Saturday, September 30, 2017

"Our Present Suffering and Our Future Glory"


“Our Present Suffering and Our Future Glory”

 

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the Children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the Children of God.        Romans 8:18-21

 

The Apostle Paul’s expectations of our FUTURE GLORY is the ABUNDANT HOPE of our ETERNITY in Heaven.  He believes that there is NO COMPARISON of our PRESENT SUFFERINGS to our FUTURE GLORY.

 

What an AWESOME thing to believe.  When we look around us and see ALL the suffering in our world, our nation, our families, even our own lives. However, Paul’s FAITH was so strong that he could say with CONFIDENCE that “our PRESENT SUFFERINGS are not worth comparing with the GLORY that will be revealed in us,” when Christ returns.   We cannot even begin to realize ALL the GLORY that awaits the TRUE Child of God.  “As it is written:  “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no mind has conceived”---the things God has prepared for those who LOVE Him.”  (1 Corinthians 2:9)

 

So even in our PRESENT SUFFERING, we can look forward to our FUTURE GLORY, as the Apostle Paul did. And even creation waits eagerly for Christ return, and for the revelation of God’s Children.  At that time, Creation itself, will be ‘SET FREE’ from its bondage of decay, which it was subject to by the disobedience of Adam, and it will be brought into the FREEDOM and GLORY of the Children of God. 

 

This GREAT and GLORIOUS scenario for the TRUE CHILD of GOD, is ALL possible through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.   He has made it POSSIBLE for the TRUE BELIEVER to be SET FREE from the PENALTY of SIN by His death on the cross.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23).   We have been SET FREE from the POWER of SIN, when we died with Christ.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Gal. 2:20)  And we are SET FREE from the PRESENCE of SIN when ALL of nature is delivered from its bondage.  “Creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the FREEDOM and GLORY of the Children of God.”  (Romans 8:21)

Have you been SET FREE from the PENALTY of Sin, the POWER of Sin, and to the SOON demise of the PRESENCE of Sin?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then your answer is “NO!”  In order to be SET FREE from the PENALTY, POWER, and PRESENCE of SIN, you MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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 have CONFIDENCE that your PRESENT SUFFERINGS are NOT comparable with the FUTURE GLORY that will be revealed in YOU, when Christ returns.  Do these things NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, September 29, 2017

"Confess, Believe, Receive"


“Confess, Believe, Receive”

 

“…If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.   For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”      Romans 10:9-10

 

Have you CONFESSED?  Do you BELIEVE?  Have you RECEIVED? 

 

If you CONFESS with your mouth the Lord Jesus, CONFESSION is declaring something. When a person comes to Christ for the SALVATION of their soul, they should first CONFESS that they are a SINNER, when they do this they are ACKNOWLEDGING that they are a SINNER who NEEDS FORGIVENESS, and they then CONFESS their sins with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and should CONFESS that Jesus is Lord.  For with the MOUTH CONFESSION is made unto SALVATION.

 

And BELIEVE in your HEART that God raised Him from the dead.  After you CONFESS, you MUST BELIEVE in your HEART.  You cannot BELIEVE it in your MIND and NOT in your HEART, and still make it to Heaven.  For it is with the HEART that one BELIEVES unto RIGHTEOUSNESS.  For the MOUTH CONFESSES what is in the HEART.  And when you BELIEVE in your HEART that Jesus died for YOU and that God raised Him from the dead to secure your SALVATION, and CONFESS that He is LORD, you will be SAVED.

 

For with the HEART one BELIEVES unto RIGHTEOUSNESS, and with the MOUTH CONFESSION is made unto SALVATION.  So when one CONFESSES and BELIEVES then they RECEIVE God’s gifts of RIGHTEOUSNESS and SALVATION, with the HOPE of HEAVEN for ALL ETERNITY.

 

Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God?  If your answer is NO, then you are LOST and headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God is offering you the opportunity to change directions, by coming to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking 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 be one who CONFESSES, BELIEVES and RECEIVES God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS and SALVATION.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Thursday, September 28, 2017

"The Narrow or the Wide Gate, Which Do You Choose?"


“The Narrow or the Wide Gate, Which Do You Choose?”

 

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”      Matthew 7: 13-14

 

Many people have REJECTED, are REJECTING, or will REJECT, Jesus Christ and His teachings.  Here is one of His lessons for mankind to ACCEPT or REJECT, the choice is up to them.  Jesus instructs us to take the NARROW GATE.  This gate will lead to an ETERNITY in Heaven.  The WIDE GATE is the entrance which leads to DESTRUCTION and an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair.  Which GATE will you choose?  Let us look into the TRUE MEANINGS of each GATE. 

 

First, let’s look at the WIDE GATE and BROAD ROAD.  This is the road that Jesus says leads to destruction.  He tells us that MANY will enter through it.  Those who ENTER that gate and FOLLOW that road are those who have chosen to REJECT Christ and have decided to FOLLOW their own SELF-SUFFICIENT, SELF-RIGHTEOUS, SIN-FILLED, LIFESTYLES, merrily skipping down the BROAD ROAD to DESTRUCTION and an ETERNITY in Hell.  Sadly to say, this is the GATE and ROAD, MANY will choose.  Will you be one of the MANY?

 

Now, let us look at the SMALL GATE and NARROW ROAD that Jesus tells us to take, for it is the GATE and ROAD that leads to EVERLASTING JOY, PEACE, and LOVE, with an ETERNITY in Heaven, the place of ETERNAL BLISS.  Those who enter this gate are those who have ACCEPTED God’s gift of SALVATION, and are walking the NARROW ROAD to their HEAVENLY HOME. They are the ones who have DENIED themselves and took up their cross to FOLLOW JESUS.  It is not an EASY road to take, but the REWARDS for PERSERVERING and STAYING the course is out of this world.  Few are willing to ENTER the SMALL GATE, and FOLLOW the NARROW road.   Will you be one of the FEW?

 

IF you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have entered the WIDE GATE and are on the BROAD ROAD to DESTRUCTION and an ETERNITY in Hell.  But God, in His INFINITE MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, is offering you a NEW course to take.  He is offering you an ETERNITY in Heaven, if you will DENY your SELF and come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking 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 ENTER the SMALL GATE and set your feet on the NARROW ROAD, TAKE UP your CROSS and FOLLOW JESUS.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

"The Second Birth"


“The Second Birth”

 

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”   “How can someone be born when they are old?”  Nicodemus asked.  “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”   Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.       John 3:3-5

 

This day, September 27, 1947, marks the day that I entered this world in a PHYSICAL birth, which is my FIRST birth, born of the flesh. Some thirteen years later I realized that I was SPIRITUALLY LOST, and without a Savior.  I, like Nicodemus, and EVERYONE ELSE, born of the FLESH needed to be BORN a SECOND time. 

 

I MUST BE BORN AGAIN, but not of the FLESH, which would be IMPOSSIBLE, but I MUST be born of the SPIRIT.  I NEEDED to be drawn to Jesus Christ by the SPIRIT, and I MUST CONFESS my sins to Him and SEEK His FORGIVENESS, and He was FAITHFUL and JUST, and FORGAVE me of ALL my sins, and I was BORN AGAIN.  Born into the Family of God, and into the Kingdom of God.

 

Have you been BORN AGAIN?  In other words, have you been drawn to Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, and have you sought His FORGIVENESS of your SINS?  If NOT, then you are born of the FLESH and LIVING in the FLESH.  You NEED a SAVIOR!  You NEED to be BORN AGAIN.  To do this you MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking 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 be BORN AGAIN, and ENTER into the Kingdom of GOD, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell.  Do it NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming  SOON!!!

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

"Do Not Love the World or the Things of the World!"


“Do Not Love the World or the Things of the World!”

 

Do not love the world or anything in the world.   If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.       1 John 2:15-17

 

“Do NOT love the world or ANYTHING in the world.”  To LOVE the world and the things of the world, could be considered a form of ‘IDOLATRY’, especially if you LOVE the world and you put the things of the world before God.  The things of this world, such as, the lust of the flesh, a strong sexual desire, can lead to sins, such as, ADULTRY and FORNICATION.

 

The lust of the eyes means to have a strong desire of covetousness, wanting what someone else has, which can lead to THIEVERY.  And the pride of life, being proud of what you have accomplished and NOT giving ANY credit to God, but having a PRIDEFUL attitude and NOT a GREATFUL attitude, which can lead to being a BRAGGART or BOASTFUL. 

 

ALL of these things are enmity against the Almighty God, CREATOR of ALL things to include the world itself.  But the world has become SINFUL, WICKED, CORRUPT, DEPRAVED, LAWLESS and MORALLY BANKRUPT.  And MANY have EMBRACED and CHOSEN these enmities, even some who profess to be Christian. 

 

We live in a LOST and DYING world, one that God will bring JUDGMENT and DESTRUCTION upon, because of its WICKEDNESS and IMPURITIES.  In the meantime, we who are TRUE BELIEVERS, are to SEPARATE ourselves from the world and its atrocities.  We are NOT to SUPPORT or CONDONE the LUST of the FLESH, the LUST of the eyes, or the PRIDE of LIFE.  But we are to LIVE according to God’s laws and to let His Holy Spirit be in CONTROL of our lives.

 

Are you a TRUE BELIEVER, who SUPPORTS or CONDONES the acts of those who are living in SIN?  Well, STOP IT!   Because God is NOT PLEASED with this type of behavior, and He might have to take YOU to the woodshed.   By SUPPORTING or CONDONING those sinful acts, you are helping to SEAL the fate of an ETERNITY in HELL, for the one who is LIVING in SIN.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God and are LOVING the world and the things of the world, then you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING torture, torment, pain, heartache, agony and despair, with NO WAY OF ESCAPE!  However, God is giving you the opportunity NOW, to SEPARATE yourself from the world and its SINFUL WAYS, by coming to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking 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 DO NOT LOVE the WORLD or the things of the WORLD, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your HEART and MIND.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Monday, September 25, 2017

"Godly Sorrow versus Worldly Sorrow"


“Godly Sorrow versus Worldly Sorrow”

 

For Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.      1 Corinthians 7:10

 

What is GODLY SORROW?  GODLY SORROW is TRUE REPENTANCE of the HEART.  Repentance that leads to SALVATION of the SOUL.  It is a CLEANSING of both the HEART and MIND.  It is a point of CONFESSING and FORSAKING your sins, and it draws us into a more intimate, closer relationship with God.  This is possible because of the RIGHTEOUSNESS, which God gives us that was made possible by the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  GODLY SORROW is being TRULY SORRY for the sins that separate us from God.  It is a condition of the HEART that will bring JOY and LIFE everlasting.   GODLY SORROW is a GOOD thing.

 

WORLDLY SORROW, on the other hand, is a SORROW that brings REGRET, and not REPENTANCE.   It is a REGRETTING more of the GUILTY MIND than the SORROWING HEART.  WORLDLY SORROWING brings more of a GUILTY CONSCIENCE, than a REPENTENING HEART. GUILT, not so much for doing the WRONG thing, but FAILING to do the RIGHT thing.

 

When Peter denied Christ, and REPENTED with intense GODLY SORROW, he was FORGIVEN.  Judas, however showed REGRET, a WORLDLY SORROW, and committed suicide. This happens to some people who commit suicide because of intense GUILT and REGRETS, but they know nothing about TRUE REPENTANCE or the MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS, FORGIVENESS of a LOVING, MERCIFUL, GRACIOUS, COMPASSIONATE GOD.  WORLDLY SORROW brings DEATH, GODLY SORROW brings LIFE. 

 

If you have not come to God with a GODLY SORROW of a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, then you  are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torture, torment, pain, heartache, agony and despair.  You MUST come to God in GODLY SORROW, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, asking 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 receive JOY and LIFE everlasting, brought about by GODLY SORROW.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Saturday, September 23, 2017

"A Pure Heart and a Steadfast Spirit"


“A Pure Heart and a Steadfast Spirit”

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.         Psalm 51:10

 

This is a psalm written by King David, when the prophet Nathan came to him, after his ADULTROUS TRYST with Bathsheba.  David had grievously SINNED against God, Bathsheba, and her husband, Uriah, the Hittite, who was one of David’s mighty warriors.  David’s sin was so intense in his heart that he was willing to have Uriah killed, in order for him to have Bathsheba as his own.   TEMPTATION gave birth to SIN, and SIN gave birth to two PHYSICAL deaths, Uriah, and David and Bathsheba’s child.   

 

David’s HEART became tainted with DISOBEDIENCE, DISRESPECT, DISREGARD for HUMAN LIFE, and TAKING what did NOT belong to him.  He allowed his TEMPTATION to turn into SIN, which brought about a RIFT in his RELATIONSHIP with God.  David’s HEART was heavy with guilt as he cried out for God to have MERCY upon him, to BLOT OUT his transgressions, and to WASH away ALL his iniquity, to CLEANSE him from his sin.

 

David realized that he needed a RENOVATION of his HEART.  He needed a PURE HEART, one without the filth of sin, one that would be PLEASING and ACCEPTABLE to the RIGHTEOUS GOD, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, of ALL mankind.  So he cried out to God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, “Create in me a PURE heart, O God.”  But David knew his HEART was not the only thing that needed help.  His spirit needed to be made STEADFAST, UNWAVERING, and STRONG, one that is WILLING to follow God’s laws and to be OBEDIENT to Him.  A spirit that would SUSTAIN him and NOT be WEAK and VULNERABLE to the ways of this SIN-SICK world.  He longed for a PURE HEART and a STEADFAST SPIRIT so he could once again have the JOY of his SALVATION.

 

Are you harboring sins in your HEART, making it tainted and IMPURE, because of your disobedience to Almighty God?  Is your spirit WEAK and UNWILLING to follow God’s path for your life?  Have you LOST the JOY of your SALVATION?  Are you headed for an ETERNITY in Hell?  If you are experiencing any of the above, then you NEED to do as David did, come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and cry out to Him for His MERCY, and that he would CREATE in YOU, a PURE HEART and a STEADFAST spirit.  

 

When you come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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.  He is FAITHFUL to FORGIVE you of your sins and will CREATE in you a PURE HEART and a STEADFAST spirit and He will fill your HEART with the JOY of your SALVATION.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Friday, September 22, 2017

"Show Me, Teach Me, Guide Me"


“Show Me, Teach Me, Guide Me”

 

In You, Lord my God, I put my trust.

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.  May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in You.        Psalm 25:1, 4, 5, 21

 

When a person comes to God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, for the SALVATION of their soul, they are saying to Him that they put their TRUST in Him for their ETERNITY.  And like the Psalmist, King David, they should desire to FOLLOW God’s path for them and to be made pleasing and acceptable to Him.

 

In order for them to be PLEASING and ACCEPTABLE to God, they MUST have a desire for the Holy Spirit of God to SHOW them His ways, TEACH them His PATHS, and to GUIDE them in TRUTH, because their HOPE is in HIM, ALL day long.  Oh, that this would be the EARNEST prayer of EVERY TRUE BELIEVER.  And that EVERY TRUE BELIEVER would be SUBMISSIVE to the Holy Spirit when He SHOW’S them God’s ways, TEACHES them God’s paths, and GUIDES them in His TRUTH. 

 

We live in a world of wickedness and we who are the TRUE BELIEVERS, NEED to be SHOWN God’s ways, TAUGHT His paths, and to be GUIDED in His TRUTH or His WORD, so that INTEGRITY and UPRIGHTNESS would protect us, from the wickedness and depravity that has its hold on the hearts of many poor, wretched souls, In YOU, Lord we put our TRUST, because our HOPE is in YOU, LORD, it is in YOU!

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and Life to God then you have NO HOPE for an ETERNITY in Heaven, but are destined for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair.  However, God in His ABUNDANT MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, is offering you the opportunity to TURN AWAY from your sinful lifestyle and to TURN TO Him, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, by coming to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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 ask His Spirit to SHOW you His ways, TEACH you His paths, and GUIDE you in His TRUTH, so you can say, like the Psalmist,  “In You, Lord my God, I put my TRUST.”  “My HOPE is in You, all day long.”   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Thursday, September 21, 2017

"Persevere and Receive"


“Persevere and Receive”

 

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.  For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”  But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.       Hebrews 10:36-39

 

The writer of Hebrews, is speaking to ALL TRUE BELIEVERS, concerning their PERSEVERANCE in doing the will of God.  There are two groups that the writer addresses.  First he instructs the TRUE BELIEVER, to PERSEVERE in doing the will of God and RECEIVING the PROMISE of God, which is the culmination of their SALVATION.  He reaffirms the coming of The Lord Jesus Christ, and states that He will not delay in coming again.  

 

Then the writer shifts gears a little, in addressing those who have the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH of SALVATION, but they don’t really POSSESS it in their HEART.  It is a MIND-THING, not a HEART-THING, and they are the ones who SHRINK BACK, those who God takes NO PLEASURE in, and are DESTROYED.  But the TRUE BELIEVER has the KNOWLEDGE and the POSSESSION of SALVATION, and they seek to do the will of God with PERSEVERANCE, by living by FAITH and are TRULY SAVED. 

 

Are you a TRUE BELIEVER or one who has the KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION, but does not POSSESS it, the one who SHRINKS BACK from doing the will of God, because they do NOT belong to Him?   And they have NO TRUE FAITH in Him or His PROMISE.   The one who will face DESTRUCTION, being sentenced to an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair. 

 

 If you are one who has the HEAD-KNOWLEDGE, but NOT the HEART-KNOWLEDGE, or if you don’t even have the HEAD-KNOWLEDGE, God is offering you the opportunity NOW, to change your destiny, by coming to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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 God’s gift of SALVATION, and PERSEVERE and RECEIVE God’s PROMISE of ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

"Perishable to Imperishable, Mortal to Immortal"


“Perishable to Imperishable, Mortal to Immortal”

 

Listen, I tell you a mystery:  We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed---in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.   When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  (Isaiah 25:8)        1 Corinthians 15:51-54

 

The Apostle Paul is not only enlightening the TRUE BELIEVERS in Corinth, but also the TRUE BELIEVERS of today, concerning the MYSTERY of the RAPTURE of the Church, the TRUE BELIEVERS, who make up the BODY of Christ.    He says, “We will NOT all sleep,” which means, we will NOT all face death, but we will ALL be changed.  And this transformation will take place INSTANEOUSLY---In a FLASH, or the TWINKLING of an eye.  That, dear brothers and sisters is QUICK!!!

 

It will happen at the LAST and ONLY trumpet call for the Church, the Body of Christ, the TRUE BELIEVERS.  When the trumpet sounds, the Dead in Christ will be raised FIRST, IMPERISHABLE, and we ALL will be made IMPERISHABLE which means the bodies will be INDESTRUCTIBLE, they will NOT decay, but will be PERFECT in EVERY way.  We will ALL exchange the MORTAL for the IMMORTAL, which means being MORTAL, we ALL would face DEATH, but when we become IMMORTAL, we are clothed with LIFE FOREVER.  Because FLESH and BLOOD cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, the PERISHABLE cannot inherit the IMPERISHABLE, but through the DEATH and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ we have VICTORY over DEATH, because “DEATH has been swallowed up in VICTORY.” 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are NOT a VICTOR over DEATH, and you face an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair.  You MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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 be CHANGED from PERISHABLE to IMPERISHABLE, and from MORTAL to IMMORTAL, in the twinkling of an eye, at the RAPTURE of ALL the TRUE BELIEVERS, both living and dead.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

"The Prayer of a TRUE Repentant Heart"


“The Prayer of a TRUE Repentant Heart”

 

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.  Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.       Psalm 119:132-133

 

I’m sure there are other passages of Scripture that could also be used as a prayer for the TRUE REPENTANT HEART, but as I was searching for what God wanted me to use for the devotion, today, when I came to this passage, I immediately thought of a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. And I thought, what a GREAT description of a HEART that is TRULY seeking God’s MERCY, DIRECTION and REDEEMING POWER.  A PRAYER of one who is TRULY REPENTIVE of their sinful lifestyle.

 

The psalmist, first, comes to God, imploring that He TURN to them, to take notice of them, and to have MERCY on them.  This is what one, who is seeking God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, should do.  They NEED to IMPLORE Him to TURN to them or take notice of them and to have MERCY on their POOR, SIN-SICK soul.  It is also applicable to the TRUE BELIEVER, even though you are FORGIVEN, you are still a sinner, a sinner SAVED by GRACE.  But because you are SAVED by GRACE, doesn’t mean that you don’t sin.  We live in a VERY SINFUL, WICKED, DEPRAVED world.  And because we are in the flesh, we sometimes, will fall to temptation and commit sins, therefore, we are in need of praying for MERCY and FORGIVENESS with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  

 

When we have obtained the MERCY and FORGIVENESS, then we NEED God’s DIRECTION in our walk with Him, so that we might STAY on the STRAIGHT and NARROW path that leads us to our ETERNAL HOME.  And we definitely NEED His REDEEMING POWER to sustain us and to NOT let sin RULE over us, to NOT let it CONTROL our lives, and cause us to STRAY off the STRAIGHT and NARROW PATH.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you have NOT obtained MERCY, DIRECTION, or GOD’S REDEEMING POWER. But you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torture, torment, pain, heartache, agony and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God is TURNING to you NOW, and He is IMPLORING you to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and seeking His MERCY by asking 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 seek His MERCY, DIRECTION and REDEEMING POWER for your soul.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Monday, September 18, 2017

"Five Steps that Lead to True Righteous Justice"


“Five Steps that Lead to True Righteous Justice”

 

Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.       James 4:7-8

 

In order for a TRUE BELIEVER to obtain TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS there are five steps for them to take, and apply to their life.  First, they are to SUBMIT themselves to God, SUBMIT means to be OBEDIENT to God, or to GIVE UP to Him.

 

 So the first step is their OBEDIENCE to God.  The second thing they NEED to do is to RESIST the devil.  RESIST means to KEEP FROM, FEND OFF, or to WITHSTAND.  So they are NOT to ALLOW the devil to influence them in ANY WAY, but to REJECT his presence and his influence.  In order to do that, they MUST rely on the WORK of the Holy Spirit, which is indwelling them.

 

The third thing is for them to COME NEAR to God, because when they draw NEAR to Him, then He will DRAW NEAR to them.  When they COME NEAR to God, their FAITH is STRENGTHENED, and they are REFRESHED, RENEWED and RESTRENGTHENED.  In order for them to RESIST the devil and to turn away from any temptations that would hinder their calling.

 

The fourth thing is their CLEANSING. “Wash your hands, you sinners.”  This was a CLEANSING ritual for the Jews, and a VERY IMPORTANT PART of their ceremonial purification process.  And the CLEANSING of the HEART, for the TRUE BELIEVER, is accomplished by the CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS of their sins.  They NEED to make sure they have received CLEANSING, before they come into the presence of the ALMIGHTY GOD, because they are SINNERS, by nature, FORGIVEN, but still SINNERS. 

 

The fifth and final step is to PURIFY their HEART.  They do this by coming to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING their sins to Him and seeking His FORGIVENESS, because they are SINFUL and DOUBLE-MINDED.  Then they can receive TRUE RIGHTEOUS JUSTICE and possess TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS before the Lord God Almighty. 

 

Have you come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART?  You NEED to, in order to receive TRUE RIGHTEOUS JUSTICE and to possess TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS before God.  And to have the HOPE of Heaven for ALL of ETERNITY.  If you don’t you will spend ALL of ETERNITY in the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony, and despair without ANY WAY of ESCAPE.  You MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking 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 receive TRUE RIGHTEOUS JUSTICE, and possess TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS with God, and spend your ETERNITY in Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

Saturday, September 16, 2017

"The Sanctity of the Human Life"


“The Sanctity of the Human Life”

 

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.      Psalm 139:13-16

 

The Psalmist, David, penned these words, which were his thoughts concerning the SANCTITY of the HUMAN LIFE.  He was OVERWHELMED with the AWESOMENESS of the Almighty God’s creative abilities to form such an intricate body out of a mass of LIVING cells.  Which God, Himself, brought into being in his mother’s womb. 

 

He came to realize just how FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made he was.   He knew that God was ACTIVELY involved in the formation of his body, from the point of conception to the day he would draw his last breath.  God’s presence was there watching and working in the reproduction process of forming the unformed body with the veins, arteries, all the organs, the beating of the tiny heart, with all its intricate parts, placing the brain in the skull of the head, connecting the nervous system, forming the lungs, the liver, the stomach, the whole digestive system, the pancreas, the kidneys, forming the arms and tiny hands and fingers that will one day wrap around the neck of a loving mommy and daddy in a loving gesture of a HUG. And legs with tiny feet and toes that will walk and run to mommy and daddy in excitement and joy.   And placing it all within the skeletal frame. Clothing it all with soft pink flesh. 

 

Even before the body is formed, ALL of the days of that precious life is ordained, planned for them and written in God’s book, before they are even born.   God knows us and has a plan for EVERY HUMAN BEING.  This is why abortion is SO WRONG.  Who is mankind that they would take it upon themselves to DESTROY a PRECIOUS, CREATION of the ALMIGHTY GOD, and do away with God’s plans for that HUMAN BEING?  One day, those who have carried out such horrendous deeds will stand before the RIGHTEOUS Judge and be judged and sentenced for their ungodly acts. 

 

When we are DISOBEDIENT to the laws and commands of the RIGHTEOUS GOD, who is CREATOR of EVERYTHING, we will be judged.  Most likely, if you are being DISOBEDIENT to God, and have very little regard for the SANCTITY of  HUMAN LIFE, then you probably have NOT TRULY come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking 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, and ACCEPTING His gift of SALVATION, and OBEYING His LAWS and COMMANDS, having a STRONG REGARD for the SANCTITY of HUMAN LIFE, and receiving the HOPE of HEAVEN.  You NEED to do the above NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, September 15, 2017

"Our Great and Mighty Lord"


“Our Great and Mighty Lord”

 

He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.  Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.  The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.      Psalm 147:4-6

 

Have you ever just sat and thought about the GREATNESS and MIGHTY POWER of the Lord God, ALMIGHTY?  Who else could step out in the DARKNESS of NOTHINGNESS and create EVERYTHING?  Who could give LIGHT by just speaking it into existence?  Who could separate the waters and create the SKY?  And cause the waters below to be gathered to one side and the dry ground appear and there was LAND?  And the waters gathered He called “SEAS.” Who else could cause the LAND to produce VEGETATION?  Who else has the POWER to create the SUN, MOON, and the STARS and to determine the NUMBER of stars and calls them EACH by name?  Who else could create EVERY ANIMAL, BIRD and FISH?  And then create the CROWN of CREATION---MANKIND from a little bit of dirt? 

 

Who else could part the Red Sea or make a donkey talk?   And perform so MANY MORE miracles, which demonstrate their GREAT and MIGHTY POWER?  And who else could bring SALVATION to a LOST and DYING world, through the SACRIFICE of their ONLY SON, to be tormented, beaten, spit upon, and CRUCIFIED on an OLD RUGGED CROSS for people who hated Him.  Who else has the POWER over DEATH by RESURRECTING the lifeless body of their BELOVED SON, in order for MANKIND to have ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, providing a WAY for MANKIND to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell?  

 

Who else has UNDERSTANDING that has NO limits?  Who else is a RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, who has the POWER to SUSTAIN the HUMBLE but will DESTROY the WICKED?  ONLY THE LORD GOD, ALMIGHTY!! 

 

Have you given Him your HEART and LIFE?  If NOT then you fall into the category of the WICKED, who will be DESTROYED and will spend an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, heartache, pain, agony and despair, with NO WAY OF ESCAPE.  But the ALMIGHTY, POWERFUL GOD, who is in COMPLETE CONTROL of ALL THINGS, is giving you the opportunity to TURN AWAY from your SINFUL lifestyle, and to TURN TO Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING that Jesus, His ONLY SON, died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be SUSTAINED by God, and NOT DESTROYED and have the HOPE of HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, September 14, 2017

"The Son"


“The Son”

 

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.          Colossians 1:15-18

 

Jesus, the Son of God is the exact REPRESENTATION and MANFESTATION of the ALMIGHTY GOD.  Jesus said:  “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  (John 14:9)

 

 He is the FIRSTBORN OVER ALL creation, which means He preceded ALL of creation, and is above ALL creation.  He not only created ALL things, but He is the One by whom ALL things exist, both visible, and invisible. 

 

He is also the Head of the Body, the Church; those who are the TRUE BELIEVERS, the ones who have been SAVED from their sins and washed by the blood of Jesus, the Son, they make up the universal church, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, only the TRUE CHILDREN of the Living God. 

 

He is the FIRST BORN of the dead, He was the FIRST one to be RESURRECTED from the grave, NEVER to die again.  This RESURRECTION declared His SUPEREMACY over ALL of creation, and His RELATIONSHIP with God as God’s Son.

 

In order for mankind to be SAVED from their sins.  God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to RECONCILE mankind to Himself through the shedding of the blood of Jesus on an old rugged cross.  He was the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE for mankind to be able to become the CHILDREN of GOD, and to have an ETERNAL HOME in Heaven with God the Father.  

 

So if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NOT been RECONCILED to God by His SON, and you cannot be His Child, with an ETERNAL HOME in Heaven, but you are on your way to an ETERNITY in HELL the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair.  However, God is giving you the opportunity, NOW, to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking 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 become a TRUE CHILD of God, through the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE of His SON, Jesus Christ, and receive your ETERNAL HOME, Heaven, with God the Father and His SON, Jesus Christ.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

United in Death, United in Resurrection"


“United in Death, United in Resurrection”

 

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly  we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.                Romans 6:5, 6

 

Living a NEW LIFE in Christ, is certainly filled with all manner of things that will EASILY beset us in our LIVING for Him.  We will become frustrated, lonely, uncertain, and maybe a little scared, but NOT to FEAR, because we are in the MASTER’S, BIG, CAPABLE, STRONG and INVINCIBLE HANDS.  And we can feel SAFE and SECURE as we walk this very TROUBLESOME PATH to our Heavenly Home, Heaven.

 

But before you can have that SAFETY and SECURITY of the Almighty God, you MUST do a couple of VERY IMPORTANT things.  First, you MUST DIE to your OLD SIN-FILLED LIFE.  To do this you must be CRUCIFIED with Christ Jesus, which means that you DIE or TURN FROM your OLD, SIN-FILLED LIFE, and come to Jesus with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then the Holy Spirit of the LIVING GOD, will RAISE you up from your OLD LIFE to a NEW LIFE in Christ Jesus, this is being RESURRECTED from the OLD LIFE to a NEW LIFE with Christ Jesus, who DIED for YOU and was RESURRECTED from the DEAD and RAISED to LIFE, and is in Heaven with His Father. 

 

When a person comes to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING their sins to Him, asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL their HEART that Jesus died for THEM, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for them, then ACCEPTING God’s gift of SALVATION, then they have been UNITED with Christ Jesus in His DEATH and UNITED with Him in His RESURRECTION.  If you have NOT done the above, you are RISKING your ETERNITY to an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING pain, heartache, agony, torment, torture, and despair.  So come to God following the above procedure, and be UNITED with Christ Jesus in both His DEATH and RESURRECTION.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Friday, September 8, 2017

"Slaves of Depravity"


“Slaves of Depravity”

 

They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of depravity---for “People are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”  If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.   It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.       2 Peter 2:19-21

 

I believe that this passage of Scripture is pertaining to the false teachers and NEW CONVERTS, who are swayed and deceived by the teachings of the FALSE TEACHERS.  Verse nineteen, talks about the false teachers promising the NEW converts FREEDOM, while they themselves are SLAVES of DEPRAVITY.   And they are MASTERED by whatever they are SLAVES of, whether it be, sexual immorality, greed, boastful words or lustful desires of the flesh, they are SLAVES to those acts of DEPRAVITY. 

 

The NEW CONVERTS, who are as babes in Christ, are fertile ground for the false teachers, who entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.   The false teachers secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Sovereign Lord, which will bring swift destruction on them.  Many of these NEW converts will follow the DEPRAVED conduct of the false teacher, who will bring the way of TRUTH into disrepute.   These, who teach such heresies will NOT escape PUNISHMENT on the Day of Judgment.  

 

If these NEW CONVERTS have escaped the corruption of the world by their knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then are again entangled in the DEPRAVITY of this LOST and DYING world.  They will be WORSE off at the end of their life than they were at the beginning of their rebirth.    It would have been BETTER for them to have NOT known the way of RIGHTEOUSNESS, than to have KNOWN it and rejected the TRUTH of God’s Word in exchange for the teachings of the FALSE TEACHERS.

 

Are you a NEW CONVERT, who is being fed the heresies of the FALSE TEACHERS, who are bringing the WORD of God into disrepute, and promising you FREEDOM, which they themselves lack, due to them being SLAVES of DEPRAVITY?   Maybe, you are drifting back into some of your old sinful lifestyle, or maybe you have NOT TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to God.   Well, God is waiting for you to come to HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking 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 become a TRUE BELIEVER, with the HOPE of HEAVEN and NOT a SLAVE of DEPRAVITY, who will spend an ETERNITY in HELL.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!