Tuesday, October 30, 2018

"Those Who Love Me"


“Those Who Love Me”

 

“If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”      John 14:15

“Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me.  My Father will love those who love me; I too will love them and reveal myself to them.”        John 14:21

 

When a person is DEEPLY, TRULY in LOVE with someone, they will try their BEST to say and do what they believe that person wants and expects of them.   Jesus tells His disciples:  “IF you LOVE Me, you WILL OBEY my commandments.”  The type of TRUE LOVE a BORN AGAIN, TRUE BELIEVER has is manifested by their OBEDIENCE to Christ’s commands or words. 

 

I think that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew, chapter five, is a very good and concise example of how the TRUE BELIEVER SHOULD OBEY Him, and would TRULY be a MANFESTATION of the TRUE BELIEVER’S LOVE for His SAVIOR.   It also would HELP the TRUE BELIEVER to GROW in their FAITH.  And to have a CLOSER RELATIONSHIP with God and His Beloved Son.   

 

This does NOT indicate a “WORKS” type religion, but it MANIFESTS the TRUE BELIEVER’S LOVE and OBEDIENCE to Jesus Christ and His words.  The REWARD for doing this is BEING LOVED by GOD, the FATHER, and the Son. And Jesus says He will show Himself to the TRUE BELIEVER, this is done through the work of the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer, at the time of SALVATION.  SAVING FAITH is the result of OBEDIENCE, which comes from FAITH in the ONLY ONE who can give you SALVATION and an ETERNITY in Heaven. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you are on your way to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY from HELL to HEAVEN, you MUST FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and SHOW your LOVE for Christ, by being OBEDIENT to His commands.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Monday, October 29, 2018

"Serve With a Willing and Eager Heart"

“Serve With a Willing and Eager Heart””
 
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them---not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.       1 Peter 5:2-4
 
I realize that these verses of Scripture are intended for pastors or the UNDERSHEPHERDS.  However, as I was reading these verses, a little voice spoke to me, and this is what it said:  “Wouldn’t it be AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL if ALL of God’s BORN-AGAIN CHILDREN, followed these instructions, in their SERVICE to Him.  Can you imagine what an AWESOME IMPACT that would make on this SIN-SICK, WICKED WORLD?”
 
We may not be called to be a PASTOR or to shepherd one of God’s flocks, but we are CALLED to be a SERVANT of the LIVING GOD.  One who SHOULD BE WILLING to server God with a TRUE SERVANT’S HEART.  Not one who is SERVING with a SELFISH HEART, and says, in so many words, “What’s in it for ME?”   They SHOULD BE EAGER to SERVE, and NOT be EGOTISTICAL, LORDING over others, who might be NEW in their FAITH.  We, who are God’s TRUE CHILDREN, must be an EXAMPLE to those that God entrusts us with.  We MUST NOT BE a STUMBLING BLOCK. 
 
We MUST PRAY, ENCOURAGE, TEACH, and SET the EXAMPLE before them.  And do it with a WILLING and EAGER HEART.  Our ATTITUDE NEEDS to be one of LOVE and COMPASSION.  The problem being is that MANY prefer to be the recipient of the SERVICE and NOT the SERVANT.  Where is your station, in your relationship with God?  Are you SERVING Him WILLINGLY, and with an EAGER HEART?  Or are you waiting for someone to be YOUR SERVANT?    Do you have an UNLOVING ATTITUDE?  What is your TRUE MOTIVE for SERVING God?
 
Peter tells us that if the ones who SHEPHERD God’s flocks like they SHOULD, when the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, returns they will receive the Crown of GLORY that will NEVER FADE AWAY.   Where does your TRUE ALLEGIANCE LIE, with God? Or with your OWN SELFISH SCHEMES? 
 
If you are MORE concerned with what you can GAIN than your SERVICE to the ALMIGHTY GOD, then you MAY NEED to check your SALVATION.  In order to have a TRUE SALVATION EXPERIENCE you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and SERVE HIM with a WILLING and EAGER HEART, and become a TRUE SERVANT of the LIVING GOD.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Saturday, October 27, 2018

"The End Is Near"


“The End Is Near”

 

The end of all things is near.  Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.      1 Peter 4:7-8

 

The Apostle Peter, felt that the END of ALL things was CLOSE, in his time.  I believe that WE are living in the LAST DAYS.  One indication of this feeling is what the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2:7; “For the secret power of LAWLESSNESS is already at work.”  We can definitely see this happening in this nation.  With all the attacks on our different LAW ENFORCEMENT agencies and personnel.  Even some politicians are advocating acts of LAWLESSNESS.  Some states have taken things that USED to be AGAINST the law and made it LAWFUL.  Peter and Paul felt that the END of ALL things was NEAR in their time.  I wonder how they would feel, if they were living in our time.

 

The Apostle Peter, gives his readers instructions on how to live in these LAST DAYS.  He says to be ALERT and of a SOBER mind in order to be able to PRAY like we should.   PRAYER is a LIFELINE to the FATHER.  We, as TRUE BELIEVERS need to utilize this LIFELINE as often as possible.  We NEED to be ALERT to what is happening, NOT ONLY in our own environment, but also ALL AROUND us.  And we NEED to PRAY with a SOBER or SERIOUS, SOUND MIND.  We NEED to be SELF-CONTROLLED and able to have SERIOUS, CLEAR-MINDED communication with our Heavenly Father.

 

Peter tells us to LOVE each other DEEPLY, indicating a LOVE that should be, if needed, SACRIFICAL in nature.  It should be a LOVE that is FORGIVING, NOT CONDEMNING.  This type of LOVE COVERS a MULTITUDE of sins.   This type of LOVE is characteristic of God’s LOVE for mankind.   It is a SACRIFICAL and a FORGIVING LOVE. He GAVE His Only Begotten Son to DIE for ALL mankind. To COVER the MULTITUDE of sins and to PROVIDE SALVATION for ALL.  That they might have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  Do YOU have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God?  Are YOU READY for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST?

 

If your answer is “NO” to these questions, you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  You don’t KNOW what the future holds for you.  You haven’t been given a contract, stating how long you’ll live or guaranteeing a PROSPEROUS future.  You aren’t promised tomorrow.  What will be your DESTINY?  God has a PLAN for ALL mankind.  It says if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus Christ died for YOU and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and BE READY for His RETURN, because of your RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Friday, October 26, 2018

"Doing Evil"


“Doing Evil”

 

For “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.   They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”      1 Peter 3:10-12

 

We live in a world that is drenched in EVIL.  It is all around us.  But, just because we live in an EVIL environment, we DO NOT have to PARTICIPATE in it.  We, who are TRUE CHILDREN of the Living God, must NOT blend in with the world, by DOING the EVIL that is so prevalent, in this day and age.  John tells us:  “Do NOT love the world or ANYTHING in the world.  If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is NOT in them.” (1 John 2:15)

 

If the TRUE CHILD of God hopes to LOVE LIFE and SEE GOOD days, they MUST do certain things to HELP PREVENT EVIL from invading their HEART and SHATTERING their relationship with the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD of this Universe.   Peter tells us these things about DOING EVIL.  First, he tells us to KEEP our TONGUE from evil and our LIPS from DECEITFUL SPEECH.  Don’t tell LIES, GOSSIP, or SLANDER, don’t take the Lord God’s name in vain, and don’t use EVIL language.

 

The Child of God MUST TURN FROM EVIL and DO GOOD; they MUST SEEK PEACE, and not be an instigator of HATE and PRONE to STIR UP TROUBLE.  Verse eleven says, they MUST SEEK and PURSUE PEACE.  That means it is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE to PROMOTE PEACE and NOT DESTROY it.  If you are a TRUE CHILD of God, then you MUST REFRAIN from DOING EVIL and REMAIN being RIGHTEOUS in God’s sight.  Because, His eyes are on the RIGHTEOUS and He is ATTENTIVE, LISTENING to their prayers.  But His face is AGAINST those who are DOING EVIL.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and you are DOING the EVIL things in this world, you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY, you MUST TURN AWAY from DOING EVIL and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU.  And that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and STOP DOING EVIL and make DOING GOOD a part of your NEW LIFE in Christ.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Thursday, October 25, 2018

"Grow Up!"

"
“Grow Up!”

 

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.       1 Peter 2:1-2

 

The Apostle Peter, admonishes the Child of God to get RID of ALL the things that used to exemplify their old sinful nature.  Things, such as:  MALICE, which is ill-will, the desire to harm another person,  DECEIT, deliberate DISHONESTY,  HYPOCRISY, pretending to be what one is NOT, ENVY, being discontent, wanting what someone else has, SLANDER, telling lies about someone that would harm their reputation or character.  These are just a few characteristics of a person who has NOT given their HEART and LIFE to God, and is LOST and DYING in their SIN, bound for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE. 

 

When a person is drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ for the SALVATION of their soul, they NEED to RID themselves of their OLD SINFUL actions, and as NEWBORN BABIES, they SHOULD HUNGER AFTER the PURE SPIRITUAL MILK, which is the LIVING WORD of the LIVING GOD.  In order to GROW from a BABY to an ADULT you NEED FOOD.  It is the same with GROWING and MATURING as a CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  This GROWTH is done through the STUDY of God’s Word, and UNDERSTANDING what it is SAYING.  This is done through the work of the HOLY SPIRIT and the local, BIBLE-BELIVING, BIBLE-TEACHING, CHURCH. 

 

When the NEWBORN BABE in CHRIST is FAITHFUL to the PREACHING and TEACHING of the WORD of GOD, they will GROW-UP in their SALVATION.  And they will be READY for the culmination of their SALVATION.  It will be like GRADUATION DAY!

 

Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God?  Are you His Child, ready and willing to GROW-UP in your SALVATION?  If you ARE, then BE FAITHFUL to LEARNING and GROWING in the WORD of the LIVING GOD.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to change your DESTINY, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start GROWING-UP in your SALVATION.  Do this NOW, while you still can. He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

"Being Ready For the Return of Jesus Christ"


“Being Ready For the Return of Jesus Christ”

 

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming.   As obedient Children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:  “Be holy, because I am holy.”        1 Peter 1:13-16

 

As TRUE BELIEVERS, TRUE CHILDREN of the LIVING GOD, we SHOULD be in PREPARATION for the RETURN of Jesus Christ.   The FIRST thing we NEED is the PREPARATION of the mind.  In PREPARING our minds, we should practice OBEDIENCE, which is a CONSCIOUS act of the will, or a WILLINGNESS to obey.  Through the act of OBEDIENCE, the TRUE BELIEVER’S mind will be ALERT and FULLY SOBER, or showing MENTAL and EMOTIONAL BALANCE.  They NEED to be ALERT and TOUGH-MINDED also, especially when facing trials and persecutions.

 

The SECOND thing we NEED is to be SELF-CONTROLLED, or FULLY SOBER, free from ALL mental and spiritual excess.  We should NOT let our OUTER CIRCUMSTANCES control our MIND and HEART. REMEMBER our MIND needs to be FULLY SOBER, showing MENTAL and EMOTIONAL BALANCE.  We SHOULD be led from WITH-IN, by the work of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Then we will have SELF-CONTROL.

 

The FINAL thing is to SET YOUR HOPE on the BLESSINGS that we will receive when Christ returns.  Our HOPE should be UNCHANGEABLE and UNWAVERING, even in the midst of the RAGING STORMS of LIFE.  We can be MORE than CONQUERORS, when we, like the Apostle Paul, set our HOPE on the PRIZE that awaits us.   In order to have this kind of HOPE, we must STRIVE to LIVE a HOLY LIFE.  Our LIFESTYLE should reflect the NATURE of GOD.  It is the RESPONSIBILITY of EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, to WORK at LIVING a HOLY LIFE, both INWARDLY and OUTWARDLY.  We may not be able to live a PERFECTLY HOLY life, here on this earth, but we DO NEED to WORK at being COMPLETELY CONFORMED to God’s PERFECT and HOLY will.  

 

Are these steps, the steps you are taking in PREPARATION for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST?   If NOT, you NEED to START NOW.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you NEED to take that BIG IMPORTANT STEP, which will determine your DESTINY for ALL ETERNITY.  Right now, you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But you can CHANGE your DESTINY by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start your PREPARATION to be READY for the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST.  DO this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Monday, October 22, 2018

"The End Result of Your Faith"


“The End Result of Your Faith”

 

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.         1 Peter 1:8-9

 

It is quite possible that the Apostle Peter, had recollected the time when Jesus said to Thomas: “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed.”  (John 20:29).   Christians who DO NOT SEE Christ, YET, like Peter, they LOVE and BELIEVE in Him, are BLESSED and FILLED with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY. 

 

They can ENJOY and REJOICE, because they are RECEIVING what was PROMISED to them; their SALVATION.  SALVATION is a culmination of three parts:  The PAST, which is NEW BIRTH: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us NEW BIRTH into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”  (v3)  The PRESENT, which is FAITH: “Who through FAITH are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (v5)    And the FUTURE, which is INHERITANCE: “And into an INHERITANCE that can NEVER perish, spoil or fade.  This INHERITANCE is kept in Heaven for you.”  (v4). 

 

Because the Day of Christ’s RETURN, is approaching, and it is getting CLOSER with each passing day.  Those who have BELIEVED and LOVED Him, are being FILLED with an INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY, because they are RECEIVING the END RESULT of their FAITH; the CULMINATION of their SALVATION.  Have you BELIEVED and LOVED Him, whom you have NOT SEEN?  Is your HEART filled with INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY because His RETURN is getting NEARER and NEARER?   Or does it put FEAR and DESPAIR in your HEART, because you ARE NOT READY?

 

If you are NOT READY for Christ’s RETURN, and are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL with all its HORRORS, your HEART SHOULD be filled with FEAR and DESPAIR.   You can CHANGE your DESTINY.  God has a PLAN, First you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and have your HEART FILLED with INEXPRESSIBLE and GLORIOUS JOY.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Saturday, October 20, 2018

"Power and Wisdom"


“Power and Wisdom”

 

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.            1 Corinthians 1:21-25

 

Mankind cannot come to God on their OWN terms, but they MUST come to a SAVING KNOWLEDGE on GOD’S terms.  They cannot do this by using the WISDOM of this world.  The WISDOM of this world will NOT lead them to KNOW the ONE TRUE GOD.  The ONLY HOPE mankind has for SALVATION is through, what some believe to be “FOOLISHNESS”, of the message that is PREACHED or PROCLAIMED to a LOST and DYING world.  They MUST BELIEVE this message.

 

The Jews want signs and the Greeks or Gentiles (non-Jews), want wisdom.  But the ONLY way to receive God’s precious gift of SALVATION is through the CRUCIFIED CHRIST, which is a STUMBLING BLOCK for the Jews and FOOLISHNESS to the Gentiles.  However, to those called by God’s Holy Spirit, both Jews and Gentiles, and who TRULY BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the POWER of GOD and also the WISDOM of God, and the SALVATION of God, they will receive ETERNAL LIFE.  You CANNOT come to God whenever YOU want to nor can you come to Him on your OWN terms.  You MUST be called by God’s Spirit, which at some point and time in EACH person’s life, will happen, and then it will be up to YOU to either ACCEPT the call or REJECT it. 

 

If you REJECT the Almighty God’s invitation, you will be at GREAT RISK of spending ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.   The ONLY WAY for you to ESCAPE HELL and GAIN HEAVEN, is to:  TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, when you hear His CALL.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, 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 BELIEVE, because God’s WISDOM is WISER than MANKIND and His WEAKNESS is MORE POWERFUL than the STRONGEST of MANKIND.  So if God HAS BEEN or IS CALLING you then DO what you should DO to ESCAPE HELL.   Because He is WAITING and COMING SOON!!!

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

"How to Be Declared Righteous"


“How to Be Declared Righteous”

 

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.        Romans 3:22-24

 

To be DECLARED RIGHTEOUS, means to have a “RIGHT” relationship with the Almighty God.  In order for sinful mankind to have a “RIGHT” relationship with God.  A person must TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyle, and then through FAITH in Jesus Christ, they are DECLARED RIGHTEOUS before God. 

 

No one has “SPECIAL” CLOUT with God.  ALL have sinned and are continually falling SHORT of God’s glory.  But ALL who BELIEVE are JUSTIFIED (Declared righteous),  by God’s AMAZING GRACE, because of the REDEMPTIVE WORK of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the cross, for the SALVATION of mankind, both Jew and Gentile.

 

Where do you stand in relationship with the Almighty God?  Have you been DECLARED RIGHTEOUS? Or are you CONTINUALLY FALLING SHORT of the glory of God, because you are CONTINUALLY REJECTING Him?  If that is the case, you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But God has a plan for you to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with Him.  His plan is that you TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE, 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 then be DECLARED RIGHTEOUS.  Do this NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

"To Tell or Not To Tell"


“To Tell or Not To Tell”

 

In the assembly of all your people, LORD, I told the good news that you save us.   You know that I will never stop telling it.  

I have not kept the news of salvation to myself; I have always spoken of your faithfulness and help.  In the assembly of all your people I have not been silent about your loyalty and constant love.                                                                                                                                                            Psalm 40:9-10

 

David was EXCITED about the GOOD NEWS that God’s plan for mankind was to SAVE them.  He was SO EXCITED that he could NOT STOP telling it.   He PROCLAIMED it, where-ever he went.  He says that he DID NOT keep the NEWS of SALVATION to himself.  He ALWAYS spoke of God’s FAITHFULNESS and HELP.  Even in the assembly of ALL God’s people, David DID NOT keep SILENT, about God’s LOYALTY and His CONSTANT LOVE.  David was a TELLER of the TRUTH of GOD’S SAVING POWER and His EVERLASTING LOVE.

 

If you are a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, then you too should be a TELLER of the GOOD NEWS.  Think about it; if ALL of God’s TRUE CHILDREN were TELLERS of the GOOD NEWS that JESUS SAVES! What would this world be like?  How many would come to a SAVING KNOWLEDGE of JESUS CHRIST?  Why aren’t ALL the TRUE CHILDREN of GOD as EXCITED as David?  Why aren’t we ALL TELLERS of the GOOD NEWS?  Have we LOST the JOY of our SALVATION?   Do we NOT have COMPASSION for LOST SOULS?

 

Maybe we have become APATHETIC to the cause of Christ.  We, who are the TRUE CHILDREN of GOD, need to REGAIN the JOY of our SALVATION, and get ALL EXCITED, and GO TELL somebody what the LORD has done for YOU, and can do the SAME for them too.  Jesus is COMING SOON, and We ALL should be about God’s business of BRINGING IN the LOST.  Are you WILLING? 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one of the LOST, who NEEDS to KNOW that you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God has a PLAN, and I have some GOOD NEWS for you.  If you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST then BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and He will SAVE you from an ETERNITY in HELL.  Then GET ALL EXCITED and become a TELLER of the GOOD NEWS.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Monday, October 15, 2018

"From Dust to Dust:"


“From Dust to Dust”

 

Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed a man from it.   He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose, and the man became a living person.         Genesis 2:7

You will turn back into the dust of the earth again, but your spirit will return to God who gave it.     Ecclesiastes 12:7

 

God had a DEVINE PLAN for the creation of man.  He formed man from the DUST of the earth or ground.   Some say that He made clay from the dust and like a POTTER, He fashioned man, to His liking then He BREATHED the BREATH of LIFE into the man’s nose.  And man became a LIVING PERSON.   In my research I found that man and the dust of the earth or ground, possess the same chemical elements, such as:   Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, silicon.  With a trace of:  iron, fluorine, copper, zinc, aluminum, manganese, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, cobalt.  All of these are needed to keep the human body functioning properly. What a MIGHTY GOD and MASTER CREATOR, He is.

 

The Bible tells us that when the human body dies, it will turn BACK to DUST, but the spirit or breath of that human body will return to God, the One who gave it.  This is not referring to the time, when man is JUDGED BY GOD.  It is referring to the BREATH of man, which gives LIFE.  

 

Now when we think about this, we MUST ask the question about the destiny of mankind’s soul.  The Apostle Paul says that:  “to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”  This is the destination for the TRUE BELIEVERS of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  And what about those who REJECT Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD, “They, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath.   They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever.”  This is the destiny for the UNBELIEVERS.  Which category are you in?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are LOST and headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO way of ESCAPE.  In order to CHANGE your destiny, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  YOU MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU.  And that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and GAIN HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS.   Do it NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, October 12, 2018

"Always Be Prepared"


“Always Be Prepared”

 

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.   But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.           1 Peter 3:15-16

 

As a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, you should ALWAYS REVERE Christ as Lord, in your HEART.   You SHOULD have a DEEP RESPECT for His standing, the fact that He is the Son of God.  He is also the King of kings, Lord of lords, and RULER of ALL MANKIND.  

 

In this world, in which we temporarily reside, MANY people don’t KNOW JESUS CHRIST, and furthermore, they don’t want to KNOW Him.  They are BLINDED SPIRITUALLY, and prefer to STAY that way.   God, in His INFINITE MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, wants to be able to bring SPIRITUAL SIGHT to them.  And He has decided to use His TRUE CHILDREN to do this.   As His Children, we SHOULD ALWAYS BE PREPARED to give an ANSWER to EVERYONE who asks us about the REASON for our HOPE.   In other words, we are to WITNESS to those who asks us WHY we have this HOPE.  Why do we BELIEVE, what we BELIEVE?   What is our HOPE based on?

 

Are you PREPARED to ANSWER such questions?  Can you DEFEND your HOPE and your FAITH?   Many will laugh at you and tell you that you are believing a fairy tale.  Are you PREPARED to SHARE your TESTIMONY of how you came to Jesus for the SALVATION of your soul?   Can you tell them about the DIFFERENCES in your LIFE, since Jesus came into your HEART?    And about the HOPE you have for spending an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and ESCAPING HELL, with ALL its HORRORS?   This is YOUR TESTIMONY, and they cannot truly deny what happened to YOU. 

 

Peter tells us to do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT.   And to be able to KEEP a CLEAR conscience, conducting yourself as a TRUE CHILD of GOD.   LIVING out your TESTIMONY, so those who would speak MALICIOUSLY against your GOOD BEHAVIOR in Christ, would become ASHAMED of their SLANDER.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NO HOPE, and will spend an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and you will have NO WAY of ESCAPING.  You are SPIRITUALLY BLIND, but God has the ABILITY to give you SPIRITUAL SIGHT, if you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and ALWAYS BE PREPARED to DEFEND your HOPE and FAITH.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

"DIE To Sins and LIVE For Righteousness"


“DIE To Sins and LIVE For Righteousness”

 

“He Himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by His wounds you have been healed.”      1 Peter 2:24

 

We are living in a wicked, evil world, a world that is totally opposite of what God wanted for the Crown of His Creation, MANKIND.   Nevertheless, mankind has failed God, by their DISOBEDIENCE, and they continue to do so.  They LIVE SIN-SICK lives, and ignore and reject God’s plan.  They are playing right into Satan’s hands, and will be swept away to an ETERNITY in Hell, with NO WAY of ESCAPING.  They will be HOPELESSLY LOST FOREVER.

 

They REJECT the fact that Jesus Christ, took on ALL their sins, PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE, He bore their sins, in His body on the cross.  He who knew NO sin, became sin, in order for SIN-SICK MANKIND to be FREE from THEIR sinfulness, to DIE to their own sins, and to LIVE for RIGHTEOUSNESS.  So they might LIVE for ALL of ETERNITY in HEAVEN.

 

“By His wounds you have been healed.”  This is NOT talking about PHYSICAL HEALING, but it is referring to SPIRITUAL HEALING.   He wasn’t BRUTALLY BEATEN and HUNG on a wooden cross, so mankind could be healed of PHYSICAL ailments.  He SUFFERED, BLED and DIED as a SACRIFICAL LAMB, so that mankind might be HEALED of their SIN-SICKNESS, which is a whole lot MORE IMPORTANT HEALING.   You can be HEALED of physical ailments, and one day you will still die a physical death.  Physical healing is TEMPORARY.  But if you aren’t SPIRITUALLY healed, which is PERMANENT, a FOREVER thing, you will be SUFFERING ALL the HORRORS of HELL for ALL of ETERNITY.  Is this your destiny?

 

Jesus suffered, bled, died, and was RESURRECTED, in order for YOU to DIE to your SINS and to LIVE for RIGHTEOUSNESS. He suffered so you could be HEALED of your SIN-SICKNESS.  In order for you to be MIRACULOUSLY HEALED of that dreadful, deadly disease of sin-sickness, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and DIE to your SINS and LIVE for RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

"Heart and Mouth"


“Heart and Mouth”

 

For it is with the heart that you believe and are justified, and with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.         Romans 10:10

 

There are two very important parts of the human body, which are essential in keeping the body ALIVE and functioning.  These two parts are also VERY IMPORTANT to our SPIRITUAL life.  The HEART keeps the blood flowing to the other organs and aids in the PROPER FUNCTIONING of the physical body.   If the HEART should STOP, the body would CEASE to function and it would DIE. 

 

In the SPIRITUAL BODY, the HEART produces FAITH, and because of FAITH, you BELIEVE, and are JUSTIFIED (set free from guilt).   FAITH and BELIEVING are very IMPORTANT to the SPIRITUAL BODY, because without them, one could NOT be SAVED from their sins, nor could they be SAVED from an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS.   We NEED FAITH and BELIEVING in order to SURVIVE SPIRITUALLY.  

 

With our MOUTHS, the human body is nourished with FOOD and WATER.  With the MOUTH, we TALK or COMMUNICATE with each other.  Now, I know that there are other ways to be nourished and to communicate, but God designed our MOUTH for our benefit.  We can TASTE with our tongue, ALL the delicious foods and the tongue is housed in the MOUTH.  We can BREATHE air and also communicate with our mouths and that makes it convenient.   

 

PROFESSING with our MOUTH our FAITH, brings SALVATION to our sin-sick souls.  We have the ability to SHARE with others the GOOD NEWS that JESUS SAVES.  And they too can reap the benefits of SALVATION.   We CONFESS our sins to the Lord, with our MOUTH, and we PROFESS that He is LORD and SAVIOR for ALL mankind. 

 

Have you BELIEVED with your HEART, and been JUSTIFIED?  Are you PROFESSING with your MOUTH your FAITH?  If NOT you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.   You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, in order to ESCAPE HELL.  And you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you NEED to BELIEVE 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 BELIEVE with ALL your HEART, and PROFESS with your MOUTH that JESUS CHRIST is LORD and SAVIOR of ALL mankind.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Monday, October 8, 2018

"Who Are the Children of God?"


“Who Are the Children of God?”

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s Children.

Now if we are Children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.                                           Romans 8:14, 16, 17

 

I believe that many people have the misconception that ALL people are Children of God, because He created mankind.  And that, He did, but NOT ALL of mankind are Children of God.  The Apostle Paul tells us that CHILDREN of GOD are those who are LED by the SPIRIT of GOD.  In order to be LED by the SPIRIT of God, you MUST POSSESS the Spirit of God, and that comes through SALVATION.

 

When a person is DRAWN to God by God’s Spirit, they are given the opportunity to ACCEPT or REJECT God’s gift of SALVATION.   When they ACCEPT His gift, the SPIRIT of God comes and indwells that person and they become a Child of God.  When they REJECT His gift they remain LOST and an orphan (spiritually speaking).    

 

Paul tells us that the Spirit, Himself, testifies WITH our spirit that we are God’s Children.  This means that God’s Spirit bears witness along with our spirit that we are God’s Children. 

 

If we have become Children of God, through the act of SALVATION, then we are an HEIR of God and Co-heirs with Jesus Christ to ALL the riches of Heaven.  That is, IF we SHARE in His SUFFERINGS, in order to SHARE in His GLORY.  

 

As TRUE BELIEVERS we do from time to time find ourselves SUFFERING, because of our FAITH.  We are sometimes treated with ANIMOSITY, HATRED, and SCORN.  We are sometimes LIMITED in our MINISTRIES, and in EXTREME instances even face IMPRISONMENT and DEATH.  Children of God are those who are willing to TAKE-UP their CROSS and FOLLOW CHRIST. 

 

Now, can YOU, with ALL HONESTY say that you are a CHILD of GOD?  Have you given Him your HEART and LIFE?  If you have said “NO” to these questions, then YOU are LOST and on your way to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  The ONLY WAY to ESCAPE Hell, is to:  TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, 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 LED by His SPIRIT to become a Child of God.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Friday, October 5, 2018

"Sold Out"


“Sold Out”

 

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.          Psalms 27:4

 

King David was a man after God’s own heart, we can see that, by the words he penned in the “Book of Psalms”.    David was NOT ALWAYS spotless, free of any sins.  He was human and many times acted in the flesh.  He was like any other human being.  Many times he fell into temptation, headlong.  And he PAID for his transgressions, suffering the CONSEQUENCES of his sins.  He was CHOSEN by GOD to be King of Israel, and through the lineage of King David came the MESSIAH, SAVIOR of ALL MANKIND.  The One who is the ETERNAL KING of the UNIVERSE.  The One who will RULE over ALL mankind. The One who WILL RETURN to EARTH to REIGN throughout ETERNITY.  

 

Of ALL the things King David possessed, there was ONE THING he asked of the Lord God, not only did he ASK for it, but he SOUGHT AFTER it.  That ONE THING, was that he might DWELL or LIVE in the House of the Lord ALL the days of his life.  This DESIRE in David’s heart, exemplifies his FAITH.  It is SO HARD to get some to come to the House of the Lord, EVERY SUNDAY, much less, for them to DESIRE to be there more than ONE day a week.  Many people, who CLAIM to be a Child of God, think if they come Sunday morning, they’ve paid their dues.  Where is the DESIRE to be in God’s House, meeting with God’s Children, worshiping, and learning about God and His ways?  The ONLY difference between King David and you and me is, David was “SOLD OUT” to God and the THINGS of God.

 

He wanted to GAZE upon the BEAUTY of the Lord.  He wanted to STARE INTENTLY with AWE at the BEAUTY of the Lord God.  Do you ever take time to just be ALONE with God and to MEDITATE on His GREATNESS?  We have an ADVANTAGE, which David didn’t have.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, and OH, the WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS, BEAUTIFUL things He is waiting to reveal to us, if we will spend time ALONE with Him. 

 

King David, reiterates that he wishes to SEEK God in His temple.  We are the TEMPLE of God’s Holy Spirit.  We would NOT have to SEEK God in His temple, if we were TRULY “SOLD OUT” to Him.  The Holy Spirit did NOT indwell David, as He does the TRUE BELIEVER, today.  Do you ASK and SEEK to have MORE time with God?  Are YOU “SOLD OUT?”

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are LOST and headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God has a PLAN for your destiny.  He wants YOU to be a part of His Family, and spend your ETERNITY in Heaven, with ALL its BLESSINGS.   You can do that by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. Then BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and OPEN your HEART up to Him and be “SOLD OUT” to God.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

"Stand Firm!"


“Stand Firm!”

 

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.                        Ephesians 6:12-17

 

We are living in PERILOUS times, in a DANGEROUS world.  One that is wrought with EVIL and WICKED schemes.  A world that is RIDDLED with demonic influences.  A world that is in conflict, GOOD vs EVIL, Satan’s minions vs God’s Children.  Because the Children of God is in battle, they MUST be PREPARED.  So God gives them instructions, through the Apostle Paul, on how they should PREPARE for battle.  The mandate is to STAND FIRM! 

 

In order to STAND FIRM, you MUST BE DRESSED for battle, with the FULL ARMOR of GOD.  You MUST have the BELT of TRUTH BUCKLED around your waist.  This is the basis of a BELIEVER’S FAITHFULNESS. The BELT of TRUTH gives FREEDOM and STABILITY.  Then you MUST put the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS  IN PLACE, this BREASTPLATE is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Jesus Christ, and will PROTECT the BELIEVER’S HEART from the assaults of Satan.  Next, is to have your FEET FITTED with the READINESS, which comes from the GOSPEL of PEACE.   This represents the STABILITY to STAND FIRM, which comes from the GOSPEL and it gives the BELIEVER PEACE, in order to STAND in the battle.

 

They SHOULD also TAKE UP the SHIELD of FAITH.  The STRONG, ABIDING FAITH of the BELIEVER can EXTINGUISH ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one.   They NEED to TAKE the HELMET of SALVATION and the SWORD of the SPIRIT, the last two pieces of armor to be added.  The HELMET Of SALVATION was a sense of safety, in protecting the mind, whenever attacked by the devil.  It is the assurance of the HOPE of SALVATION.  The SWORD of the SPIRIT is the “SPOKEN WORD of GOD, which is BENEFICIAL to the BELIEVER, when attacked by the devil.  The Spirit of GOD will bring to the mind of the BELIEVER, the WORD of GOD, which is MORE POWERFUL than a two-edged sword. 

 

This ARMOR will bring PROTECTION to the TRUE BELIEVER, in the PERILOUS TIMES in which we now live.  Are you in possession of such an armor?  Or are you one of Satan’s minions?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you are DOOMED and fighting a LOSING BATTLE.  You will end up spending ALL ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO way of ESCAPE.  In order to CHANGE your DESTINY, and become a TRUE CHILD of GOD, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, 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 able to STAND FIRM! in the BATTLE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!