"God's Unfailing Love and Wonderful Deeds"

“God’s Unfailing Love and Wonderful Deeds”

 

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.       Psalms 107:13-15

 

When we think about God’s UNFAILING LOVE, we think about His willingness to GIVE His ONLY SON to SUFFER, BLEED and DIE, so that ALL of mankind might have the opportunity to become a part of His FAMILY.  Mankind is a PART of God’s CREATION, but they are NOT a part of His FAMILY, until they ACCEPT Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD.  This is done when God’s Holy Spirit draws you to God, and when YOU, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, will ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION. 

 

Those who have done that are like the ones in our Scripture.  They CRY out to the Lord, with the KNOWLEDGE that they are SINNERS in NEED of a SAVIOR.  And God hears their CRY and will ANSWER, and FREE them from the DARKNESS of their DEPRAVITY, the UTTER DARKNESS of their WICKEDNESS. He will BREAK their CHAINS of SIN, and bring them into the GLORIOUS LIGHT of His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who will SAVE their SOULS from an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPING.

 

 This SALVATION is PART of God’s UNFAILING LOVE and His WONDERFUL DEEDS.  Those of us who have this gift of SALVATION and a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God, SHOULD give THANKS CONTINUALLY to the LORD for His UNFAILING LOVE and His WONDERFUL DEEDS towards us.

 

In order to become a RECIPIENT of God’s UNFAILING LOVE and HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS, 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 that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Start experiencing God’s UNFAILING LOVE and His WONDERFUL DEEDS, NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"On Whom Do You Boast?"

“On Whom Do You Boast?”

 

“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one who the Lord commends.         2 Corinthians 10:17-18

 

If you MUST BOAST, don’t BOAST on yourself.   God is the One we SHOULD be BOASTING on.  It is He, who gifts us with whatever abilities we might possess.  Whether we have natural talents, such as, playing a musical instrument, or being able to sing, without, hitting ALL those flat and sour notes.  Some of us just like to make a JOYFUL noise to God. 

 

But, whatever we are GIFTED to do, we MUST realize where that gift comes from, and we NEED to be OPEN to God, as to HOW He wants us to use that gift(s).  In the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  Paul states:  “ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the SERVANT of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for EVERY GOOD WORK.”  Which means that God expects us to USE our gift(s) for His HONOR and GLORY, for He is the ONLY ONE WORTHY of our PRAISE and our BOASTING.  

 

BOASTING on God is a WHOLE lot BETTER than trying to BOAST on our OWN selves.  When we are tempted to BOAST on what we have done, and we allow that DASTARDLY OLD Devil to GRANDIOUSLY use our God-given abilities in ways that would NOT be PLEASING to our HEAVENLY FATHER, we then are subject to becoming a CARNAL CHRISTIAN, and while we will NOT lose our SALVATION, we will lose rewards, to lay at the FEET of the One who DESERVES ALL the BOASTING we can offer.  So my question is:  “On Whom Do You BOAST?

 

If you have NEVER given your HEART and LIFE to God, then your GOD-GIVEN ABILITIES are NOT being USED to bring HONOR, GLORY and PRAISE to the ONE who RIGHTLY DESERVES ALL your BOASTING.  And you are on your way to an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and definitely NO BOASTING ALLOWED.  And NO WAY of ESCAPE.  So in order to CHANGE your ETERNITY from HELL to HEAVEN, and to USE your ABILITIES for the GLORY of the LORD.  And to BOAST ON Him, you MUST 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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His GIFT of SALVATION, and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Then USE your ABILITIES to HONOR and GLORIFY the RISEN KING, JESUS, and BOAST ON HIM!  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"The Truth"

“The Truth”

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. 

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.                     1 Timothy 2:1, 3-5

 

In this part of the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, he URGES him to lift up prayers of supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings for ALL people, and especially for those in leadership positions within the government.  He goes on to tell Timothy that this is GOOD and PLEASING in God’s sight, because it is His wish that ALL PEOPLE would come to the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.

 

What exactly is Paul talking about?  The TRUTH that Paul was referring to was that:  There is ONE GOD, and ONE MEDIATOR between GOD and Mankind, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave HIMSELF as a RANSOM for ALL.  There is NO DISTINCTION between JEW and GENTILE, MALE and FEMALE.  We ALL MUST come to that KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH the SAME way.  And that Way is through the BELIEF and ACCEPTANCE of God’s ONE and ONLY SON, Jesus Christ.  We MUST BELIEVE that He DIED on an old, rugged cross, and was RAISED from the DEAD by the ALMIGHTY GOD, for the REDEMPTION of ALL of our sins, and we ALL MUST ACCEPT it as the TRUTH.  WHOEVER you are, and WHATEVER you do, He DIED for YOU.  That is the TRUTH!!

 

And the TRUTH of the whole matter is that there are and will be MANY, who will KEEP REJECTING the TRUTH.  The TRUTH is the Lord Jesus Christ.  John 14:6 tells us that:  “Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, and the TRUTH, and the Life. NO ONE comes to the Father (God) except through ME.’”  There is NO OTHER WAY to have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  That is the TRUTH!

 

If you have NOT come to God for the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, to BELIEVE and ACCEPT His ONE and ONLY Son, Jesus Christ as your SAVIOR and LORD, then you are DESTINED to spend your ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  And that is the TRUTH!!  You are NOW given the OPPORTUNITY to BELIEVE and ACCEPT the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH.  You do that by:  TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURNING TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God.  You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION and receive the KNOWLEDGE of the TRUTH, and PRAY for OTHERS too. And receive ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"The Promised Blessing"

“The Promised Blessing”

 

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.              Galatians 3:14

 

This verse of Scripture is NOT speaking of the National blessing, which was given to the Nation of Israel.  But it is the PROMISED BLESSING of JUSTIFICATION which is apart from works of the Law.  It is given to ALL who BELIEVE.  It was part of the BLESSING given to Abraham that Gentiles might be able to receive.

 

And for ALL who BELIEVE in CHRIST JESUS, by FAITH, might receive the PROMISE of God’s HOLY SPIRIT, and His ministry to the TRUE BELIEVER.  This Scripture again shows us that SALVATION and SANCTIIFICATION comes by FAITH and NOT by WORKS.  

 

This PROMISE is given to those who come to GOD for the SALVATION of their souls through the REDEMPTIVE work of Jesus Christ, on an old, rugged cross.  SHEDDING His precious blood, because without the SHEDDING of blood, there is NO FORGIVENESS of sins.  Jesus came and BLED and DIED so that ALL who BELIEVE might receive the PROMISE of GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT, who INDWELLS the BELIEVER, and makes Himself available to the BELIEVER for SANCTIFICATION, which is the act of “being set apart” for every good and righteous work that God has called that BELIEVER to do. 

 

Have you received God’s PROMISED BLESSING of JUSTIFICATION?  Have you come to God for the SALVATION and SANCTIFICATION of your soul?  If NOT you are DESTINED to spend an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  In order to RECEIVE this PROMISED BLESSING of JUSTIFICATION, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and SANCTIFICATION, and receive His PROMISED BLESSING.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"Just a Sinner Saved by Grace"

“Just a Sinner Saved by Grace”

 

 

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.      Romans 5:8

Now, if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.     Romans 7:20

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God---through Jesus Christ our Lord!        Romans 7:24-25

 

I AM A SINNER, but I AM A SAVED SINNER, There are two very different groups of SINNERS.  There are the LOST SINNERS, those who CONTINUOUSLY LIVE in SIN, they practice it DAILY, and they are the ones, who REJECT Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD.  Then there is the SAVED SINNERS, who have ACCEPTED Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD, and STRIVE to CONTINUOUSLY LIVE by God’s Spirit, which indwells them, but because they are STILL in the FLESH (body), and they STILL have a SINFUL NATURE, they are still SINNERS and are STILL subject to sin from time to time. 

 

But while we were STILL sinners, God demonstrated His LOVE for MANKIND, by the ONE and ONLY SACRIFICE of His ONLY SON, Jesus Christ, who DIED to SET MANKIND FREE from ALL their sins, PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE.  That is, if they will ACKNOWLEDGE that they are a SINNER in NEED of a SAVIOR, just like the Apostle Paul did when he said: “What a WRETCHED man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

 

If the SAVED SINNER will walk (live), by the Spirit, they will NOT GRATIFY the desires of the flesh.  For the FLESH desires what is CONTRARY to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is CONTRARY to the FLESH. They are in CONFLICT with each other, so that they are NOT to do WHATEVER they want.  (Galatians 5:16-17) 

 

Because they have given their HEART and LIFE to God through the DEATH and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ, they have the PROMISE of a new BODY one that is FREE from SIN and a SINFUL NATURE.  One that will spend an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  “OH HAPPY DAY!”   But for the LOST SINNER, who has REJECTED Jesus Christ, and has chosen to LIVE by the FLESH with its SINFUL desires, they will DIE a SPIRITUAL DEATH, separated from God, and ALL that is GOOD, and will spend their ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.   But, God in His ABUNDANT MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, has provided a WAY for the LOST SINNER to come to Him and have an 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, then 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.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a “SAVED SINNER” with HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Eternal Life"

“Eternal Life”

 

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.        Romans 6:22-23

 

When a person comes to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, for the SALVATION of their soul, they are SET FREE from the bondage of SIN, and its destiny, which is ETERNAL DEATH, the SEPARATION from God in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.   Instead of that DESTINY, they will REAP a HOLY LIFE in contrast to a SINFUL LIFE, and will RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS.

 

A person who chooses to LIVE the SINFUL LIFE, will receive the WAGES they have EARNED, which is that ETERNAL DEATH, the SEPARATION from God and ALL that is GOOD.  SUFFERING here on earth is NOTHING compared to what awaits that person, who REJECTS JESUS CHRIST, and His gift of SALVATION, which is ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. 

 

The Apostle Paul told the Saints in Corinth, that the sufferings and troubles they were experiencing were NOTHING in comparison to the ETERNAL GLORY, which outweighs ALL those troubles, especially being in the PRESENCE of the KING, Jesus Christ.   He tells them and us too, to FIX OUR EYES NOT on what is SEEN, but on what we CANNOT see, since what is SEEN is TEMPORARY, what is UNSEEN is ETERNAL.   “LIVING BY FAITH”, should be EVERY TRUE BELIEVER’S MOTTO.  Is it yours?

 

It can be, along with ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  Is this the DESTINY that you are FIXING your EYES on?  If NOT, you are DESTINED to an ETERNAL DEATH in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS.  But YOU can CHANGE that DESTINY, by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful life, 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, before God.  Then CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  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!!!

"The Love of God"

“The Love of God”

 

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.      Psalm 100:5

 

What is it that draws mankind to God, other than the HOLY SPIRIT of God?  It is the LOVE of God.  That is the reason the Holy Spirit draws mankind to God.  John 3:16 says:  “For God SO LOVED the world that He gave His ONE and ONLY Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall NOT PERISH but have ETERNAL LIFE.”   Romans 5:8 says that:  “God proves His own LOVE for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ DIED for US!”  So we see that God’s LOVE is a SACRIFICIAL LOVE, which secures an ETERNITY in HEAVEN for those who BELIEVE and will ACCEPT His Only Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior and Lord!

 

Because of God’s LOVE, He is COMPASSIONATE and GRACIOUS, slow to anger and RICH in FAITHFUL LOVE, (Psalm 103:8).   “Let Your FAITHFUL LOVE come to me, Lord, Your salvation, as You Promised,” (Psalm 119:41).  We see in these two verses that the LOVE of GOD is COMPASSIONATE, GRACIOUS and RICH in FAITHFUL LOVE.  It also is a LOVE of PROMISE, the PROMISE of SALVATION, which is carried out ONLY through Jesus Christ’s DEATH and RESURRECTION.  

 

God’s LOVE is an ENDURING LOVE, meaning it is a LOVE that LASTS throughout ETERNITY, PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.  Psalms 107:1 says:  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His FAITHFUL LOVE ENDURES FOREVER.   So the LOVE of GOD is SACRIFICIAL, COMPASSIONATE, GRACIOUS, FAITHFUL, and ENDURING.  Who wouldn’t want to be LOVED with a LOVE like that?

 

God is OFFERING it to ANYONE who is willing to TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyle, and to TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that Jesus died for them, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.  Then they MUST CONFESS their sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  They MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and His SACRIFICIAL, COMPASSIONATE, GRACIOUS, FAITHFUL, and ENDURING LOVE.  If you do NOT possess this, you can, by just DOING the ABOVE, NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"The Plights of the Wicked and the Righteous"

“The Plights of the Wicked and the Righteous”

 

Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.  The Lord redeems the life of His servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.          Psalm 34:21-22

 

Let’s look at the difference in the PLIGHTS of the WICKED and the RIGHTEOUS people.  First, our Scripture tells us that AFFLICTION will slay the WICKED, and those who HATE the RIGHTEOUS will be CONDEMNED.  They will stand before the RIGHTEOUS GOD of this UNIVERSE and be JUDGED and SENTENCED for ALL of their WICKEDNESS.

 

In Psalm 112:10 it says that:  “The WICKED will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and WASTE AWAY; the longings of the wicked will come to NOTHING.”   In Job 20:21 it says, “Nothing is left for him to devour; his PROSPERITY will NOT endure.”  Verse 23:  “God will vent His burning anger against him and rain down His blows on him.”  Verse 27:  “The heavens will expose his GUILT; the earth will rise up AGAINST him.”  Verse 29:   “Such is the FATE God allots the WICKED, the HERITAGE appointed for them by God.”  In Psalm 1:6, it says that “the way of the WICKED leads to DESTRUCTION.  Psalm 11:6 says:  “On the WICKED He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.”   Is this what your DESTINY holds?

 

For the RIGHTEOUS:  Psalm 7:10 tells us that:  “My shield is God Most High, who SAVES the upright in HEART.”  Psalm 5:12 says:  “Surely Lord, you BLESS the RIGHTEOUS; you surround them with your FAVOR as with a SHIELD.”  Proverbs 10:28 says:  “The prospect of the RIGHTEOUS is JOY, but the HOPES of the WICKED come to NOTHING.”  14:32; “When calamity comes, the WICKED are brought down, but even in DEATH the RIGHTEOUS SEEK refuge in God.”  2 Timothy 4:8 is a PROMISE for ALL of those who have given their HEARTS and LIVES to God, and are declared RIGHTEOUS:  “Now there is in store for me the CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, will award to me on that day---and NOT ONLY to me, but also to ALL who have LONGED for His appearing.” 

 

If this is NOT your DESTINY, it COULD be.  If you will TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, so you too, may be able to be declared RIGHTEOUS and receive the CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS along with an ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Prayers of the Righteous"

“The Prayers of the Righteous”

 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!        2 Corinthians 9:13-15

 

The Apostle Paul commended the Corinthian Saints for their willingness to help supply the needs of God’s people, which invokes the PRAISE and THANKSGIVING of those in need, to God.  Because the Corinthian Saints were willing to GIVE to others with the RIGHT ATTITUDE, they were being a WITNESS of God’s LOVE and GRACE, which they exemplified through their OBEDIENCE that comes along with a TRUE FAITH in the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. 

 

Because of their OBEDIENCE to God, and their GENEROSITY, the Jerusalem Saints, who were the recipients of that GENEROSITY, would offer PRAYERS for the CORINTHIAN SAINTS.  PRAYING, no doubt, for God’s RICH BLESSINGS to come to the CORINTHIAN SAINTS.  And all because of the SURPASSING GRACE that God had so ABUNDANTLY poured out on the Saints of Corinth.   As God’s Children, we SHOULD be OBEDIENT and WILLING to meet the NEEDS of others, ESPECIALLY, those who are TRUE BELIEVERS. 

 

One thing to keep in mind is; Psalm 66:18:  “If I regard iniquity (sin) in my HEART, the Lord will not hear.”  Therefore, when we go to the Lord in PRAYER, we MUST CONFESS our SINS, FIRST, before we voice our petitions, especially for INTERCESSORY PRAYER. 

 

Remember, it is NOT by WORKS, that we are SAVED, but by GOD’S AMAZING GRACE.  But also FAITH without WORKS is DEAD.  So like the CORINTHIAN SAINTS, we should WORKOUT our FAITH in the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, by helping SUPPLY the NEEDS of OTHERS, and especially OTHER TRUE BELIEVERS.  

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, there is NO purpose for your prayers, UNLESS it is FIRST the PRAYER of REPENTANCE.  CONFESSING your SINS to God and seeking His FORGIVENESS.  Otherwise, He will NOT hear your prayer.  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. Then 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.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a RIGHTEOUS person, with the ASSURANCE that God HEARS and will act upon your requests, ACCORDING to HIS WILL, not NECESSARILY your WANTS.  Do this NOW, while you still can and receive HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Condemnation or Justification?"

“Condemnation or Justification?”

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.         John 3:16-18

 

CONDEMNATION:  Being CONDEMNED, because of being declared GUILTY of wrongdoing.

JUSTIFICATION:  The act of being FREE from blame or GUILT.

 

God saw the condition of the Crown of His Creation, mankind, and the WICKEDNESS, SINFULNESS, and the DEPRAVITY that had entered their HEARTS.  The animal sacrifices were not SUFFICIENT for the FORGIVENESS of the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, GOD of the Universe.  So God sent His Beloved Son, Jesus to SAVE mankind from their DESTRUCTIVE nature.  

 

And whoever BELIEVES in Jesus and will TURN AWAY FROM their SINFUL lifestyle, and will ACCEPT Him as their SAVIOR and Lord, will NOT PERISH, now this word, ‘PERISH’ does NOT mean total ANNIHILATION, but it means a FINAL DESTINY of ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  Instead they will receive an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and NO ONE WILL WANT to ESCAPE.

 

It was NOT God’s purpose to send Jesus into the world to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE it, through the ONE and ONLY PERFECT SACRIFICE of His DEATH on the cross.  It is God’s DESIRE that EVERYONE would be SAVED.  He does NOT delight in the CONDEMNATION of the Wicked. (1Timothy 2:4-6)   

 

God’s main objective of SALVATION is BELIEVING in the COMPLETED WORK of Jesus Christ, on the cross.  Jesus is the LIGHT of the world, and those who REJECT this Light is CONDEMNED ALREADY, and faces the JUDGMENT, of the JUST and RIGHTEOUS GOD, to a DESTINY of an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL.   However, for the TRUE BELIEVER, who is WILLING to FORSAKE their SINFUL lifestyle, and ACCEPT GOD’s gift of SALVATION and JUSTIFICATION, they will NOT face CONDEMNATION.  But will receive an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. 

Which is your DESTINY, CONDEMNATION and HELL or JUSTIFICATION and HEAVEN?  TURN FROM YOUR SINS, and TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  BELIEVE that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven.  Interceding for you, before God, then CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  ACCEPT God’s gift of SALVATION and JUSTIFICATION and an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"HOPE"

“HOPE”

 

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.        Romans 5:5

 

HOPE is a feeling that what is wanted will happen.   So the question is:  “In what do you HOPE for?

For the TRUE BELIEVER, their HOPE is centered in God and His Word or PROMISES.  The Apostle Paul is giving the believers a word of ENCOURAGEMENT by saying that HOPE does NOT bring us SHAME, because of disappointment.  For God has poured out His UNFAILING LOVE into our HEARTS.

 

This LOVE is poured out by God’s Holy Spirit, who was sent to the TRUE BELIEVER, to indwell them.  This SPIRIT is a DIVINE AGENT, and the Third Person in the Trinity, who expresses God’s UNFAILING LOVE for the believer.  This LOVE that has been poured out into the HEART of the believer, gives the ASSURANCE that their HOPE in God and His Word or Promise of ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, will NOT FAIL.   This is all carried out through the promise of a SAVIOR, who provides FORGIVENESS of sins and in WHOM the believer has placed their HOPE.  This is a PROMISE that has already been filled, and has brought SALVATION to a LOST and DYING World. 

 

And now the HOPE of EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, is the RETURN of JESUS CHRIST and the completion of their SALVATION, and the HOPE of Heaven, their ETERNAL HOME.  Romans 8:24-25, describes the REALITY 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.”  In what or whom, does your HOPE lie?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NO HOPE for an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, but are destined for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  But you can have HOPE in God’s UNFAILING LOVE and His HOLY WORD, if you will 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 CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and put your HOPE in His UNFAILING LOVE and Him PROMISE of an ETERNAL HOME, in Heaven.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Justified By Grace"

“Justified By Grace”

 

He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.      Titus 3:6-7

 

The act of being JUSTIFIED is to be DECLARED NOT GUILTY!  And remember GRACE is receiving blessings that we DON’T DESERVE. 

 

When Jesus finished His work on the cross, which was bringing REDEMPTION to fallen mankind, and after He had ASCENDED into Heaven, He sent the HOLY SPIRIT of God to indwell the TRUE BELIEVERS and to equip them to spread the Gospel of Christ to ALL of mankind.  To give them the opportunity to receive God’s gift of SALVATION and an ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and to be able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS.

 

According the God’s ABUNDANT MERCY and His UNFAILING LOVE, He offers to ALL mankind JUSTIFICATION by His AMAZING GRACE.  In other words, He will, for ALL who BELIEVE IN and will ACCEPT Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR and LORD, God will DECLARE them “NOT GUILTY”, and He will provide for them an ETERNAL HOME in Heaven.  This is POSSIBLE, because of the SACRIFICE that Jesus made, by shedding His BLOOD and dying so that the BELIEVERS might be able to LIVE in HEAVEN for ALL of ETERNITY.

 

God poured out His Spirit, ABUNDANTLY on the TRUE BELIEVERS, and the HOLY SPIRIT of God is at work in the life of each TRUE BELIEVER.  He is their COUNSELOR, GUIDE, and TEACHER, and will provide ALL they NEED to SERVE and WORSHIP the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD and His ONE and ONLY SON, the KING of kings and LORD of lords, JESUS CHRIST.

 

Have you been JUSTIFIED---DECLARED NOT GUILTY of your sins, because of GOD’S GRACE?   Or are you destined to spend ALL of ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE?  To be able to be JUSTIFIED, you MUST 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 that He 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 RECEIVE His HOLY SPIRIT, then you can be JUSTIFIED by His GRACE.  DO this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Repentance, Forgiveness, and God's Amazing Grace"

“Repentance, Forgiveness, and God’s Amazing Grace”

 

“Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?”  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied.  “Now get up and stand on your feet.  I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me.  I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”          Acts 26:15-18

 

What is SALVATION?  I believe that SALVATION includes:  REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS, and GOD’S AMAZING GRACE.  I think Paul’s conversion, which took place on the road to Damascus is a GREAT example of what SALVATION IS.

 

The Apostle Paul was giving King Agrippa an account of his ENCOUNTER with Jesus Christ.  He told the King that he was NOT DOSOBEDIENT to the vision from Heaven.  Which means, of course, that Paul followed Jesus’ instructions.  I believe that when Paul fell to the ground and Jesus identified Himself, Paul REPENTED of his sins.  And I believe that he was FORGIVEN of ALL the blaspheming, violence, and persecution of the Church, and was shown MERCY and God’s AMAZING GRACE.

 

In other words, Paul didn’t receive what he deserved, which is MERCY, but he received blessings that he did NOT deserve, which is GRACE.  Jesus not only brought Paul out of the DARKNESS and into the LIGHT, but He set Him FREE from his bondage of sin and despair.  Then Jesus called Paul into His service of being a MISSIONARY of the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ to the GENTILES.  To OPEN their eyes and to TURN them FROM DARKNESS into the LIGHT, and to RELEASE them from the power of Satan, to God, so they may RECEIVE FORGIVENESS of their sins and have a PLACE among those who are SANCTIFIED by their FAITH in Christ Jesus.

 

That is God’s plan of SALVATION for ALL mankind, REPENTANCE---eyes being OPENED, brought out of DARKNESS and into the LIGHT, and FORGIVENESS--- to NOT be held accountable for their sins.  And GOD’S AMAZING GRACE---to be SANCTIFIED by their FAITH in Jesus Christ, and to have an ETERNAL HOME in HEAVEN, and a place in God’s Family.  This is SALVATION, have YOU received it?   If NOT, you can NOW, and have the ASSURANCE of SALVATION.  To have that ASSURANCE, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for you, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  The CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and receive God’s AMAZING GRACE.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Mercy of the Loving God"

“The Mercy of the Loving God”

 

Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.                    Isaiah 55:7

 

The act of MERCY is NOT receiving what we deserve.  Our Scripture is the words of the Prophet Isaiah.  He tells us in verse six that the first step to receiving MERCY from God is; to SEEK Him while He may be found; and to call on Him while He is near. 

 

The next thing is that the WICKED, those who have NOT given their HEART and LIFE to God, should FORSAKE their ways, and the UNRIGHTEOUS their thoughts.   They should TURN to the LORD, and He will have MERCY on them.  And God will FREELY PARDON them.

 

The Apostle Paul in Romans 5:8, 9 says:  “…God demonstrates His own LOVE for us in this:  While we were still sinners Christ died for us.  Since we have now been JUSTIFIED by His blood, how much more shall we be SAVED from God’s wrath through Him!”

 

Isaiah and Paul, both give us a CLEAR picture of GOD’s GREAT MERCY towards mankind.  If mankind, who is SINFUL, until they FORSAKE or TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  And will BELIEVE with ALL their HEART, that Jesus died for THEM, and that He is ALIVE, in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.  And will CONFESS their sins, and ask God for His FORGIVENESS.  And will ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, they will be able to escape God’s WRATH, because He has PARDONED them.  Then they can become a RECIPIENT of the MERCY of the LOVING GOD. 

 

Have YOU followed these steps to an ETERNITY in Heaven, with ALL its blessings?   God is waiting for YOU to become a RECIPIENT of HIS MERCY.  Won’t you do this TODAY! As the Prophet Isaiah said:  “SEEK the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Accept God’s gift, which was made possible through His SON, Jesus Christ, who died for us, and SAVED us from God’s wrath.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Word"

“The Word’

 

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.  I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.  Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.   He Himself will redeem Israel from ALL their sins.         Psalm 130:5-8

 

I want us to look at two DIFFERENT passages of Scripture and see the parallel of one to the other.  And also to see their SIMILIARITIES in reference to “the Word.”

 

In the Old Testament times, the people did NOT have a ONCE for ALL time Sacrifice that was SUFFICIENT to take away ALL their SINS.  They had to CONTINUALLY offer animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of their sins.  The Psalmist is giving Israel an ENCOURAGING word.  He talks about WAITING for God with his WHOLE BEING, and he puts his HOPE in God’s WORD.  Then he exhorts Israel to put their HOPE in God, because God is UNFAILING LOVE.  And with Him is FULL redemption, because GOD, HIMSELF will REDEEM Israel from ALL their SINS.

 

In John 1:1, it tells us that: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  The Word, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ, which we see as FACTUAL in verse fourteen; “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  The Psalmist spoke of putting his HOPE in God’s word.  We, today, MUST put our HOPE in God’s Word, Jesus Christ, who IS the SAVIOR of ALL mankind.  With the Word, Jesus, we need NO OTHER SACRIFICE for He is the FINAL, ULTIMATE SACRIFICE and HOPE for the REDEMPTION of mankind.  We who are TRUE BELIEVERS of JESUS CHRIST, God’s Word, also WAIT for His return, when our SALVATION will be made COMPLETE.

 

Because of God’s UNFAILING LOVE, exemplified through the DEATH and RESURRECTION of His SON, who is the Word, and is God in the flesh, we ALL have FULL REDEMPTION.  Are you WAITING with ANTICIPATION for the RETURN of Jesus Christ, our REDEEMER, The Word of God in the flesh?  

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you probably are NOT that anxious for His return.  He has given us His Word that we might ACCEPT Him and BELIEVE in Him, for He is our ONLY HOPE for an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  In order for you to spend your ETERNITY in Heaven, You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  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 CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  And ACCEPT His Word, and receive His gift of SALVATION, and escape Hell and GAIN HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Death of the Old Self"

“The Death of the Old Self”

 

For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin---because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.        Romans 6:6-7

 

One only has to look in the mirror to realize that this body is aging with each day.  And before you know it you’re at retirement age.   Then you wonder what the rest of your life will be like.  And with the aging process, you find the body to NOT function as well as it did in the past.  Things you were able to accomplish then, becomes a burden to accomplish now.

 

When one is born, they are born with a SINFUL NATURE, and they start exercising this nature, pretty early in life.  They are sinners when they are conceived, and they remain sinners until they come to Jesus Christ for their SALVATION and JUSTIFICATION.  In order for them to receive this SALVATION and JUSTIFICATION, they MUST CRUCIFY or PUT TO DEATH their OLD SELF. 

 

They MUST TURN AWAY FROM their OLD SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. So that their BODY, which was RULED by SIN, might be done away with.  And they SHOULD no longer be SLAVES to SIN.  The Scripture tells us that ANYONE who has put to death their OLD SELF, has been SET FREE from SIN.  In other words, you SHOULD NOT CONTINUE in your OLD SINFUL ways, because, if you have TRULY come to Jesus Christ, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, then you SHOULD NOT CONTINUE in your OLD SINFUL LIFESTYLE.  You SHOULD COUNT yourself DEAD to SIN, but ALIVE to God through Christ Jesus.

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are DYING in your SINS, and will spend ALL of your ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  This is NOT a SCARE tactic, it is TRUTH.  We will spend ETERNITY in ONE of two places.  HEAVEN or HELL.  If you choose HEAVEN, you MUST CRUCIFY your OLD SELF and LIVE a NEW LIFE in Christ. In order to do that, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your OLD 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.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and JUSTIFICATION, and receive your NEW LIFE, for ALL of ETERNITY in HEAVEN.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Condemnation versus Justification

“Condemnation versus Justification”

 

And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.               Romans 5:16  

 

CONDEMNATION is the act of inflicting a penalty upon a person, and to declare them GUILTY of wrongdoing.  Before Adam and Eve sinned against God, in the Garden of Eden, there was NO SIN, NO EVIL, NO WICKEDNESS, and NO DEPRAVITY. There was ONLY PEACE, LOVE and HARMONY.  Then when the devil comes into the picture, SIN enters the HEARTS of Adam and Eve, and ALL of mankind is born with a SINFUL NATURE, and comes under the CONDEMNATION of the HOLY, RIGHTEOUS GOD.  But this is NOT the END of this scenario.

 

You see, God’s LOVE for His creation is SO STRONG, COMPASSIONATE and UNENDING that He decided to present mankind with a GIFT, that could and would bring JUSTIFICATION to a LOST, GUILTY WORLD.  A world full of SIN, EVIL, WICKEDNESS and DEPRAVITY.  That GIFT is the SACRIFICE of His ONE and ONLY SON, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was willing to take on ALL the sin of ALL mankind.  Jesus the ONE who KNEW NO SIN, BECAME SIN. He was being OBEDIENT to His Father God, even unto DEATH and the GRAVE, in order to COUNTERACT the DISOBEDIENCE of ONE man, ADAM, and to PROVIDE a WAY for mankind to receive JUSTIFICATION or being FREED from the CONDEMNATION that they are presently under.  Which area are you presently living under, CONDEMNATION or JUSTIFICATION?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are living under God’s CONDEMNATION.  And you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  You MUST be JUSTIFIED, in order to have an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  And to receive JUSTIFICATION, 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 and JUSTIFICATION in order to spend ALL of ETERNITY in HEAVEN and to ESCAPE HELL.   Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!