"Put Off the Old Self and Put on the New Self!"

“Put Off the Old Self and Put on the New Self!”

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.      Ephesians 4:22-24

I’ve been told many times, that some people miss Heaven by the distance from the mind to the heart.  In other words some have a knowledge of salvation, but they don’t possess it. They accept it in their mind but not in their heart.  And a prime example of someone who has done this is; that they have NOT put off their old self, but are still clinging to their old thoughts and ways. 

The Apostle Paul says that we are to “put off the old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires, and to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  This is not possible if you are still clinging to those old, sinful corrupt desires and ways.

When a person ‘repents’ of their sins, it means that they ‘turn away’ from those sinful ways and put off  the old self, then they turn to Christ and put on a new self, one that is created to be like God in a right relationship with Him and to be holy as He is holy.  We are to walk away from our old, sinful corrupt self, and turn to a new, righteous, holy life that is made possible ONLY through the regeneration process brought about by the work of God’s Holy Spirit that indwells the TRUE believer.

When a person accepts God’s gift of salvation in their mind ONLY, they do not possess God’s Holy Spirit. They may have a head knowledge, but without the heart knowledge, they are still living the old self and have not experienced a TRUE repentance, or turning away from the old sinful self and therefore they do not possess what they profess to be, and that is to possess a true righteous and holy life with God.  A person must be drawn to God by the Holy Spirit.  It cannot be something that they decide to do on their own, whenever they want to.   But the Holy Spirit of God brings them under conviction and draws them to God for the salvation of their souls.  They are then given the opportunity to ACCEPT or REJECT His gift of salvation, but it must be a HEART thing.

When one accepts God’s gift of salvation from a HEART knowledge, then they are to ‘put on the new self,’ and allow the Holy Spirit to change their way of thinking and living.  He will guide and lead them to living a righteous and holy life before the Almighty God. 

If you have not accepted God’s gift of salvation and are living in your old self, or if you have thought that you have accepted it, but are still living in your old self, then you are deceiving yourself and are not TRULY possessing what you are professing, and you are headed for an eternity in Hell, a place that is void of anything good.  A place of torment and misery, the likes of which mankind has never experienced.  The Holy Spirit may be drawing you to God, right now for the salvation of your soul, if you feel that tugging on your heart strings then it is a strong possibility that He is convicting you of your sins, if this is the case, what you should do NOW, is:  Confess your sins to God and ask Him for His forgiveness, believing, with all your HEART, that Jesus died for you, and is alive in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then accept His gift of salvation, and put off your old self, by turning away from your sins and turning to Christ and live a TRUE righteous and Holy life for God.  Do it now, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming soon!!!

"The Mindset of Christ Jesus"

“The Mindset of Christ Jesus”

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!     Philippians 2:5-8

When we think about the mindset of Christ Jesus, we see a person who was a poor, humble, lowly, servant, who owned nothing but the clothes on His back.  He owned no fancy home nor did He own a camel or a donkey.  He walked the dusty roads and at times, slept out under the starry skies. 

His family mainly consisted of His mother and twelve men who were like Him.  They had left their homes and gave up their businesses to follow this poor, humble, lowly servant, and they too, became poor, humble, lowly servants who took on the cause of Christ.  They followed Him wherever He went, and lived as He lived, a life of serving others. 

A life that eventually led Him to a horrible, shameful death on an old wooden cross, and led them to their horrible demises.  Christ being obedient to His Father suffered and died as a poor, lowly servant who took on the sins of ALL mankind, He who knew NO sin became sin, for the salvation of souls.  Because it was the will of His Father.

Even though He, Himself, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the incarnate Christ, who owned EVERYTHING, came to earth as a human being and He came not to a wealthy family, but to a poor carpenter’s family.  He didn’t come as a King, but as a humble servant to mankind. 

He teaches us that we are to serve one another in love, and to treat people the way we would want to be treated.  We, who are His true, born-again children are to take on the same role as He did, the role of a humble servant, with a desire to serve others.  To love and take care of them and to care about the destination of their souls.  Is that your mission?

If you have not given your heart and life to God, then you can’t possibly have the mindset of Christ Jesus.  But you are headed for that place called Hell.  You can change your destination NOW by:  Confessing your sins to God 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 take on the mindset of Christ Jesus, so He will be able to say to you:  “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”  Do it now, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming soon!

"The Ultimate Reconciliation"

“The Ultimate Reconciliation”

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!--------Romans 5:8-10

The relationship between the Almighty God and the crown of His creation, mankind, has been, and is today on “rocky ground,” because of the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God and the SINFUL nature of mankind.  Mankind cannot, on their own merits, bring a right relationship between themselves and their Creator, they never have and still can’t today.

So God in His infinite wisdom and strong abiding love, provided a way for Him and His creation to be reconciled.  It was done through His Conciliator, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Who, through the justification of mankind, by His shed blood and on His merits ALONE, we are brought into a reconciliation with our Creator.  And this was carried out while we were still sinners. 

And through that reconciliation, those who have TRULY given their HEART and LIFE to God, by ACCEPTING His gift of SALVATION and being JUSTIFIED and RECONCILED to Him through Christ, will escape God’s wrath, both at the Judgment Seat and the Great Tribulation, because they (we) have been washed in the blood of the RISEN LAMB.   The price for that ULTIMATE RECONCILIATION was PAID in FULL, and is ours for the claiming.  But none of this would have been possible without the selfless, ULTIMATE, act of RECONCILIATION by God’s own CONCILIATOR, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you don’t have a right relationship with God, then you have not been RECONCILED,JUSTIFIED, and SAVED, and you will come under God’s wrath and condemnation, and will receive a sentence to HELL, a place that is TOTALLY VOID of anything that is GOOD, and you will have NO way of ESCAPE.  But there is HOPE for you to be RECONCILED to God, right NOW, by:  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 RECONCILIED, JUSTIFIED, and SAVED, and ESCAPE God’s coming wrath.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"God's Judgment of the Earth!"

“God’s Judgment of the Earth!”

“Therefore, be patient,” says the Lord.  “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations.  For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out My fiercest anger and fury on them.  All the earth will be devoured by the fire of My jealousy.”--------Zephaniah 3:8

This verse of Scripture is referring to the end of the Tribulation time.  When the battle of Armageddon will take place, and God’s wrath will be poured out on those evil nations that have rejected Him and His Son.  Those who have come against Christianity and have brought persecution upon God’s Children, the TRUE, BONIFIDE, and BORN-AGAIN BELIEVERS.  

God’s judgment will be meted out to those who have never given their HEART and LIFE to Him, and has sided up with the Antichrist and his ideology.  And have pledged their allegiance to him, vowing to annihilate any and all who, during the time of the tribulation period, have come to Jesus Christ for the SALVATION of their soul.  Therefore STILL working against God and His people. 

They will experience God’s FIERCEST anger and fury.  They will be gathered up as great armies to come against God’s army, but they will be snuffed out by Jesus Christ, Himself, and ALL the earth will be devoured by the CLEANSING of fire, this will occur at the end of Millennial reign.  Then a NEW Heaven and Earth will be created for God’s people.

This judgment of God and the pouring out of His wrath on the whole earth is COMING SOON!! I believe that we are closer NOW than we have ever been.  I believe God is setting up the scenario for what is about to come, the RAPTURE, the TRIBULATION, His JUDGMENT and the RESTORATION of the EARTH.  Are YOU READY?

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are not READY for the RAPTURE, but instead you will face the TRIBULATION period and will experience God’s fury and wrath as it is poured out on this wretched, sin-laden earth.  However, you can be READY for the RAPTURE by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 SAVATION and become a TRUE, BONIFIDE, BORN-AGAIN, BELIEVER, and escape God’s judgment and wrath.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He waiting, and coming SOON!!!

"Adam's Sin vs God's Grace!"

“Adam’s Sin vs God’s Grace!”

…The result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of one man’s sin.  For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.  But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.-------Romans 5:16-17

I believe these verses bring to light the great difference between SIN and GRACE.  Sin leads to CONDEMNATION and grace leads to FORGIVENESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Sin leads to a SPIRITUAL death, and grace leads to SPIRITUAL life.

Adam’s sin, the very first sin of mankind, brought with it the sinful nature that EVERY person is born with. When we are born we are born with a sinful nature, the desire to sin is innate within our very being.  We develop the desire to sin as very young children.  Lying, selfishness, disrespect, taking things that don’t belong to us, unruliness, rebellion, etc.  As we grow and mature our sinful nature grows towards other more intense sins.  Some of which are so despicable and gross that it is inconceivable to the hearts of some people what can be carried out by others.  Sin that leads to CONDEMNATION and SPIRITUAL DEATH.

God’s grace, however is GREATER than our sins. Grace leads us to being made RIGHT with God and the FORGIVENESS of our sins, all of which leads to our triumph over sin and our sinful nature.  Oh, we still commit sins, but when we do we are CONVICTED of those sins and it is our part to come to God, confessing those sins and asking for His forgiveness, which He FREELY gives.  Thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ and His SUPREME sacrifice, on an old rugged cross, the shedding of His life’s blood for ALL the poor, condemned sinners, like YOU and ME. God’s grace leads to FORGIVENESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS and SPIRITUAL LIFE.

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NOT experienced His MARVELOUS GRACE.  But you are going to experience CONDEMNATION and SPIRITUAL DEATH, if you don’t turn AWAY from your sins and turn TOWARDS God’s GRACE, by:  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 His GRACE, and be made RIGHT with Him.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"A Strong Refuge and a Vengeful Judge!"

“A Strong Refuge and a Vengeful Judge!”

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in Him.  But He will sweep away His enemies in an overwhelming flood.  He will pursue His foes into the darkness of night.--------Nahum 1:7-8

The prophet Nahum is telling the nation of Judah about God’s plans to destroy Nineveh a place of gross idolatry, with blood-thirsty, ungodly, citizens that brought havoc and doom to their corner of the world.

He starts out reminding them of God’s goodness and that He is a strong refuge to those who trust Him, when trouble comes.  But He will sweep away His enemies, He will pursue or seek after His foes into the darkness of night.  In other words, He will follow them to capture them wherever they are.  They will not be able to escape.

This is a scenario that we today need to take heed of.  We who are His true Children can have the assurance that God is GOOD!  And He is a STRONG refuge in times of trouble. He loves and cares for His own.  We need not fear, but trust in Him and His ALMIGHTY power.

But for those who reject Him, and flaunt their sins in His face, with no remorse or guilt whatsoever, they will meet their demise, no matter where they run or try to hide. He will PURSUE them, and will bring condemnation upon them with a vengeance. 

For those who mock and make fun of Him or His Children, they will face an ANGRY God, who will mete out punishment, the likes of which, we have not known.  If you are living in sin and rejecting God’s gift of SALVATION, then you are in God’s cross-hairs, which is a place where you don’t want to be.  You NOW have the opportunity to change your position and move out of the line of His vengeance and into His goodness, by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 bask in His goodness and allow Him to be your STRONG REFUGE.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!

"God's Masterpiece"

“God’s Masterpiece”

For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.--------Ephesians 2:10

We, who are God’s TRUE Children are God‘s MASTERPIECE, not because of what we have done, but because of His plan of SALVATION.  When we give our HEART and LIFE to Him, then we have been REDEEMED or BOUGHT and we belong to Him and not to ourselves or anybody else.

Therefore, we have been created anew in Christ Jesus, we have become a NEW creature, one that has been created to do the good works that He has planned for us long ago.  Our all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere at the same time God has had plans for each of us from the beginning of time.  Plans that we can FOLLOW and become ALL He has destined us to be. 

Some of His Children decide NOT to FOLLOW His plans and they end up missing out on the glorious rewards that God had set aside for them.   These are the ones who are “pew-warmers” and have never grown up or become MATURE believers, but are, what the Apostle Paul says are “babes in Christ,”  they are the ones who for years and years have remained on the MILK of the Word and have not progressed to the MEAT of the Word.

When we FOLLOW the leadership of God’s Holy Spirit, we will GROW UP to do the good things that God wants us to do.  Things that He planned for us to do long before we came to Him for the SALVATION of our souls.  If you decide NOT to FOLLOW the leadership of the Holy Spirit then you not only miss out on the blessings of being OBEDIENT to the will of God, but He will bring someone else to do the good things that were planned for you to do and they will receive the rewards and blessings that were meant for you.

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are NOT a TRUE Child of God.  And you cannot experience the JOY of doing the WILL of God by FOLLOWING the leadership of His Holy Spirit and by REJECTING His gift of SALVATION, you will NOT receive REWARDS, but will receive CONDEMNATION.  You will be sentenced to an ETERNITY in a place of TORMENT, TORTURE, MISERY and PAIN, that place that is known as HELL.  You NOW have the opportunity to change your destination to Heaven by FOLLOWING the leadership of the Holy Spirit by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 start GROWING in His Word, and being OBEDIENT in FOLLOWING the Holy Spirit and RECEIVE your rewards for the good things you have done.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!

"The Victorious Lord!"

“The Victorious Lord!”

 

 

You protect Your loyal people, but everyone who is evil will die in darkness.  We cannot win a victory by our own strength.  Our Lord, those who attack You will be broken in pieces when You fight back with thunder from heaven.  You will judge the whole earth and give power and strength to your chosen king.--------1Samuel 2:9-10

 

These verses of Scripture is an excerpt from Hannah’s prayer or song, when she brought, at that time, her only child, Samuel to the Priest, Eli.  It is prophetic in nature.  And enlightening to the prophetic scenario, which will take place at the end of this age.

 

In her prayer, Hannah says that God will protect His loyal people, that is those who have given their HEART and LIFE to Him, and are FAITHFUL to Him and His Word, but those who live in their sin and darkness, and have rejected Him will die in their sin and darkness.  We cannot win a victory against the forces of evil by our own strength, but ONLY through the STRENGTH of our VICTORIOUS LORD!

 

Those who fight and attack our Lord will be SHATTERED or BROKEN into PIECES, when God fights back with thunder from heaven.  I believe this is referring to the battle of Armageddon, when all the evil armies of the world will come against the armies of Heaven.  And our Lord will be VICTORIOUS!!   

 

Then comes the JUDGMENT of the WHOLE earth and the evil ones will meet their demise, in a place of torment, torture, misery and despair, the place known as Hell.

 

Then God will give POWER and STRENGTH to His “ANOINTED ONE, His CHOSEN KING, the VICTORIOUS LORD, Jesus Christ, who will reign on earth for a thousand years.  This passage, which speaks of the “Anointed One,” is the first Old Testament reference to an individual being “the Anointed One.”

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are fighting against Him, and are headed for a disastrous destiny, you will be one of the evil ones that will die in your darkness.  However, God is giving you the opportunity NOW to turn from your sins and SURRENDER to Him.  You can do that by:  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 one of His LOYAL, FAITHFUL CHILDREN, who will reign with our VICTORIOUS LORD.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

"Live Wisely"

“Live Wisely”

 

 

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.--------Colossians 4:5-6

 

These verses of Scripture is pertaining to the TRUE believers, those who have given their heart and life to Christ by the process of SALVATION.  Those who are TRUE Children of the Living God, should live their lives in a WISE manner.  So it will be a living testimony to those around them.

 

We should strive to make the MOST of EVERY opportunity to reach the unbeliever, with the GOOD NEWS:  JESUS SAVES!  Therefore, we MUST live in a way that would influence and entice them to come to Him for the SALVATION of their soul.  The only way we can do that is by allowing the Holy Spirit to be in TOTAL CONTROL of EVERY part of our lives.  We can’t pick and choose which parts we will let Him control and then we control the rest.  We MUST let Him CONTROL EVERY PART!

 

When we allow the Holy Spirit to CONTROL our lives, we then will be assured that we are LIVING WISELY and that we are making the MOST of EVERY opportunity to be the witness we SHOULD be to those who are not believers. 

 

When we speak the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our speech should be gracious and attractive, in order to present the message in a way that would entice the unbeliever and hold their attention, and so we will have the RIGHT response for everyone.  This is done through the work of God’s Holy Spirit that indwells the TRUE believer.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are NOT a TRUE believer and can in no way be able to share the GOOD NEWS, that JESUS SAVES, to anyone, because YOU have not experienced it yourself.  And therefore, you are in the same situation that the one you are trying to share with is in.  So you NEED to QUIT play acting and get your life together and come to Christ for the SALVATION of your soul by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 begin to LIVE WISELY and TRULY be able to share the GOOD NEWS to ALL of the unbelievers you come in contact with.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming a SOON!!!

Patient Endurance

Patient Endurance

 

 

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will.  Then you will receive all that He promised.  “For just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay.  And My righteous ones will live by faith.  But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”  But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction.  We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.--------Hebrews 10: 36-39

 

Patient endurance is the ability to last without giving up.  When we have PATIENT ENDURANCE, concerning God’s will, we will strive to do God’s will without giving up.  Then we will receive ALL that He has promised.

We, God’s Children are looking expectedly towards the coming of His blessed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, which is known as the RAPTURE of the TRUE BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, those who are God’s righteous ones, who live by FAITH, will be caught up in the air to meet the Lord and to forever abide with Him in Heaven. 

 

But those who have rejected and turned away from God will meet their OWN destruction.  They will spend an eternity in Hell without God or anything else that is good.  They will suffer with torment, torture, misery, heartache and despair for all of eternity. 

 

However, we, God’s children, are not like those who have no faith and have rejected and turned away from God to their OWN destructive destiny.  We, who have come to God for the FORGIVENESS of our sins, are the FAITHFUL ONES, who are serving Him with PATIENT ENDURANCE, awaiting the arrival of our King Jesus, those whose souls are SAVED, and who have an ETERNAL HOME in Heaven.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are not His Child, but you are one that has rejected and turned away from His offer of SALVATION, and are headed towards your OWN DESTRUCTION.  You NOW have the opportunity to ACCEPT and TURN TO Him for the SALVATION of your soul by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 with PATIENT ENDURANCE serve Him, and become one of His righteous ones whose soul will be SAVED.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"People Needing People"

“People Needing People”

 

 

Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that.  We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.--------Hebrews 10:25

 

The “born again” Children of the Living God, makes up the family of God, therefore we should be willing to come together at EVERY opportunity that is afforded to us. 

We are living in a day of uncertainties, and our families are at a larger risk of being ‘dysfunctional’ even in a typical family setting.  Society is dictating what we can and cannot do, what we can and cannot say, in our personal lives, at school, at work, at athletic functions etc.  We are losing our freedoms and one of the things we are at risk of losing is our Christian freedoms.  This is why we MUST stick together and support each other. 

 

One of the most important parts of the Christian’s life is their Church family.  If you are a Christian, but you are NOT attending a Church or NOT a member of a Church, you are missing out on the most IMPORTANT aspect of your Christian life, that being the relationship and fellowship with other like-minded Christians.  During the difficult times, you have the love and support of your Church family, and in the joyous times they will celebrate with you.  They will be there to help you when you’re in need or when you find yourself slipping back into your old sinful life-style, they are your prayer warriors  and will encourage you to fight the good fight and will help keep you on the RIGHT path. 

 

We as God’s children, are to spend as much time together, as possible.  We are NOT to neglect our responsibilities as His children, to be a blessing to others in the family.  This verse of scripture tells us that we are to ‘KEEP ON ENCOURAGING each other,’ we are NOT to RIDICULE or GOSSIP about each other, but we are to come together in LOVE and be willing to SERVE each other in LOVE.

 

If ALL of our churches would practice this LOVING SERVANT ATTITUDE, our churches would be busting at the seams and would be FOLLOWING the will of God.  There is STRENGTH in numbers, so we might be able to make our homes, communities, and nation a safe haven for all of God’s people, a place of REFUGE and STRENGTH through this tumultuous time in which we are living.  And by FOLLOWING the will of ALMIGHTY God, we will be ANXIOUSLY awaiting the day of the Lord’s coming, which could be ANY DAY NOW!

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are not enjoying the relationship of a LOVING, SUPPORTIVE church family and you are risking your destiny to spend an eternity in Hell, a place that is void of LOVE and SUPPORT, but is full of HATERED, SPITE AND MISERY with NO ESCAPE, for ALL eternity.  However, you can change that destination NOW by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 part of God’s family, and a part of a Church family.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!

 

"Undeserved Grace"

“Undeserved Grace”

 

One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man.  But now those people who accept God’s full grace and the great gift of being made right with Him will surely have true life and rule through the one man Jesus Christ.--------Romans 5:17

 

Because of Adam’s sin, mankind is born with a sinful nature, because Adam sinned or rebelled against God, EVERYBODY will face death and the possibility of spending eternity in Hell, a place that is void of God and anything that is good. 

 

Mankind, now has the desire to commit sins against their Creator.  Mankind has a rebellious nature against ANYTHING that is godly and righteous.  There is a battle being fought for the souls of mankind.  The forces of good and evil are on the battlefield, and the souls of mankind are at risk of being swept away into a bottomless pit of agony, heartache, torment, torture and despair for all of eternity.

 

But there is HOPE, for those souls, it is the battle plan of the ALMIGHTY GOD, the victory is ALREADY won by Him because of His gift of UNDESERVED GRACE, which was enacted upon, through the shed blood of God’s Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the ULTIMATE sacrifice that was offered for the souls of mankind, and the ONLY way mankind could be made acceptable to the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD.  The ONLY repeal for the sins of mankind, is through the acceptance of God’s UNDESERVED grace, by mankind.

 

We are given the opportunity to ACCEPT or REJECT the olive branch of SALVATION.  That decision is left up to us, and it is a decision with results that will last NOT just a lifetime, but for ALL eternity.   If you have already ACCEPTED God’s UNDESERVED grace, then you will receive TRUE LIFE and will RULE with Jesus Christ. 

 

But if you have NOT ACCEPTED God’s UNDESERVED grace, then you will receive the condemnation to an eternal life in Hell, where you will be in agony, heartache, torment, torture and despair with NO ESCAPE.  However, you NOW have the opportunity to reach out and receive that olive branch of SALVATION.  Be a recipient of God’s UNDESERVED GRACE, by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 UNDESERVED GRACE, and be a VICTOR throughout eternity.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Seek the Lord!"

“Seek the Lord!”

 

 

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.  Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will freely forgive.--------Isaiah 55:6-7

 

On this solemn, thought-provoking day, September 11, 2015, we are taken back to a time of earth-shattering scenes of heartache, terror, pain, despair and gut-wrenching wonderment as to exactly what happened.  We stood in front of the television as those horrible scenes unfolded before our very eyes, scenes that would forever be etched in our hearts and our memories.

 

When I think back to that time, I remember thinking; Dear God, I wonder how many of those poor people were prepared, spiritually for this.  I don’t think ANY of them left their homes that morning thinking that they would never make it back because of a terror attack.  But my thought was, how many were spiritually ready for this.  We have no way of knowing when something like this may occur, and the day and time we live in NOW, makes us even more vulnerable and unstable.  Therefore, EVERYONE needs to be READY to leave this earth and to their eternal destination.  We just don’t know.

 

I didn’t have any idea that fifteen days later, my brother would be taken away from us with a heart attack.  But I had some peace about it, because I knew that he had sought the Lord and found Him, and had turned from his sinful lifestyle, and turned to the Lord for the forgiveness of his sins, when he was a teenager.  And I know one day that we will be reunited in Heaven, where he now abides.  He was READY?  Are YOU?

 

The Bible tells us that our lives are like a vapor or a flower that fades and vanishes away.  Nobody knows when or how they will leave this earth.  Some who have been told that they have terminal illnesses, may be given a ‘time-frame,’ but in all actuality they don’t know the exact time.  So if you’re thinking that you’ll just wait until you’re on your death-bed to make that decision, you may not have the opportunity to wait.  Think about ALL those healthy, happy, people who went to work that fateful morning, September 11, 2001.  There were some of them whose lives were swept out into eternity, without the opportunity to call out to God.

 

Our scripture says; “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.”  That means NOW!  Don’t gamble with your destiny, but take the example of my brother, BE READY!  You don’t have any documentation stating that you are promised the next few seconds.  You can BE READY by doing this:  CONFESS your sins to God and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your Heart, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and turn away from your sinful life-style, and BE READY to leave this world, either through death or the Rapture.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Out of Control Tongue"

“The Out of Control Tongue”

 

 

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed.  But our tongues get out of control.  They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison.  My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses.  We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right.  Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring?--------James 3:7-11

 

The tongue is a small part of the body, but can be one of the most powerful parts of the body.  It can be extremely, if not impossible, to tame or bring under control.  It can produce evil and spread deadly poison or that very same tongue can be dripping with honey-coated words that bring comfort, praises, adorations, and a myriad of other acclamations.

 

It can tear down walls of hatred and hostilities or it can build them up.  It can express love and adoration for one another or it can bring heartache and sorrow to each other.  Some “professing” Christians will praise God and then turn around and curse another of God’s creation, which definitely is NOT right. 

 

I see people on facebook, who are Christians, and will post or repost things with curse words, either in the title or scattered throughout the post.  We, as Christians need to be careful and screen what we want to repost and make sure it doesn’t have ‘UGLY’ words in it,  because it is a deterrent to our character as a TRUE BORN-AGAIN CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  Our actions and WORDS reflect what we BELIEVE and who we are.  So make sure you are reposting things that would enhance your witness as a Child of the Living God and that it would NOT be a black mark on your witness. 

 

Just as you cannot get CLEAN water and DIRTY water from the same spring, without contaminating the CLEAN water.  You cannot get CLEAN words and DIRTY words from the same mouth without contaminating the CLEANLINESS of your mouth, therefore we MUST CONTROL the tongue, and thwart Satan’s tool of evil deadly poison, and replace it with God’s tool of love, worship and praise.    Be STEADFAST and ALERT!!  Don’t let the devil control your tongue!

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you probably have a “potty mouth,” and are allowing those “dirty” words to flow, and you probably have very little control, if any, over that little part of your body, the tongue, that will either make you or break you.  But you can change all of that by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 let the Holy Spirit CONTROL your tongue and let Him clean up your mouth and your heart.  Do it NOW while you STILL can.  He waiting and coming SOON!!

 

 

"Ruled by Christ's Love"

“Ruled by Christ’s Love”

 

 

We are ruled by Christ’s love for us.  We are certain that if one person died for everyone else, then all of us have died.  And Christ did die for all of us.  He died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but for the one who died and was raised to life for us.--------2Corinthians 5:14-15

 

The Almighty God looked down on the crown of His creation, and saw their sinful, rebellious hearts.  He knew the only way to bring fallen mankind to Himself was, the shedding of blood from a faultless, spotless, righteous sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who came to SEEK and to SAVE fallen mankind.  Because of the LOVE of God for His creation, Jesus Christ CAME and DIED on an old rugged cross to SAVE sinful mankind.

 

Not many of us have experienced the heroic act of one person laying down their life, personally, for us.  But Jesus Christ left all the glories of Heaven to come to earth and be beaten, beyond recognition, then nailed to an old rugged cross, and take on the sins of ALL mankind, He who knew NO sin, became sin, and shed His precious blood and gave His life, in order for us to have eternal life, in Heaven, with Father God.

 

Christ died for us that we might LIVE for Him.  There are too many people who claim to be Christians, but you would NEVER be able to tell it by the life-style they possess. It’s one thing to PROFESS it, and a totally different thing to POSSESS it.  When we come to Christ, by the wooing of His Holy Spirit we SHOULD leave the OLD life and ALL its baggage, and take up the NEW life that Christ offers, and LIVE for Him, the ONE who DIED and was RAISED to life for us.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are living a sinful, rebellious life-style, you are rebellious against God and anything that is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS. You are destined to spend your eternity in a place called Hell, a place that is void of God and ANYTHING good.  You will not be able to escape the torture, torment, pain, heartache, and despair, unless you come to Christ, and CONFESS your sins to God, 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 ASSURED of your place in Heaven with Jesus Christ and Father God.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"A Sweet Perfume"

“A Sweet Perfume”

 

 

I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory.  God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.  In fact, God thinks of us as a perfume that brings Christ to everyone.  For people who are being saved, this perfume has a sweet smell and leads them to a better life.  But for people who are lost, it has a bad smell and leads them to a horrible death.--------2 Corinthians 2:14-16

 

As a Child of the Living God, we are the instruments that He will use to spread the knowledge about Christ and the GOOD NEWS, that Jesus SAVES.  This GOOD NEWS is like the fragrance of perfume. The Apostle Paul says that God thinks of us, His Children, as a perfume that brings Christ to EVERYONE. 

For those who are being SAVED, this perfume of GOOD NEWS has a SWEET smell and leads them to a better life---the HOPE of Heaven.  But for those who are LOST, this perfume has a BAD smell and leads them to a horrible death----an eternity in Hell. 

For the most part, the lost doesn’t want to hear the GOOD NEWS, because they would come under conviction and would be forced to make a crucial decision concerning their eternal destination.  So when they are subjected to the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST, the smell of the perfume, becomes a BAD smell and they tend to flee from it, and they end up experiencing a horrible death, because of their REJECTION of the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST.

We who are the PERFUME, need to constantly let the FRAGRANCE of the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST, permeate every place we go.  We never know who may be around us that would be drawn by the fragrance, to a better life, by ACCEPTING God’s free gift of the fragrant perfume, the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the GOOD NEWS, and the SALVATION of their SOUL.

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one who will experience the BAD smell and be led to a horrible death----Hell.  You can change your situation NOW, by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and become the sweet smell of perfume to someone searching for the GOOD NEWS.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Your Life as an Open Book"

“Your Life as an Open Book”

 

 

Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach.  Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you.------1Timothy 4: 16

 

As Christians, our lives are like an “open book,” that can be seen or read by anyone.  Our actions and the way we conduct ourselves speak volumes to the world around us.  People can see if our lives match our words, in other words do we “practice what we preach?”  Are we being a ‘hypocrite?’  Living a life that is contrary to what we profess to be.  What kind of witness are we to this LOST and DYING world?”

 

Not only should we “Be careful” about the way we live, but also what we are teaching others.  Setting an example is teaching a lesson, what are we teaching others about Christianity, by the example that we set?  Are we teaching about the TRUE love of a HOLY RIGHTEOUS God? Are we teaching about His PLAN of SALVATION, and His FORGIVENESS of our sins?  Are we teaching that JUDGMENT will come on those who are continuously living in sin without remorse, those who have not given their HEART and LIFE to God?  What are we teaching those we come in contact with daily, by our example? 

 

We have the responsibility to live and teach in such a way that would not only save us, but also save the souls of others.  That should be our sole responsibility and we should ‘BE CAREFUL’ as to how we handle it. 

 

The unsaved person is also living and teaching lessons, ones that are contrary to the will of HOLY RIGHTEOUS God and they are setting an example of a rebellious and hostile lifestyle that goes against the will of HOLY RIGHTEOUS God and they are leading and teaching others lessons that will bring JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION not only to themselves, but to those that they come in contact with daily.  The blood of those poor wretched, lost souls will be on each other’s hands.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are guilty of living, teaching and leading others and yourself as well, to JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION, and will stand before the HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God with  blood on your hands of the poor, lost souls that you have led astray, but you have the opportunity NOW to turn from your sinful life, and set a GOOD example, and teach a life-changing lesson to those you come in contact with that will SAVE not only you, but them as well.  You can make that change by:  CONFESSING your sins to God, 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 let your life be an “open book” for ALL to see and follow.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

"Life Near the End of Time"

“Life Near the End of Time”

 

 

My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God.  And now these people are already making you turn against each other.  They think only about this life, and they don’t have God’s Spirit.--------Jude 1:17-19

 

I have, for a while now, seen an escalation of things happening in our world that brings about the reaffirmation that we are truly living near the end of time.  Selfish and godless people have been making fun of God for a very long time now, and it seems as though, it is progressing.

Some people believe that faith in God is nothing more than living in a state of delusion. That people who believe in God are believing in a myth, or fairy tale.  They believe that there is NO afterlife, this life is ALL there is, and after this there is NOTHING. 

A large portion of Society is thinking that if this is ALL there is, then I’m going to get ALL I can, and do ALL I want to do for myself and I don’t need God or anybody else.  So they set out to make a fortune for themselves, leaving God totally out of their lives, they become selfish and godless and make fun of those who are living a Godly life.  They flaunt their sinful ways in the very face of Almighty God and force their sinful desires to be made into laws that threaten the lifestyle of a Godly people, and what was evil they have made good, and what was good has become evil. 

Those ungodly people, who have turned our nation into a place of lawlessness, by inciting and provoking racial discord are turning people against each other to the point of murdering innocent people, and having NO REGARD for human life.  They taunt their evil actions in the very face of Almighty God, with NO remorse whatsoever, which indicates that they do NOT have God’s Spirit in them.

Jude tells us, in verses fourteen and fifteen, the demise of these ungodly people:  Enoch was the seventh person after Adam, and he was talking about these people when he said:  “Look! The Lord is coming with thousands and thousands of holy angels to judge everyone.  He will punish all those ungodly people for all the evil things they have done.  The Lord will surely punish those ungodly sinners for every evil thing they have ever said about Him.”

Their punishment will be an eternity in Hell, a place that is void of ANYTHING good.  They will spend ALL of eternity in torment, torture, agony, heartache, pain, and despair, the likes of which mankind has ever known. 

People, WAKE-UP!  We truly are NEAR the end of time.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you will spend your eternity in Hell along with the other ungodly people, in torment, torture, agony, heartache, pain, and despair, but you can CHANGE that destination by:  CONFESSING your sins to God 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 look forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON.