tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32570693025344769652024-03-19T00:48:13.859-05:00True Abiding PeaceDaily devotions, bringing strength and encouragement, praise and worship a must read for everyone!Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.comBlogger2088125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-90453315859821465032024-03-18T14:08:00.005-05:002024-03-18T14:08:38.399-05:00“The Hard Truth”Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-19572550994517507842024-03-11T17:28:00.002-05:002024-03-11T17:28:09.055-05:00“ Simeon’s Blessing”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Century, serif; text-align: center;">“Simeon’s Blessing”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">“Sovereign Lord, now let Your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your Salvation, which You have prepared for ALL people. He is a Light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” Luke 3:29-32<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">I suppose some of you may be wondering why I am doing this Scripture at this time. When you may think this to be strictly a part of the Christmas Story. Let us face the FACT that Jesus was BORN for ONE REASON, and that was to PAY a DEBT mankind could NOT pay. He did this to provide SALVATION to a LOST and DYING world and to fulfill the prophecies that predicted His MISSION. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">Simeon, a RIGHTEOUS man, was given a PROMISE, from the Holy Spirit of God. That PROMISE was that Simeon would NOT die until he saw the LORD GOD’S MESSIAH. So, when Mary and Joseph came to present the Baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the Child in his arms and praised God, saying,” Sovereign Lord, now let Your Servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your Salvation, which You have prepared for ALL people. He is a LIGHT to reveal God to the nations, and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">However, that was NOT the end of Simeon’s BLESSING. He then turned to the parents and BLESSED them, and he said to Mary, the <a name="_Int_436YC6A6">Mother</a> of Jesus,” This Child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and many others to rise. He has been SENT as a sign from God, but MANY will OPPOSE Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of MANY hearts will be REVEALED. And a sword will PIERCE your very soul.” (Vv 34,35)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">There was MORE than a BLESSING for Mary, she would MISUNDERSTAND, exactly what her Son’s MISSION truly entailed. And she would suffer the GRIEF and SORROW of the CRUCIFIXION, but she would have JOY for the RESURRECTION part of His MISSION to SAVE the WORLD from their SINS, and from the DESTINY of SPENDING an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once they are there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Century, serif;">So, you see that SIMEON’S BLESSING has a CONNECTION with GOD’S PLAN to bring LIGHT that would REVEAL GOD and PROVIDE a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God. JESUS CHRIST, the ONLY MESSIAH that can bring SALVATION to this LOST and DYING world. Have you experienced the LIGHT? In the BLESSING of SIMEON, he said that the MESSIAH would cause some to FALL because they OPPOSED HIM and His MISSION. But He would cause some to RISE because of their BELIEF that He TRULY IS the MESSIAH. If you have been OPPOSING Him and have NOT given YOUR HEART and LIFE to God, then you are FALLING into an ETERNITY in HELL. God sent His Son JESUS to SAVE the SOULS of ALL who would BELIEVE in Him and have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with FATHER GOD. In order to do this, YOU MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who GAVE HIS LIFE to SAVE your WRETCHED SOUL from HELL. You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART, that JESUS DIED for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to HIM and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. 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!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-28403599666807298282024-03-08T16:42:00.003-06:002024-03-08T16:42:18.506-06:00“The LORD Reigns!”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">“The LORD Reigns!”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Give to the LORD the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His courts. Worship the LORD in all His Holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before Him. Psalm 96:8,9<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Our relationship with the Lord God Almighty, is MORE than RELIGION, it is a LOVING FAMILY RELATIONSHIP. One that should COMPEL EVERY TRUE BELIEVER to SING to the LORD; to PRAISE His NAME. And EACH day PROCLAIM the GOOD NEWS; He SAVES. The Psalmist is calling ALL Believers to WORSHIP the LORD in ALL His HOLY SPLENDOR. And that the WHOLE earth should TREMBLE before Him. And to tell ALL the NATIONS: “The LORD Reigns!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One day it will be UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED at the time when the MESSIAH, the Lord Jesus Christ, discloses His GLORY in His WORLD-WIDE REIGN. And at that time ALL CREATION will REJOICE and SHOUT for JOY, because He is COMING! He is COMING to JUDGE the WORLD with JUSTICE, and the NATIONS with His TRUTH.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And may ALL TRUE BELIEVERS, live EXPECTANTLY of the SOON COMING of our KING. “That at the NAME of Jesus EVERY knee should BOW in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and EVERY tongue DECLARE that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the GLORY of GOD the FATHER. (Phil. 2:10-11) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">May our CONDUCT be MOTIVATED to SERVE Him with JOY and COMPASSION. May we LIVE with great expectation of His INTERVENTION in EVERY part of the believer’s life. If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, through the SHED BLOOD of His ONLY SON, the Lord Jesus Christ, who GAVE His life to SAVE your SOUL from an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you’re there. Then this will be your DESTINY. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">However, the ALMIGHTY God, wants the WHOLE WORLD to KNOW that they don’t have to face an ETERNITY in HELL, if they will: ADMIT that they are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. And BELIEVE with ALL their HEART that JESUS DIED for them, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them before God. And they MUST CONFESS their SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. Then they MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM their SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. And they MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and WORSHIP the LORD and PROCLAIM that: “The LORD Reigns!” And that He is COMING AGAIN! So, do this NOW while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-68596489146942215642024-03-06T13:35:00.002-06:002024-03-06T13:35:10.739-06:00“Never Lose Hope”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Never Lose Hope”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping-believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” Romans 4:18<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now, let us take a look at this PROMISE that God made to Abraham. If we go back up to verse 13, it tells us that: “Clearly, God’s Promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based NOT on his OBEDIENCE to God’s Law, but on a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God that comes by FAITH.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Let’s look at this PROMISE, it started with God promising Abraham and his wife Sarah a SON, which would come from them both, and that Sarah would be the one to give BIRTH to this baby. The MIRACULOUS thing about this PROMISE is Abraham was about 100 yrs. Old, and Sarah was 90 years old. They MUST HAVE had DOUBTS about this, and they did. But the fact is that God kept His PROMISE and Sarah, eventually gave birth to a SON, just as God had PROMISED. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And Abraham NEVER WAVERED in BELIEVING GOD’S PROMISE. In fact, Abraham’s FAITH grew STRONGER, and in this he brought GLORY to GOD. He was TOTALLY CONVINCED that GOD is ABLE to do WHATEVER HE PROMISES. And because of Abraham’s FAITH, God counted him as RIGHTEOUS. And this PROMISE was a MAJOR ELEMENT in the PROMISE that GOD made to Abraham that he would become the FATHER of ALL who BELIEVE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Those who have given their HEART and LIFE to GOD and have FAITH and HOPE that GOD IS ABLE to do WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO. And that He will KEEP His PROMISES to those who TRULY BELIEVE and have the HOPE and FAITH that they will ONE DAY receive the FULFILLMENT of the PROMISE of an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS. And they will NOT EXPERIENCE an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once they are there. That is set aside for ALL UNBELIEVERS. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Have YOU given your HEART and LIFE to God, through His ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST? If NOT, you will EXPERIENCE an ETERNITY in HELL, and MISS the CELEBRATION of the HOMECOMING of ALL GOD’S CHILDREN, the BLESSED HOPE of the REDEEMED. You have the OPPORTUNITY NOW to CHANGE your DESTINY by: ADMITTING that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who GAVE His LIFE to SAVE your SOUL from that ETERNITY in HELL. You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART, that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and DON’T LOSE HOPE!!! Do this NOW, while you STILL can!! He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-18489990527093101972024-03-05T16:58:00.001-06:002024-03-05T16:58:12.085-06:00“The Teabag”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Teabag”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He who says he abides in Christ ought himself also to walk just as Christ walked. 1 John 2:6<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In studying this verse of the Bible, I read an analogy of some Christians and tea bags. This analogy was in Dr. Tony Evans’ Commentary of the Bible, I thought this was a very good illustration of the meaning of the word “remains” (or abides). These words mean to “hang out with” and you can’t hang out with Christ and not have Him rub off on you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here is the analogy of the TEABAG and some Christians: “When it comes to making tea, some people dip their teabags in and out of the hot water. Many Christians approach their relationship with Jesus like this—-dipping in and out of church on Sunday mornings, with little change resulting. Other tea drinkers place their teabags in the water and let them remain. In time, the tea seeps into the water and transforms it. For Christ to influence and transform your life, you must remain in Him.” And how TRUE that is!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, when we SIN are INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP with Christ is next to nothing, because Christ Jesus is SINLESS and has ALWAYS BEEN SINLESS. So, our RELATIONSHIP with Him SUFFERS, until we CONFESS OUR SINS and WILLINGLY TURN AWAY FROM THEM. And then our ABIDING in Him takes on a whole different way of living. When you put your FAITH in Christ, you were given a NEW SPIRITUAL LIFE, which is PURE and SINLESS. Then why do we still SIN? We still SIN because of the FLESH, which is CONTAMINATED by SIN. The Apostle Paul, had problems with this, READ Romans 7:13-25.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Our HOPE is this: When Jesus Christ returns, He will ABOLISH the FLESH, or our SINFUL NATURE. And we will then be COMPLETELY without sin. Until then, we MUST ALWAYS, REPENT of our sins, submit to the Word of God, and WALK (remain) in the SPIRIT so that our NEW DIVINE NATURE may become MATURE.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, which tea making process do you fall into? If you are truly abiding in CHRIST JESUS, then you would be with the Steeping group, BUT if you are a PART-TIME CHRISTIAN, then you are NOT ABIDING CONTINUALLY with Christ and it’s very likely that He is NOT RUBBING OFF ON YOU! And if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, you are NOT a teabag at all. And you are SINNING and doing the devil’s deeds. The devil will INFLUENCE (tempt) you to carry out his EVIL DEEDS, and this will get you an ETERNAL DESTINY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. However, God has a PLAN to FREE you from your SLAVERY to SIN. This is what you MUST DO: You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who DIED to SAVE your SOUL. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and WALK DAILY with JESUS. Do this NOW, while you STILL CAN. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-65922975518944940652024-02-26T17:28:00.006-06:002024-02-26T17:28:38.962-06:00“The Winnowing Fork”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Winnowing Fork”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with His winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” Matthew 3:12<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">John the Baptist was quite the character of sorts. He went into the Judean Wilderness to preach his message: “Repent of your SINS and TURN to GOD, for the Kingdom of Heaven is NEAR.” And the PEOPLE came from JERUSALEM, ALL of JUDEA and all over the JORDAN VALLEY to hear what this STRANGE MAN was saying. When John PREACHED, they LISTENED and those who CONFESSED their SINS were BAPTIZED by John. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then when John saw a large group of Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him BAPTIZE, he called them a BROOD OF SNAKES, and warned them saying: “Even now the AX of God’s JUDGMENT is poised, ready to SEVER the roots of the trees. Yes, EVERY TREE that does NOT produce good fruit will be chopped down and THROWN into the FIRE. Then he told them that there was coming, ONE who would BAPTIZE THEM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and FIRE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then John gave them an illustration using what takes place at the THRESHING FLOOR. He commenced telling them of the use of the WINNOWING FORK, a VERY IMPORTANT instrument in the process of SEPARATION of the WHEAT and the CHAFF. The WINNOWING FORK tosses the grain of wheat into the air and the WHEAT falls to the GROUND and the CHAFF or the USELESS part of the WHEAT, is thrown into the FIRE and the GRAIN of WHEAT is gathered and taken to the barn. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">John was telling them that the MESSIAH, when He COMES will PREPARE the REMNANT (wheat), for the KINGDOM by EMPOWERING and CLEANSING the PEOPLE. However, those who REJECT the MESSIAH (chaff) will be JUDGED and THROWN into ETERNAL UNQUENCHABLE FIRE. In Malachi 4:1&2 tells us: “The LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES says, “The Day of Judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that Day the ARROGANT, and the WICKED will be BURNED UP like straw. They will be CONSUMED—ROOTS, BRANCHES and ALL. But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go FREE, leaping with JOY like calves let out to pasture.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Which will it be for YOU, the CHAFF or the WHEAT? You can only be the WHEAT if you have given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through His ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And this is what you MUST DO: You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and be TOTALLY SEPARATED from the CHAFF. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-58396896618740778912024-02-24T15:01:00.007-06:002024-02-24T15:01:47.708-06:00“What Should I Do?”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“What Should I Do?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, “what should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.” Luke 12:16-17<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Being WEALTHY is NOT a SIN, but when that WEALTH becomes your God, then it becomes a SIN. Having MONEY does NOT always solve problems, but it can create NEW problems. As it was for this RICH man. NOTICE that he seems concerned more with HIMSELF and not concerned about anyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I think that 1 Timothy 6:18-19: Tells us the ANSWER to the question; “What Should I Do?” This is what he SHOULD HAVE DONE: He should have used his money to DO GOOD. He SHOULD be RICH in GOOD WORKS and GENEROUS TO THOSE in NEED, ALWAYS BEING READY to SHARE with OTHERS. And by doing this he would have been STORING UP his TREASURE as a GOOD FOUNDATION for the FUTURE so he might experience TRUE LIFE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But this RICH MAN didn’t do that, and we see in Luke 12:20, God said to him: “You fool! You will die this very night. Then WHO will get everything you worked for?” Verse 21, Jesus told the crowd: “Yes, a person is a fool to STORE UP EARTHLY WEALTH but NOT have a RICH RELATIONSHIP with God.” It doesn’t matter how MUCH WEALTH you have HERE on EARTH, but it MATTERS very much if YOU don’t have a RICH RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY GOD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do YOU have a RICH RELATIONSHIP with God? Or do you HAVE any RELATIONSHIP with GOD? You can have that RICH RELATIONSHIP with GOD if you will lay up your TREASURE in HEAVEN, for a GOOD FOUNDATION so you MIGHT have TRUE LIFE or ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, and be able to ESCAPE HELL, with all its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The essence of this parable is to NOT BE GREEDY, but SHARE as much as you are able, with those who are in NEED. And do it with a LOVING, COMPASSIONATE HEART. In order to have a RIGHT, RICH RELATIONSHIP with GOD and to STORE UP TREASURES in Heaven, You MUST become a CHILD of GOD. And you do that by: ADMITTING that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, GOD’S ONLY SON, who GAVE His LIFE to SAVE your SOUL. Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and KNOW what YOU SHOULD DO, which is TRUST IN GOD for ALL of your NEEDS. Do this NOW, while you STILL CAN!!! He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be Left Behind!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-78494171261667542432024-02-19T14:05:00.006-06:002024-02-19T14:05:39.589-06:00“No Other More Glorious News to be Proclaimed”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“No Other More Glorious News to be Proclaimed.”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave this wonderful message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are Ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Have you EVER thought of yourself being an AMBASSADOR? Usually, when we think of an ambassador, we think of someone from one nation going to another nation, on behalf of their own nation. In other words, they are an AUTHORIZED MESSENGER or REPRESENTATIVE sent by a nation to a foreign nation, and they are AUTHORIZED to SPEAK for the NATION that sent them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, it is with US who are TRUE BELIEVERS of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We have been AUTHORIZED to SPEAK on behalf of our GOD and KING. What should we SPEAK ABOUT? You may ask; We have a MOST GLORIOUS MESSAGE to PROCLAIM to this LOST and DYING World. That message is: “Jesus Christ is RECONCILING this WRETCHED, SIN-DRENCHED world to HIMSELF.” And He is NO LONGER COUNTING PEOPLE’S sins AGAINST them. This MESSAGE should make everyone JUMP and SHOUT. Because we NOW have a WAY to POSSESS an ETERNITY in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS. And to be ABLE to ESCAPE HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, now we have a MESSAGE and MESSENGERS, who are AUTHORIZED by the ALMIGHTY GOD, to DELIVER that MESSAGE unto ALL the WORLD. And if you have given your HEART and LIFE to God through His Son, JESUS CHRIST, you could become an AMBASSADOR for CHRIST, by delivering His Message to your part of this world. And in so doing you could make a BIG DIFFERENCE in the ETERNAL DESTINY of some who are UNBELIEVERS. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you had a CURE for CANCER or HEART DISEASE, or any illness that is LIFE THREATENING, wouldn’t you want to SHARE it with others, so they MIGHT LIVE? By NOT SHARING this GLORIOUS NEWS of RECONCILIATION, someone might have a DOOMED DESTINY of SPENDING their ETERNAL DESTINY in HELL. So, WE MUST be TELLING the GOOD NEWS of being RECONCILED with ALMIGHTY GOD, through the SHED BLOOD of HIS ONLY SON, who GAVE HIS LIFE to SAVE our SOULS. PRAY and GO TELL SOMEBODY!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to God, through His Son, Jesus, then you will be one who will SPEND their ETERNAL DESTINY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS. However, you have the OPPORTUNITY NOW, to CHANGE that DESTINY: You do that by: FIRST, ADMITTING that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Then you MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU and that He is ALIVE in HEAVEN making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT His Gift of SALVATION and become an AMBASSADOR for CHRIST, who is AUTHORIZED to PROCLAIM the GLORIOUS NEWS that since JESUS has RECONCILED US with the ALMIGHTY GOD, our SINS are FORGIVEN and NOT COUNTED AGAINST US. And there is NO OTHER MORE GLORIOUS NEWS to PROCLAIM. So, do this NOW, while YOU still CAN. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-17803447418021787712024-02-12T17:20:00.006-06:002024-02-12T17:20:46.255-06:00“Put Your Trust in His Love”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Put Your Trust in His Love”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We know how much God Loves us, and we have put our trust in His Love. God is Love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. <a name="_Int_IIdcxh4W">So</a> we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 1 John 4:16-17<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Those of us who are TRUE BELIEVERS in Christ KNOW how much God LOVES US. We know this, because in the Gospel of John, the Apostle tells us that God so LOVED the WORLD that He GAVE His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, so that EVERYONE who BELIEVES in Him will NOT PERISH but have ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Apostle tells us that GOD is LOVE, and we can put our TRUST in His LOVE. All who LIVE in LOVE, can LIVE in God. And we can have a SECURE RELATIONSHIP with Him, as long as we REMAIN in His LOVE. The really GOOD thing about this, is when we LIVE in GOD, our LOVE GROWS MORE PERFECT. This gives us CONFIDENCE and we will NOT be AFRAID of the Day of JUDGMENT, because PERFECT LOVE has NO FEAR. ALL TRUE BELIEVERS will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, where OUR WORKS will be JUDGED, not our SALVATION. In spite of our SINS and FAILURES, we can STAND with CONFIDENCE because we will have ministered in LOVE to members of the Family of God. Most IMPORTANT of ALL, continue to show DEEP LOVE for each other, for LOVE COVERS a MULTITUDE of SINS. (1<sup>st</sup> Peter 4:8}. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This type of LOVE has NO FEAR, because PERFECT LOVE EXPELS ALL FEAR. And if we are AFRAID, it’s because FEAR involves PUNISHMENT, and the one who FEARS is NOT PERFECTED in LOVE. So, we can have this PERFECT LOVE if we have a SECURE RELATIONSHIP with our Heavenly Father, and we can have a SECURE RELATIONSHIP with God, when we PUT OUR TRUST in HIS LOVE, and when we have a DEEP LOVE for each other. REMEMBER: GOD is LOVE!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you have a LOVE for others?</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you have a SECURE RELATIONSHIP with God?</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or are you FEARFUL of the Day of JUDGMENT?</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, you do NOT have a RELATIONSHIP with God, and You cannot LOVE OTHERS like you should.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the TRAGIC PART of this is; you do not have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, but you are destined for an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there, unless, you will ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of a SAVIOR, the Lord Jesus Christ, who GAVE His Life to SAVE your SOUL.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and PUT YOUR TRUST in HIS LOVE. Do this NOW, while you STILL can.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!</span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-74117179625350621322024-02-06T17:19:00.003-06:002024-02-06T17:19:37.161-06:00“No One or Nothing”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No One or Nothing”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger or threatened with death? Romans 8: 31&35<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Apostle Paul’s ENCOURAGING WORDS are for ALL TRUE BELIEVERS, those who have been called by God to LEAVE their SINFUL LIVES and to FOLLOW His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is OUR HOPE and ASSURANCE of an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. This is POSSIBLE, because God has GIVEN them a RIGHT STANDING with Himself because of what JESUS did to SECURE SALVATION for ALL of MANKIND. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, then if God is for US, (true believers), who could ever be against us? In other words, WHO could EVER ACCUSE us before the ALMIGHTY GOD, and convince Him that we are GUILTY, when He proclaims that we are NOT GUILTY, (and He does), then the ACCUSATIONS against us are immaterial. But keep in mind, this pertains ONLY to the TRUE BELIEVERS. With that in mind, who dares ACCUSE us, whom God has CHOSEN for His OWN? NO ONE—for we have a RIGHT STANDING with God Himself. And we have this RIGHT STANDING because, God did not even SPARE His Son but GAVE HIM UP for ALL. This RIGHT STANDING with the ALMIGHTY GOD is our ASSURANCE for an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, we have seen that NO ONE can bring ACCUSATIONS, before God, against the TRUE BELIEVER, those who have been CHOSEN and CALLED to be a part of GOD’S FAMILY. So, is there ANY THING that can EVER SEPARATE us from the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST? Will He NO LONGER LOVE us if we have TROUBLE or CALAMITY or are PERSECUTED, or HUNGRY, or DESTITUTE, or in DANGER or even THREATENED with DEATH”? DESPITE ALL these things we have OVERWHELMING VICTORY through JESUS CHRIST who LOVED US. Therefore, we can, like the APOSTLE PAUL, say: “I am CONVINCED that NOTHING can EVER separate us from GOD’S LOVE. Not, DEATH not LIFE, neither ANGELS nor DEMONS, neither our FEARS for today nor our WORRIES about tomorrow—NOT even the POWERS of HELL can SEPARATE us from GOD’S LOVE. NO POWER in the SKY above or in the EARTH below—NOTHING will EVER be able to SEPARATE us from the LOVE of GOD that is REVEALED in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD, who is our HOPE. Is He your LORD?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God LOVES YOU more than you can imagine, and because of His LOVE for ALL MANKIND, He SENT His ONLY SON, JESUS to PAY the PRICE of SALVATION, which NO ONE could ever do. That is why the LORD JESUS CHRIST is our HOPE for an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. However, if you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to GOD through the REDEMPTIVE WORK of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, then you are headed for an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. But because of GOD’S AMAZING GRACE and His ABUNDANT MERCY, you have the opportunity to CHANGE your DESTINY. And this is what you MUST DO. You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED, DIED, and was RESURRECTED for the SALVATION of ALL mankind. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and have the ASSURANCE and HOPE of an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN and REMEMBER: NO ONE or NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU from the LOVE of GOD, through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-20529350496246176752024-02-05T17:21:00.000-06:002024-02-05T17:21:04.357-06:00“The Life-changing Invitation and the Response”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Life-changing Invitation and the Response”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied “Each of you must REPENT of your SINS and TURN to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-39<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This LIFE-CHANGING EVENT took place right after the anointing of the PROMISED HOLY SPIRIT up on the Apostles. The One who took the place of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Only Son. Jesus promised the apostles that He would NOT leave them ALONE, but that He would send them a TEACHER, COUNSELOR, COMFORTER, COMPANION, and SO much more and He did, in the PERSON of the HOLY SPIRIT of the HOLY GOD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles the ability to speak in different languages. And Peter, PREACHED a rousing sermon, to ALL who were in Jerusalem for The Festival of Pentecost. And those who were there came from many different lands, yet they were able to HEAR Peter preaching in their OWN language. And in his sermon, Peter offered a LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION to those who BELIEVED what he had told them concerning the FORGIVENESS of their SINS. And those who witnessed and took part in the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ and became CONVICTED of their SINS. So, they asked Peter what they SHOULD do to have this FORGIVENESS. Peter instructed them to REPENT of their SINS and TURN TO GOD and be BAPTIZED in the Name of JESUS CHRIST. Then they will RECEIVE the Gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The RESPONSE was AMAZING, those who BELIEVED what Peter said were BAPTIZED and added to the church that day it was about 3,000 in all. Now, remember what the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians: “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.” (Eph. 2:8-9). So, it is NOT BAPTISM that SAVES, it is GOD’S GRACE through our FAITH, not from what we do. REPENTANCE and BAPTISM goes along with our FAITH. Baptism is an OUTWARD act of an INWARD change. It is also an act of OBEDIENCE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All of the BELIEVERS devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and to FELLOWSHIP, and in SHARING meals (including the Lord’s Supper) and also to PRAYER. They met together in ONE place and SHARED everything they had. They WORSHIPED together at the Temple each day, they met in homes and shared their meals with GREAT JOY and GENEROSITY, PRAISING GOD and ENJOYING the GOODWILL of ALL the people. And EACH DAY the LORD added to their FELLOWSHIP those who were being saved. This is UNITY!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What a GLORIOUS RESPONSE to a LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION, have YOU ACCEPTED this LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION? If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God through the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE of His ONE and ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, you are at GREAT RISK of spending ALL of your ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. God keeps OFFERING you His Gift of SALVATION, don’t KEEP REJECTING it. In order to receive this LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION, this is what you MUST DO. You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who GAVE His LIFE to SAVE YOUR SOUL from an ETERNITY in Hell. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s LIFE-CHANGING INVITATION, and His Gift of SALVATION, and experience a very POSITIVE RESPONSE. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-22736933317461801772024-02-03T13:16:00.000-06:002024-02-03T13:16:08.399-06:00“The Importance of Morning Prayer Time”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Importance of Morning Prayer Time”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning, I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">PRAYER is a CONVERSATION with the ALMIGHTY GOD. If you desire to have a MORE INTIMATE, CLOSE relationship with your HEAVENLY FATHER, then you NEED to have an ACTIVE prayer life. You NEED to get ALONE in a private place. Your WAR ROOM, so to speak. And this is REALLY IMPORTANT, because there is a BATTLE going on, in the SPIRITUAL REALM, it is a BATTLE of the two forces that are FIGHTING against each other for the SOULS of MANKIND. These forces are the FORCES of GOOD and EVIL. And EVERYDAY mankind is attacked by the EVIL forces, this is one reason it is IMPORTANT to have a MORNING PRAYER time with your Heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is why the Apostle Paul tells us; “Don’t WORRY about ANYTHING; instead PRAY about EVERYTHING. Tell God what you NEED and THANK Him for ALL He has done.” One thing that is NEEDED for ANY TIME you PRAY is a TRUSTING HEART. Notice, in our Psalm, verses one and two. David says: “O LORD, hear me as I PRAY; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my CRY for HELP my KING and my GOD, for I PRAY to NO ONE but YOU.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the time of his prayer, David was evidently having PROBLEMS with his enemies. And in order to have PEACE and SAFETY, he KNEW that he COULD TRUST GOD with ANY and ALL of his situations, so he PRAYED: “LISTEN to my VOICE in the MORNING, LORD. David KNEW that in order to be able to FACE ANY SITUATION, he MUST TRUST GOD. And in ORDER to have PEACE about it and NOT WORRY, he PRAYED FIRST thing in the MORNING. And HOW OFTEN did he offer up his PRAYERS? Our Scripture says EACH MORNING he brought his REQUESTS to God and WAITED EXPECTANTLY. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In order to have PEACE about the things that will come your way, you MUST have an ACTIVE PRAYER LIFE. And DEFINITELY a MORNING PRAYER TIME, so you can START a NEW DAY, having TALKED to your HEAVENLY FATHER and WHATEVER you FACE, HE’S with you and you can have a CLOSE, INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP with Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, if you are NOT ONE of HIS CHILDREN, your prayers won’t be heard by God, until you PRAY for FORGIVENESS of your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. Psalm 66:18 says: “If I had NOT CONFESSED the SIN in my HEART, the LORD would NOT have LISTENED.” So, if you have been CONVICTED of your SINS, and have REJECTED GOD’S SON, Jesus Christ and His FORGIVENESS, your PRAYERS AT ANY TIME of DAY or NIGHT will NOT be HEARD. You MUST FIRST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. You MUST BELIEVE with ALL your HEART that JESUS DIED for YOU and that He is now ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and start having a MORNING PRAYER TIME. And be able to have an ETERNITY in HEAVEN with all its BLESSINGS. And ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. DO this NOW while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-2168304886365844802024-01-29T17:05:00.001-06:002024-01-29T17:05:08.440-06:00“Driven By Love”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“Driven By Love”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When you TRULY LOVE someone, you want to make them HAPPY. And you CARE about their WELL-BEING. And so it is with the CHILDREN of GOD, those who have given their HEARTS and LIVES to God through their RELATIONSHIP with His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The ONE who GAVE His LIFE in order to SAVE mankind from their sins. What would make Him do that? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ANSWER is LOVE, JESUS was DRIVEN BY LOVE, and OBEDIENCE to His Heavenly Father. And for the TRUE HAPPINESS and WELLBEING of the CROWN of GOD’S CREATION—-MANKIND. So, our SCRIPTURE, today, tells us: If we TRULY LOVE GOD, then we will WANT to be OBEDIENT to Him by KEEPING His COMMANDMENTS, and these COMMANDMENTS are NOT a BURDENSOME TASK for us, IF we are DRIVEN by our LOVE for God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If we have TRUSTED in Christ by FAITH, we will have the SPIRITUAL VICTORY over this EVIL WORLD. And that is ONLY POSSIBLE through our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. In other words, have we TRULY given OUR HEART and LIFE to Christ, and are we BEING OBEDIENT to the COMMANDMENTS of OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY because we are DRIVEN BY LOVE? Or are we being OBEDIENT because of a FEAR of JUDGMENT. When we are DRIVEN BY LOVE, that OBEDIENCE is NOT a BURDEN, and we can LIVE a TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, the ONLY ONE who can WIN this BATTLE against this SINFUL WORLD, are those who BELIEVE that JESUS is the ONLY, TRUE SON of the LIVING GOD. Are YOU a TRUE BELIEVER, that is OBEDIENT to GOD, because you are DRIVEN BY LOVE? If you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to God through a RELATIONSHIP with His Son, then you are being DISOBEDIENT to God and you are RISKING having an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. This is what MUST BE DONE to have a SPIRITUAL VICTORY over this SINFUL WORLD. You MUST COME to JESUS CHRIST, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that He DIED for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and be OBEDIENT to Him because you are DRIVEN BY LOVE. Then be a VICTOR over this EVIL WORLD. And start LIVING a TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-22678220674106409062024-01-24T13:32:00.002-06:002024-01-24T13:32:16.905-06:00“Our Great High Priest”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“Our Great High Priest”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So then, since we have a Great High Priest who has entered Heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold FIRMLY to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did NOT sin. So let us come BOLDLY to the throne of our Gracious God. There we will receive His MERCY and we will find GRACE to help us when we NEED it MOST. Hebrews 4:14-16<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I wonder how many of us REALIZE that we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST in the man of JESUS CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD. In our Scripture, today, we see that we are URGED to HOLD FIRMLY to what we BELIEVE. Our High Priest UNDERSTANDS and SYMPATHIZES with our weaknesses, for He faced the SAME testings we do, yet HE DID NOT SIN. And because He was the SINLESS LAMB of God, without FAULT or BLAME, He became not ONLY our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, but He, HIMSELF, became our ONLY SACRIFICE and our HOPE for the FORGIVENESS of our SINS and to provide for ALL who will ACCEPT it, a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with our CREATOR GOD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we are WILLING to TURN FROM our SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, we can come BOLDLY to the Throne of our GRACIOUS GOD, where we will RECEIVE HIS MERCY and the place where we will FIND GRACE to HELP US, just when we NEED it MOST. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is Jesus Christ your Great High Priest? Do you have a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY GOD? Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God, through the PRECIOUS BLOOD of His ONLY SON, JESUS? If you have NOT, then you do NOT have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST, who is your ONLY WAY to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, instead you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. You can change that destiny if you will do the following things: First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, Jesus, the Son of God. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. Then you MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and RECEIVE JESUS, GOD’S SON, as your HIGH PRIEST, and RECEIVE MERCY and FIND GRACE in your time of NEED. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-56253925958230890322024-01-22T19:48:00.000-06:002024-01-22T19:48:02.708-06:00“The Keys of the Kingdom”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Keys of the Kingdom”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in Heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This announcement by the LORD JESUS CHRIST, was made at the time He had asked His Disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” And of course, Peter QUICKLY and CORRECTLY answered; “You are the MESSIAH, the Son of the Living God.” And that is when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, or the GREEK form is pronounced: Petros, which means: STONE. Then Jesus announced that “upon that ROCK He would build His Church, and ALL the POWERS of HELL will NOT CONQUER IT.” Then He told Peter, “I will give you the KEYS of the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Now, let us look at these KEYS.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">KEYS was a symbol of AUTHORITY. So, Jesus told Peter that he would possess the KEYS of the KINGDOM, and he would be ABLE to BIND and LOOSE people. To BIND and LOOSE is to RESTRAIN and SET FREE. Peter received his INSTRUCTIONS from HEAVEN, because the BINDING and LOOSING FIRST began in HEAVEN. So, Peter was FOLLOWING God’s DIRECTIONS. This BINDING and LOOSING was seen in Peter’s life on the DAY of PENTECOST, when he had the PRIVILEGE to PREACH the GOSPEL and ANNOUNCE to ALL that RESPONDED in SAVING FAITH that their SINS were FORGIVEN. This SAME privilege was given to ALL the Disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">BINDING and LOOSING doesn’t mean that you can PULL GOD’S STRINGS and He will be under YOUR CONTROL. First of all, it MUST BE in ACCORDANCE with the WILL of GOD. You are able to ONLY BIND and LOOSE what has ALREADY been BOUND and LOOSED in HEAVEN. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Church is to USE the Keys of the Kingdom, which are: HEAVEN’S VIEWPOINT and SPIRITUAL RESOURCES on matters. The USE of THE HOLY WORD of GOD, and PRAYER. We who have once been BOUND by SIN and LOOSED by the PRECIOUS BLOOD of JESUS, should keep in mind that ANSWERS to PRAYERS are not ONLY for our benefit. They are for the BENEFIT of others. We are CALLED to be a BLESSING. Are YOU a BLESSING? And do YOU POSSES the KEYS to the KINGDOM of HEAVEN? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to JESUS, then you FALL short of being a BLESSING, and you DO NOT POSSES the KEYS to the KINGDOM.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But you ARE HEADED for an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In order to be UNBOUND and LOOSENED, you MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and be a part of the CHURCH that JESUS BUILDS, and RECEIVE the KEYS of the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. Do this NOW, while you STILL can.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He’s WAITING and COMING SOON !!!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t be LEFT BEHIND</span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-43824748707689490172024-01-18T14:30:00.002-06:002024-01-18T14:30:13.411-06:00“The Fishing Net”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Fishing Net”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away.” Matthew 13:47-48<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus, often taught people, using parables as His teaching technique. A parable is an EARTHLY STORY with a HEAVENLY MEANING. He did this to HELP them UNDERSTAND what He was telling them. And they were definitely familiar with FISHING and the FISHING EQUIPMENT. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For most it was their LIVELIHOOD. So, one of the things they had to help them pull in the LOADS and LOADS of FISH was the NET. Now, the FISHERMEN knew that the MOST IMPORTANT thing was to KEEP their NETS READY for the BIG LOADS. And they MADE SURE that their NETS were READY for the BIG LOADS that would be coming in SOON. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In His telling of this parable, Jesus COMPARED the Kingdom of Heaven to that of a FISHING NET. The FISHING NET was thrown into the water, and it would be dragged along the bottom of the river or lake to catch the FISH. Then the fishermen would take the NET to shore, and they would SORT the FISH. The GOOD FISH would go into BASKETS, and the BAD FISH would be thrown away. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then He gave them the HEAVENLY MEANING to the PARABLE. He told the people that the SORTING represented the Angelic separation of the WICKED from the RIGHTEOUS ones, The Angels will THROW the WICKED into the FIERY FURNACE, where there will be WEEPING and GNASHING of teeth. This will take place at the END of the AGE. It will happen when JESUS, GOD’S ONLY SON, returns to earth to set up His KINGDOM. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Righteous, those whose NAME is WRITTEN down in the LAMB’S BOOK of LIFE, will be the ONES who will spend their ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS, and be able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. Is your NAME written down in the LAMB’S BOOK of LIFE? It CAN be, IF you will ACCEPT JESUS as your SAVIOR and LORD. To do that you MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, and you MUST BELIEVE that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before GOD. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE, and TURN to GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and BE a GOOD FISH, with YOUR NAME written in the LAMB’S BOOK of LIFE. Do this NOW, while you still can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-15002149179534911092024-01-11T19:46:00.000-06:002024-01-11T19:46:12.804-06:00“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God is our Refuge and Strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So, we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Psalm 46:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The ALMIGHTY God is our SECURITY. He is NEVER too busy, and ALWAYS available, especially in times of TROUBLE. Even if it is EARTHQUAKES that CRUMBLE mountains and cause tsunamis. Even in the WORST of times, we SHOULD NOT be AFRAID, for our HEAVENLY FATHER, is NEAR to HELP His Children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Verses four through seven gives us a little picture of the reign of JESUS CHRIST, our MESSIAH who will reign in JERUSALEM, the CITY of GOD. The Creator of the Universe will be CLOSELY ACCESSIBLE to those who BELONG to HIM. God in the person of JESUS CHRIST, will have His Throne in JERUSALEM, and He will be her SOURCE of HELP.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There will be an environment like Eden. It will be a place where ENEMIES, no matter how STRONG they may be, will NOT be able to harm her. Because the LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES, is the STRONGHOLD of His People. In this Psalm the Psalmist, brings ENCOURAGEMENT, and COMFORT to God’s People.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This ENCOURAGEMENT comes with the KNOWLEDGE that God will fight their BATTLES and DEFEND them AGAINST their ENEMIES. They had NO reason to WORRY or FRET, whenever they were faced with CHALLENGES or DIFFICULTIES. This KNOWLEDGE is APPLICABLE for God’s Children, today. We MUST REMEMBER: GOD is OUR REFUGE and STRENGTH, an EVER-PRESENT HELP in TIMES of TROUBLE. The LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES is our STRONGHOLD!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is He your STRONGHOLD? IF you have not given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through the work of SALVATION, which is made POSSIBLE by COMING to the CROSS of CHRIST JESUS and ASKING Him for His FORGIVENESS. Then He is NOT your STRONGHOLD, because HE is NOT your SAVIOR and LORD. This is what YOU MUST DO in order for the LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES to bring you into His Family. You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and ALLOW the LORD of HEAVEN’S ARMIES to be your STRONGHOLD. And ENJOY an ETERNITY in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-42090447183492684102024-01-08T17:08:00.004-06:002024-01-08T17:08:32.265-06:00“What Makes Someone Defiled?”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“What Makes Someone Defiled?”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jesus said: “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:20-23<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this part of Mark, chapter seven, Jesus is teaching about INNER PURITY. And the subject was, “What makes someone DEFILED?” Could they be DEFILED by eating without first washing their hands? And Jesus told them, “It’s NOT what goes into your body that DEFILES you, you are DEFILED by what COMES FROM your HEART.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then Jesus proceeded to teach the people and His DISCIPLES, that it is what comes from WITH-IN that DEFILES a PERSON. Remember, mankind is BORN with a SIN-<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> NATURE. Therefore, it is what is in the HEART, such as: EVIL THOUGHTS, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, THEFT, MURDER, ADULTERY, GREED, WICKEDNESS, DECEIT, LUSTFUL DESIRES, ENVY, SLANDER, PRIDE and FOOLISHNESS. ALL these VILE things COME FROM WITHIN, and THEY ARE WHAT DEFILES YOU.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You cannot live with a DEFILED heart and expect to get into Heaven. No matter how much money you give to the church or to the poor. You see, it’s NOT BY WORKS that you do or MONEY that you GIVE. But ONLY through the MERCY and GRACE of GOD and your OBEDIENCE to GOD’S PLAN of SALVATION, and by your TRUE FAITH in Him and His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED and DIED for the FORGIVENESS OF YOUR and MY SINS. And to GIVE us an ETERNITY in HEAVEN. So, if you are harboring ANY of the things that DEFILE the HUMAN HEART, and will give you an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. You MUST DO the FOLLOWING THINGS in order to SECURE your ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First: ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS DIED for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your sins to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. And like David, ask God to: “Create in You a CLEAN HEART, and to RENEW a LOYAL SPIRIT WITHIN YOU.” (Ps. 51:10). Then ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and let the CLEANSING BLOOD of the LORD JESUS CHRIST wash AWAY all those things that would make you a DEFILED PERSON. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t BE LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-31895321274848058002024-01-06T17:39:00.005-06:002024-01-06T17:39:27.830-06:00“God’s Ultimate purpose”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“God’s Ultimate Purpose”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And having chosen them He called them to come to Him. And having called them, He gave them RIGHT STANDING with Himself. And having given them RIGHT STANDING, He gave them His GLORY. Romans 8:30<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are THREE steps that is incorporated in God’s ULTIMATE PURPOSE for the TRUE BELIEVER. The FIRST STEP is: Being CALLED, this is a calling to be made into the IMAGE of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, <a name="_Int_dWtuMMVW">Who</a> is the SON of the ALMIGHTY GOD, and it is a part of His ULTIMATE PURPOSE. In verse twenty-eight it tells us that; “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who LOVE GOD and are CALLED according to His PURPOSE for them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The SECOND STEP is: Being JUSTIFIED, is having a VALID, RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with God. Since we have been made RIGHT in God’s SIGHT by FAITH, we have PEACE with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (5:1) It was because He took OUR SINS to the CROSS, and they are COVERED by His PRECIOUS BLOOD. NEVER to be REMEMBERED again. And that is JUSTIFICATION. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The THIRD STEP is: Being GLORIFIED, is having the riches and GLORY of CHRIST, and this is the SECRET: That CHRIST LIVES in YOU. And it gives us ASSURANCE of SHARING His GLORY. (Col. 1:27) This GLORIFICATION is another way of saying that GOD’S CHILDREN will be “CONFORMED” to His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And this is God’s ULTIMATE PURPOSE.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, what is your status? Have you been CALLED, JUSTIFIED, and GLORIFIED? Is God working in your life to complete His ULTIMATE PURPOSE? If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST because you have been REJECTING His invitation to become a part of His Family, then you are missing the CALL. And He’ll not KEEP offering it, if you are NOT going to ACCEPT IT. However, IF you are being CONVICTED of YOUR SINS, you have the OPPORTUNITY to ACCEPT the INVITATION to become part of the Family of GOD. And this is what you MUST DO: First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, Jesus Christ, who made a WAY for you to have an ETERNITY in Heaven, and to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. YOU MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and let Him work His ULTIMATE PURPOSE in YOUR LIFE. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-29427102053990804322024-01-04T21:10:00.002-06:002024-01-04T21:10:15.025-06:00“Inward Hostility”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“Inward Hostility”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For God in ALL His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s Blood on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The reconciliation of mankind is NECESSARY because mankind is born with a SINFUL nature. They naturally have the desire to sin. It is NOT the OUTWARD acts (sins) that causes INWARD HOSTILITY, but it is the alienation between man and God from the very FIRST sin. Sin is the OUTWARD SIGN of the INWARD HOSTILITY between mankind and the HOLY GOD. And the HOLY GOD DEEPLY DESIRED an act of RECONCILIATION because of the DEEP LOVE that God had/has for the CROWN of His CREATION, which is MANKIND.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, God in ALL His FULLNESS was PLEASED to LIVE in Christ, and through this act of RECONCILIATION we have the OPPORTUNITY to have that INWARD HOSTILITY and being ALIENATED from the ALMIGHTY GOD REMOVED and REPLACED with GOD’S FORGIVENESS and His PEACE and ASSURANCE of our SALVATION by the BLOOD of His SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the ONLY ONE who could bring RECONCILIATION between GOD and MANKIND. Are you enjoying that RECONCILIATION? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to GOD through the CLEANSING process of the BLOOD of JESUS then you do NOT HAVE that RECONCILIATION, but you do have an INWARD HOSTILITY towards God and His RULES, PLANS and PURPOSES for you. And because of that INWARD HOSTILITY, and the SINS that go with it, you are destined FOR an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. God is giving you an OPPORTUNITY NOW to: ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who SUFFERED, BLED, AND DIED for YOU. BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS did DIE for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before God. Confess YOUR SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. Then ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and get RID of that INWARD HOSTILITY, and be able to have an ETERNITY in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-91357280230148674562023-12-28T21:23:00.002-06:002023-12-28T21:23:15.029-06:00“Guilty or Innocent?”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“Guilty or Innocent?”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For this world is not our permanent home, we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His Name. Hebrews 13:14-15<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A while back, there was a popular question that was posed to a lot of people and that question was: “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you, or would you be INNOCENT of ALL charges?” The author of the Book of Hebrews, whom I believe to be the Apostle Paul, tells us that this CORRUPT, SINFUL, FALLEN WORLD, is NOT our PERMANENT HOME. For we are LOOKING FORWARD to an ETERNAL HOME, not made with human hands, and it is yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, we are “sojourners” on our way to a NEW HOME that will be FREE of SIN, CORRUPTNESS, HATRED, PAIN, HEARTACHE, DESPAIR and ALL UNGODLY ACTS. Yes, we can TRULY SAY; “This WORLD is NOT my HOME, I’m just PASSING THROUGH. And I BELIEVE, with ALL my Heart, that we, those who have given their HEART and LIFE to JESUS, will be making that transition SOON, maybe SOONER than we think. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the meantime, there are some things we NEED to be doing. Paul tells us that we should OFFER a CONTINUAL SACRIFICE of PRAISE to our HEAVENLY FATHER, PROCLAIMING our ALLEGIANCE to His NAME. Let ALL the PEOPLE, you come in contact with KNOW without a DOUBT that you BELONG to the LORD JESUS CHRIST. So, get your PRAISE ON and CONFESS the NAME of the LORD. The Word of God says: “OFFER a CONTINUAL SACRIFICE of PRAISE.” Are you GUILTY of that or INNOCENT? This is one thing that God wants us to be GUILTY of. I think we should PROCLAIM what King David said: “Let ALL that I am PRAISE the LORD, with my WHOLE HEART, I will PRAISE His Holy NAME.” “Let ALL that I am PRAISE the LORD; may I NEVER FORGET the good things He does for me. He FORGIVES ALL my SINS and HEALS ALL my diseases. He REDEEMS me from DEATH and CROWNS me with LOVE and TENDER MERCIES.” Psalm 103:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, through His Son, JESUS CHRIST, who DIED for the SALVATION of your sinful soul, you do not have a NEW HOME to look forward to. However, you can have that NEW HOME if you will ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. 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. And you MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and be GUILTY of CONTINUAL SACRIFICIAL PRAISE to the ALMIGHTY GOD. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-13703146259668866742023-12-27T14:10:00.004-06:002023-12-27T14:10:45.946-06:00“God-Confidence”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“God-Confidence”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You! I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy. Psalm 63:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oh me, how I LOVE <a name="_Int_UB3EeiPM">this</a> Psalm. Some people believe that anything in the OLD TESTAMENT, is NOT applicable for the TRUE BELIEVERS today. However, I strongly disagree with that mindset. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The TRUE BELIEVER of today, can gain a lot of KNOWLEDGE and the RIGHT PERSPECTIVE about the HOLY GOD and His PLANS, PROMISES and PURPOSES that are directed towards mankind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let’s look at King David and his situation. He was in hiding (so to speak) in the Wilderness of Judah. His son, Absalom’s rebellious attitude towards his father, caused an up-rising within the kingdom, a USURPING of the throne of David. And David had to FLEE in order to save his life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">David was without the necessities of life. He had NO WATER, and you know he developed a thirst. Well, David began to think about what he really thirsted for was NOT water but for GOD. He had been SATISFIED when he was in the Tabernacle, gazing upon the LORD GOD’S GLORY. And while he was in the WILDERNESS, he LONGED for God’s Glory. So, even in the WILDERNESS, David offered PRAISES to the LORD GOD, ALMIGHTY. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes, when we are in the WILDERNESS of LIFE’S JOURNEY, facing difficulties and situations that seem OVERWHELMING we NEED to get alone with God, in a quiet place, just you and God, and pour out your PRAISES, first of all, to HIM, then offer up your petitions of prayer. And TRUST HIM to do what is BEST for YOU. After all, you are HIS CHILD, aren’t you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Notice in our verses, that David had a GENUINE GOD-CONFIDENCE. He is saying to God: “Your UNFAILING LOVE is BETTER than LIFE itself.” Whenever you, like David, REALIZE that the FAITHFULNESS of GOD is MORE IMPORTANT than ANYTHING ELSE in this LIFE. When you REALIZE this, YOU too WILL PRAISE GOD with JOY UNSPEAKABLE. And you will have, like King David, GOD-CONFIDENCE that will SUSTAIN you through YOUR WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">David was SO CONFIDENT in God’s FAITHFULNESS to him, that he PROMISED to PRAISE GOD as LONG as he LIVED, and with the LIFTING of his HANDS, he prayed to his HEAVENLY FATHER, showing his CONFIDENCE in GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, David says; “You, SATISFY me more than the RICHEST FEAST. I WILL PRAISE YOU with SONGS of JOY.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How about YOU? Do YOU have GOD-CONFIDENCE? Can you say that GOD means MORE to YOU than LIFE ITSELF? If you have NOT GIVEN your HEART and LIFE to GOD, through His ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who SHED HIS BLOOD in order to SAVE your SINFUL SOUL from an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. You can have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS, if you will: First, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU, before GOD. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINS and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and have GOD-CONFIDENCE and PRAISE HIM for His UNFAILING LOVE and FAITHFULNESS to YOU!!! Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-18799674694772459912023-12-26T16:36:00.005-06:002023-12-26T16:36:33.858-06:00“Our Declaration in the New Year”<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Our Declaration in the New Year”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">May all who search for You be filled with joy and gladness in You. May those who love Your Salvation repeatedly shout, “The LORD is great!” Psalm 40:16<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This Psalm of David begins with a celebratory past instance of God’s DELIVERANCE, for David from his TROUBLES. David tells us that he WAITED patiently for God to help him, and God turned to David and HEARD his cry. Then God lifted David OUT of the pit of DESPAIR, out of the MUD and MIRE. And He set David’s feet on SOLID GROUND and STEADIED him as he walked along. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Part of David’s DECLARATION appears in verse three, “He has given me a NEW SONG to sing, a HYMN of PRAISE to OUR God. And HOPING that MANY will see what He has done and be AMAZED. And that they will put their TRUST in the LORD. Oh, what JOY for those who TRUST in the LORD, and has NO CONFIDENCE in the UNBELIEVER. David DECLARES that the PLANS for God’s Children are too numerous to list. And that God has NO EQUAL! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another DECLARATION of King David was that he takes JOY in doing the WILL of GOD. Because God’s instructions are written on David’s heart. In verses eleven through fifteen David’s CELEBRATORY instance becomes a DESPERATE instance. It seems as though David’s iniquities had brought him NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES, which resulted in some INTENSE pleas for God’s COMPASSION and DELIVERANCE. Then David turns his ATTENTION from himself to others who SEEK GOD, and his hope is that they would REPEATEDLY SHOUT: “The LORD GOD IS GREAT!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That SHOULD BE our DECLARATION NOW and in the NEW YEAR to come. If you are a CHILD of the LIVING GOD, then you KNOW that the “LORD GOD is GREAT and GREATLY to BE PRAISED!!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, if you are NOT a CHILD of the LIVING GOD, your KNOWLEDGE of GOD is probably LIMITED in scope.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And you have very LITTLE to PRAISE Him for and your DESTINY is not looking GOOD at all.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In order to have His BLESSINGS and His COMPASSIONATE HELP, YOU MUST come to His ONLY SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who DIED for YOU and to be able to have FORGIVENESS of your sins and an ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven, with ALL its BLESSINGS.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And to be able to ESCAPE an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE once you are there. You MUST BE DRAWN by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, and you MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, Jesus.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">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.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST BE WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFESTYLE and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and DECLARE that: “The LORD GOD is GREAT!!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do this NOW, while you STILL can.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t Be LEFT BEHIND!!!</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-74847206056083340982023-12-23T14:43:00.006-06:002023-12-23T14:44:13.648-06:00“The Sacrificial Lamb”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Sacrificial Lamb”</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Savior —yes, the Messiah, the Lord— has been born today in Bethlehem, the City of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a Baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The King of Kings, the ONE and ONLY Son of the LIVING GOD, was NOT BORN in a FANCY, MANSION, in the BEST part of TOWN, but his LOWLY BIRTH was one of MEAGER circumstances. He was born to MARY and JOSEPH, who was not in the least bit WEALTHY. And they had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be taxed, along with a HUGE crowd of other people. And to make matters WORSE, Mary was VERY CLOSE to giving birth to her FIRST CHILD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, the ONLY LODGING that was available to them was a SMELLY, DIRTY, STABLE that housed the animals that belonged to the patrons of the INN of which was packed with people that were in Bethlehem to be TAXED also. Mary was TIRED, WEAK, and in PAIN, so Joseph took the STABLE, after all they would have some privacy, probably more than they would have at the Inn. That place was PACKED, people were even sleeping on the dirt floor. So, Joseph got Mary settled and sometime in the darkness of the night, Mary gave birth to a HEALTHY, BABY BOY!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, their surroundings may have been MEAGER but the ANNOUNCEMENT of the BIRTH of THE SON of GOD, was BEYOND MAGNIFICENT! And it was delivered NOT to the Roman Government, or the RELIGIOUS LEADERS, but it was delivered by an ANGEL of the LORD to some LOWLY SHEPHERDS who were watching their sheep on a hillside near the Little Town of BETHLEHEM. The poor SHEPHERDS were TERRIFIED, but the Angel reassured them, saying to them; “Don’t be afraid! I bring you GOOD NEWS that will bring GREAT JOY to ALL people—the SAVIOR, yes, the MESSIAH, THE LORD HAS BEEN BORN today in Bethlehem, the City of David! And you will RECOGNIZE Him by this sign”. You will find a baby WRAPPED SNUGLY in STRIPS of CLOTH, lying in a manger.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, this DESCRIPTION of the BABY being WRAPPED SNUGLY in STRIPS of CLOTH, was familiar to the SHEPHERDS, because they were responsible for making sure that the newborn lambs had nothing wrong with them, since the SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS had to be WITHOUT SPOT or WRINKLE. So, the shepherds would WRAP the LAMBS in the cloth to keep them from being BLEMISHED or bringing INJURY to themselves. This is why Luke has brought out the fact that JESUS was WRAPPED SNUGLY or TIGHTLY with the cloth. Since He was the SINLESS, LAMB OF GOD, the SUBSTITUTIONARY, SACRIFICIAL LAMB, the ONLY ONE who COULD take away the SINS of ALL MANKIND. And by that description, the shepherds would be ABLE to RECOGNIZE the SAVIOR of the WORLD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, how can you RECOGNIZE the SAVIOR of the WORLD, that’s EASY, by the NAIL PRINTS in His hands. And this RECOGNITION is the WORK of the Holy Spirit, who INDWELLS the one who belongs to JESUS. They have COME to the CROSS for the FORGIVENESS of their SINS. And they RECEIVE the GIFT of SALVATION and an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is how you can be a RECIPIENT of GOD’S AMAZING GRACE. FIRST, ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER, in NEED of the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, who is the ONLY ONE ABLE to FORGIVE and SAVE your soul. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS died for YOU and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for YOU before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM your SINS, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT God’s Gift of SALVATION and be ABLE to RECOGNIZE JESUS by the NAIL PRINTS in His Hands. Do this NOW, while you still can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3257069302534476965.post-27716020679198220512023-12-21T12:15:00.006-06:002023-12-21T12:15:54.255-06:00“The Greatest Miracle in Human History”<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">“The Greatest Miracle in Human History”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">…...” Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1: 20b-21<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mary, the <a name="_Int_GALOTMWC">Mother</a> of Jesus was engaged to be married to a carpenter by the name of Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was STILL a VIRGIN, she became pregnant through the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT of the Almighty God. Now Joseph was a RIGHTEOUS man, and he did NOT want to disgrace Mary publicly, so he decided to QUIETLY break the ENGAGEMENT. And while he was considering this, an Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Angel told Joseph not to be AFRAID to take Mary as his wife, because the Child she was carrying was CONCEIVED by the HOLY SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD. And the Angel informed Joseph that they would have a SON and they should call Him JESUS, because He will SAVE His people from their sins. These events were NOT unexpected, they were part of God’s Plan, and Mary and JOSEPH were also, a part of that plan. It was a FULFILLMENT of Old TESTAMENT prophecy. The Prophet Isaiah prophesied: “The Virgin will give birth to a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ This IS the ESSENCE of CHRISTMAS!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The GREATEST MIRACLE in HUMAN HISTORY is when the ALMIGHTY GOD became MAN. The SON of GOD took on HUMAN FLESH and it was combined with the FULLNESS of DEITY and the FULLNESS of HUMANITY. And the ONLY SON of the LIVING GOD became the GOD-MAN. He is the ONLY ONE who can give SINFUL MANKIND FREEDOM from their SINS, and ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN with ALL its BLESSINGS. And to be ABLE to ESCAPE an ETERNAL LIFE in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS and NO WAY to ESCAPE, once you are there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is what YOU MUST do in order to ACCEPT GOD’S GIFT of SALVATION and to spend your ETERNITY in HEAVEN. You MUST ADMIT that YOU are a SINNER in NEED of the SAVIOR, Jesus Christ. You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART that JESUS DIED for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God. You MUST CONFESS your SINS to Him and ASK Him for His FORGIVENESS. You MUST be WILLING to TURN AWAY FROM, your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. You MUST ACCEPT the GREATEST MIRACLE in HUMAN HISTORY, the LORD JESUS CHRIST as your SAVIOR and LORD. And spend your ETERNITY in HEAVEN. Do this NOW, while you STILL can. He’s WAITING and COMING SOON!!! Don’t be LEFT BEHIND!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Saintlycladhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06045999803713869884noreply@blogger.com0