Monday, November 30, 2015

"Where is the Promise of His Coming?"


“Where is the Promise of His Coming?”

 

Dear Friends, don’t let this one thing escape you:  With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.           2peter 3:8-9

 

 

Many, throughout the years, have taunted Christians with their constant harassing of “WHEN will Christ return?”  I believe the Apostle Peter gives a clear indication as to why Jesus has not yet returned, in these verses of Scripture.

 

He tells us that the Lord ‘s timing is not like our timing, and this is a good thing, He says that with God one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day.  So time is not the same with God as it is with mankind.  God is not delaying His promise for the return of Christ to the earth, but because of His AMAZING GRACE toward ALL people, His timing will be PERFECT TIMING, and it will come about when He desires it to do so.

 

It is because of His INCREDIBLE PATIENCE and UNENDING LOVE for mankind that it has NOT happened yet.  It is His desire that NO ONE perishes, but that ALL would come to repentance.  Of course, He knows that isn’t going to be the case, but He is willing to wait for as many as possible to make that crucial decision.  A decision that will determine their eternal destiny.

 

Are you gambling with your eternal destiny, by putting off coming to Christ for the SALVATION of your soul?   If you are doing that, you are treading in very deep waters.  Even though NO ONE knows the time or day when Jesus Christ will return, He gives us some signs to look for and to know we are living in the LAST days.  That is NOW!! 

 

 I believe with ALL my heart that we are SO CLOSE to that time, when Jesus Christ will return for His TRUE Children, those, who have come to Him for the redemption of their souls, and then starts the Tribulation period, seven years of misery, and despair, then Christ will return again to set up His thousand year reign on earth. 

 

The rapture part of His Second Coming which is when He comes FIRST to take ALL His Children home to Heaven will and can happen at ANYTIME.  Are you READY.  You aren’t if you have never given your HEART and LIFE to God.  But you have the opportunity to do that 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 TRUE Child of the Living God and be READY for His return.  DON’T YOU DELAY, it could make ALL the difference in your eternal destiny.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and COMING SOON!!!

 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

"If the World Hates You"


“If the World Hates You”

 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.”               John 15:18-19

 

Throughout the ages, Christians have been hated, persecuted, debased, threatened, tormented, tortured, and put to death, all because of their FAITH in Jesus Christ.  In these verses, Christ tells us that the world hates those that belong to Him, because of our relationship with Him, and mostly, the fact that it hated Him first.

 

Back during the days when His disciples were spreading the gospel.  The Romans and the religious leaders hated the followers of Christ, and would round the believers up and have them beaten, stoned to death, or fed to the lions, only because of their belief in Jesus Christ.  The Romans and the religious leaders were threatened by the teachings of Christ and feared that they would lose their power and control over the people.  It is getting almost that bad today, with the execution of Christians in the Middle East and worse yet in our own supposedly civilized country. 

 

Jesus said, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.”  In 1st John 2:15-17, we are told; “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.”  We are in the world, but we are to NOT be a part of the world in our heart and mind.  We are to be a peculiar people.  A people set apart for God’s own will.  We are to be God-pleasers and NOT people-pleasers.  We, who are TRUE believers are to honor Christ and not this old, wretched, sin-laden world. 

 

We cannot compromise or try to fit in with worldly ways, but we SHOULD remain TRUE to our FAITH.  We are at RISK of losing our Christian values, because of the ruler of this world, the devil, and his wicked schemes.  The great deceiver of mankind, the one who destroys the very soul of mankind and hurls it headlong into the depths of Hell for ALL of eternity.  Sin lasts but for a season, but its wages are eternal. 

 

Christianity is being attacked every day and every day we see God being removed from our nation.  And many, who claim to be Christian are more concerned about “fitting in” then they are about defending their FAITH.  Where do you stand?  Are you a TRUE believer following Jesus Christ and being hated by the world?  Or are you too busy trying to fit into the world and its lifestyle? 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are a part of the world, and the world and its desires will pass away, and where will that leave you?  It will put you in Hell, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, pain, agony and despair with NO way of escape.  However, you NOW have the opportunity to turn away from the worldly desires and turn to Jesus Christ, who can release you from your sins and give you eternal life in Heaven, 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 even though you will be hated by the world, you will be LOVED by Father God and you will possess the HOPE of Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, November 27, 2015

"Don't Be A Wayward Christian"


“Don’t Be A Wayward Christian!”

 

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.          Hebrews 3:12-14

 

Being a Christian does not mean that we are ‘sinless’ on the contrary, we sin every day, and we are convicted of those sins.  Some will repent and turn away from those sins and seek God’s righteousness.  Others will be drawn to it and will not repent but allow the sin to work in their heart and end up backsliding or falling away from the righteousness of Almighty God. 

 

It is up to those who are walking by FAITH and striving to live in righteousness with God, to encourage those, who are flirting with sin, to turn away from it.  To flee, from its grasp and to RUN to God, while they STILL can. 

 

We, who are more mature and strong in our FAITH and are striving to live in righteousness with God need to ENCOURAGE and mentor those who are weak and vulnerable to the deceptions of the devil.  We have an obligation to KNOW what we believe and to be able to set the example before those who are weak and unstable.    We do this because we have become partakers in Christ and we need to hold, firmly, onto our original conviction to the very end.   We are the “caretakers “of the FAITH.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Christ, then you aren’t a part of God’s family, and can’t be a brother or sister with others of the family of God.  You will be destined for Hell with NO ESCAPE, unless you turn from your sinful lifestyle and turn to God for the redemption of your soul.  You can become a part of His family 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 a part of God’s family. Experience His AMAZING GRACE.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

"Why Be Thankful?"


“Why Be Thankful?”

 

Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned.  But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life.  Adam disobeyed God and caused many others to be sinners.  But Jesus obeyed Him and will make many people acceptable to God.               Romans 5:18-19

 

Tomorrow, we will gather together to gorge ourselves on a HUGE meal and to visit with each other.  Some will make it a day to strategize their plans for the biggest shopping day of the year, better known as “Black Friday.”  Some will even do shopping tomorrow.  Whatever the motive, they will still call it “Thanksgiving.”  But my questions are; “just how much THANKS will they be giving, who will they be THANKING, and what will they be THANKFUL for?”

 

Many will not even bow a head, much less offer a prayer of being THANKFUL.  Some will offer up a prayer of sorts, to a being that they know little to NOTHING about, but they will do it, because someone, somewhere in their past did it and it became a tradition passed down from generation to generation, but there is little, if any personal relationship with this being, known as “God.”

 

I have heard this ‘special’ day called “turkey-day.”  So maybe they are THANKFUL to Tom Turkey for giving his life for their meal.  Well, that truly is NOT what this day is all about.  When we read the Scripture in Romans, chapter five, verses eighteen through nineteen, we get a REAL clear view as to what we SHOULD be THANKFUL for.

 

We ALL were condemned when Adam and Eve committed the first sin.   But Adam’s DISOBEDIENCE was overshadowed by the OBEDIENCE of Jesus Christ.  And because of His OBEDIENCE, we have been given, by God, the gift of LIFE.  Because of Adam’s DISOBEDIENCE sin entered this world and crept into the heart of mankind.  But because of Jesus’ OBEDIENCE, we have the opportunity to become righteous and acceptable to the Almighty God, and to receive an inheritance of ETERNAL LIFE, with God and His Son Jesus, in HEAVEN.   Therefore, we REALLY have SOMETHING to be VERY THANKFUL for. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you cannot receive nor be THANKFUL for LIFE, who would you offer your THANKS to?  God is the ONLY one, who can give you ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  If you think that you can get there because of your personality or your family lineage, you are WRONG.  You cannot get there, even if you belong to a church.  You must come through JESUS, in order to receive LIFE.  And you do 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 be TRULY THANKFUL for the OBEDIENCE of Jesus Christ and God’s MARVELOUS gift of grace.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

HAPPY BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

"The Power Within"


“The Power Within”

 

I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit…

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.          Ephesians 3:16, 20-21

 

This is a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Gentile believers in Ephesus.  But it is also for ALL generations.  In this prayer Paul brings encouragement for our journey as believers.  The one thing that he gives enlightenment on is the POWER we have abiding in our inner being. 

 

We, who are TRUE believers, and are not of the Jewish persuasion are considered Gentiles.  Paul’s ministry was largely to the Gentiles.  It was the Apostle’s desire that we have ALL that God wants us to have, to include POWER from within our inner man.  This POWER can ONLY come to a TRUE believer through God’s Holy Spirit which indwells us. 

 

Many times we, feel weak in our inner man and we wonder if we can continue on being and doing all that God desires for us.  We are weak, because we have not tapped into the POWER source, which is God’s Holy Spirit.  Only He can provide the POWER we need to persevere in this sinful, wretched, miserable world.  He provides the POWER for us to PRESS ON towards the goal that has been set before us.  He provides the POWER we need to do whatever He asks us to do, regardless of what we might think or feel.  The POWER within is waiting to be tapped. 

 

That POWER comes from the one who is able to do ABOVE and BEYOND ALL that we ask or think according to the POWER that works in us.  This is AWESOME, we have the POWER of ALMIGHTY God within us, yet we seem to be POWERLESS.  We walk around whining and grumbling about tiny, insignificant things that don’t amount to much, and when something really BIG, and significant comes along we are devastated, because we are weak in our faith, we have NOT tapped into our POWER source, the Holy Spirit of the ALMIGHTY GOD, which is indwelling us.  Are you a TRUE BELIEVER?  If you are, are you tapping into the POWER source that is within you?  I pray that you are using the POWER that God has provided.

 

If you have not given your HEART and Life to God, then you are NOT a TRUE believer, and you don’t possess that POWER from within.  But you are depending on this wretched, old world to get you through and that puts your destiny into jeopardy.  You can change all of that, and possess the POWER of ALMIGHTY GOD, 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 be STRENGTHENED by the POWER WITHIN from the Holy Spirit of God.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

     

 

Monday, November 23, 2015

"The Winning Team"


“The Winning Team”

 

“The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side.  They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls.  They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”         Luke 19:43-44

 

These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ to some Pharisees that were in the crowd in Jerusalem during His Triumphant entry into the city.  Even though this warning was for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, concerning the destruction of His beloved city, due to the fact that they rejected Him.  I couldn’t help wonder if our own beloved nation is at risk of being dashed to the ground by our enemies as a result of not  recognizing nor accepting the time of God’s coming. 

 

The destruction of Jerusalem that was predicted by Christ, started in A.D. 70, by the Roman soldiers.  The destruction of Jerusalem took place because the people didn’t understand the significance of what was going to take place with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

 

Today, many people in our nation, to include some of our government leaders, not only don’t understand it, they reject it, time and time again.   Many are blinded by Satan and his devious schemes, and live in a world of delusions. They would rather live a lie, then accept the TRUTH.  We, as a nation have turned our backs on God, and I believe for the most part, we are facing a show-down. 

 

But for those of us who have ACCEPTED God’s merciful act of SALVATION, we have the HOPE of Heaven.  And I BELIEVE that He is coming SOON to rapture His Children out of this old, wretched, sinful world and into the glories of Heaven.   I BELIEVE it, because He predicted that He would come back for those who BELIEVE and have ACCEPTED God’s gift of SALVATION.   Just like He predicted that Jerusalem would fall and IT DID!!!  Where do you stand?  Unbelieving? Or Believing? 

 

Just look at it this way, if I’m right about it I WIN, and if you are right about not believing it, I STILL WIN, because either way I’m on my way to HEAVEN, for ALL eternity.  Don’t you want to be on the WINNING team?  You can be 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 be on the WINNING team, and on your way to HEAVEN to live for ALL eternity. The alternative is an eternity in HELL, the place of torment, pain and agony.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!! 

 

Saturday, November 21, 2015

"Faith without Works"


“Faith without Works”

 

…Faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.  Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected.  You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.  For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.  James 2:17, 21, 22, 24, 25

 

Faith:  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (Heb. 11:1).

Faith:  Unquestioning belief that does not require proof.  (Webster’s Dictionary).

 

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  FAITH with WORKS.

 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.  And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  FAITH with WORKS.

 

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.  FAITH with WORKS.

 

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.  Faith with WORKS.

Hebrews 11:7, 8, 17, 31

 

These verses in Hebrews tells us that FAITH must be accompanied by WORKS, in order for it to produce righteousness.  FAITH alone cannot produce righteousness, and WORKS, alone cannot produce righteousness.  They MUST be integrated in order to bring about our righteousness. 

 

The mystery of FAITH, is believing without proof.  WORKS are the PRODUCT of our FAITH.  When we are obedient to Almighty God, we are showing our FAITH in Him by the WORKS we do.  If we say we have FAITH, but have no WORKS to prove our FAITH or exercise our FAITH, then we cannot have righteousness.  Abraham’s faith was tested, and because his FAITH was integrated with WORKS, his FAITH was PERFECTED and it was credited to him for righteousness.

 

This tells us that man is justified by works and not by faith alone.  Because works are a PRODUCT of our FAITH.  We can say we have FAITH all day long, but if there are no WORKS to go along with the FAITH, the FAITH is DEAD.  Saying it and putting it into action are two different things.  When our FAITH is accompanied by Works, we show our TRUST and OBEDIENCE to God, and it is credited to us for righteousness.  The Scripture says:  “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also FAITH without WORKS is dead.”  So Child of the Living God, put your FAITH into ACTION!!

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then your FAITH, if you have any FAITH, is dead.  Your FAITH MUST be integrated with WORKS in order to justify you and make you righteous before God.  If not, you’re headed for an eternity in Hell, where your FAITH and WORKS are null and void.  You have the opportunity to change things  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 exercise your FAITH and WORKS  in order to produce righteousness. Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 20, 2015

"The Attributes of a True Christian"


“The Attributes of a True Christian”

 

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.   On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.          1Peter 3:8-9

 

We who profess to be a Christian need to realize that in order to wear the title of “Christian” we must follow certain steps to become a bonafide Christian.  The first step is; to become a ‘BELIEVER’ not just a believer, but a TRUE BELIEVER in God, and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.   The second step is; to CONFESS that you are a sinner.  The Third step is; to ask God for His FORGIVENESS.  The fourth step is; to ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that God raised Jesus from the grave and that Jesus is ALIVE in Heaven making intercession for you.  When you have done this and have come to God with ALL sincerity, the Bible says that He is FAITHFUL to FORGIVE us of our sins.  Then you can TRUTHFULLY carry the title of “Christian.” 

 

The Apostle Peter has brought to light some ATTRIBUTES of a TRUE CHRISTIAN, verses eight and nine of the third chapter of 1Peter tells us how we, as Christians, should conduct ourselves.  

We should be like-minded, or unified in our mind and heart.  We should strive to get along with each other.  DON’T be an instigator, but be a peacemaker.  Christianity is not about us, but ALL about Him (Christ).      

We should be sympathetic toward each other.  We need to try to sympathize with one another.  When one is hurting and burdened about something, we need to share that burden and be willing to help carry their load. 

We should love one another.  We should love each other with an AGAPE or Godly type love.  It should be a strong, abiding, heart-felt love, that can’t be altered in ANY way.  A love that can ONLY be from God for ALL His TRUE Children to share with each other.

We should be compassionate and humble.  These are probably two of the hardest attributes to develop in our Christian life-style.   People, today, are out for themselves, for the most part.  Years and Years ago people were more compassionate and humble, mainly because Christianity was a BIG part of life.  More people attended church and followed the four steps to becoming a TRUE CHRISTIAN.  They possessed a strong belief system and allowed the Holy Spirit of the Living God to exemplify ALL the attributes of a TRUE CHRISTIAN in their lives.  Today, many are just too busy to bother.  We NEED to get back to our TRUE CHRISTIAN roots and live like God intends for us to live.  Instead many are apt to repay evil with evil, you lie about me and I will lie about you.     You cheat on me and I’m going to cheat on you.  Or they trade insult for insult.  If one person insults another person, that person will insult the other person and on it goes.  This is not God’s plan for His Children.  We need to work at pleasing God and NOT pleasing the devil.  We NEED to be a blessing to everyone, and especially to each other.  

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Christ, you SHOULDN’T be considered a Christian, because the ONLY WAY you can legitimately be called a Christian is if you have 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 let God’s Holy Spirit exemplify the TRUE CHRISTIAN attributes in your life.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!             

 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

"A Rock of Refuge"


“A Rock of Refuge”

 

In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in Your righteousness.  Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.  Since You are my Rock and my Fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me.  Keep me from the trap that is set for me, for You are my Refuge.  Into Your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord , my faithful God.          Psalm 31:1-5

 

We are truly living in perilous times.  We have an enemy that is threatening to infiltrate the United States and to rid the world of ALL infidels (Christians).  To make our world a totally Muslim world, one without diversity.  They have beheaded those who profess to be Christians and have crucified small children.  They have BRUTALLY attacked women and young girls and sent them off to be used as sex slaves.  This is their plans for ALL the nations of this world.  We ARE at risk!!

 

This enemy has decided that they would infiltrate the nations by sending their people in with the refugees, if you have noticed the influx of people coming into other nations, includes a lot of YOUNG men (18-45 years of age).  Our President has indicated that the refugees are women and children only.  But take notice that is NOT the case. 

 

Our nation is at RISK of being attacked and it appears that the government is going to open the doors to ANYONE who wants to come in.  What can WE do?  We can PRAY.   Psalm thirty-one, is a prayer of King David when he was threatened by his enemy and facing certain death.

 

David cried out to the ONLY ONE who could rescue him from his certain demise.  He pleads for God’s protection and asks Him to QUICKLY rescue him and to be his ROCK OF REFUGE, a STRONG FORTRESS to save him from his enemy.  Then David proclaims that God is his ROCK and FORTRESS, and for the sake of God’s name, David asks for God’s leadership and guidance.  That he would be wise to the enemy’s plans, because God is his REFUGE. 

 

Because God is David’s REFUGE, ROCK and FORTRESS, he can commit his spirit into God’s hands, TRUSTING Him to deliver him from his enemy because God is FAITHFUL.

 

Time is SHORT, and we are living in UNCERTAIN times, we must be on guard, constantly, alert to the dastardly plans of a wicked, evil, perverted, hardened, malignant, enemy that wants nothing more than to eradicate this world of God’s people. 

 

We NEED to band together as a group of PRAYER WARRIORS and unleash a barrage of HEART-FELT, GUT-WRENCHING prayers to our ROCK OF REFUGE and TRUST Him with our spirit, to be our ROCK, REFUGE and FORTRESS.  PLEASE!  ALL TRUE BELIEVERS join us, in this critical time, crying out to God ALMIGHTY for His guidance, leadership and PROTECTION.

 

If you have not given your HEART to Jesus, then YOU are not His Child and God will NOT hear your prayers until you pray the prayer of REPENTENCE.  You do that by:  CONFESSING 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 join the other PRAYER WARRIORS, at this very crucial time, in DEEP, HEARTFELT prayers to the ALMIGHTY GOD, to be our ROCK OF REFUGE. Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

"Law and Grace"


“Law and Grace”

 

Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”   

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.  Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.   

Galatians 3:11, 23, 24, 25

 

Moses received God’s law for mankind, which was given to him by God for the purpose of setting up guidelines for the Israelites to live by.  There were ten commands that God wanted the Israelites to abide by.  They were and are NOT a means of justification between mankind and God.   Verse eleven indicates that the one who relies on the law is not justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 

 

Ephesians 2:8-9, says:  For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH –and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  Which means that we obtain God’s AMAZING GRACE, by FAITH and not by ANYTHING we have DONE.  It is not obtained by our works, but by our FAITH.

 

If we could obtain God’s grace from keeping the Law, which is impossible to do, because when you break one you have broken them ALL, but IF it were possible then Christ’s death and resurrection was in vain.  I once witnessed to a man, and I asked him what he thought it took to get into Heaven and his answer was:  “keeping the Ten Commandments.”  If that is what you are depending on.  You are under a delusional pretense. 

 

God looked down on mankind and saw that they were NOT keeping the Law, and the ONLY way for mankind to be justified was by the shedding of blood, but not just any blood.  It had to be from a PERFECT Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Before the coming of Christ, people were held in custody under the law, until Christ came and paid the price, so they might be justified by faith.  Now those who come to Him through FAITH has obtained God’s AMAZING GRACE.  And through HIS WORK on the cross and His VICTORY over death we, who have ACCEPTED Him, are all Children of God.

 

If you have not received God’s grace through FAITH, but are relying on how “good” you are.  You are DOOMED to spend ALL eternity in Hell, a place of, torment, torture, pain and despair.  However you can change your destiny 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 one of His Children through FAITH.  Do it NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

"A Prayer for Rescue"


“A Prayer for Rescue”

 

Rescue me from cruel and violent enemies, LORD!  They think up evil plans and always cause trouble.  Their words bite deep like the poisonous fangs of a snake.  Protect me, LORD, from cruel and brutal enemies, who want to destroy me.    You, LORD, are my God!  Please listen to my prayer.  Don’t let the wicked succeed in doing what they want, or else they might never stop planning evil.  Your people will praise you and will live with you because they do right.           Psalm 140:1-4, 6, 8, 13

 

This is a prayer of King David for God’s help in rescuing him from his evil, wicked and brutal enemies.  Today, as a nation, we face some evil, wicked and brutal enemies.   We probably are  at risk today, more than we have ever been. 

 

This poor, wretched, old sinful world is full of evil, wicked and brutal enemies that would love nothing more than to take the United States down.  It would put a huge feather in their caps.  We are at war with these evil, wicked and brutal enemies, from the Middle East, yet there are some in our own nation who fail to see the seriousness of the situation, even after the bombing of a Russian passenger plane, carrying INNOCENT families back home after a vacation. Then the People in Paris, France, dining with friends at a café, and people at a sporting event killed by evil, wicked and brutal enemies. 

 

Now those evil, wicked and brutal enemies are threatening the United States.   We have seen and heard that the president of France has declared war on this evil, wicked and brutal enemy, known as ISIS.   Yet our president doesn’t see these attacks as an act of war, but a “set-back” in the war on terror, and he is bent on bringing the refugees here to our homeland without proper investigating who these people really are.  Even after ISIS has said they would infiltrate our nation through the influx of refugees.   I fear we are like sitting ducks, just waiting for more attacks from these evil, wicked and brutal enemies, at the expense of innocent American lives.

 

People, we are TRULY living in perilous times.  The MOST IMPORTANT thing we, God’s Children can do is PRAY this same prayer that King David did when he was faced with the threat from his evil, wicked and brutal enemies.   But before you can offer up this prayer for God’s intervention in this situation, we MUST come to Him, as His Children, those who have given their HEART and LIFE to Him for the SALVATION of their SOUL.  If you have not come to Him for the SALVATION of your soul, then you are NOT His child and you have not been FORGIVEN of your sins, but you have sin in your HEART.  And the Word of God says: “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear;” (Psalm 66;18).  So you MUST be free from your burden of sin in order for Him to hear ANY requests you make.   Your prayer of REPENTANCE should come FIRST. 

 

You do 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 become His Child, then pray this prayer, that King David offered up to God for RESCUE from the threat of his evil, wicked and brutal enemies, for your own protection and the protection of your loved ones.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Monday, November 16, 2015

"The Pleasure of the Lord God"


“The Pleasure of the Lord God”

 

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing Love.                         Psalm 147:10-11

 

God’s pleasure is not in the strength of the horse nor does He delight in the legs of the warrior.  The horse and the warrior are temporal and both, at some point in time, will be ineffective.  They will lose their power and strength and bring no pleasure or delight to our Almighty God, whose power and strength is far ABOVE that of ANY mortal being. 

 

But the Lord God Almighty delights in those who are in AWE or who fear Him.  The word ‘fear here does not mean ‘afraid’, but it means ‘awe or reverence’  in essence it is saying that the Lord delights in those who are in awe of Him or who has reverence for Him. The ones who put their HOPE and TRUST in His UNFAILING love.

 

A love that is so great in its magnitude that NOTHING can compare to its POWER or STRENGTH, not even the strength of a mighty stallion or the power of a mighty warrior.   A love that knows NO boundaries, a love that will be everlasting, it will never weaken, nor die, but has STRENGTH and POWER that is from everlasting to everlasting.    It is a love that will NEVER fail.   A love that will bring comfort and a peace that passes ALL understanding. 

 

When we are hurting physically, emotionally or spiritually we can DEPEND on His unfailing love, because it is ALWAYS available to us, and it will get us through any situation, if we will just come to Him and let Him take us in His BIG arms and love on us, we can have the STRONG hope and TRUST in His ever ABIDING, UNENDING, AWESOME, MAGNIFICENTLY POWERFUL, and UNFAILING LOVE, that is ours for the asking.

 

This is what you MUST do to experience His AWESOME, UNFAILING love, you MUST:  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 truly experience His UNFAILING love and bring PLEASURE to the Lord God.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Saturday, November 14, 2015

"Children of God"


“Children of God”

 

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…          Philippians 2:14.

 

As Children of God, we should conduct ourselves in such a way that would bring honor, glory and praise to the ONLY ONE who is worthy, our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that, ‘whatever we do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ.’   (Colossians 3:23-24). 

 

The Apostle Paul tells us to do EVERYTHING WITHOUT grumbling or arguing.  There are some in our churches, who need to hear this.  It really is one of my pet peeves, when people are called on to help in the ministry of the church  or they may even volunteer to do something, but while  they are serving they grumble and complain about EVERYTHING.  And I mean to tell you that God does NOT want or need your grumbling, arguing, and complaining attitude when you are working for Him.

 

We should have an attitude of LOVE and COMPASSION in serving our Lord.  We should feel honored to be able to serve Him.  After ALL He has done for us, should we not be WILLING to do WHATEVER we need to, and to do it with a LOVING, GODLY, COMPASSIONATE heart that will honor the ONE who suffered and died in order that we might LIVE for Him and with Him for ALL eternity?

 

The Scripture tells us that we should do EVERYTHING without grumbling and arguing, so that we may become blameless and pure, Children of God without fault.  Our attitude reflects what is in our HEART, and shows in our service for the Lord.  When we grumble, argue and complain, it shows that our HEART just isn’t into our service for our Lord.   Is He not worthy of your time and talents?  Are you not willing to put Him FIRST in your life and to give Him the time He deserves, without GRUMBLING, ARGUING, and COMPLAINING with EVERYTHING you do for Him? 

 

When we serve God with ALL our HEART and do it WITHOUT grumbling, arguing, and complaining, we become like the stars in the night sky.  We will let our LOVE for the Lord shine in a dark, warped and crooked generation. We will set an AWESOME example and a message to a lost and dying world; that we have a God that is MORE than WORTHY of our LOVING SERVICE to Him.  So Children of God, STOP grumbling, arguing and complaining about having to serve your Redeemer King, and START serving Him with a LOVING and COMPASSIONATE HEART, so your attitude will SHINE for JESUS.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are not a part of His family, you are NOT His Child, therefore you will not receive an inheritance, the HOPE of Heaven, but will suffer and spend an eternity grumbling, arguing and complaining not because of having to serve Him, but because of the unending pain, torment, torture and misery.  You NOW have the opportunity to change your 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 STOP grumbling, arguing, and complaining about EVERYTHING, but start your relationship with God with a LOVING, COMPASSIONATE desire to do WHATEVER He desires of you, and shine for Jesus.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!  

Friday, November 13, 2015

"Persistence Pays Off!"


“Persistence Pays Off!”

 

“And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?  Will He keep putting them off?  I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.  However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”        Luke 18:7-8

 

In verses one through five, Jesus tells His disciples a parable about an unjust judge, who neither feared God nor cared about what people thought.  And a widow, who kept coming to the judge for justice in her case, but the unjust judge kept refusing, then finally he decided to give her justice because of her persistence.    This was a lesson for the disciples urging them to ALWAYS pray and NOT give up. 

 

Jesus asks them three somewhat thought-provoking questions:  “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”  “Will He keep putting them off?”  “And when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

 

Let’s look at the first question:  “Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”  Basically, Jesus was saying: “Hey, you can TRUST God to bring you justice or to answer your prayer, because of your relationship with Him, and because He is a JUST and CARING God, who hears His Children when they cry out to Him, PERSISTENTLY seeking His help.”

 

The second question was:  “Will He keep putting them off?”  God’s timing and our timing is NOT the same, but we can be ASSURED that He will answer, because He DOES care for His own.  He may not give you the answer that you think He should, but because of His infinite WISDOM, He will answer the way He KNOWS is BEST for you.  So continue to be PERSISTENT and have FAITH that He will bring you justice.

 

The third question was:  “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  Jesus IS coming back to RAPTURE or take the TRUE believers back to Heaven to be with Him, and it won’t be long before this happens.  So the question is, will there be ANYONE who is practicing their FAITH on earth?  Or will they give –up and NOT be PERSISTENT in their prayer-life?”  These are all questions that God’s Children need to ponder, and to bring about PERSISTENCE in their FAITH-BASED prayer-life. 

However, if you have NOT become a Child of God, the ONLY prayer He will hear from you is the prayer of true, heart-felt repentance, The Bible says:  “If I regard iniquity (sin) in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”    Psalm 66:18.  This prayer will be answered with an instant response.  And that prayer must be presented something like 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 be assured that He HEARS and ANSWERS your prayers, and be PERSISTENT in your FAITH-BASED prayer-life. Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!