Tuesday, July 31, 2018

"Rescued From the Dominion of Darkness"


“Rescued From the Dominion of Darkness”

 

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.       Colossians 1:13-14

 

For the Almighty God has RESCUED those who have been FORGIVEN of their sins, from the DOMINION or POWER or AUTHORITY of DARKNESS, and brought us into the GLORIOUS KINGDOM of LIGHT.   Through the REDEMPTIVE ACT of His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, who is the IMAGE of God, and who EMBODIES the very nature of His Heavenly Father.

 

Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, and whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE. (John 8:12)  He said, “I have come into the world as a light, so no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)  

 

Ephesians 5:8 tells us that we were once DARKNESS, but NOW we are light in the Lord.  And we should LIVE as Children of Light.   Romans 13:12 says that the night is nearly over; the day is almost here.  So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  The Apostle Paul was referring to the Return of Christ, when the consummation of time will come and those who live in darkness will be judged for their sins, and he encourages the TRUE BELIEVERS to NOT indulge in sinful activities, but to “put on the ARMOR of LIGHT,” doing the things that are RIGHTEOUS and GOOD. 

 

We have VICTORY through the fact that “the Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has NOT overcome it.  (John 1:5).  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are living in the DOMINION of DARKNESS, and you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS.  But God is giving you the opportunity NOW to come out of the DARKNESS and into the LIGHT.   You do that by; TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE 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 you must ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let Him RESCUE YOU FROM THE DOMINION OF DARKNESS, and to bring you into THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Monday, July 30, 2018

"The Day of Judgment"

“The Day of Judgment”
 
Since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.   They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, and when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.      2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
 
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the TRUE BELIEVERS in Thessalonica, tells them that their sufferings and persecutions were a demonstration of the JUSTICE of God.   God will balance the scales of JUSTICE.  He will give out AFFLICTION to those who AFFLICTED them.  And this is applicable to those who brings AFFLICTION upon the TRUE BELIEVERS of today.   God is JUST.
 
God will bring relief to those who are afflicted, when the LORD Jesus is revealed from heaven, with His mighty angels in FLAMING FIRE, and will inflict vengeance on two groups of people, those who do NOT KNOW God, and those who do not OBEY the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is NOT the RAPTURE, but it is the SECOND COMING, when Christ comes to set up His Kingdom.  
 
Because of their REJECTION of God’s GRACE, they will be PUNISHED, with a PUNISHMENT that is EVERLASTING or ENDLESS.  They will NOT be annihilated nor is the punishment temporary.  They will experience their affliction continually and will be FULLY CONSCIOUS throughout.  They will experience PAIN, AGONY, HEARTACHE, TORTURE, TORMENT, and DESPAIR.  They will be FOREVER SHUT OUT from the Lord’s presence and His might.  
 
The Lord Jesus will DESTROY the armies of Armageddon that will be gathered against Him.   Then will come the time of JUDGMENT, known as the Day of Judgment when those, Jews and Gentile who are living will be JUDGED.   We do not KNOW when this will take place, but we are assured that it WILL HAPPEN.  ARE YOU READY? 
 
You have the opportunity NOW to escape JUDGMENT for your sins.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you will face the JUDGMENT and PUNISHMENT for your sinful lifestyle.  In order to ESCAPE HELL, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, 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 you MUST accept His gift of SALVATION and ESCAPE the DAY of JUDGMENT and ETERNAL PUNISHMENT, and GAIN HEAVEN and ALL of its GLORIES.     Do this NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!
 
 

Saturday, July 28, 2018

"Improper Behavior"


“Improper Behavior”

 

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   For of this you can be sure:  No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a person is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.         Ephesians 5:3-5

 

God’s Word gives us a CLEAR and CONCISE description of the PROPER and IMPROPER BEHAVIOR of a TRUE BELIEVER.  In these verses, the Apostle Paul is giving instructions to the Believers in Ephesus, concerning their behavior and the IMPORTANCE of not conducting themselves IMPROPERLY.

 

He tells them NOT to have even a HINT of sexual immorality, or ANY kind of impurity, or greed in their lifestyle, because it is IMPROPER for God’s holy people to conduct themselves in such a manner.  He goes a little further, by saying they should not be guilty of using obscenities, foolish talk or coarse joking.  Obscenities are filthy, vulgar, shameful, profane words, which is not PROPER language for a TRUE CHILD of God.   Foolish talk is using “stupid words”.   Coarse joking is participating in OFF-COLOR or DIRTY, VULGAR jokes.  All these things are IMPROPER BEHAVIOR for the TRUE BELIEVER.

 

In verse five, Paul issues somewhat of a warning.  “NO immoral, impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, because they put other things before God, has ANY inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.  In other words those who PRACTICE such evil deeds will NOT be a part of God’s Kingdom.  

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, and are participating in any of these evil deeds, STOP IT!!  It is IMPROPER BEHAVIOR and will bring God’s anger upon you.  He will CHASTISE those who belong to Him.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God and sexual immorality, indecency or greed is part of your lifestyle, you will NOT have an ETERNITY in Heaven, but you WILL spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a TRUE BELIEVER with an inheritance and an ETERNITY in Heaven.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, July 27, 2018

"Troubled By My Sin"


“Troubled By My Sin”

 

Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.  My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.  I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.   Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.

Psalm 38:3, 4, 8, 18, 15

 

God’s hand was heavy on King David, who was suffering, both physically and spiritually.  God’s anger was against David because of PERSONAL SIN, which brought about his SUFFERING.  Because of this sin David had lost his health and his physical strength and abilities.   He KNEW what the problem was, and the GUILT of his transgression was taking its toll on him.  It only added to his PHYSICAL problems, now his GUILT was becoming a burden too heavy for him to bear.   He was CRUSHED in body and spirit.  And SUFFERED from ANGUISH of the HEART.  This is what SIN does.  It takes its toll on a person and RAVAGES both BODY and SPIRIT.  There is no RELIEF until CONFESSION is made.  And then the person STILL MUST SUFFER the consequences of their sins.

 

David KNEW that he MUST CONFESS his sin.  It TROUBLED his HEART and WEAKENED his spirit.  Have you ever had anything TROUBLE your HEART?  Maybe your HEART is TROUBLED by your sin, just like David.  David had CONFIDENCE in the LORD.  He KNEW that when he CONFESSED his sin to God, He would HEAR DAVID and David had the ASSURANCE that God would ANSWER and DELIVER him from his plight.  This doesn’t mean that David did not SUFFER because of his sin, but the ANGUISH of his TROUBLED HEART was replaced with God’s PEACE.  

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, who is SUFFERING from a personal sin.  And your TROUBLED in your HEART.  You, like David, need to CONFESS, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, that sin.  Then WAIT on the LORD to RESTORE your FELLOWSHIP with Him, and He will bring PEACE to your TROUBLED HEART.  

 

If you have never given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are living a dangerous lifestyle, one that will bring you HEARTACHE, AGONY and DESPAIR, at some time or another, you will SUFFER from the effects of your sinful lifestyle.  You are also headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order for you to ESCAPE HELL, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, asking God 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 you MUST ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE Hell and GAIN Heaven, and let God bring PEACE to your TROUBLED HEART.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

"Acknowledgement + Confession = Forgiveness"


“Acknowledgement + Confession = Forgiveness”

 

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”  And you forgave the guilt of my sin.         Psalm 32:5

 

The formula for the FORGIVENESS of our sins is really quite simple.  The first thing that a person needs to do is to be led by the Holy Spirit.  Then when the Spirit brings CONVICTION to the HEART of that person, they need to ACKNOWLEDGE that they are a SINNER, guilty of living a sinful lifestyle, then they need to CONFESS those sins to God, naming them and taking the blame for committing them, and being SORRY for living in such a way. 

 

In 1 John 1:9, we are told that; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”   Then we have God’s FORGIVENESS and can, with certainty KNOW that we are His Child and will have an ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN with Him.   Psalm 32:2 says:  “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”   When we ACKNOWLEDGE and CONFESS our sins to God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, He is FAITHFUL to FORGIVE us of our sins and will PURIFY us from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.  In other words He will FORGIVE ALL our sins, PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.  

 

Do you have the ASSURANCE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN or are you destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, heartache, agony, pain and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE?   The ONLY way for you to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, is to follow the formula for FORGIVENESS.    When the Holy Spirit brings conviction into your HEART, then you must ACKNOWLEDGE your sins, and CONFESSS your sins to God asking Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then BELIEVEVING with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God.   Then you MUST ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION and GAIN an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

"Do NOT Give Up!"


“Do NOT Give Up!”

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.   Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.         Galatians 6:9-10

 

The Apostle Paul was persistent in ENCOURAGING the churches to be STEADFAST in their service for the Lord.  And we can see that in these verses of God’s Holy Word.  Paul tells the people to NOT become WEARY in doing GOOD , because in due time they would REAP a HARVEST.  He wasn’t talking about crops, but about the HARVEST of SOULS. 

 

Sometimes it can be FRUSTRATING and seem like the HARVEST will never come.   But Paul says; “Do NOT give up!”  We are to persevere because the REAPING will come in God’s proper time.  And it may not be fully accomplished in this lifetime, but will be in its FULLNESS in the life to come at the Judgment Seat of Christ.   “So DO NOT GIVE UP!”  Continue to do the good deeds to ALL PEOPLE, even those who we might consider our enemies. 

 

In Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, he instructs them to feed their enemy, “if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” He told them, “Do not be OVERCOME by EVIL, but OVERCOME EVIL with GOOD.”    (Rom. 12:20-21)

 

LIVING and SERVING God is NOT an EASY road to travel, but at the end, if you have been STEADFAST, FAITHFUL and have NOT GIVEN UP in DOING GOOD to others, even to those who belong to the family of believers.   And even when it’s inconvenient, we should PRESS ON and receive PRIZE that awaits us on the other side.   Are you ready?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and you do a lot of GOOD for others, and you think that would get you a place in Heaven.  That is NOT what would happen.  Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, and no man can come to the Father, but by Me.”    (John 14:6)  Which means that you MUST come by the Way of the Cross.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then 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 you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and START preparing for an ETERNITY in Heaven, by doing GOOD for OTHERS, and DO NOT GIVE UP.  Do this NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Saturday, July 21, 2018

"Hate Evil and Rejoice in the Lord!"


“Hate Evil and Rejoice in the Lord!”

 

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.   Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.   Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.                        Psalm 97:10-12

 

This Psalm is based on a vision of the Psalmist, who envisioned the Lord Jesus coming in splendor to RULE and JUDGE the enemies of the cross.  He encourages the TRUE BELIEVERS to HATE EVIL, in other words, they SHOULD live in FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE to the Lord God.  The Apostle John tells us that we SHOULD NOT love the world nor the things of the world.  And if anyone does love the world, love for the Father is NOT in them.  (1 John 2:15)  This is because the desires of the world are EVIL, and will one day PASS AWAY, but those who do the WILL of GOD will live FOREVER.

 

The Psalmist enlightens the TRUE BELIEVER, with facts of God’s GOODNESS towards His Children.  He GUARDS the lives of His FAITHFUL ONES and DELIEVERS them from the hand of the wicked.  And LIGHT SHINES on the RIGHTEOUS, meaning they will be BLESSED with SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY.  And those who have a PURE, UPRIGHT HEART will be BLESSED with UNENDING JOY. 

 

So the Psalmist exhorts the TRUE BELIEVERS to REJOICE in the LORD and PRAISE His HOLY NAME.  NOW, is the time for the TRUE BELIEVERS to HATE EVIL, and LIVE in FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE to the Lord God, and to REJOICE in the LORD, and PRAISE His HOLY NAME.  I pray this is the case for EACH TRUE BELIEVER.  FLEE from EVIL and RUN to GOD!

 

If you are NOT a TRUE BELIEVER, then you are practicing the WORLDLY DESIRES and are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, you will NOT experience the ETERNAL JOY that awaits those who live in FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE to the Lord.  But you WILL experience ETERNAL torment, torture, heartache, agony, pain, and despair, in your ETERNAL HOME called HELL, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God has a plan for those who are WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyles and TURN TO Him, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  The plan is that you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. Then BELIEIVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and HATE EVIL and REJOICE in the LORD.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Friday, July 20, 2018

"A Sacrifice of Praise"


“A Sacrifice of Praise”

 

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a SACRIFICE of PRAISE---the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.      Hebrews 13:15

 

Here are some reasons that a TRUE CHILD of the Living God should CONTINUALLY offer a SACRIFICE of PRAISE to Him.  Because of:  His SAVING POWER:  Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.    Psalm 54:1

Surely God is my SALVATION; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my SALVATION.      Isaiah 12:2

His MERCY:  Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.   Psalm 25:6

His GRACE:  Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.      Hebrews 4:16

His RIGHTEOUSNESS:  I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.     Psalm 7:17

His GOODNESS:  I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.    Psalm 54:6

His TRUSTWORTHINESS:  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.     Psalm 9:10    

His UNFAILING LOVE and FAITHFULNESS:  I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness.      Psalm 138:2a       For I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.      Psalm 26:3

His MAJESTY:  Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!      Psalm 8:9

His HOLINESS:  Sing the praises of the Lord, you His faithful people; praise His holy name.

His GLORY:   Sing the glory of His name; make praise glorious.  Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!”         Psalm 66:2, 3a

His PROTECTION:   May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.      Psalm 20:1

His VICTORY:  Now this I know:  The Lord gives victory to His anointed.         Psalm 20:6

His ETERNAL BEING:  Trust in the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.       Isaiah 26:4

These are some of the reasons we should CONTINUALLY offer a SACRIFICE of PRAISE to the Living God.   If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you are NOT a TRUE CHILD of His.  And you cannot enter into an ETERNITY in Heaven, but will enter into an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL of its HORRORS.  In order to GAIN Heaven and ESCAPE Hell, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, 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 you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and start offering a CONTINUAL SACRIFICE of PRAISE, from NOW through ETERNITY.   Do this NOW, while you still can He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2018

"Wonderful Assurance"


“Wonderful Assurance”

 

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.  For,

“In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.”   And,

“But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.         Hebrews 10:36-39

 

The writer of Hebrews, is speaking to the TRUE BELIEVERS, who had experienced insults and persecution, and GREAT conflict full of suffering.  He now is giving them WONDERFUL ASSURANCE, so that they might PRESS ON and NOT SHRINK BACK, or GIVE UP in their life’s journey. 

 

He encourages them to CONTINUE to do the WILL of God, by PERSEVERING, and to PRESS ON to the PRIZE that awaits them.   He gives them the WONDERFUL ASSURANCE that the SUFFERINGS they had ENDURED, was an INDICATION that they were TRULY BORN AGAIN. 

 

He gave them the WONDERFUL ASSURANCE of the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST, and those who had put their FAITH in Jesus Christ would LIVE by FAITH.   They would not “SHRINK or DRAW BACK” as those whose FAITH was WEAK and they refrained from doing the will of God, and will NOT receive any rewards.  Or even as those who were NOT really saved to begin with.  Those who ENDURE this life with GREAT FAITH, will NOT be ASHAMED, when Jesus Christ returns.

 

Those who have REFRAINED from doing God’s will, and whose faith is WEAK, and they “SHRINK BACK from following God’s plan for their life, they will be SO ASHAMED at the RETURN of Christ.  They will NOT receive the rewards that they should have, because they did NOT LIVE BY FAITH.

 

Those who have REJECTED Jesus Christ, and have NOT TRULY given their HEART and LIFE to God, will face JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION, and will be sentenced to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell and to GAIN an ETERNITY in Heaven.  You MUST be WILLING to LIVE by FAITH, by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and LIVE by FAITH, and GAIN an ETERNITY in Heaven, and REAP your REWARDS.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

"What Kind of Spirit Abides in Your?"


“What Kind of Spirit Abides in You?”

 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.      1Timothy 1:7

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, then you have received the Holy Spirit of the Living God.  He is the Spirit of POWER, LOVE and SELF-CONTROL.  He is the Spirit of WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, COUNSEL and MIGHT, of KNOWLEDGE and the FEAR of the LORD.  (Isa. 11:2)  And if you LIVE in the Spirit, you will experience His attributes, at some time or another.  

 

It is AWESOMELY AMAZING to know that God’s Spirit indwells us and when we are SUBMISSIVE to Him we will have the JOY of His POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL, along with His WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, COUNSEL AND MIGHT, also, His KNOWLEDGE and the FEAR or AWE of the LORD, which works in us to make us PLEASING and ACCEPTABLE to God. 

 

Another act of God’s Holy Spirit is that He Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are Children of God.  In other words, He gives us the ASSURANCE we NEED to KNOW that WE KNOW, that we belong to God.  (Romans 8:16)

 

However, for those who have REJECTED God’s gift of SALVATION, they do NOT have His Holy Spirit indwelling them, but they have the evil spirits of the devil, which brings, hatred, heartache, agony, jealousy, envy, pride, dissention, fear, despondency, arrogance, rage, uncontrolled fits of anger and despair, just to name a few of the attributes of the evil spirits. 

 

Evil and wickedness, will NOT enter Heaven, but will spend ALL of ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING TORMENT, TORTURE, HEARTACHE, PAIN, AGONY and DESPAIR.   If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then that is the place you will spend your ETERNITY.   So I ask you again, “What Kind of Spirit Abides in You?”  You can receive the Holy Spirit of the Living God, if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.   Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE His Holy Spirit, and experience His AWESOME attributes, and GAIN Heaven and be set FREE from an ETERNITY in HELL.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Saturday, July 14, 2018

"The Perfect Sacrifice"


“The Perfect Sacrifice”

 

Nor did He enter Heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not His own.  Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world.  But He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.  Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.       Hebrews 9:25-28

 

In Old Testament times, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer were sprinkled on those who were ceremonially unclean to sanctify them so they were OUTWARDLY clean.  These sacrifices were insufficient, and had to be done more than once.  But Jesus Christ, the UNBLEMISHED, PERFECT SACRIFICE, cleanses our CONSCIENCES from the very acts that leads to death.  We MUST DIE to the flesh in order to serve the LIVING GOD.

 

Jesus Christ appeared ONCE for ALL at the end of the Old Testament era, to be the ULTIMATE, PERFECT SACRIFICE for all mankind.  Just as it is appointed to mankind to die ONCE and then to face judgment, so it was for Christ to be SACRIFICED ONCE to take away the sins of many.  And when He returns a second time, it will not be to bear sin, but He will bring the fullness of SALVATION to its climax for those who are WAITING for Him.

 

In order to be FORGIVEN of your sins, and to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God, and to not have to face JUDGMENT, and to GAIN an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, with all its HORRORS, you MUST ACCEPT and NOT REJECT Jesus Christ as your PERFECT SACRIFICE.  You do that by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be EXCITED about the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST.  And GAIN an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Friday, July 13, 2018

"Hold On!"


“Hold On!”

 

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

 

One thing I need to point out, at the very beginning, is that the writer of Hebrews, is talking to TRUE BELIEVERS.  Notice that he calls his readers, “brothers and sisters.”  TRUE BELIEVERS, can and sometimes do fall to temptation.  And here, our writer of Hebrews is issuing a WARNING to the TRUE BELIEVERS to NOT have a SINFUL, UNBELIEVING HEART that TURNS AWAY from the living God. 

 

Sin can have a STRONG HOLD on a person’s HEART, and it seems that the old devil is hard at work trying to get TRUE BELIEVERS to stumble and fall back into their old, sinful, unbelieving lifestyle.  He, the devil, cannot take your SALVATION from you, but he can and will RUIN your testimony and your effectiveness as a CHILD of God.  King David is a perfect example of a man after God’s own heart, yet he fell into temptation, and I believe that he is alive in Heaven, today, because of his REPENTANT HEART. 

 

The writer gives us instructions on how we can STAY FAITHFUL to God, and flee from the temptation.  He tells us to ENCOURAGE one another DAILY, as long as it is called “Today.”  This will STRENGTHEN our ability to OVERCOME our weaknesses, and to keep us from being HARDENED by sin’s deceitfulness. 

 

If we hold to our ORIGINAL CONVICTION FIRMLY, we will continue to SHARE in Christ.  And will be able to reap rewards for our FAITHFULNESS to God and His Word.  How about YOU?  Are you a TRUE BELIEVER in the LORD JESUS CHRIST?   Have you TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to God? 

 

He is giving you the opportunity NOW, to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS and to GAIN and ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL of its BLESSINGS.  But you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your Heart, that Jesus died for YOU and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE HELL, GAIN HEAVEN and REAP your REWARDS.   Do this NOW, “TODAY, “while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, July 12, 2018

"Walking in Obedience"


“Walking in Obedience”

 

And this is love; that we walk in obedience to His commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.       2 John 1:6

 

To WALK in OBEDIENCE means to LIVE in OBEDIENCE to God’s commands.  We, as TRUE BELIEVERS, should strive to be OBEDIENT to ALL of God’s commands.  One of His commands is that we LOVE ONE ANOTHER, you might ask yourself; “exactly what does that mean?”  It means that we should LOVE each other with a godly love, which is a love that truly seeks the BEST for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

This is done by WALKING IN LOVE, meaning to LIVE with a GODLY LOVE for one another, which is what God commands.  Any other type of LOVE is not without flaws and actions that are tainted by fleshly desires.  Godly LOVE, however, is pure, unadulterated, and can only come from the Holy Spirit of the Living God.  So when we LOVE ONE ANOTHER we are then OBEDIENT to His command and WALKING in OBEDIENCE or LIVING in OBEDIENCE.  What a difference it would make in our world, which is plagued with HATRED, DISCORD, and SELFISHNESS, if we would WALK in OBEDIENCE to the ALMIGHTY GOD.

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, my question for you is; “are you WALKING in OBEDIENCE to God’s commands?”  Especially, the command for His Children to LOVE one another?  If you are NOT a TRUE BELIEVER, one who has NOT given their HEART and LIFE to God, you cannot WALK in OBEDIENCE to Him, because you are living a sinful life, which means that you are living in DISOBEDIENCE and are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY OF ESCAPE, unless you TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and WALK in OBEDIENCE to Him and His commands and ESCAPE HELL and GAIN HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

"The Testimony of God"


“The Testimony of God”

 

And this is the testimony:  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.                                      1 John 5:11-12

 

In some churches we are asked to “stand and testify,” which means to tell others what the Lord has done for you, that is, if you have given your HEART and LIFE to Him.  Every TRUE BELIEVER has a TESTIMONY, and SHOULD SHARE it with EVERYONE they come in contact with.  God’s testimony is GREATER than any human testimony, because without God’s testimony, we wouldn’t have one. 

 

God’s testimony is, that He offers ETERNAL LIFE to ALL PEOPLE, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  If you have ACCEPTED God’s gift of SALVATION, through His Son, then you have ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, but if you do NOT ACCEPT His gift, you do NOT have ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, but you will spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, the place of ETERNAL TORMENT, TORTURE, HEARTACHE, PAIN, AGONY and DESPAIR. 

 

If you believe in the Son of God, you will ACCEPT and BELIEVE God’s testimony.  But if you do NOT BELIEVE and ACCEPT God’s testimony, you make Him out to be a LIAR, and you will be JUDGED, CONDEMNED and SENTENCED to an ETERNITY in Hell.  You will not receive ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  Will you ACCEPT and BELIEVE God’s testimony, and receive ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven?

 

In order to ACCEPT and BELIEVE God’s testimony, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sins, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.   Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

"Where is Your HOPE?"


“Where is Your HOPE?”

 

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths.  Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.         Psalm 25:4-5

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.  May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You.       Psalm 33:20-22

 

The Psalmist emphatically proclaims that his HOPE is in God.  In Psalm twenty-five, verses four and five, he is imploring the Lord God to SHOW, GUIDE and TEACH him, God’s WAYS, PATHS, and TRUTHS.   He is asking God to do these things because he KNOWS that God is his SAVIOR, and the only way for him to LIVE for God is to be SHOWN His WAYS, to be TAUGHT His PATHS, and to be GUIDED and TAUGHT God’s TRUTHS.  This was his desire, because his HOPE was continually in the ALMIGHTY GOD.

 

When we face problems, or going through difficult times, we generally call on our friends and relatives to PRAY for us.  And the reason is because we KNOW that God is our ONLY HOPE.  For the TRUE BELIEVER, we WAIT for the Lord, because we BELIEVE that He is our HELP and our SHIELD, and we can put our TRUST in Him.  But for the UNBELIEVER, God does NOT hear their prayers, because they have not given their HEART and LIFE to Him, and there is UNCONFESSED sins in their Heart.  But because of His UNFAILING LOVE, if they will TURN AWAY FROM their sins and TURN TO Him and CONFESS their sins to Him, asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that JESUS died for THEM, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.   They MUST ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION, then He will HEAR this PRAYER of REPENTANCE and any other prayers they offer, as long as they CONFESS their sins FIRST, then they too, like the Psalmist, can proclaim; “my HOPE is in YOU all day long.”   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

"The Proper Mindset"


“The Proper Mindset”

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things.           Philippians 4:8

 

This verse of Scripture is part of the Apostle Paul’s final exhortations to the TRUE BELIEVERS in Philippi.  Here, Paul is encouraging them to have the PROPER MINDSET.  Their MINDSET will guide their ACTIONS.   Have you ever watched the News, and wondered; “What in the world are they thinking?”  The world today is teetering on chaos, because of the many different MINDSETS.   And those who have the POWER to do something, tries to set the minds of others in THEIR direction.

 

I guess that this is TRUE in just about all facets of life, such as; relationships, business deals, legal matters, etc.  But the Apostle Paul gives us the PROPER MINDSET, especially, for the TRUE BELIEVER.  He tells us that our minds should be set on, “whatever is true”, in other words, we should THINK about things that are HONEST and RELIABLE.   Our minds should be set on, “whatever is noble,” meaning things that are HONORABLE and DIGNIFIED.  And “whatever is right,” or things that are JUST and CORRECT.  We should set our minds on, “whatever is pure, things that are WHOLESOME and free from MORAL IMPURITIES.  The last two mindsets, which Paul mentioned were; “whatever is lovely, things that promotes PEACE and rejects CONFLICTS.  Lastly Paul asks that our minds be set on, “whatever is admirable, things that are POSITIVE and CONSTRUCTIVE.  And Paul ends with, “if ANYTHING is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY---think about such things.”  He is indicating that ALL of these mindsets are EXCELLENT and PRAISEWORTHY.  

 

Very few in our world, today, are in tune to ALL of these mindsets.  There is TROUBLE, TURMOIL, HEARTACHE, ANXIETY and DESPAIR, all around us, mainly due to IMPROPER MINDSETS.  We can make a BIG DIFFERENCE, if we will ALL work at having the PROPER MINDSETS.   You can start by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.   Then you MUST ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION, and ALLOW His HOLY SPIRIT to HELP you with the PROPER MINDSETS.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Saturday, July 7, 2018

"The Complexity of Mankind"


“The Complexity of Mankind”

 

What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?        Psalm 8:4

The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.                                               1 Corinthians 15:42-44

 

When people are conceived in their mother’s womb they have TWO parts, NATURAL and SPIRITUAL.  The part that is formed first is the NATURAL part.  Verse forty-six says. “The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.”  The NATURAL body is PERISHABLE, but the SPIRITUAL body is IMPERSHABLE. 

 

When the child is conceived in the womb, it is conceived with a SINFUL NATURE, it is conceived with WEAKNESS, and is TEMPORAL, and IMPERFECT.  So God provided the SPIRITUAL part of a human being, in order for them to be changed from PERISHABLE to IMPERISHABLE, because; “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”  (V 50)  

 

This is where the SPIRITUAL part comes in.  During the resurrection of the dead, those who belong to Jesus Christ, will have their PERISHABLE NATURAL body changed to IMPERISHABLE, and it will be raised a SPIRITUAL BODY that will be raised in GLORY and POWER.  Those who are ALIVE, when Christ comes to get His TRUE CHILDREN, they will be INSTANTLY TRANSFORMED with their NEW SPIRITUAL BODY. 

 

However, this is NOT the case for those who CONTINUALLY REJECT God’s gift of SALVATION, those who are UNBELIEVERS.  They will be SPIRITUALLY DEAD and will spend their ETERNITY in HELL, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, heartache agony and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE.   Is this your destiny?  It doesn’t have to be, if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, 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 you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and look forward to a NEW SPIRITUAL BODY that will spend an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!