Saturday, March 30, 2019

"To Seek and To Save"


“To Seek and To Save”

 

“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”          Luke 19:9-10

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.       Hebrews 9:27-28

 

In the Gospel of Luke, we are told of a tax collector, named Zacchaeus, who heard that Jesus was coming to town, and Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, but there was such a crowd of people, and Zacchaeus, being short in stature, could not see over the heads of the crowd of people.  So he climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus.  Now, evidently, Zacchaeus, was NOT an HONEST man, being a tax collector, he, more than likely, cheated many people, and was known by the crowd to be a SINNER.  Zacchaeus, CONFESSED his sins to Jesus, openly in front of the crowd of people.  And Zacchaeus promised to give back to the people MORE than he had cheated them out of, and because of the CHANGE in Zacchaeus’ heart, Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today SALVATION has come to this house…For the Son of Man came to SEEK and to SAVE the lost.” 

 

Have you invited Jesus into your life, and are you WILLING to have a CHANGE in your life-style, because of the CHANGE in your HEART?  The very PURPOSE for Jesus’ life on this earth was to SEEK and to SAVE the lost, which is ALL of mankind.  Jesus was BORN to DIE.

 

The writer of the book of Hebrews, tells us that:  Just as people are destined to die ONCE, and after that to face JUDGMENT, so Christ was sacrificed ONCE to take away the sins of many.  There are NO MORE sacrifices to be made.  The ONCE-FOR–ALL sacrifice of Christ Jesus is SUFFICIENT to bring about the SALVATION of mankind.  His second coming will NOT be SACRIFICAL, but for those who are lost, it will be a time of JUDGMENT, and sentencing to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE. But for those who are His TRUE CHILDREN, it will be the culmination of their SALVATION, their ETERNAL INHERITANCE of an ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you will be one who will be facing JUDGMENT and an ETERNITY in HELL.  You have the opportunity NOW, to change your DESTINY.  You do that by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and LOOK FORWARD to His SECOND COMING and your ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Friday, March 29, 2019

"The Act of Redemption"


“The Act of Redemption”

 

This is the ACT of REDEMPTION:  When Christ went through the tent and entered once and for all into the MOST HOLY PLACE, He did not take the blood of goats and bulls to offer as a sacrifice, rather He took His own blood and obtained ETERNAL SALVATION for us.   The blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a burnt calf are sprinkled on the people who are ritually unclean, and this purifies them by taking away their ritual impurity.  Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ!  Through the Eternal Spirit He offered Himself as a Perfect Sacrifice to God.  His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the Living God.     (Hebrews 9:12-14)

 

Redemption is to SET FREE by paying a RANSOM.  Jesus Christ is a RANSOM for ALL who will come to Him for the CLEANSING of their wicked, sin-sick souls, which are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  Unless, of course, they ACCEPT His ACT of REDEMPTION.

 

There is NO RITUAL you can perform, in order to SECURE you an ETERNITY in Heaven, with ALL its blessings.  Because it is by God’s GRACE that you have been saved through FAITH.  It is NOT the results of your OWN efforts, but God’s GIFT, so that NO ONE can BOAST about it.                 (Eph. 2:8-9) 

 

The ONLY WAY for you to be able to receive this ACT of REDEMPTION, and to receive HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME, is for you to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and to TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His ACT of REDEMPTION, and be WILLING to be LED by His Holy Spirit, to an ETERNITY in Heaven.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, March 28, 2019

"Declared Righteous, Saved From Wrath!"


“Declared Righteous, Saved From Wrath!”

 

But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!  Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath.        Romans 5:8-9

 

Our OWN righteousness is like FILTHY RAGS to the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS God, the Creator of ALL mankind.  So how can we receive RECONCILIATION with Him?  For mankind the process is quite easy. 

 

Because of God’s OWN UNFAILING LOVE, and while we were still sinners, His Son, Jesus Christ died for US.  This was Christ’s mission, to SUFFER, BLEED and DIE for the SALVATION of ALL who will ACCEPT His SACRIFICE.  But His DEATH was NOT the END of God’s plan for the REDEMPTION of mankind.  The RESURRECTION, of Jesus Christ, was the ASSURANCE to mankind that DEATH would NO LONGER have a HOLD on God’s Children, those who come to Christ by FAITH.  They would be SAVED from the wrath of God, which is CONDEMNATION and also from the coming wrath of the TRIBULATION. 

 

Because mankind is DECLARED RIGHTEOUS, by the ONCE for ALL BLOOD SACRIFICE, of Christ, they will be able to be RECONCILED with the HOLY RIGHTEOUS GOD. They will be DECLARED RIGHTEOUS, and they will be SAVED from His WRATH.  They will receive a ROBE and a CROWN, and will spend their ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Is this your destiny?

 

If you have NOT ACCEPTED God’s UNFAILING LOVE, through the SACRIFICE of His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, Jesus Christ, for the FORGIVENESS of your sins, then you are DESTINED for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  You will die a SPIRITUAL DEATH, and will NEVER see HEAVEN, and you will experience God’s wrath.  Your ONLY opportunity to be RECONCILED with God, and spend your ETERNITY in HEAVEN, is for you to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and be DECLARED RIGHTEOUS, SAVED from His WRATH, and RECONCILED.  So do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

"What is FAITH?"


“What is FAITH?”

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.                Hebrews 11:1-3

 

TRUE SPIRITUAL FAITH, is NOT wishful thinking, but it is a DEEP-SEATED, INNER conviction based on the Word of the Living God.  The Holy Spirit gives us ALL the ASSURANCE and PROOF we NEED in order to live by FAITH and NOT by SIGHT.

 

It is by FAITH that we BELIEVE that God created the Universe, by SPEAKING it into existence.  It is by FAITH that we have the HOPE of an ETERNITY in Heaven.  It is by FAITH that we TRUST in God and His POWER, even though we cannot SEE or FEEL with our HANDS the very being of an OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCENT, OMNIPRESENT, God. 

 

After the Resurrection of Jesus, when He appeared to His Disciples, Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with them.  And when he came back to the house, where they were, they told him about Jesus’ visit.  But Thomas, being a DOUBTER, did NOT BELIEVE them.  He said:  “Unless I SEE the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will NOT BELIEVE.”   About a week later ALL of the disciples, including Thomas, were gathered in the house and Jesus appeared to them again.  He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; SEE My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  STOP DOUBTING and BELIEVE.”   Then Jesus told him, “Because you have SEEN Me you have BELIEVED; BLESSED are those who have NOT SEEN and yet have BELIEVED.”   (John 20: 24-29)    Where was Thomas’ FAITH?   Where is YOUR FAITH?  Is it ONLY in what is VISIBLE?

 

When a TRUE BELIEVER lives by FAITH, they are TRUSTING in what they cannot SEE, but yet they BELIEVE.  And they will be BLESSED with an ETERNITY in Heaven.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, because you DO NOT BELIEVE in something or someone, whom you CANNOT SEE, how are you able to breathe?  You cannot see air, yet you trust it is there, EVERY time you take a breath.  Where is your ETERNAL DESTINY going to be?  If you have NOT TRUSTED in Christ, your ETERNAL DESTINY is a place called HELL, where you will SUFFER ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to LIVE by FAITH, and experience an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start LIVING by FAITH, and receive an ETERNAL HOME, in Heaven.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

"One in Union with Christ"


“One in Union with Christ”

 

It is through faith that all of you are God’s Children in union with Christ Jesus.  You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ Himself.  So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.         Galatians 3:26-28

 

The Apostle Paul’s message for the Galatian believers, was that their FAITH in Christ Jesus, made them God’s Children, and UNITED them with Christ.  This act is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which UNITES ALL TRUE BELIEVERS, with Christ Jesus, and they are then UNITED into the Body of Christ, the Church.  (1 Cor. 12:12-13)  This is applicable for the TRUE BELIEVER, today.

 

When we become ONE in UNION with CHRIST, we are clothed with Christ, meaning we become clothed with a ROBE of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which gives us full ACCEPTANCE before the ALMIGHTY GOD.   Then we become ONE with Christ and with each other, within the Body of Christ Jesus.

 

When this happens, there are NO DISTINCTIONS, or NO RANKINGS, so to speak, No one is SPIRITUALLY SUPERIOR over another, but ALL are ONE in UNION with CHRIST JESUS.  Jewish believers are no more privileged over the Gentile believers, and there is NO DIFFERENCE between the slaves and the free, nor between men and women.  ALL are EQUAL SPIRITUALLY, because they are ALL God’s Children who are ONE in UNION with CHRIST. 

 

This relationship gives the TRUE BELIEVER, whether Jew or Gentile, Slave or Free, Men or Women, the privilege of inheriting an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  And being able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  Where do you stand?  Are you part of the ONE in UNION with CHRIST?  

 

In order to become part of the ONE in UNION with CHRIST JESUS, and being able to inherit an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS; you MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a part of the ONE in UNION with CHRIST.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Monday, March 25, 2019

"Rescued and Redeemed!"


“Rescued and Redeemed!”

 

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

 

Before a person becomes a TRUE BELIEVER, a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD, they are ENEMIES of God, because of their UNREPENTANT HEART, and SINFUL LIFESTYLE.  They clearly live in DISOBEDIENCE to God and His Will.   But there comes a time when God will deal with that individual, and for those who come to Him, by the work of the Holy Spirit, and with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. He will RESCUE them from an ETERNITY in the DOMINION of DARKNESS, and He will bring them into an ETERNITY in the KINGDOM of His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He LOVES.

 

It is through the DEATH and RESURRECTION of JESUS, that mankind is REDEEMED, after their RESCUE, and their SINS are FORGIVEN.  They will RECEIVE an ETERNITY in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS. 

 

I believe that Psalm 107: 13-15, gives us a good picture of what our Scripture in Colossians tells us about being RESCUED:  “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.  Let them give thanks to the Lord for His UNFAILING LOVE and His wonderful deeds for mankind.”   Have you been RESCUED from the DOMINION of DARKNESS?  Or is that your DESTINY?

 

In Galatians 3:14, it gives us a HOPEFUL picture of being REDEEMED:   “He REDEEMED us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by FAITH we might RECEIVE the PROMISE of the Spirit.”   Because Jesus Christ was OBEDIENT to the will of God, through His excruciating DEATH and His GLORIOUS RESURRECTION, we have received an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Is this your DESTINATION?    It could be.

 

In order to be RESCUED and REDEEMED, you MUST be willing to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST then CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be RESCUED and REDEEMED, and RECEIVE an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Friday, March 22, 2019

"Being Worthy"


“Being Worthy”

 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.        Philippians 1:27

 

The Apostle Paul had been arrested, and was in chains.  He was distressed, because, he didn’t know what his fate would be.  For Paul, to DIE would be GAIN, then he would be FREE from all the PERSECUTIONS and HARDSHIPS, which he OFTEN encountered.  But for him to LIVE would be SPIRITUALLY BENEFICIAL for the Philippian BELIEVERS.  So Paul was willing to STAY in the BODY, and SUFFER for the cause of CHRIST, then to DIE and be taken up to his Heavenly reward.

 

However, the choice was NOT the Apostle’s to make.  He was concerned for the TRUE BELIEVERS at Philippi, and so he exhorted them to CONDUCT or LIVE their lives in a MANNER that was WORTHY of the Gospel of Christ.  This charge of Paul’s is the RESPONSIBILITY of EACH TRUE BELIEVER, as much NOW as it was then. 

 

The charge was that they first MUST STAND FIRM, in ONE SPIRIT.  In other words, they MUST be STEADFAST, and NOT WAVERING in their FAITH.  They MUST WORK, STRIVING TOGETHER, for the FAITH of the GOSPEL.  They should be BOLD and NOT FRIGHTENED in any way, by those who come AGAINST them.  They MUST POSSESS a STRONG FAITH.  One that will get them through their HARDSHIPS and PERSECUTIONS when they come, and they will COME. 

 

The question is:  “Is your FAITH STRONG ENOUGH to see you through, when the STORMS of life beat you down, and the devil tells you, “It’s NOT WORTH IT?”  Are you WILLING to TRULY SUFFER for the cause of Christ?  You are NOT ALONE in this battle, it SHOULD BE the BODY of CHRIST, WORKING TOGETHER, SUPPORTING each other, and NOT WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER.  We are NOT in COMPETITION with each other.  We are a LOVING FAMILY, who FEELS the PAIN when a BROTHER or SISTER in Christ, is hurting, or FEELS the JOY when they are REJOICING.  

 

These are the TRUE MARKS of BEING WORTHY of the GOSPEL of CHRIST.   Where do YOU stand?  Are you WORTHY?  If you have NOT TRULY GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to God, then YOU are LOST and DESTINED to spend an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  God in His INIFINITE MERCY, and His AMAZING GRACE wants you to come to Him, and receive the HOPE of HEAVEN, and to JOIN His LOVING FAMILY.  In order to do that, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, then become a part of His LOVING FAMILY, and WORK at being WORTHY of the Gospel of Christ.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, March 21, 2019

"Above All Else!"


“Above All Else!”

 

Above all else, guard your heart for everything flows from it.   Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix you gaze directly before you.        Proverbs 4:23-25

 

ABOVE ALL ELSE---GUARD your HEART for everything flows from it.   In Romans 10:10, the Apostle Paul tells us that; “… it is with your HEART that you BELIEVE and are JUSTIFIED…”   JUSTIFICATION is the act of being made RIGHTEOUS, and SET FREE from the penalty of your sins.  Now you KNOW why, ABOVE ALL ELSE, you SHOULD GUARD your HEART, for EVERYTHING flows from it.   “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For the MOUTH speaks what the HEART is full of.”  (Luke 6:45)   What is your HEART full of?

 

ABOVE ALL ELSE ---KEEP your MOUTH FREE of PERVERSITY; KEEP corrupt talk far from your lips.  The HEART and MOUTH are connected.  What is in the HEART, generally comes out of the MOUTH.   Back in Romans 10:10, the last part of the verse says:  “It is with your MOUTH that you profess your faith and are saved.”  REMEMBER!  The MOUTH speaks what the HEART is full of.   In Matthew 15:11, Jesus spoke these words:  Listen and understand.  What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them. “   So now you KNOW why, ABOVE ALL ELSE, you MUST KEEP your MOUTH FREE OF PERVERSITY and CORRUPT TALK from your lips.  Is your MOUTH CLEAN, because of the cleanliness of your HEART?

 

ABOVE ALL ELSE---LET your EYES look STRAIGHT AHEAD; FIX your GAZE directly before you.  King David gives us some SOUND ADVICE in Psalm 16:8, he says:  “I keep my eyes on the Lord, with Him at my right hand, I will NOT be shaken.” In Psalm 121:1-3 says:  “I lift up my eyes to the mountains---where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and earth.  He will NOT let your foot slip---He who watches over you will not slumber.  So, ABOVE ALL ELSE, LET your EYES look STRAIGHT ahead, and FIX your GAZE DIRECTLY before you.   LOOKING FORWARD to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, Is this what your EYES are FOCUSED on?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are NOT GUARDING your HEART, but allowing WICKEDNESS to sneak in, and this will contaminate your HEART and could possibly send you to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  God’s plan is for you to spend ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  To do that you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  You MUST BELIEVE, 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 ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD your HEART, KEEP your MOUTH FREE from PERVERSITY, and your EYES LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Wednesday, March 20, 2019


“Don’t Do It!”

 

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.  Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.             Proverbs 4: 14, 15, 26

 

Proverbs provides for us goals and ways to reach those goals in our lives.  These verses WARNS us NOT to take the WRONG PATH, especially for the TRUE BELIEVER or the NEW BELIEVER.  I think this is an EXCELLENT lesson for children, especially the school age children.  It is imperative to use WISDOM in living a SUCCESSFUL life.  And taking the WRONG WAY is NOT the WISE thing to do, so DON’T DO IT!”

 

The world we live in, today, is full of ALLURING obstacles that will LEAD one down the WRONG PATH.  We MUST travel through this SIN-SICK world with WISDOM as our guide.  For a TRUE BELIEVER, the absolute best GPS they possess is the HOLY SPIRIT, who is WISDOM personified, and He will NOT LEAD them down the WRONG PATH.  When in doubt PRAY for WISDOM and GUIDANCE to make the RIGHT CHOICES. 

 

To try and live a SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE, one that HONORS CHRIST, on your own, using your OWN WISDOM, without the WISDOM and GUIDANCE from the HOLY SPIRIT, is FOOLISH and DANGEROUS.  You might find yourself on the WRONG PATH travelling in the WRONG DIRECTION.  A direction that would NOT PLEASE God, nor provide a SUCCESSFUL LIFE.  So DON’T DO IT!

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are on the WRONG PATH, the one that will LEAD you to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to get on the STRAIGHT and NARROW, the RIGHT PATH, the one that leads to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, then LISTEN to the HOLY SPIRIT for WISDOM and GUIDANCE in living a SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE for Christ.   DO IT NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

"He Did It!"


“He Did It!”

 

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.  Through Him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the Law of Moses.”        Acts 13:38-39

 

Jesus has done something NO ONE ELSE has or can do.  That is to provide FORGIVENESS of SINS and to bring JUSTIFICATION and RIGHTEOUSNESS to fallen mankind.  Our Scripture tells us that THROUGH Jesus FORGIVENESS of Sins and JUSTIFICATION, which was NOT obtainable under the Law of Moses, is so NOW, THROUGH the sacrifice made by JESUS CHRIST and Him ALONE.  And ONLY HE is ABLE to SET FREE those who BELIEVE, from their sins.   HE DID IT!

 

In Romans 5:19, the Apostle Paul says:  “For just as through the disobedience of one man, (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus), the many will be made righteous.”  Because SIN entered the hearts of ALL mankind, through the one man, Adam’s DISOBEDIENCE, there had to be a SACRIFICIAL RETRIBUTION, which was the OBEDIENCE of Jesus through His DEATH and RESURRECTION.  Mankind is born with a sinful nature, because of Adam’s DISOBEDIENCE.  And mankind is in DESPERATE NEED of a SAVIOR, One who is WILLING to do the WILL of God, even unto DEATH, that ONE is JESUS CHRIST, the ONLY ONE who was the PERFECT SACRIFICE.   The ONLY ONE, who can FORGIVE EVERY SIN of EVERYONE who BELIEVES. And the ONLY ONE who can bring JUSTIFICATION and RIGHTEOUSNESS to a LOST and DYING world.    HE DID IT!

 

Have you ACCEPTED Jesus Christ as your SAVIOR and LORD?  If NOT, you are facing an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  This is NOT God’s plan for you.  He wants you to be FORGIVEN, JUSTIFIED and made RIGHTEOUS in His sight.  In order 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 BELIEVE that JESUS died for YOU, with ALL your HEART, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE His FORGIVENESS, JUSTIFICATION and RIGHTEOUSNESS, along with an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 18, 2019

"Salvation"


“Salvation”

 

Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.                  Psalm 68:20

“Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”         Acts 4:11-12

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.        Hebrews 9:28

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.          2 Corinthians 6:2b

 

The act of SALVATION is being DELIVERED or RESCUED.

 

The SALVATION of mankind was the plan of the Almighty God to RESCUE or DELIVER them from their sins and shortcomings, and from a spiritual death, which would cause them to spend an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  

 

It was because of God’s INFINITE MERCY and His AMAZING GRACE that mankind could receive an ETERNITY in Heaven, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  But a price MUST be PAID, so Jesus (the Stone) came to earth to SEEK and to SAVE mankind.  But the Religious Leaders (the builders) had a different attitude, they REJECTED Jesus, who became the CORNERSTONE.   The REJECTION of Jesus as the Messiah, did NOT alter or stop God’s plan of SALVATION.  SALVATION is found in NO ONE ELSE, there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to mankind by which we MUST be SAVED.  JESUS is the ONLY ONE and the ONLY WAY for mankind to have the HOPE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  

 

Jesus Christ, came as a baby and grew up a man, who was SACRIFICED ONCE to take AWAY the sins of MANY.  Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (v 27)  He will appear a SECOND time, but NOT to bear SINS, but to bring the culmination of SALVATION to those who have ACCEPTED and are WAITING for Him. 

 

Are you one of those who are WAITING for Him?  The Apostle Paul compels us, in the Word of God:  “I tell you, NOW is the time of God’s favor, NOW is the day of SALVATION.”   If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you are DESTINED to spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  God’s plan includes some actions on your part.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive the HOPE of HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, for ALL of ETERNITY.   REMEMBER, NOW is the TIME of God’s favor, and NOW is the DAY of SALVATION. So do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Saturday, March 16, 2019

"Praise the Lord!"


“Praise the Lord!”

 

Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!  I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.          Psalm 146:1-2

 

Praise:  To voice admiration; to worship

 

The Book of Psalms is LOADED with PRAISES for the Lord God Almighty.  PRAISE is voicing ADMIRATION for the PERSON, WORK, and BENEFITS of that individual.  Many are quick to sing the PRAISES of their CHILDREN, SPOUSE, or even THEMSELVES, but as TRUE BELIEVERS, can we voice ALOUD the words of our Psalmist; “Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul!  I will praise the Lord as long as I live, I will sing praises to my GOD while I have my being.”?  I think that we sometimes fall SHORT of our PRAISE of God and ALL He is and ALL He has done for us.  Sometimes we are afraid of what someone may think, if we show our PRAISE for our God.

 

I want us to look at some reasons WHY we should PRAISE the Lord as long as we LIVE.  Verse five, tells us that we are BLESSED because God is our HELPER.  He HELPS us when we CALL out to Him, in our time of need.  In that same verse, we are told that God is our HOPE, whenever we think that we are SINKING in HOPELESSNESS, we can have the ASSURANCE that God is our HOPE.  He is our CREATOR, He is the MAKER of HEAVEN and EARTH, and EVERYTHING that is in the HEAVENS and on the EARTH.  Nothing is MADE that He did not MAKE. 

 

Verse seven, tells us that He is the JUST JUDGE, the one who executes JUSTICE for the oppressed.  He is also our SUSTAINER, He PROVIDES our NECESSITIES for life.  He PROVIDES FREEDOM especially to those who are held CAPTIVE by their SINS.

 

 He is our HEALER, both physically and spiritually.  Verse eight tells us that He opens the eyes of the blind and lifts up those who are bowed down.   He is the LOVER of our souls, especially those who have come to Him for their SALVATION.  He makes them RIGHTEOUS in His SIGHT, and has PROVIDED the HOPE of HEAVEN as their ETERNAL HOME.  

 

There are PLENTY of reasons to PRAISE GOD!  The BEST of ALL is JESUS CHRIST.  If you have NOT come to Jesus for the SALVATION of your soul, you cannot offer TRUE PRAISE and WORSHIP to the ALMIGHTY GOD, until you do.   And you are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  This is NOT what God wants for you. In order to receive what He wants for you, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and PRAISE the LORD for SAVING your SOUL from an ETERNITY in HELL.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Friday, March 15, 2019

"The Wise and the Foolish"


“The Wise and the Foolish”

 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”      Matthew 7:24-27

 

This is a parable that Jesus told, concerning the differences of a TRUE BELIEVER, the WISE, and an UNBELIEVER, the FOOLISH.  Jesus uses the illustration of two builders, one WISE and one FOOLISH.  Let’s call them Mr. W and Mr. F.  Now I want you to notice that these builders had the same building plans and the same building materials.  The both had the WORDS of Jesus Christ.

 

Mr. W. Knows that a SURE, STEADFAST FOUNDATION is important to the STABILITY of the house.  So he begins building his FOUNDATION on the ROCK (Jesus).  When the HOUSE is completed, a STRONG, FEROCIOUS STORM comes up.   And the RAIN came down, the STREAMS ROSE, and the WINDS BLEW and BEAT against the HOUSE, but the HOUSE stood, it did NOT FALL.    This is a picture of the TRUE BELIEVER, who LIVES for the LORD and puts His words into PRACTICE DAILY.  And when the STORMS of LIFE, and the periods of God’s TESTING comes, the TRUE BELIEVER stands FIRM and STEADFAST, because their FAITH is built on the ROCK, Jesus Christ.

 

Mr. F., may believe that he DOESN’T NEED to build on the ROCK, he can cut corners, and save time, so he will build on the SAND.  When his HOUSE is completed, and the STRONG FEROCIOUS STORM comes up, and the RAIN comes down, the STREAMS RISE, and the WINDS BLOW and BEAT against the HOUSE, but the HOUSE FALLS and CRUMBLES with a GREAT CRASH.  DISASTER happens, because Mr. F. did NOT FOLLOW the WORDS of Jesus Christ, nor did he put them into practice.  He thinks that all he NEEDS to do, in order to obtain SALVATION and an ETERNITY in Heaven, is to live a “good life” or maybe be a member of a church, neither of which will give you SALVATION or an ETERNITY in Heaven. 

 

Your HOUSE MUST be built on a SURE, STEADFAST FOUNDATION that is built on the ROCK, and that ROCK is JESUS CHRIST, and you MUST NOT just be a HEARER of His WORD, but you MUST BE a DOER of the WORD.  (James 1:22-24)   Which one are you MR. W. or MR. F.?

If you have NOT TRULY given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are like MR. F.,  and you are DOOMED to spend your ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  However, God is giving you another opportunity to BUILD your HOUSE on the SOLID ROCK, JESUS CHRIST.  You do that by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your old sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You then MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be like MR. W. BUILD your HOUSE on the SOLID ROCK, JESUS CHRIST.  And receive HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

Thursday, March 14, 2019

"The Death of the Old Man"


“The Death of the Old Man”

 

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.   Romans 6:6-7

 

When a person comes to God for the SALVATION of their SOUL, they experience the spiritual death of their “OLD MAN”, or the OLD PERSON they USED TO BE.  The Apostle Paul tells us when this happens, the one who is NOW in Christ, becomes a NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS have PASSED AWAY; behold, ALL things have become NEW.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)   Meaning that the OLD SINFUL LIFESTYLE is gone, and a NEW LIFESTYLE is come.

 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our SAVIOR and LORD, we NO LONGER are ENSLAVED to SIN.  It NO LONGER is in CONTROL of our physical body.  Sure, we still have a SINFUL NATURE, but when we become TRUE BELIEVERS, we are set FREE from being in BONDAGE or ENSLAVED to the sins that USED to CONTROL our physical body.  The Word of God does NOT teach us that the sinful nature is done away with at the time of SALVATION or in THIS life on earth.  But it does tell us that we are NO LONGER ENSLAVED to SIN. 

 

The Old Man is CRUCIFIED with Christ, this shows the UNITY with Christ, and is exemplified through baptism, the NEW CREATION (man) is spiritually RESURRECTED to a NEWNESS of life, and with the HOPE of an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  The CRUCIFIXION of the OLD MAN is the basis for DELIVERANCE from the CONTROL of Sin.  Has your OLD MAN been CRUCIFIED with Christ?  Is it Christ who lives with-in you?  Or are you still ENSLAVED to SIN?

 

If you are still PRACTICING a SINFUL LIFESTYLE and have NOT yet given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are ENSLAVED to SIN, and on your way to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  You MUST EXPERIENCE the DEATH of the OLD MAN, by CRUCIFYING him with Christ, and be SET FREE from the ENSLAVEMENT of SIN.  In order 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 BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then, you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

"Living As the Temple of God"


“Living As the Temple of God”

 

What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said:  “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”  Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”  And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”        2 Corinthians 6:16-18

 

The Apostle Paul is giving instructions to the TRUE BELIEVERS as to how they SHOULD live as Children of the Living God.  In verse fourteen Paul tells them they SHOULD NOT be YOKED together with UNBELIEVERS. He asks the question:  “For what do RIGHTEOUSNESS and WICKEDNESS have in COMMON?”  There is NO COMMONALTY with RIGHTEOUSNESS and WICKEDNESS.   The attributes of each are so distinctively DIFFERENT; the attributes of RIGHTEOUSNESS includes:  Holiness, Purity, Goodness, and Virtue.  The attributes of WICKEDNESS includes:  Hatred, Malice, Jealousy, Vileness, and Depravity.  So what kind of RELATIONSHIP do you think RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is characteristic of a TRUE BELIEVER, and WICKEDNESS, which is characteristic of an UNBELIEVER, would have with each other?

 

In the Scripture for today, we see the HEART of God, concerning the way He wants the TRUE BELIEVER to LIVE.  Because they are His TEMPLE, which houses His Holy Spirit.  They are to be SEPARATED from the UNBELIEVER, which means they SHOULD NOT participate in the EVIL deeds of the UNBELIEVER, but come out of that lifestyle and make a NEW lifestyle for the abode of the Holy Spirit.  They should NOT TOUCH any UNCLEAN THING, again this refers to NOT PARTICIPATING in the WICKED DEEDS of the UNBELIEVER.  

 

If a person is willing to LIVE a SANCTIFIED LIFE, as the TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD, then God will RECEIVE them and He will LIVE with them and WALK with them, and He will be their GOD, and they will be His people.  Are you WILLING to become a TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD?  In order to do so, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and LIVE a NEW LIFE as the TEMPLE of the LIVING GOD.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

"Veiled or Unveiled?"


“Veiled or Unveiled?”

 

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.        2 Corinthians 4:3-4

 

Things haven’t changed much, concerning the GOSPEL of Christ.  Even in the Apostle Paul’s day, People’s minds seemed to have had a “veil” over them.  These were those who were PERISHING.  Those who were FOLLOWING the god of this age, that DIRTY OLE DEVI, the one  who BLINDED the MINDS of the UNBELIEVERS, and is STILL doing it today.

 

That DECEIVER, has the SPIRITUAL EYES of EVERY UNBELIEVER blinded to the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  He has clouded their vision to the point, that they are unable to see the LIGHT of the GOSPEL.  Much like having a SPIRITUAL CATARACT, and until that CATARACT is REMOVED, they will not SEE CLEARLY.  And are doomed to an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and there is NO WAY of ESCAPE. 

 

For the UNBELIEVER, it is like looking through a VEIL, and therefore they do NOT know the REAL TRUTH, because they cannot see the LIGHT of the GOSPEL, which displays the GLORY of Christ, who is the IMAGE of GOD.   Jesus told Philip; that ANYONE who has seen Him has seen the FATHER, because He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.  (John 14:9-10).  Are you an UNBELIEVER that is suffering with SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS caused by SPIRITUAL CATARACTS, which is VEILING your SPIRITUAL VISION, and not allowing you to SEE the TRUTH of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ?  

 

If this is your case, then you are headed to an ETERNITY in Hell.  In order to UNVEIL or CLEAR up your SPIRITUAL VISION, so you can SEE the TRUTH.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and have your SPIRITUAL EYES UNVEILED and your SPIRITUAL VISION CLEAR, and be able to SEE the Light of the Gospel.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

Monday, March 11, 2019

"The Day of Judgment is Set!"


“The Day of Judgment is Set!”

 

“Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed.  He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”       Acts 17:30-31

 

The Apostle Paul, put a sting to the Greek culture, by referring to it as “the times of ignorance.” He was talking to them about their idols, idol making and idol worship.  He told them God had OVERLOOKED these times, but was NOW commanding ALL people EVERYWHERE to REPENT.  It was NOT that God condoned their idol worship, but that He was PATIENT with them, for the time being.   Much like it is today, because of God’s PATIENCE and LOVE He is giving EVERYONE THE OPPORTUNITY to SEEK HIM and REPENT of their sins.

 

However, there is coming a DAY, when He will put an END to His PATIENCE and commence with His JUDGMENT of FALLEN MANKIND.  He has already SET the DAY, when He will JUDGE the World in RIGHTEOUSNESS.  This JUDGMENT will be carried out by the Man that He has appointed, which is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.    He has provided PROOF of this to EVERYONE by the RESURRECTION of Jesus from the dead. 

 

If we TRUST Christ as our SAVIOR, He will SAVE us.  If we REJECT Him, He will Judge us.  We have three different attitudes in our world, today, concerning the SALVATION of mankind.  First is the OPPOSITION of SALVATION, secondly is to RIDICULE SALVATION, and thirdly is to DELAY the ACCEPTANCE of SALVATION.   All three attitudes are DANGEROUS and can have a determinate effect on one’s ETERNAL DESTINY.  What is your attitude towards the SALVATION of mankind?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you may exhibit a little of all three of these attitudes, which will send you to an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  And you WILL face God’s RIGHTEOUS JUDGE on the DAY that has been SET for JUDGMENT.   You will be JUDGED for your sins and sentenced to spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL.  However, God, being a PATIENT God is STILL giving you the opportunity to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and to TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then YOU must ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.   Do this NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!