"The Demonstration of God's Love!"

“The Demonstration of God’s Love!”

 

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 Him.          Romans 5:8-9

 

Throughout the ages we have been told that; “God is LOVE,” or “Jesus LOVES me,” but I don’t think that we can come close to grasping the full extent of God’s LOVE, especially for an old, wretched, filthy, guilt-ridden, sin-loving person, one who has rejected Him, time and time again, yet God is SO MERCIFUL and FULL of GRACE, that His LOVE towards such an individual is immeasurable. 

 

It is a LOVE that cannot be duplicated, a GODLY LOVE, an AGAPE LOVE, a LOVE that caused a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD to send His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON to this earth, to live a short life and to be ridiculed, tormented, tortured and hung on an old rugged cross to die a SHAMEFUL, DISGRACEFUL death, that He didn’t deserve, for a WRETCHED soul like YOU and ME.  That He, Jesus Christ, should take on the sins of ALL MANKIND, from the beginning of this world to the end.  The ONLY SACRIFICE that could take away those sins and bring RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTIFICATION to an old, wretched, filthy, guilt-ridden, sin-loving person, who rejects God’s gift of SALVATION. 

 

These verses tells us that because of His GREAT, EVERLASTING, LOVE, we are JUSTIFIED by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and NOT ONLY JUSTIFIED, but we are SAVED from the wrath of God, through that shed blood.  There is coming a time, when God’s wrath will be poured out upon this wretched, old, sinful world, it is a WRATH that has NEVER been experienced before.  But if we come to God with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, and ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, we will be exempt from His wrath.    

 

How can you escape God’s wrath, known as the time of TRIBULATION?  You must come to Him with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, and CONFESS 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 be made RIGHTEOUS and JUSTIFIED. And that is the DEMONSTRATION of GOD’S LOVE.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!  

 

"WARNING: Two Kinds of Wisdom"

“  WARNING: Two Kinds of Wisdom”

 

…If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.   Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.   But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.          James 3:14-17

 

The United States of America will be holding the primaries of voting for elected officials of this GREAT nation. A number of different states will be doing this on the 1^st of March, which many have dubbed “Super Tuesday.”  We will be asked to vote for those who, we feel to be QUALIFIED, with TRUSTWORTHINESS, INTEGRITY, and WISDOM.  I think these verses can help those of us who will be casting votes.  They are a GOOD litmus test for the candidates, in order for us to make the PROPER DECISION.  This is a CRITICAL and SERIOUS time for this nation.

 

We have some that are in the running for the HIGHEST office in the land, the next LEADER of the free world.  Some of the attributes they SHOULD NOT possess are:  BITTER ENVY, SELFISH AMBITION, BOASTFULNESS, and UNTRUTHFULNESS.  I venture to sadly say that we do have a few of those candidates who fall into this category, running for office, in BOTH parties.

 

Do we want a leader, who, possesses ENVY and SELFISH AMBITION in the position of the LEADER of the FREE WORLD?  To lead our own nation?  To set the FUTURE for our children and grand-children?  Are we willing to put them at RISK? 

 

The Scriptures PLAINLY tell us that those who have ENVY and SELFISH AMBITION receives this kind of “WISDOM” NOT from heaven, but it is EARTHLY, UNSPIRITUAL, and DEMONIC.  Where you have ENVY and SELFISH AMBITION, you find DISORDER, and EVERY EVIL PRACTICE there is to accomplish whatever this kind of person desires.  They are only really concerned about feeding their OWN SELFISH AMBITION at ANY COST.  And then they BOAST about their UNDERHANDED SCHEMES.  Oh what a tangled web they weave. 

 

But the WISDOM that comes from Heaven is first PURE; then PEACE-LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE, FULL OF MERCY and GOOD FRUIT, IMPARTIAL and SINCERE.  The individual who possess these attributes are:  TRUSTWORTHY, CONSIDERATE, of STRONG MORAL IDEALS, TRUTHFUL and will work at bringing PEACE and SECURITY to our Land.  They will set the foundation for the kind of Nation we will leave our children and grand-children.  It is a very SERIOUS and IMPORTANT time, and we MUST weigh the possibilities of EACH CANDIDATE.  The MOST IMPORTANT thing a TRUE BELIEVER should do is to SEEK the WISDOM of the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD and ask for GUIDANCE before we vote. 

 

If you are NOT a TRUE BELIEVER, and have NOT given your HEART and LIFE over to God, then you probably are MORE concerned with what YOU can gain, you possess ENVY and SELFISH AMBITION, which is EARTHLY, UNSPIRITUAL, and DEMONIC.  And you are living with DISORDER  and EVILNESS, and your destination is HELL, unless your CHANGE, 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 obtain WISDOM that is; PURE, PEACE-LOVING, CONSIDERATE, SUBMISSIVE, MERCIFUL, IMPARTIAL and SINCERE, and change your destination to HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!  

 

 

 

"Be Patient and Stand Firm!"

“Be Patient and Stand Firm!”

 

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting to the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.  The Judge is standing at the door!          James 5:7-9

 

PATIENCE is an attribute that is not very common in our world, today.  We have a lifestyle that almost DEMANDS that we be IMPATIENT in EVERYTHING we do or expect to be done by others.  But the Word of God tells us that we, the TRUE believers SHOULD be PATIENT.  The length of our PATIENCE should be until the Lord Jesus returns. 

 

The analogy of the farmer who WAITS for the land to yield its valuable crop, and is PATIENTLY waiting for the autumn and spring rains, is the ESSENCE of PATIENCE.  The TRUE believer SHOULD be PATIENT and STAND FIRM, because the Lord’s return is NEAR. And the anticipation of His return SHOULD stimulate EVERY TRUE BELIEVER to be PATIENT AND PERSISTENT.

 

In view of the HOPE of Christ’s SOON return, God’s Children, those who have REPENTED of their sins and have ACCEPTED His gift of SALVATION, SHOULD be on guard for His return.    In so doing, GOOD BEHAVIOR and MUTUAL HARMONY are essential to escape judgement.  You should NOT grumble against one another, time is short and people are dying and going to Hell, while in most cases, those who proclaim to be God’s Children are at each other’s throats, complaining about things that are of very little if any importance, instead of being about God’s business, which is REACHING the LOST.  They try to tear each other down instead of being obedient to the Word of the Living God, which tells us that we SHOULD edify or build-up the BODY of CHRIST, and how can that be done if the TRUE BELIEVERS are busy TEARING DOWN the BODY OF CHRIST, by grumbling against one another.  Be on GUARD!  The Judge, Jesus is standing at the door!  He’s waiting for His Heavenly Father to give the nod!!

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are at RISK of being swept away into the very abyss of Hell.  Unless you change your direction and come to Jesus Christ for your REDEMPTION, which is near, at hand.  You can 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 WAITING with PATIENCE for His return, STAND FIRM with PERSISTENCE in your FAITH.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s WAITING and coming SOON!!!

"The Teacher and Guide"

“The Teacher and Guide”

 

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.  He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.  All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of His covenant.   Psalm 25:8-10

 

The Psalmist, David extols the attributes of the Almighty God.  His GOODNESS and UPRIGHTNESS, His LOVING and FAITHFUL ways are just a few of the AWESOME attributes that He possesses.

 

Because He is GOOD and UPRIGHT, He instructs the sinners in His ways.  He TEACHES them how they should live, when they come to Him for the SALVATION of their souls.  He doesn’t leave them helpless or defenseless, but is their LOVING and FAITHFUL teacher.   He does this through the work of His HOLY SPIRIT, which comes and indwells the sinner after he becomes a believer.

 

He GUIDES the humble in what is RIGHT and TEACHES them His way.  The sinner, who comes to Christ for the SALVATION of their soul, must come to Him with a HUMBLE and CONTRITE HEART, seeking God’s FORGIVENESS, then they will receive the Holy Spirit, who will teach them the ways of God. 

 

The tools that the Holy Spirit uses are:  PRAYER for GUIDANCE and INSIGHT into God ways, and BIBLE STUDY at a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, Bible-preaching church with other believers.  Then that SINNER, turned BELIEVER will GROW and MATURE into the Child of God, taking on the attributes of their HEAVENLY FATHER. 

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you cannot be called His Child, and you cannot know of His LOVING and FAITHFUL attributes.  But you are groping in darkness without HOPE, and are destined for Hell.  However, God is giving you the opportunity to come to Him for the SALVATION of your soul.  You 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 let Him be your TEACHER and GUIDE along the path to the HOPE of Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Law versus God's Promises"

“The Law versus God’s Promises”

 

Does the Law disagree with God’s promises?  No, it doesn’t!  If any law could give life to us, we could become acceptable to God by obeying that law.  But the Scriptures say that sin controls everyone, so that God’s promises will be for anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ.          Galatians 3:21-22

 

The question: “Is there conflict between the Law and the promises of God?”  NO!  There is not a conflict between the two, because they were both given by God for different purposes.  And the purpose of “the Law” was NOT to give eternal life, but it did prepare the way for the gospel.

 

The Apostle Paul says that the Scriptures declare that “sin controls everyone,”  If a person could obtain eternal life by keeping the law, they would be obtaining eternal life by their own works, and why then would it be necessary for Jesus Christ to come to earth and suffer, bleed and die for the SALVATION of mankind?  It is NOT possible to obtain eternal life through obeying the Law.  If that were the case then a person would have to obey ALL of the Law, not just the part they choose to obey.  And it would be a SALVATION by works, which the Scriptures say is NOT acceptable:  “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.”  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

God’s PROMISES, including the promises of eternal life in Heaven is for “anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ, who came to earth for the purpose of providing eternal life in Heaven.  He was and is the ONLY WAY.  You can NOT receive God’s promises by your own work, but ONLY through the REDEMPTIVE WORK of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 

If you are under the assumption that being a “good” person who keeps the Law, will give you the right to the promises of the Almighty God, then you are VERY SADLY MISTAKEN!  And your destination is the same as the vilest, most sinful person, it’s a place called Hell, a place of eternal torment, torture, pain and agony.  However, God is NOW giving you the opportunity to turn from your FALSE ASSUMPTION, and turn to Jesus Christ.  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 receive the PROMISE of ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Same Family"

“The Same Family”

 

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered.  Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.          Hebrews 2:10-11

 

 

Being born into a family gives a person a sense of identity.  When we are born, we belong to that family, we are a new creation, which was brought about by a man and a woman, and therefore we are part of their family unit.  We may have other siblings that too, were brought about by the same man and woman, which then makes us ALL part of that family unit.

God in His infinite WISDOM, provided a way for mankind to be brought into His family.  Both sons and daughters were/are brought into His family by the PIONEER of our SALVATION, Jesus Christ, who was perfected through what He suffered.  In order for Him to be able to relate to mankind, He must be subjected to the human frailties of mankind, even to the sufferings that are a part of human life.  He was ALL GOD, but He was also ALL MAN, now I don’t know exactly how that works, other than to say; “It’s a GOD THING,”   nevertheless, He felt physical pain and heartache.  Therefore He was and is ABLE to relate to the Crown of His Creation.  Yet He knew, NO sin, because He did not have a sinful nature, in other words, He did NOT commit ANY SINS whatsoever.  And on the cross He, who knew NO sin, took on the sins of ALL mankind, past, present, and future.  He became sin, which was TORTURE in itself.   

The RIGHTEOUS, HOLY ONE, who makes people holy and those who are made holy belong to the SAME FAMILY.  And because we are made holy by the Holy One, He is NOT ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.  The question for those who have been made holy is:  “Are you ashamed of Him?”  “Are you ashamed to admit that you are a part of His family?”  Or do you tell EVERYBODY that you belong to His family?   If you TRULY belong to His family, then you should let EVERYBODY you come in contact with, know who you belong to, so that they too might be brought into your family, as a brother or sister, and have the hope of a Heavenly home.

If you have not been made holy by the Holy One then you are NOT a part of God’s HOLY FAMILY.   You can be born into His family by coming to Him with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, and CONFESS 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 be a part of His HOLY FAMILY, with the HOPE of a HEAVENLY HOME for ALL eternity.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Alienated then Reconciled!"

“Alienated then Reconciled!”

 

Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions.  But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.          Colossians 1:21-22

 

Our sinful nature alienates or separates us from our Creator God, and through our thought process we become evil in our actions.  Sin begins in the heart, and is then manifested through our evil actions.  We are enemies of God, and are in need of a SAVIOR to rescue us from Satan, the king of the dark domain.

 

The RECONCILATION of mankind’s soul can ONLY be carried out by the physical body of the Lord Jesus Christ, through His death on an old rugged cross.  “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22).  In order to REDEEM human beings, Jesus Christ had to become truly human, and through the ONCE for ALL sacrifice of His physical human body and the shedding of His blood, He provided THE WAY for God’s enemies to become RECONCILED to Him. 

 

When the once enemy of God comes to Him with a TRULY, REPENTANT HEART, and gladly ACCEPTS His gift of SALVATION, they are no longer ALIENATED from Him, but are RECONCILED to Him, and they become JUSTIFIED, SANCTIFIED, and GLORIFIED.  In other words they are no longer GUILTY of their sins, they are SET-APART for God’s use, and they are HONORED, because of their relationship with Christ, and because He is GLORIFIED, they are GLORIFIED too.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have not been RECONCILED to Him, and are considered His enemy, and are ALIENATED from Him.  Your future is looking very bleak and hopeless.  A future that will land you in a place called Hell, a place that is void of God and ANYTHING good.  It is a place of ETERNAL pain, agony, torment, torture, and despair.  However, God is giving you the opportunity to turn away from your sinful lifestyle and to come to Him and be RECONCILED to Him 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 RECONCILED, JUSTIFIED, SANCTIFIED, and GLORIFIED.  Do it NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Raised to Live a New Life!"

“Raised to Live a New Life!”

 

…Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.          Romans 6:3-4

 

These verses of Scripture do NOT indicate that a person is saved by baptism.  The Bible plainly tells us that: “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.  (Ephesians 2:8-9)     

 

However, the act of following Jesus Christ in BELIEVER’S baptism is an act of obedience and a part of the sanctification process.  When a person comes to Jesus for the SALVATION of their soul, with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, the next step of OBEDIENCE is to follow Christ in water baptism, which is a picture, to those who witness it, of the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION, of Jesus Christ.  Indicating that the NEW CONVERT has DIED to their sinful life, BURIED their sinful life and is RAISED to a NEW LIFE in Christ Jesus, by the glory of God the Father.  This is made possible because of the DEATH, BURIAL and RESURRECTION of Christ.

 

The NEW CONVERT or BELIEVER is then ‘set-apart’ or ‘sanctified’ to a life of righteousness and service unto God.  Being a Child of the Living God, they will be able to have a relationship with God, through prayer and Bible study, and their FAITH and TRUST will get stronger as they mature in their NEW LIFE.  They will experience the LOVE of God, like they have NEVER done before, and they will have the HOPE of eternal life in Heaven with God, the Father and Jesus, His Son. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are NOT His Child, and you are a slave to your sins, and headed for Hell, a place of torment, torture, pain and agony.  But God is giving you the opportunity NOW to turn away from those sins, to come to Him and let Him break the chains of those sins, that are keeping you in bondage, and to receive a NEW LIFE, through Jesus Christ 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 DIE to your sins, and BURY your old sinful life and be RAISED to a NEW LIFE with Jesus Christ.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!! 

"Fight for the Faith!"

“Fight for the Faith!”

 

Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.        1 Timothy 6:12

 

Christians are in a battle for the souls of mankind.  We are given the mandate from God, to “go and make disciples of all nations.”  This is the battle we face.  Our enemy, the devil, is ‘like a roaring lion looking for anyone he can devour.’  And we must be on guard, armed with the Word as our sword, and to be equipped for the battle.

 

The way we become equipped is to be STRONG in our FAITH.  If we have a weak FAITH, then we have already lost the fight.  We are STRENGTHENED in our FAITH through studying the Word of God and seeking the WISDOM of His Word.  Knowing what it says and how we should use it, is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE.   When soldiers are going to go to battle they NEED to know their weapon and how to use it.  So it is with a Child of God, we MUST be trained on how to use our weapon, the Word, our sword, and we gain this knowledge through the PREACHING and TEACHING of the Word of God.   So it is your responsibility to attend these meetings and learn ALL you can about your weapon.

 

We must embrace our eternal life and have a GOOD confession.  In other words, we must have a TESTIMONY as to what God has done for us, in order for us to be VICTORIOUS in our battle for the FAITH.  One of our BEST defenses is our TESTIMONY, which is an account of our PERSONAL ENCOUNTER with the ALMIGHTY GOD, and it is something that NO ONE can refute.  It has the POWER to help win the battle, because it is part of the basis for our FAITH.

 

If we are not properly equipped, we become a VICTIM instead of a VICTOR in the most IMPORTANT battle of life.  You may wonder just how we accomplish such an AWESOME task.  We are led by a VERY COMPTENT, and POWERFUL COMMANDER, the Holy Spirit of the Living God.  And when we SUBMIT to Him, He will LEAD us on to VICTORY in the FIGHT for the FAITH.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one of the devil’s victims and will follow him into the depths of Hell, if you don’t desert from his ranks, and come over to the side of FORGIVENESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS, and become a soldier in the FIGHT for the FAITH, and become a VICTOR and not the VICTIM.  You do that by coming to God, 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 let His Holy Spirit lead you into VICTORY.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Our Relationship with the Father!"

“Our Relationship with the Father!”

 

I will bring sacrifices into Your house, my God, and I will do what I promised when I was in trouble.         Psalm 66:13

 

What kind of relationship do you have with Father God?  Do you talk to Him daily?  Or maybe ONLY when you are faced with a problem?  Do you sometimes feel like He has abandoned you when you are seeking His face?  Could that be because you have distanced yourself from Him, and maybe you are dabbling in sin?

 

Our Heavenly Father wants us to have a close relationship with Him, and not ONLY when we are in trouble or in need.  It needs to be a relationship built on TRUST, LOVE and FAITHFULNESS, not a relationship that has NO strong moorings, and is at risk of being damaged by the tossing and bashing of the waves of life.  The STRONG mooring that will protect our relationship with Father God is the mooring of a STRONG prayer life, which is essential to a HEALTHY relationship, not just an occasional relationship, in which, we come to Him, only when we are in trouble or need.

 

Sometimes, we will try to bargain with God, by PROMISING to do something for Him if He will help us.  But then when He holds up His end of the bargain, we FAIL to hold up our end, and FAIL to do what we PROMISED.  The Psalmist says: “I will bring sacrifices into Your house, my God, and I WILL DO what I PROMISED when I was in trouble.”    The sacrifices was for the FORGIVENESS of his sins.  When we come to God in our time of trouble or need, what do we bring?  A TRULY REPENTANT HEART would be the MOST important thing to start with.  God wants our TRUST, LOVE and FAITHFULNESS, ALL the time, not just when we are in trouble or in need.  And when we exemplify our TRUST, LOVE and FAITHFULNESS to Him and work at having a HEALTHY relationship with Him, by coming to Him EVERYDAY and spending some QUALITY time with Him in PRAYER, we will have a CLOSE, INTIMATE relationship with our Heavenly Father.

 

If you have not come to God, with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, for the FORGIVENESS of your sins, then you do NOT have a relationship with Him and He does NOT hear your prayers in time of trouble or need, unless it is a prayer of TRUE REPENTANCE.   If you have not come to Him for the SALVATION of your soul, then you are living in sin and God will NOT hear from you, unless your prayer is for your SALVATION, then will He hear from Heaven and will FORGIVE you of your sins.  You can come to Him NOW for your SALVATION 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 have a CLOSE INTIMATE relationship with Him.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Correct Measuring Stick!"

“The Correct Measuring Stick!”

 

For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.  But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.   So the one who boasts must boast in the Lord.  For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.        2 Corinthians 10:12, 17-18

 

The Apostle Paul was instructing the TRUE BELIEVERS of Corinth, about how they should measure their FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE to the Lord.  He is saying that we don’t dare compare our FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE with those who think so much of themselves, because to do so is foolishness, when they compare themselves with themselves.

 

He was cautioning them to NOT be enamored of such people who possesses such a form of self-adulation.  When in all actuality, their spiritual vitality was because of the GRACE of GOD!

 

Paul was not seeking the commendation of the Corinthians nor was he commending himself.  He knew that he would one day stand at the judgment seat of Christ, and only God’s approval will matter.  Self-commendation and the praise of man will account for NOTHING.

 

TRUE believers must not use themselves or anyone else as their MEASURING STICK.  Self-adulation and commendation is FOOLISHNESS, and when we look at our FAITHFULNESS and SERVICE to the Lord. We need NOT look at our OWN abilities and accomplishments, and brag about what we have done or compare them to anyone else’s abilities and accomplishments, and to use ourselves or others as a MEASURING STICK. 

 

If we want to brag, we need to brag about what the Lord has done, and is presently doing in and through us, not on our own abilities and accomplishments or on anybody else’s, but we can certainly brag on Jesus, because without God’s MERCY and GRACE, we are wretched, miserable, sinful, lost people with NO POSTIVE future to look forward to, and certainly NOTHING to brag or be commended on. 

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one of those people who are wretched, miserable sinful, and lost, with NO POSITIVE future to look forward to.  Only a future that will be spent in a place of torment, torture, misery, and pain, for ALL eternity, a place called Hell, which is definitely NOTHING to be commended on.  However, you can change 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 start bragging on JESUS, and ALL that He does for you, and let HIM be your MEASURING STICK.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Victory in Jesus!"

“Victory in Jesus!”

 

“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You will have suffering in this world.  Be courageous!  I have conquered the world.”          John 16:33

 

Jesus was telling His disciples that He would be leaving them and going back to Father God, but He would be sending them an Advocate, a Counselor who would teach and guide them into all the TRUTH.  This was hard for the disciples to comprehend, but Jesus continued to instruct them as to what they would encounter and He spoke plainly, not using any figurative language.  Then the disciples began to understand and believe what He was telling them.   Jesus told them these things so that they might have PEACE.  He told them they would have suffering in this world, but they were to be COURAGEOUS!  Because He has CONQUERED the world.

 

We live in a very corrupt, depraved, sinful world.  For the TRUE believer it is a monumental task to be IN the world, but NOT OF the world.  That is why we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us.  He will GUIDE us and LEAD us down the RIGHT path, IF we are SENSITIVE, SUBMISSIVE and OBEDIENT to Him.  The problem is we are not always SENSITIVE, SUBMISSIVE, or OBEDIENT to Him, and end up on the WRONG path, encountering a lot of problems. 

 

So we NEED to make ourselves SENSITIVE, SUBMISSIVE and OBEDIENT TO Him.  When we ALLOW Him to be in control of us, we can BE COURAGEOUS!  And we can TRUST Christ Jesus, and have PEACE, because He HAS CONQUERED this old, sinful, depraved and corrupt world.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are on the WRONG path, which leads to a spiritual death, torment, torture, pain and agony for all eternity in Hell.  You do not have the proper COULSELOR and GUIDE to lead you to ALL TRUTH.  But you are NOW given the opportunity to turn your life around, get on the RIGHT path, FOLLOW the GUIDANCE and LEADERSHIP of God’s Holy Spirit and BE COURAGEOUS! Because Christ has overcome the world.  

 

Come to Him with a TRULY 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 the PEACE that passes ALL understanding, that can ONLY come from Jesus Christ, who is the VICTOR and has CONQUERED the world.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

“The Steadfast Mind and a Trusting Heart”

 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.    Isaiah 26:3-4

 

Sometimes, even the mind of a TRUE believer will drift into an area that is not conducive to righteousness, and it can cause that TRUE believer to transgress against God.

 

The mind is a fertile place, where sinful thoughts and deeds are conceived, and from the mind to the heart sins are birthed, and the individual is brought to the place of decision making, to either follow their mindset and the desire of their heart or to set their mind on Jesus Christ, and the things of God and do all they can to KEEP their mind STEADFAST ON Godly things.

 

When a person has a TRUSTING heart it enables them to have a STEADFAST mind.  And because they TRUST in God, it becomes easier to have that STEDFAST mind.  The Prophet Isaiah encourages us to TRUST in the Lord FOREVER, because He is our Rock eternal.  Continually TRUST Him because He is FIRM as a rock and will not be weakened or wasted away by anything.  He is TRULY the rock on which we stand, ALL other ground is SINKING sand.

 

If you have not turned your HEART and MIND over to God, then you are standing on that SINKING sand.  And you are in grave danger of SINKING into that abyss known as Hell, the place of torment, torture, misery and pain for ALL eternity.  However, God in His infinite MERCY and GRACE is giving you the opportunity to change your destination 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 have a STEADFAST mind and a TRUSTING heart.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Running the Race!"

“Running the Race!”

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.       Hebrews 12:1-3

 

Living a Christian life is like running a race.  In this passage of Scripture, Paul is encouraging those who are TRUE believers to run their race with ENDURANCE.  He says we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, notice that he does not say they are watching us from Heaven, but we are surrounded by them.  Some believe that these are those who have been a witness to the runner, and because of their witness to the runner, the runner should “throw off” EVERYTHING that hinders and the sin that easily ENTANGLES them, and run with PERSERVANCE and ENDURANCE the race that has been marked out for them.

 

Keeping their eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of FAITH.  The night, when the Apostle Peter was in a boat and Jesus was walking on top of the water, Peter asked Jesus to let him walk across the water to Him, and Jesus called Peter out of the boat, and Peter got out of the boat and started walking across the water, but when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink, because he did not KEEP his eyes on Jesus, and his FAITH was weakened. 

 

In our race, we are at a very high risk of stumbling and falling, when we take our eyes off of Jesus, who is the SOURCE or PIONEER of our FAITH.  And our FAITH is weakened.  Some will not get up and continue the race, but will stay back and watch others run with PERSERVANCE and ENDURANCE towards the goal and prizes that have been set aside for the VICTORS.

 

Jesus endured the cross and its shame for the JOY that was before Him, the eternal throne, and then having sat down at the right hand of Father God, which signified that He had FINISHED His race with ENDURANCE and PERSERVANCE.  EVERY TRUE BELIEVER who runs the race, KEEPING their eyes on Jesus, and running with ENDURANCE and PERSERVANCE will reach their goal and share in ALL the glories of Heaven.

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are not in the race, and have NO HOPE of reaching the goal and winning the prizes, that God has waiting for you.  Instead you will be LEFT BEHIND and will reap the consequences of your sins.  Your destination will be a place called Hell, a place that is VOID of GOD, and anything that is pleasant or good, but a place of torment, torture, pain and misery for ALL eternity.  But you NOW have the opportunity to get into the race 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 run your race with ENDURANCE and PERSERVANCE, KEEPING your eyes on Jesus, and completing your race, reaching your goal and receiving your prizes.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Crucified with Christ!"

“Crucified 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.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”          Galatians 2:20-21

 

When a person comes to Christ Jesus, with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, they are willing to be crucified with Him and their old, wretched, sinful life dies, and a NEW life begins. 

 

Christ lives in them by the presence of His Holy Spirit, which indwells them.  And they begin to live by FAITH in the Son of the Living God, who gave Himself, through death on an old, rugged cross, and took the old, wretched, sinful self off the throne of their heart, and Christ, through the presence of His Holy Spirit, is NOW on that throne. 

 

The Apostle Paul says that he does NOT set aside the grace of God, because if RIGHTEOUSNESS could be obtained by obeying the law or by just doing good works then the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, on an old, rugged, cross would be in vain.  In other words, Jesus Christ would have died for NOTHING.  But in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he 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.”  (Eph. 2:8-9).   Mankind can NOT be saved by their own devices.  First, they MUST be drawn by the Holy Spirit of God, and when the Spirit draws them, they should, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, seek FORGIVENESS, and be WILLING to die to their old sinful life, which is, being “crucified with Christ,” and be ready to begin a NEW life, through FAITH, in the Son of God.  The great thing about that is the Holy Spirit immediately takes up residence in the TRUE REPENTANT HEART, and gives them what they need to obtain RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

 

Have you come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, WILLING to be crucified with Christ Jesus, dying to self and living in Him?  If NOT, you are facing an eternity in Hell, the place of torment, torture, pain, misery, and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But you NOW have the opportunity to change your direction.  Come to God with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART and CONFESS your sins to Him, asking 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 crucified with Christ and raised to a NEW life in Him through the Holy Spirit.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"The Righteous and Faithful Protector!"

“The Righteous and Faithful Protector!”

 

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.  The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.  The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.         Psalm 145:17, 18, 20

 

These verses describe the Lord God’s nature and character.  They give us a picture of Him and His characteristics.  He is RIGHTEOUS, upright and justly in ALL His ways, and FAITHFUL in ALL that He does.  There is NONE like Him, nor has there EVER been ANY like Him. 

 

He is LOVING and COMPASSIONATE.  He is TRUSTWORTHY in ALL that He promises to do.   He is NEAR to ALL who call on Him, to ALL who call on Him in TRUTH or SINCERETY, to those who are sincerely SEEKING His face. 

 

He watches over ALL who LOVE Him.  Those who have RECEIVED His free gift of SALVATION, and belong to Him.  Those who are TRUE believers, TRUE Children of His.  They are the ones that He watches over. 

 

There is coming a day when ALL the wicked will be judged for ALL their wickedness and they will be destroyed.  Those who are TRUE believers, those who have come to Father God for the cleansing of their HEARTS and SOULS will live in a NEW world that is FREE from WICKEDNESS and SIN.  A place that is full of LOVE, PEACE, and JOY EVERLASTING.  A place that is created for God’s Children ONLY. 

 

Which family are you a member of?  Satan’s family, the wicked, who God will destroy?  Or God’s family, who will live for ALL eternity WITHOUT the wickedness and sin, the pain, agony, heartache and despair.  You, NOW, have the opportunity to become a part of God’s family by coming to Him with a TRULY REPENTANT HEART, and 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 Children who will spend ALL eternity in that place of LOVE, PEACE and JOY EVERLASTING.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Honorable or Dishonorable!"

“Honorable or Dishonorable!”

 

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.          2Timothy 2:20-21

 

The Apostle Paul, throughout his ministry, had his share of problems with false teachers infiltrating the churches and leading the people astray.   In his letter to Timothy, he is encouraging Timothy to NOT get tangled up with these false teachers, he was to NOT have anything to do with them nor their ministry. 

 

So Paul used the metaphor of the contents in a large house, some were gold and silver and some were wood and clay.  The gold and silver were for HONORABLE use, but the wood and clay were for DISHONORABLE use. 

 

In our churches, we have some who are FAITHFUL, TRUE BELIEVERS and some who are UNFAITHFUL and are corrupted by the world.  They may believe they have SALVATION, but have only a head-knowledge and NOT acceptance of the HEART, and are still connected to their old life-style.  They try to mix the things of the world with the things of God, but they are contaminated by the worldly things and cannot be of HONORABLE use to the Almighty God.  Some of these wood and clay vessels may be serving or ministering in our churches, they may be in teaching or leadership positions and possibly leading some astray by teaching a FALSE doctrine.

 

We NEED to be on guard and with love and diplomacy remove the wood and clay vessels from the teaching positions and replace them with the gold and silver vessels, which are purposed for HONORABLE use.  We don’t want to be guilty of participating in FALSE teaching or of leading anyone astray.  We will be accountable to God for our actions concerning the proper use of HONORABLE or DISHONORABLE VESSELS. 

 

The souls of mankind are worth protecting MORE than trying to protect the feelings of an UNBELIEVER, who is contaminating the hearts and minds of the people with FALSE teachings.  I know that is a harsh reality, but we are given the responsibility to protect the gospel and its integrity.  The way we do that is to make SURE that our leaders and teachers are TRUE BELIEVERS. That they are HONORABLE vessels that God will be willing to use for His good pleasure.  In order for them to be HONORABLE, they MUST come to God with a TRUE repentant HEART, CONFESSING their sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that Jesus died for THEM, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God, then ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION, and be an HONORABLE vessel ready to be used by ALMIGHTY GOD.  Do it NOW, while they still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!