old ordinances were nailed to the cross of Jesus, so let's honor His precious sacrifice by putting off our sins and living a pure life for Him!

(Colossians 2:11-15 & 20-23) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Paul reminds us that insisting on following the old ways frustrates the grace of God and is the equivalent of that Jesus dying in vain.  That is pretty serious! We are dead to the old manmade traditions because Jesus loved us enough to die for us and set us free.  Not free to sin (see Romans 6:1-2), but free to follow obtainable laws, not more than 600 rules that no one could ever live up to. 

(Galatians 2:14-21) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

This is a beautiful passage.  It shows Paul's compassion, his honesty, and integrity.  I cannot think of a thing to add here. 

(Romans 10:1-13) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

New Creation Scriptures

This is probably the most well-known passage about becoming a new creature in Christ, but have you read or heard the verses above it where it reminds us that we will all be judged by Jesus?  What we say and do is so very vital not just before but also after we accept Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:10-11 & 15-17) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

These two passages remind us that we were once living in dark sinfulness, but when we became saved, we became as new creations, and then Paul goes on to explain what is now expected of us.

(Ephesians 4:17-32) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not... in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

(Colossians 3:1-14) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God... Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.., Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

This is the continuation of Galatians 5 from above.  Another list of reminders of what God expects from us.  These lists of rules are so vitally important to know and follow as they are so vitally important to where we will spend eternity.  They are not a bondage but, as you will read below, our reasonable service and quite easy to follow.  They are designed to give us joy, peace, and true freedom by not weighing us down with the regrets and consequences that sin brings.  

(Galatians 5:16-26) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. 

This is another list of examples of how we should act as Christians but also reminds us that once we step out of darkness we should no longer associate with those still living in the world.  Instead we need to walk in the Light of Jesus and step away from dark behaviors in others as well as not participating in the dark deeds.

(Ephesians 5:3-18) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them... See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise... And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

When we become followers of Jesus we need to learn to love what Jesus loves and hate what Jesus hates.  Even when it is difficult to let go of the past sins and past relationships, the Holy Spirit will always give you strength and victory to walk away and serve Him alone!

(Romans 12:1-2 & 9) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

This is another great reminder of how to please God and not live not in uncleanliness, but in holiness based on the commandments from Jesus.

(1 Thessalonians 4:1-7) Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Let me leave you with just one more passage that reminds us again that we will all be judged according to how we choose to obey the rules of the New Covenant.

(Revelation 20:11-12 & 21:7-8) And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

I know this is already a lot to read, but if you want even more information on the New Covenant, feel free to read these other blogs:

 Jesus Made a Surety of a Better Testament: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/06/leviticus-numbers-deuteronomy-jesus.html

Jesus Teaches us a Better Way: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/01/matthew-5-jesus-teaches-us-better-way.html

True Grace, False Grace, and Legalism, Written by my Husband, Mel: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/09/true-grace-false-grace-and-legalism.html

Understanding The New Covenant, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2015/12/understanding-new-covenant-written-by.html

Justification by Faith Alone, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2020/08/justification-by-faith-alone-written-by.html

Full Assurance of Salvation, Written by my Husband: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/full-assurance-of-salvation-written-by.html

Being Thankful

Being Thankful

It seems as if this topic should be saved for Thanksgiving, but I felt like this was an issue God wanted me to write about now.  For one thing, we should be thankful 12 months of the year, not just in November.

When doing a search on Bible Gateway (using the KJV), the word "thankful" was only listed 4 times, but the word "thanks" was listed 100 times. As I looked through all 104 verses, I realized there was a lot more to be said on the subject than I had initially assumed. Obviously, there are way too many verses to list, but I will be listing quite a few because it was too difficult to narrow down.  I will try to put these verses into categories.

Let's first look simply, but most importantly, turning a thankful heart into praising God for Who He is. Thanking God for His beautifully imaginative creation, for His love and mercy, for choosing us, for always giving us a chance to repent when we make mistakes, for preparing heaven for us, and the list is endless.  I know it is not always easy to be thankful when times are trying, but this takes our minds off of our circumstances and helps us to focus on the love of God.  We praise Him for being God the Father, God the Son, and God The Holy Spirit.  He is our creator, our advocate, our savior, our helper, burden-bearer, and I could go on and on...  

Because there is still a lot to say on being thankful, I will move forward.  But, if you are interested in reading more about praising God, here is a blog I wrote titled, "When it is Difficult to Praise the Lord" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2024/06/when-it-is-difficult-to-praise-lord.html

(Psalm 100:4) Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name.

(Psalm 30:4 & 12) Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

In addition to celebrating God for being our Almighty Creator, another way to be thankful is to make it more personal.  Thank Him for His saving grace and His mercy that forgave your sins.  This goes beyond a general thank you for Jesus dying for the sins of the world, but for dying for your sins.  And for His continual mercy and patience to forgive "minor" sins as well as to take you back when you have gone beyond the causal mistake and have you backslidden (See 1 John 1:9). 

(1 Chronicles 16:8 & 34) Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

(Ezra 3:11) And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

(Colossians 1:2 & 3:17) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I hate to be negative when discussing a positive subject of being thankful, but I want to address it because it is mentioned in the Bible.  The verses after Romans 1:21 (listed below) go on to explain that the people became evil.  Verses 29-32 said they became, "filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death..." 

They knew the Truths of God but backslid away from them. Why did they fall backward from salvation to sin?  I think we can see in verse 21 that they quit glorifying God for who He was and quit being thankful for all He had done to save their souls.  Everyone who quits acknowledging the power, love, and grace of God is in danger of backsliding away from their faith.  When we cease to acknowledge the goodness of God, we quit caring whether or not we please Him (Romans 2:4 - Despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?).  When we lose awe and respect for the King of Kings, we put Him on equal ground with us, and that is beyond foolish and dangerous. Losing a heart full of thankfulness for His true grace means one will take do their very best to advantage of it and, therefore, risk their very soul by way of arrogance and disrespect of the Holy of Holies. 

Once again, I want to move on to more verses on being thankful.  If you are interested, here is a link that mentions more of Romans 1: "Follow the Light of Jesus" https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2025/10/follow-light-of-jesus-part-2.html

(Romans 1:21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

As well as thanking God for His infinite mercies, we can thank His Holy Spirit for helping us get victory over our sins. We know we are not capable of conquering sin on our own.  Our flesh wars against our spiritual nature, but when we pray for the help of the Holy Spirit.  He can help shatter what seems like unbreakable chains of sinful bondages.  It does not matter what your stronghold is: pornography, witchcraft, alcohol/drugs, sexual immorality, false religion, stealing, lying, etc.  IF you are truly willing to let the Holy Spirit take control of your life, He will absolutely give you to power to walk away from whatever God hates.

Please remember that 1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP) says, "No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]."

The Holy Spirit will always give you the strength to walk away if you obey His voice. There is always a way out and the opportunity to say no and walk away. That is a beautiful thing to be thankful for!

(1 Corinthians 15:57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Corinthians 2:14) Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

Another area where we can find thankfulness is other people.  It is a true blessing to have Godly friends, and if you have them, please remember to thank God for this rare treasure. I am well aware that true friends are an extreme rarity, but people do not have to live up to our expectations for us to love them and be thankful for them. We are not to be unequally yoked with those who will drag us down spiritually (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18), but we can still be thankful for whatever positive qualities they possess, and we should continually pray for them. 

(Ephesians 1:16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

(Colossians 1:3 & 1 Thessalonians 1:2) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. & We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

There is still so much more I could say, after all, remember the above-mentioned 104 verses?  But I will end where I started.  The most important thing we have to be thankful for in our lives is the Holy Trinity.  When all else around us is falling apart, when we are lonely, sick, abandoned, grieving, or confused, we can still say God is by our side.  Focus on the eternal and not the temporal. Spending time being thankful to God for His beauty, majesty, holiness, power, omnipotence, (the list is endless) is enough to get through each and every day!  I can't wait until we get to Heaven and we can join the others around His throne to give Him praise forever! 

(Revelation 4:8-11) And the four beasts... rest not day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

(Revelation 7:9-12) After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, "Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

(Revelation 11:15-17) And there were great voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, "We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned."

Amos Chapters 2 and 8: A Warning From God, Written by my Husband

 

Amos Chapters 2 and 8: A Warning From God

Written by my Husband (Mel)

Today, the angel of the Lord told me to read Amos chapters 2 and 8. Although this passage is about the sins of Judah against the poor and needy, it directly pertains to America as well. God's judgment is about to fall upon the United States and its harlot churches.

 Many who claim to be Christians have lost all, or most, compassion for the poor, sick, and needy. They have been blinded by their loyalty to the MAGA version of the Republican Party. They don't want to see their tax dollars go toward helping the poor and sick. They don't care that all federal funding has been cut off from food banks and school lunch programs, SNAP, or that millions are losing their health care. However, they don't mind that over one and a half trillion taxpayer dollars are going to the military and ICE. The merchants of the land are unnecessarily price gouging the public with overpriced food and gasoline as well. Prices could be lower, but greed prevails over compassion.

The UN admits that there will not be enough food for the world in 2027. They are preparing for a huge spike in global hunger. God hears the cries of the poor and hungry, as well as sees all of the greed and price gouging. Heaven will answer with fire!

(Amos 8:4-9) Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, "When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?"  The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

(Amos 2:6) Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

An overview of Amos Chapter 8: This passage highlights the economic greed of the merchants who manipulate the weights, scales, and prices in the marketplace—even as they continue with their religious practices. Dishonest merchants, though, mixed the sweepings with the grain and sold it as pure grain to the poor.

Amos treats this as more than bad business. Amos condemned unjust business practice as a religious problem—a sin against the justice and righteousness of God. In response, God swears an oath, and by this oath God binds himself to a specific, unalterable course of action.

The judgment includes darkness, mourning, and a "famine" of God's word. In times of great distress Israel turned to the Lord for a prophetic word of hope or guidance, but in the coming judgment the Lord will answer all such appeals with silence—the awful silence of God.

Due to Trump's tariffs and wars, the world's economies are in dire straits. In the next few years, it is going to get a lot worse. Groceries, gas, water, electricity, as well as real estate, are already unaffordable for most.

Trump is asking for 1.5 trillion dollars to build up the military, as well as to build new missiles, and advanced nuclear bombs. History has proven that when a nation spends money on weapons, it intends to use them. Obviously, this military buildup is for offensive warfare.

Trump has recently said several times now, that we can't afford Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, or daycare services, because we are involved in wars. He doesn't care about the welfare of the American people because he is fixated on himself, and his desires. Trump is a man of war and conquest. He needs his military parades, Triumphant Arch, golden statues of himself, as well as a ballroom in the White House.

In the recent past Trump said," Let the poor children starve." Sadly, he meant it.

Many people believe that the poor are under a curse of poverty and God must be punishing them. This mindset is due to many decades of the influence of prosperity gospel preachers on Christianity. Kenneth Copeland has a net worth of over one billion dollars, and he has scorn for the poor. His vast wealth will not buy his way into Heaven, but it will ensure his place in Hell. Christ told the rich young ruler to sell his vast possessions and give the money to the poor and come follow him. You cannot serve God and money because only one can be your master.

We are commanded to help the poor and the sick, as well as not to show partiality to anyone. There are Many churches that have a VIP section roped off in front of their church, or on the stage. The big tithers, guest ministers, deacons, elders, or best dressed are honored with these reserved seats. James said that when the man with the gold ring and goodly apparel is given the choice seat and the poor man is made to stand you show partiality. The prosperity gospel type churches are teaching the polar opposite to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, their bad influence has corrupted many churches.

(James 2:2-6) For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

(Matthew 19:16-23) And, behold, one came and said unto him, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" And He said unto him, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." He saith unto Him, "Which?" Jesus said, "Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The young man saith unto him, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."

(Matthew 25:32-42) And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, "Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?" And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:"

(Revelation 6:5-6) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, "A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine."

Is the abundance of your heart dark and crooked?

Is the abundance of your heart dark and crooked?


Many people believe their thoughts do not matter. As long as they say and do all the right things, then they can be as rotten as they want to be in their own private thoughts. As we are judged by our works, please make no mistake that our thoughts are very much considered as part of our works.

(1 Peter 1:16-17) It is written, "Be holy, And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.

(Ezekiel 11:5) And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me, "Speak; 'Thus saith the Lord... for I know the things that come into your mind, EVERY ONE of them.'"

In the eyes of God, fantasizing about a sinful act such as sex to one to whom you are not married, pedophilia, rape, stealing, murder, etc., is just as sinful as the act itself. True, no one else gets hurt if you refuse to act on your harmful fantasies, but your soul is still in danger. Don't agree? Then please read on to see what the Bible says on this matter.

One of the seven abominations that God hates in Proverbs 6:18, is "A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations." (You can see the entire list from Proverbs 6 here: https://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/2026/07/proverbs-616-19-seven-abominations.html ) Notice that one does not even have to carry out wicked plans but just dreaming them up is an abomination to God. The Lord knows all your thoughts and if you are considering harming someone or breaking the law, you will be held accountable for your thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 says, "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Pause and think about that for a moment. Are you a sexual predator, adulterer, racist, murderer, and/or basically an imitation-Christian, not truly following the laws of Jesus Christ?

Matthew 5:28 says we commit adultery just by thinking about having sex with someone not our spouse. It reminds us how important our thoughts are: "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." In other words, you do not have to participate in a physical affair to be considered an unfaithful spouse. In the Lord’s eyes, lusting after someone else (this goes beyond simple attraction, but evolves into impure thoughts), is a sin.

As I thought of writing this blog, I have to admit I was convicted as I contemplated Matthew 12:34 (see below). What is the abundance of my heart? How often would I be dealing with a client at work and be super polite and kind, but in my thoughts, I would be calling the person annoying or even stupid. Yes, it is always important to treat others with respect, but if our thoughts are cruel, God knows. And trust me, one can wear a mask for only so long before the real truth of their poor attitude seeps through. It’s why Jesus so often preached to the Pharisees about their hypocritical lives. If the abundance of your heart is dark and crooked, your speech is sure to be as well. No one is capable of being phony 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Chances are, someone in your life knows the real you. And if you really are that good of an actor that you fool everyone all the time, you can never fool God who knows you more intimately than even you know yourself.

(Matthew 12:25,33-37) But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

When I pray, one thing I ask is that my cup be clean on the inside as well as the outside. I do not want to be an outside-only Christian. I want my private thoughts toward others to match my outward smile. When people say I am being gracious, I want it to be the truth. I want to do more than appear polite when inwardly I am biting my tongue because I want to lash out in anger toward someone or spout off with an acerbic reply. Instead, I want my heart to bear as much fruit as my actions. When angry or annoyed, I want to stop and see the offender through the eyes of Christ and abandon my ego in the dump with the garbage.

(Luke 11:38-42) When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

The Lord sees and knows all our hearts. The entire chapter of Mark 7 is excellent (as are all the words of Jesus Christ), but I want to remind us of just a few verses:

(Mark 7:6-7) He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me.

It does not matter how many scriptures you memorize, how much you give to charity, if you call yourself a witness for Christ, or how loudly you sing in front of others, if you are actively living in rebellion of all Jesus asks of you, your "heart is far from" God and He is fully aware of this. If you are not living the Bible you proclaim, you are just as the hypocrites mentioned in Luke 11 above as well as Luke 12 below.

(Luke 12:1-3) In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 sums this topic up beautifully, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Remember that song, "Be careful little mind what you think. For the Father up above is looking down in love"?   Well, sing that to yourself every time you are devising wicked thoughts. Repent, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you learn to take captive your thoughts and change your thought patterns so that you are pleasing God, not man or yourself! When you feel tempted to think of something sexually harmful, or violent (etc.) immediately replace those thoughts with Bible verses or a praise song. You do not have to have anything memorized, just in general or simply pray to God and tell Him you love Him and praise Him for His mercy to forgive you every single time you repent.


Bottom line, Jesus knows our every thought, even when we put on a false front to others. Even if one spends his whole life successfully fooling others into thinking He is serving the Lord while addicted to pornography (which yes, as mentioned above, is the same as adultery and when viewing those under 18, pedophilia), stealing from others, backbiting, gossiping, etc., when he stands before the Lord on judgment day, all will be revealed.

(Matthew 16:24-27) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

(Revelation 20:11-15) Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.