"Trust and Be Not Afraid"

“Trust and Be Not Afraid”

“Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation.”         Isaiah 12:2



TRUST---is to have CONFIDENCE and ASSURANCE in SOMEONE or SOMETHING. 



So, as we ponder on the NEW YEAR that lies ahead of us.  We can say, as the Prophet Isaiah said: “I will TRUST, and will NOT be AFRAID!”  We, who are TRUE BELIEVERS in Jesus Christ, and have TRUSTED Him with our DESTINY, and our SALVATION, can make this proclamation because, the LORD GOD is our STRENGTH and our SALVATION. And when we became His Child, we received the ASSURANCE that He would see us through till the End of the Ages.



Therefore, we can have the CONFIDENCE along with the ASSURANCE in His PROMISES concerning our ETERNAL DESTINY.  And we can TRUST and BE NOT AFRAID of what we will encounter in the coming year.  We can have this TRUST in Him, because He already knows what EACH ONE of US will face, and He will be our STRENGTH through EVERYDAY and EVERY SITUATION.    Can you TRUST and BE NOT AFRAID?



You can, if you will GIVE your HEART and LIFE to Him and TRUST Him with your ETERNAL DESTINY.  He CAN and WILL DELIVER you from ALL your SINS, and give you the ASSURANCE of your SALVATION, and ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and He will provide for you a WAY to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, if you are WILLING to 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 that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and TRUST and BE NOT AFRAID of what your future holds.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"A Word for the New Year!"

“A Word for the New Year!”

Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.  My salvation and glory depend on God, my Strong Rock.  My refuge is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.  God is our refuge.        Psalm 62:5-8



Facing a New Year can be a little UN-NERVING and STRESSFUL, but if we will take to heart what the Psalmist is telling us, we can face the New Year with HOPE and PEACE of MIND.  He tells us to REST in God ALONE, which, to me, means that we SHOULD place our TRUST TOTALLY in Him, because our HOPE comes from Him. 



If we will ALLOW Him, He will be our ROCK, our SALVATION, and our STRONGHOLD.  Meaning that we can face whatever this life brings, because God is our ROCK in the storms of life, He is the ONLY ONE who can and will SAVE us from our trials, tribulations and our transgressions.  He is our STRONGHOLD, a FORTRESS in ANY facet of our lives, here on this wicked, hell-bound world.



He is our REFUGE, a STRONG SHELTER in ANY STORM of life.  He is our PROTECTION in times of trouble and despair, but in order for Him to be ALL these things for us, we MUST POUR OUT OUR HEARTS before Him.  The ONLY WAY, we can receive SALVATION and GLORY is for us to become His TRUE CHILDREN. 



To become a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, you MUST GIVE your HEART and LIFE to Him, by being WILLING TO TURN 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.  Then BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You, then MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and allow Him to be your ROCK, SALVATION, STRONGHOLD, and your REFUGE, at ANYTIME, and especially this NEW YEAR.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Who is Your Salvation?"

“Who is Your Salvation?”

May the Lord be praised!  Day after Day He bears our burdens; God is our salvation.      Psalm 68:19

On God my salvation and my glory rest: The Rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.      Psalm 62:7



Well, in a matter of a few short days, we will be facing a BRAND NEW YEAR, a year that is full of the UNKNOWNS, a year that is full of UNCERTAINTIES, and CHALLENGES, which will impact your LIFE and may even impact your DESTINY, even your ETERNAL DESTINY.  Many will be faced with BURDENS that seem to be UNBEARABLE. But for the TRUE BELIEVER, there is a HELPER, who is willing to be their BURDEN BEARER.  One who will DAILY bear their burdens and provide them with SALVATION or a way of being DELIVERED.



The Psalmist in Psalm 62:7, tells us that the ALMIGHTY GOD is a ROCK of STRENGTH, and a REFUGE.  So facing all the UNKNOWNS, UNCERTAINTIES, CHALLENGES and BURDENS that may impact our lives can be faced with TRUST and CONFIDENCE in the ONE who is ABLE to bring SALVATION to our WEARY SOUL. 



If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you will be facing this NEW YEAR, and ALL that it holds, ALONE.  Who do you have in your LIFE who is ABLE to DELIVER you from your BURDENS, who is willing to take on your BURDENS, DAY AFTER DAY.  Who else can you put your TRUST and CONFIDENCE in, to walk with you DAILY and SHARE your heartaches?  Who will be your ROCK of STRENGTH and REFUGE, when times get ROUGH and UNCERTAIN?  God LOVES you SO MUCH that He wants to become your BURDEN BEARER, your STRONG ROCK and your REFUGE during the storms of life.  But you MUST be WILLING to 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.  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 God’s gift of SALVATION, and let Him be your BURDEN BEARER, your STRONG ROCK, and your REFUGE, NOW and THROUGHOUT the REST of your LIFE.  And receive an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and ESCAPE ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.   Do this NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Word of FAITH"

“The Word of FAITH”

“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”---that is, the Word of Faith, which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.       Romans 10:9b-10



FAITH, what is the WORD of FAITH that mankind NEEDS to know?  The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the believers in Rome.  He tells us that FAITH brings SALVATION to a LOST and DYING WORLD.   This FAITH is in God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is what will make ALL the DIFFERENCE in mankind’s ETERNAL DESTINY. 



The WORD of FAITH, that should be SHARED with ALL MANKIND, is this:  IF YOU WILL CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH JESUS AS LORD, AND BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD YOU WILL BE SAVED.  It is MUCH MORE than just having the KNOWLEDGE of the WORD of FAITH, you MUST EXPERIENCE it in your HEART and BELIEVE it with ALL your HEART.  You MUST be willing to make CHANGES, by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.



You MUST BELIEVE that Jesus Christ DIED for YOU and that GOD RAISED Him from the DEAD.  You MUST CONFESS with your MOUTH your sins to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. And then YOU MUST SHARE what God has given you, which is SALVATION, and ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Instead of spending ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  BELIEVE WITH THE HEART, and CONFESS WITH THE MOUTH.  Then LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH, from this time on. 



There is NO BETTER WAY to start a NEW YEAR than to have the ASSURRANCE of HEAVEN as your ETERNAL DESTINATION. If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then do it NOW, by following the WORD of FAITH.  BELIEVE with your HEART and CONFESS with your MOUTH. Don’t DELAY!   Jesus is waiting and coming SOON!!!  

"VICTORY in the New Year"

“VICTORY in the New Year”

Who can separate us from the love of Christ?  Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written “Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Ps. 44-22) No, in all things we are more than victorious, through Him who loved us.         Romans 8:35-37



I hope everyone had a TRULY BLESSED Christmas Day.  Now we face a BRAND NEW YEAR, filled with uncertainties and for some anxieties that lack the sense of VICTORY for the coming year.  However, if you are a TRUE BELIEVER in the Lord Jesus Christ, you can face anything that may come your way by TRUSTING in the One who can and will get you through those difficult times.



The Believers, in the Apostle Paul’s day, faced PERSECUTIONS and TRIBULATIONS even to being put to DEATH because of their FAITH in Jesus Christ, and this was an EVERY DAY thing.  Yet many faced those horrible difficulties with a STRONG FAITH even to their own martyrdom.  They were MORE THAN CONQUERORS, and MORE THAN VICTORIOUS, through the One, Jesus Christ the BELOVED Son of the Almighty God, who loved them.  And WE too, can be come MORE that CONQUERORS and MORE than VICTORIOUS, through our FAITH in Jesus Christ, who LOVES us, gave His LIFE to bring us ETERNAL LIFE. 



Would you like to be a VICTORIOUS CONQUEROR, who can face a NEW YEAR full of UNCERTAINTIES?  You can be, if you will give your HEART and LIFE to God by: WILLINGLY 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.  Then BELIEVING, 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 become a VICTORIOUS CONQUEROR, through Jesus Christ who LOVES you MORE than you’ll EVER KNOW.  So do this NOW while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"The Gift of True Love"

“The Gift of True Love”

For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the Only Son of God.        John 3:16-18



You have heard the phrase: “The gift that keeps on giving”, well that describes the GIFT of TRUE LOVE, that is the TRUE LOVE that comes ONLY from the ALMIGHTY GOD.  It is a LOVE that is UNFAILING and UNENDING.  It is a SACRIFICIAL LOVE, a LOVE that puts the welfare of SINFUL MANKIND before the life of God’s ONLY SON, JESUS CHRIST.  The ONLY ONE who could EVER FREE mankind from CONDEMNATION and an ETERNITY in Hell.  God GAVE His VERY BEST, for mankind, if they would ONLY BELIEVE in Him and ACCEPT THIS GIFT of TRUE LOVE.



God could have sent His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but He sent Him into this SINFUL, WRETCHED, WICKED, EVIL WORLD to be PERSECUTED, BEATEN and DEATH on the CROSS, in order for mankind to have the opportunity to BELIEVE, and ACCEPT the GIFT of TRUE LOVE. 



The Word of God tells that WHOEVER BELIEVES in JESUS CHRIST, and will ACCEPT His WORK on the CROSS, for their SALVATION, will NOT be CONDEMNED.  But those who DO NOT BELIEVE are CONDEMNED already, BECAUSE of their UNBELIEF. 



If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, through BELIEVING that His Only Son, died for YOU. Then you WILL face CONDEMNATION, and an ETERNITY in HELL.  However, if you are WILLING to 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.  And  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  And ACCEPT His GIFT of TRUE LOVE, which is His Gift of SALVATION, then you will be SET FREE from CONDEMNATION, and an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Gift of Mercy"

“The Gift of Mercy”

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.        1 Peter 1:3-5



The Gift of MERCY, MERCY, which is the UNMERITED FAVOR of the Living God, and is His gift to those who will come to Him for the Salvation of their SOUL.  Mercy is NOT RECEIVING WHAT WE DESERVE, because of our wretched, sinful nature that is at enmity with God and His Laws.



We are separated from Him and all that is GOOD, HOLY, PURE, and PLEASING to Him.  Mankind NEEDED a ONCE FOR ALL SACRIFICE.  One which was/is SUFFICIENT to bring us to a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God.  Through the REDEMPTIVE work of Christ, on the cross, we can obtain that RELATIONSHIP, which is known as RIGHTEOUSNESS.  It is also the act of being BORN AGAIN to a LIVING HOPE.  We who were once DEAD in our sins can NOW be ALIVE in our spirit by the process of being BORN AGAIN.



When we are BORN AGAIN, we have received God’s GIFT of MERCY, and an ETERNAL INHERITANCE that is IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED and UNFADING. It is INDESTRUCTIBLE, and cannot be DESTROYED or TAKEN AWAY from us.  It is KEPT or GUARDED in Heaven for us, because of our FAITH, and by God’s POWER.  And it will come to completion at the LAST of the AGES.  This is God’s Gift of MERCY for mankind.



If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NOT been BORN AGAIN. Nor have you received His GIFT of MERCY.  Instead you are HEADED for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In oIrder for you to receive God’s Gift of MERCY, you MUST BE WILLING TO 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His GIFT of MERCY and SALVATION, and an ETERNAL INHERITANCE, waiting for you in Heaven.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!   

"The Gift of Hope"

“The Gift of Hope”

For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.        Romans 8:24-25



This verse of Scripture, I believe, describes the atmosphere of Christmas and gift-giving.  We all HOPE for something we desire.  And get excited when it gets close to HOPEFULLY receiving what we have, so long, HOPED for.  We wait with GREAT ANTICIPATION, believing that, if NOT at Christmas, ONE DAY, we will receive that VERY SPECIAL GIFT.



This Gift of Hope is the culmination of our SALVATION when we FINALLY RECEIVE, what we have so patiently waited for, and that is:  Our BRAND NEW BODY, one that is PERFECT, without sin, and the effects of that sin, all because of what the LORD JESUS CHRIST has done, through His REDEMPTIVE WORK on the cross, and His VICTORY over DEATH and the GRAVE.  Those of us who have come to Christ for the SALVATION of our SOUL, has received that PROMISE of the UNWRAPPING of this Gift of Hope, which we are PATIENTLY waiting for with MUCH ANTICIPATION.  This is the FINAL STEP of the plan of SALVATION. 



And just like kids eagerly awaiting Christmas morning, and HOPING with GREAT EXPECTATION, that they have received that VERY SPECIAL GIFT.   We who are God’s Children, are EAGERLY AWAITING the RETURN of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the FINAL REDEMPTIVE CHANGE in our BODY.  So we too WAIT with STEADFAST ENDURANCE.  Are you waiting to RECEIVE that PROMISED GIFT of HOPE for a REDEEMED BODY?  One that is, PERFECT, and FIT for the Kingdom of God?  



If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you can NOT receive His Gift of HOPE, because you have NOT received His SON, Jesus, as your SAVIOR and LORD.  Therefore, you have not been REDEEMED, and are headed to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE.  However, God LOVES YOU, and has provided a way for you to RECEIVE this PROMISE of His GIFT of HOPE.  You MUST BE WILLING TO 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE His PROMISE of this GIFT OF HOPE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Gift of Peace"

“The Gift of Peace”

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.          Isa. 9: 6

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.      Romans 5:1

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”         John 14:27

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.        Romans 15:13



Christmas is NOT the celebration of Santa Claus, the decorated tree, nor is it a celebration of gift giving.  Those things you can do ANYTIME, but Christmas is the celebration of the BIRTH of a HEAVENLY KING, who came to earth as a NEWBORN BABY, and one day He will RULE the NATIONS.  He will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, and the PRINCE of PEACE.  He came to SEEK and SAVE ALL of LOST MANKIND.  His SOLE purpose for coming was NOT to give PEACE, but He will give PEACE to those who will come to Him for the SALVATION of their soul.  Because He is the Prince of Peace.



Therefore, when we come to Him for our SALVATION, we receive JUSTIFICATION, and we are JUSTIFIED through our FAITH in Him, and we then are given the SPECIAL GIFT of PEACE with God.  That PEACE is like nothing we have ever experienced.  We will have PEACE about our PRESENT, our FUTURE, and MOST IMPORTANTLY our ETERNITY.  And this gift of PEACE is made POSSIBLE through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.



Jesus said: “PEACE I leave with you; My peace I GIVE you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your HEARTS be troubled and do NOT be afraid.”  The PEACE that the world gives mankind is temporary and is determined by the situations we are PRESENTLY in or are facing in the FUTURE.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you SHOULD BE concerned about your DESTINY, which would be an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But JESUS wants to give you His PEACE, which is a PEACE that surpasses ALL understanding.  It is a SUPERNATURAL PEACE, that the world cannot give.  And you can ONLY RECEIVE THIS GIFT of PEACE when you put your TRUST in God, and BELIEVE that HE IS ABLE to take care of ALL your NEEDS. 

So, if you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to God, then you do NOT have that EVERLASTING PEACE, which surpasses ALL UNDERSTANDING.  And your DESTINY is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  You MUST be WILLING TO 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.  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, in order to RECEIVE your GIFT of PEACE.  And so that the GOD of HOPE may fill you with ALL JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in HIM, and so you may OVERFLOW with HOPE by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT. (Rom. 15:13)  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Gift of Wisdom"

“The Gift of Wisdom”

Get wisdom, get understanding.  The beginning of wisdom is this:  Get wisdom.               Proverbs 4:5,7

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.  I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.       Psalm 119: 34, 125



The Gift of Wisdom, is a very VALUABLE asset for the TRUE BELIEVER.  Of course, God desires that His TRUE CHILDREN would possess this gift of being able to UNDERSTAND His Eternal purposes, and that it would give to them DISCERNMENT or insight into what is TRUE and RIGHT.



As a SERVANT of God, we should seek after WISDOM.  Just like a child, who sits on Santa’s lap and asks him for what their hearts desire.  We can come to the ALMIGHTY GOD, who is a LOT MORE capable of providing for His Children, than a made-up Santa, we can come and ask Him for this MOST VALUABLE GIFT of WISDOM, and have ASSURANCE that He will give us what we ask for.  He wants us to have this GIFT of WISDOM, because it will ENHANCE our relationship with Him. 



By receiving this gift we will have a RIGHT relationship with Him, because WISDOM will help us KNOW and UNDERSTAND the WAYS of God, and in order to be a GOOD, OBEDIENT SERVANT, one must KNOW and be able TO DO the will of their MASTER, so they can PLEASE HIM. 



In order to RECEIVE this GIFT of WISDOM, you MUST FIRST, have a RELATIONSHIP with God.  And to do that, you MUST BE WILLING TO 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.  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 SEEK after WISDOM.  Remember, the BEGINNING of WISDOM is RECEIVING IT. So do this NOW, while you still can.  And ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and receive HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME!   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Giver of Grace"

“The Giver of Grace”

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift---not from works, so that no one can boast.       Ephesians 2:8-9



GRACE: Receiving blessings that we DON’T deserve.



Over the years I have received many wonderful gifts, at Christmas, and with some I have felt that I wasn’t DESERVING of them.  Yet, I received them, because of a LOVE for me, by my loved ones, who thought that I was DESERVING enough to receive them.



However, there is ONE MOST MAGNIFICENT GIFT, that I KNOW I DON’T DESERVE, but because of the IMMENSE LOVE of the GIVER of this GIFT of GRACE, I have come to POSSESS it.  And that GIVER of GRACE, the ALMIGHTY GOD, took the MOST PRECIOUS of ALL gifts ever given and SACRIFICED it on the Cross of Calvary, for ME and for YOU.  He GAVE to us a SAVIOR, whose name is JESUS, who will SAVE ALL who will come to Him, and receive the GIFT of GRACE, the GIFT OF SALVATION, the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and the GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS. 



There is NO OTHER WAY to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  There is absolutely NO WAY for you to PURCHASE, or WORK your way out of HELL and into HEAVEN, except through WILLINGLY 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 that He is NOW in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT GOD’S Gift of GRACE, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive His GIFTS of RIGHTEOUSNESS and ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Gift of Righteousness"

“The Gift of Righteousness”

But the gift is not like the trespass.  For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.

And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.

Since by one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.       Romans 5:15 -17



Righteousness is the act of being made RIGHT in the eyes of the Almighty God or being JUSTIFIED through the REDEMPTIVE WORK of Jesus Christ. 



The VERY BEST of ALL gifts a person can receive is the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS.  This is a VERY TRUE statement, because by the ONE MAN’S trespass, that being Adam, many are CONDEMNED and SENTENCED to a SPIRITUAL death, because of their SINFUL NATURE and an UNREPENTANT HEART.  And because of the AMAZING GRACE of a LOVING GOD, they are JUSTIFIED.



They are JUSTIFIED and they receive the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS, because of the SACRIFICAL DEATH and GLORIOUS RESURRECTION of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Who came as a newborn babe and lived among mankind, in order to bring the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS to ALL who will RECEIVE IT.  Have you received the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS?



It is a FREE GIFT on your part, God is giving you His GRACE, and all you have to do is to be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESSING your sins to Him and then ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, 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 RIGHTEOUSNESS and SALVATION, and make this the VERY BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Given In Love"

“Given In Love”

 

For God loved the world so much that He gave His Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Savior.        John 3:16-17

 

This time of year is the time many people STRESS over gift-giving.  They may have a NEGATIVE attitude about it.  Instead of giving from the HEART, they give because they feel OBLIGATED, FORCED, and out of a SEASONAL HABIT.  You know, “it’s that time of year,” so they GIVE out of any reason, except out of LOVE for the individual they are giving to.  Their HEART just isn’t in it.

 

Aren’t you GLAD that God doesn’t have that attitude towards us.  He looked down on MANKIND and saw their DEPRAVITY, and out of a HEART of LOVE and COMPASSION, He gave HIS VERY BEST.  The GIFT that just KEEPS ON giving.  The gift of SALVATION, which is GIVEN through the SACRIFICIAL DEATH and RESURRECTION of His ONE and ONLY BELOVED SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  So that ANYONE who would BELIEVE in Him, would NOT die a SPIRITUAL DEATH, but would RECEIVE the gift of ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.

 

God did not send Jesus to be the JUDGE of the world, but to be the SAVIOR.  He did this because of His IMMENSE, UNFAILING, EVERLASTING LOVE for ALL of MANKIND.  But ONLY those who will BELIEVE, and ACCEPT this GIFT, in LOVE for the GIFT and the GIVER, will receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  Have you ACCEPTED GOD’S GIFT?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then you are not a recipient of His PRECIOUS, EVERLASTING GIFT.  And SADLY your DESTINY is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, YOU can change your DESTINY by:  WILLINGLY 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His GIFT of SALVATION and HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  ACCEPT it as it is GIVEN, with LOVE in your HEART for FATHER GOD and His SON, JESUS CHRIST.  So do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"An Honorable or Dishonorable Vessel?"

“ An Honorable or Dishonorable Vessel?”

 

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.        2 Timothy 2:20-21

 

This analogy, which the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy, his son in the ministry, of two different types of vessels, one HONORABLE, the other DISHONORABLE, was for the purpose of being USEFUL, and SET APART for God’s own purposes.  And it is a GOOD lesson for us today.

 

Let us look at the USEFULNESS of the DISHONORABLE vessel.  This vessel was made of wood or clay, and it was used mainly for garbage or disposal of filth. This of course, was CONTAMINATED, and could NOT be used for HONORABLE use.  And was destroyed when the filth was so imbedded in the wood or clay that there was no reason to allow it to remain in the household.  It, however COULD be CLEANSED thoroughly and PURGED from its FILTHY and CORRUPT condition, to a CLEAN, PURE VESSEL which was then remade into an HONORABLE vessel for the Master’s use.  After all, you wouldn’t offer Him a DIRTY, FILTHY, VESSEL, would you?

 

This lesson of the Apostle Paul, was to strongly urge Timothy to stay away from the FALSE TEACHERS, and those who practiced sin, on a regular basis, they were the DISHONORABLE VESSELS.  The lesson for people today is that, mankind comes into this world as a DISHONORABLE VESSEL, and until they come to JESUS CHRIST, the Son of the Living God, for the CLEANSING and PURGING of their sins, they will be a DISHONORABLE vessel, which is DESTINED to be DESTROYED, with an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE. 

 

When we come to Christ and are transformed from a DISHONORABLE to an HONORABLE VESSEL, we are “SET APART” or “SANCTIFIED” for the Master’s use, the MASTER being the Lord God Almighty.  And will be a SPECIAL, USEFUL vessel in His household, Heaven, our ETERNAL HOME.  So which are you?  DISHONORABLE or HONORABLE?

 

If you have NOT come to JESUS for the CLEANSING of your HEART and SOUL, you are DISHONORABLE, and DESTINED to be DESTROYED, with HELL awaiting your arrival.  However, God wants you to become an HONORABLE VESSEL, to be SET APART for His GOOD use.  And to receive an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  In order for you to do that, you MUST be WILLING TO 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 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 become an HONORABLE VESSEL that is SET APART for His GOOD use, and receive an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting, and coming SOON!!!

"The Chosen Servant"

“The Chosen Servant”

 

Here is My Servant whom I have chosen, My beloved in whom My soul delights; I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.       Isaiah 42:1

 

Jesus, the ONLY Son of God, who God CHOSE to come to earth, NOT as a prophet, priest or king, but as His CHOSEN SERVANT.  One who was destined to bring SALVATION to a LOST and DYING world.  A world that was and still is DOOMED for DESTRUCTION. 

 

A SERVANT to the SPIRITUAL NEEDS as well as the PHYSICAL NEEDS of mankind.  To bring a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP between MANKIND and their CREATOR, God.  And it was because of GOD’S UNFAILING LOVE, ABUNDANT MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, that Jesus came to earth facing PERSECUTION and a HORRIBLE, SHAMEFUL DEATH, as God’s CHOSEN SERVANT. 

 

One who could feel a TRUE LOVE and DEEP COMPASSION for even those who sought to do Him harm and to put Him to DEATH.  He suffered TORMENT, RIDICULE, SHAME, INTENSE PHYSICAL PAIN and even SEPARATION from His HOLY Father.  And He did it in OBEDIENCE to the WILL of His Father, God, in order for MANKIND to be SET FREE from their sins and short-comings, and to RECEIVE AN ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and to be able to ESCAPE HELL with ALL its HORRORS.  God sent His ONE and ONLY SON, to bring JUSTICE to ALL NATIONS, which will be brought about in the SECOND COMING of JESUS CHRIST.

 

Just as God’s WILL, for Jesus to be His CHOSEN SERVANT, He has CHOSEN those who are His TRUE CHILDREN to be His SERVANTS to a lost and dying world.  We do that by SHARING the GOOD NEWS of God’s MERCY and GRACE for ALL people, and SHARING how they can be SET FREE from their sins, and to be able to RECEIVE HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME.  Are you one of God’s CHOSEN SERVANTS?

 

In order to be SET FREE from your sins and to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, you MUST COME to GOD, WILLING to 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.  BELIEVING, 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 become His CHOSEN SERVANT, sharing the GOOD NEWS:  “JESUS SAVES!!!”  Do this NOW, while

"My Hiding Place"

“My Hiding Place”

 

You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble.  You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.      Psalm 32:7

 

King David faced MANY adversities in his life and his family.  He fought battles of his beloved country, and he fought battles of his own making.  But David KNEW in his HEART that he could run to God, and be safe from his enemies. 

 

Oh, there were times when David had to face troubles, but he KNEW that the ALMIGHTY GOD was with him, and would eventually provide DELIVERANCE for him.  Even though David sinned grievously against God, he was still a man after God’s own heart.  And whenever he would CONFESS his sins and short-comings before God.  God would DELIVER David from the GUILT of his transgressions.

 

And He, the Lord God, will do the same for those, who are His TRUE CHILDREN.  When we fall short of God’s Will and have a DISOBEDIENT attitude towards Him and His Word, we like David, try to HIDE our transgressions, but it is IMPOSSIBLE, because God is ALL-KNOWING, He knows EVERYTHING we think, say or do, even BEFORE we THINK, SAY or DO it.  And yet He waits, with OPEN ARMS, for us to come to Him and CONFESS our DISOBEDIENCE.  Then He provides DELIVERANCE for us.  Yet, we MUST FACE the CONSEQUENCES of our transgressions. 

 

And like King David, we can CONFESS that the ALMIGHTY, EVERLASTING GOD is our HIDING PLACE, the PLACE we can run to and find SHELTER in the midst of the RAGING STORMS of LIFE. And we can JOYFULLY PROCLAIM the BLESSED ASSURANCE of His DELIVERANCE.  “Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever.  May You shelter them, and may those who love Your name boast about You.”   (Psalm 5:11)  Do you need a Hiding Place?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you DEFINITELY NEED this Hiding Place, because you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE.  In order to ESCAPE such a 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 BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS, GOD’S ONLY SON, died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let Him be YOUR HIDING PLACE.  And receive DELIVERANCE from your present DESTINY.  And JOYFULLY PROCLAIM that:  “God is your HIDING PLACE.”    Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Thanks from the Heart"

“Thanks from the Heart”

 

I thank You from my heart and I will never stop singing Your praises, my LORD and my God.      Psalm 30:12

 

This Scripture is a part of King David’s prayer of THANKS to the Lord God, who had saved David from his death, by the hands of his enemies.  David’s HEART is FULL of THANKSGIVING to God because of His deliverance, which He had so GRACIOUSLY and MERCIFULLY provided for David.

 

ALL TRUE BELIEVERS should have the same attitude as the King.   We SHOULD have an ABUNDANCE of THANKS to the Lord for ALL He has done, for ALL He is DOING, and for ALL He is going to DO.   He has DELIVERED each one of us from our BONDAGE of SIN, and SET us FREE from our GUILT and SHAME.  He has PROVIDED for US an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, and a WAY to ESCAPE HELL with ALL its HORRORS.  He has PROVIDED a GUIDE, COMFORTOR, and TEACHER to be with us, UNTIL Jesus RETURNS to take His TRUE CHILDREN to their ETERNAL HOME, HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.

 

As you can see, WE, who are God’s TRUE CHILDREN, have not only the things we possess here on earth, things that will one day be GONE.  But we have SO MUCH MORE, which SHOULD prompt:  THANKS FROM THE HEART, and ETERNAL PRAISES to the ONLY ONE, who is WORTHY.  We have an ETERNAL HOME, with GOD our HEAVENLY FATHER, and His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  A PLACE, where there is NO MORE CRYING, SICKNESS OR SORROW.  NO MORE DEATH, HEARTACHE, PAIN or DESPAIR.  NO MORE FEAR, ANXIETY, OR HOSTILITY. NO MORE LIES, DECEPTIONS, OR CORRUPTION.  ONLY JOY UNSPEAKABLE, PEACE, LOVE, AND WELL-BEING.  So let US, who are the TRUE CHILDREN of GOD express our THANKS FROM THE HEART, to the ONLY ONE, WHO is WORTHY. 

 

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, then your THANKS FROM THE HEART is SUPERFICIAL, and only directed at things that will PASS AWAY.  Your future is an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE.  In order to POSSESS HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME, you MUST BE WILLING TO 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.  BELIEVING, 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 EXPERIENCE a REAL THANKS FROM THE HEART!  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

"Thanks Be To God!"

“Thanks Be To God!”

 

But thanks be to God!  For though at one time you were slaves to sin, you have obeyed with all your heart the truths found in the teaching you received.  You were set free from sin and became the slaves of righteousness.      Romans 6:17, 18

 

THANKSGIVING, a special time to gather with friends and family and to REFLECT on ALL the things and times we are THANKFUL for.  For the TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, EVERYDAY should be THANKSGIVING DAY.  Because, we are CONTINUALLY being BLESSED. 

 

Just REFLECTING on what the LORD JESUS CHRIST has done for each TRUE BELIEVER, and ALL that He SUFFERED, in order for mankind to be SET FREE from the grips of sin and to receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to be able to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  This ALONE, should cause us to fall on our knees and cry out:  “THANKS BE TO GOD!” 

 

EVERY DAY, we SHOULD remember WHO we were, and WHERE we were headed, BEFORE we received God’s ABUNDANT MERCY and His AMAZING GRACE. And be THANKFUL, with ALL our HEARTS, for WHAT our futures hold.  We are joint-heirs with JESUS CHRIST, to ALL the GLORIES of HEAVEN.  And my dear friends, there is NOTHING that can compare to a future like that.  “THANKS BE TO GOD!”  

 

We can DEPEND on Him, for He will NEVER LEAVE nor FORSAKE His CHILDREN.  He BLESSES us when we are OBEDIENT to His WORD and His WILL.  His LOVE is TRUSTWORTHY, and UNFAILING.  He is AVAILABLE at any time to HEAR your HEART, and to GUIDE you down the RIGHT PATH.  He will see you through EVERY situation. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and are still being held CAPTIVE to your sinful lifestyle, and an ETERNITY in HELL, is your future, God wants to SET YOU FREE from your sins and to make you RIGHTEOUS before Him, and to give you an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, as your future.  He wants you to share in the BLESSINGS of Heaven, along with others who are His TRUE CHILDREN.  In order to become a TRUE CHILD of God, you must be WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. Then 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 ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be able to PROCLAIM:  “THANKS BE TO GOD!”  for your future inheritance of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

"Causes for Giving Thanks"

“Causes for Giving Thanks”

 

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever.  Let the Redeemed of the LORD say so.  Let them thank the LORD for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of man!  For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things.     Psalm 107:1,2a, 8, 9

 

This Psalm is a CALL to GIVE THANKS, it is addressed to the REDEEMED of the Lord God Almighty, and the GIVING of THANKS, is to be directed to Him.  It is because of His MERCY, which is Him NOT GIVING us what we deserve, but instead, through His Hand of MERCY, He GIVES us His AMAZING GRACE, which is our RECEIVING what we DO NOT deserve, His STEADFAST, UNFAILING, EVERLASTING LOVE, which was brought about through the SACRIFICIAL WORK of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, on the Cross of Calvary. And the RESURRECTION and ASCENSION of CHRIST was the HOPE of MANKIND for ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.

 

Therefore, let us see some of the CAUSES for GIVING THANKS.  First:  DELIVERANCE:  Because of God’s LOVE for mankind, we CAN BE DELIVERED from the DARK, WORLDLY, WICKED lifestyle of SIN, and brought into the GLORIOUS LIGHT of the LOVING LORD.  Jesus proclaims:  “I have come into the world as LIGHT, so that whoever believes in Me may NOT remain in darkness.”  (John 12:46)

 

Second cause:  FREEDOM:  For FREEDOM Christ has set us FREE; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  (Galatians 5:1)  Jesus Christ came to SET FREE ALL who were, are and will be in BONDAGE or SLAVERY to a SINFUL NATURE.  He suffered and died to set ALL of MANKIND FREE from their SINS and from an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPING.  All they have to do is ACCEPT God’s terms for SALVATION.

 

Third cause:  RESTORATION:  Because of Jesus’ DEATH, RESURRECTION, and ASCENSION, mankind’s relationship with God can be RESTORED.  Because of Adam’s DISOBEDIENCE, mankind is born with a sinful nature, and is at enmity with God.  So God sent His Son to be a SACRIFICE for MANKIND.  And for them to be able to receive SALVATION, and to have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God.

 

Fourth cause:  POWER:  God has the POWER to SAVE, KEEP and PROVIDE for those who are WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyle, and to TURN TO HIM, 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God. Then they MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and receive DELIVERANCE, FREEDOM, RESTORATION, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Be Thankful!"

“Be Thankful!”

 

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.        Colossians 3:16-17

 

True Believers really have SO MUCH to be THANKFUL for.  And I think that is why the Apostle Paul wrote three consecutive times for the Believers in Colossae to “BE THANKFUL!”  The first time is at the end of verse fifteen, he said, “And be thankful.” Then in verse sixteen, he tells them to; “Let the Word of Christ DWELL in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in ALL wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with THANKFULNESS in your HEARTS to God.”  The Word of God is to DWELL or LIVE in the TRUE BELIEVER, which is done through STUDYING, MEDITATING and APPLYING the Word.  Then through this process, the Word becomes a PERMANENT part of the BELIEVER’S LIFE.  And there is GRATIFICATION in LIVING according to God’s Word and KNOWING and being OBEDIENT to His Will.  All of which should be carried out with a THANKFUL HEART.

 

In verse sixteen, Paul tell the Believers, that WHATEVER they do, in WORD or DEED, to do EVERYTHING in the NAME of the LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS to GOD the FATHER through Him.  For the TRUE BELIEVER, BEING THANKFUL is pretty easy, especially KNOWING that we are God’s Children, with an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with all its BLESSINGS.  And having the ASSURANCE that He is ALWAYS with us, in the BAD as well as the GOOD times.  He will see us through until we GO HOME to be with Him FOREVER.  Do you have that ASSURANCE?  Can you BE THANKFUL about where you will spend your ETERNITY?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you are NOT His Child, nor do you have HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  How can you BE THANKFUL, when you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE?  However, you can CHANGE your DESTINY by:  WILLINGLY 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and REALLY have something to BE THANKFUL for.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"A Voice of Thanksgiving"

“A Voice of Thanksgiving”

 

Those who cling to worthless idols forsake faithful love, but as for me, I will sacrifice to You with a voice of thanksgiving.  I will fulfill what I have vowed.  Salvation is from the LORD!             Jonah 2:8-9

 

Jonah, a prophet of the One TRUE God, knew what it was like to CLING to a WORTHLESS idol.  An idol is ANYTHING that you put BEFORE GOD, and that ROBS Him of the OBEDIENCE, AFFECTION, and WORSHIP, which RIGHTFULLY BELONGS to Him.  For Jonah it was his INTENSE LOVE for his country, or his INTENSE PATRIOTISM.  Jonah was so CONCERNED about the WELFARE of his OWN country, that he REBELLED AGAINST God’s Will for him to be God’s MESSENGER to his country’s enemy, the ASSYRIANS.  Jonah REFUSED God’s order for him to go to Nineveh, to bring them to God for the SALVATION of their souls.  Jonah was chastised by God, for his DISOBEDIENCE, for one thing, and for his idol (intense patriotism) for another. Jonah was SWALLOWED by a VERY LARGE fish.  And it appeared that he was DOOMED to DIE in the belly of that VERY LARGE FISH. 

 

This Scripture, is a part of Jonah’s PRAYER to the Almighty God, while he was sitting, and concentrating on his situation.  He came to the point of REALIZING that he had GREVIOUSLY SINNED against God, by being DISOBEDIENT to the Will of God.  Jonah had made some SOLEMN VOWS to God and he intended to KEEP them.  He ACKNOWLEDGED that he was GUILTY of IDOL WORSHIP, and VOWED to SACRIFICE to God, and to God ALONE.  He did that with a VOICE of THANKSGIVING.  And he PROMISED that he would FULFILL that VOW.  Then he proclaimed:  SALVATION or DELIVERANCE is from the LORD!  And God commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

 

Many have had to face TROUBLESOME TIMES, because they have NEGELECTED God and His WILL for their lives, due to the fact, that they have made idols from things they have put before the Lord, and CLUNG TO, and WORSHIPED, instead of being OBEDIENT to God, and His Will for them.  They, LIKE JONAH, have REBELLED AGAINST God and is Will for their lives.  But some of them have ACKNOWLEDGED their DISOBEDIENCE and like JONAH, have CONFESSED their transgressions, and have had their RELATIONSHIP with God RESTORED.  And with a VOICE of THANKSGIVING, God has become their SALVATION.   Is He YOUR SALVATION?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you are being DISOBEDIENT to His Will, and you are facing an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  If you, like Jonah, will ACKNOWLEDGE and CONFESS your SINS to Him, and are WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and to TURN AWAY FROM IDOLS of your OWN making.  And ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that, Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, you can, with a VOICE of THANKSGIVING, GO and TELL what God has done for YOU!  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!