"Blessed is the One....."

“Blessed is the One……”

 

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”  And you forgave the guilt of my sin.                                               Psalm 32:1, 2, 5

 

BLESSED is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  When a person comes to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART seeking FORGIVENESS, they RECEIVE that FORGIVENESS and their sins are COVERED by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.  But they must FIRST, ACKNOWLEDGE their sin and NOT try to HIDE it, because there is NO HIDING place for sin that God cannot SEE and KNOW about. 

 

BLESSED is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them, and in whose spirit is NO deceit.  After a person ACKNOWLEDGES their sin, they MUST CONFESS their sins to the Lord, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, which produces a spirit without deceit.  Then God will NOT count against them their sins, but He is FAITHFUL and JUST to FORGIVE them of their sins, and the GUILT of their sins will be FORGIVEN.

 

Have you come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, ACKNOWLEDGING your sins, by CONFESSING them to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, and ACCEPTING His gift of SALVATION, having your sins covered by the blood of Jesus, and being GUILT FREE of those sins?  If NOT you need to do all of the above NOW, and become one that is BLESSED, TRULY BLESSED, and on their way to an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"All Have Sinned and All are Justified

“All Have Sinned and All are Justified”

 

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

 

The RIGHTEOUSNESS, to which this verse is referring, is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD, and it is given through FAITH in Jesus Christ to ALL who BELIEVE.  With God there is NO difference between Jew and Gentile, because they ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

 

But ALL can be JUSTIFIED FREELY by His GRACE through REDEMPTION that comes through Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the Sacrifice of Atonement, which provides SALVATION for FALLEN mankind.  Through the shedding of His blood, ALL mankind, Jew and Gentile alike receives REDEMPTION and JUSTIFICATION before God.  They also will be given the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God.

 

This was God’s plan for FALLEN mankind.  To bring REDEMPTION, JUSTIFICATION, and RIGHTEOUSNESS to ALL who would come to Him, and RECEIVE it by FAITH.  There is NO OTHER WAY to receive REDEMPTION, JUSTIFICATION, and RIGHTEOUSNESS, EXCEPT through the shed blood of Christ Jesus, the REDEEMER of mankind’s soul.  Have you been to the foot of the cross?   Have you come to the Father by FAITH in His Son, the one who takes away the sins of the world? 

 

If NOT, then you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING heartache, torture, pain, torment, agony and despair, to name a few.  However, God, in His INFINITE MERCY, and AMAZING GRACE, is giving YOU the opportunity to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be REDEEMED, JUSTIFIED, and RIGHTEOUS in His sight.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

"The Pleasing Aroma of Christ"

“The Pleasing Aroma of Christ”

 

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.   For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.   To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.   And who is equal to such a task?         2 Corinthians 2:14-16

 

A triumphal procession was a victory parade, and was awarded to conquering generals.  The enemy prisoners were made to march in the parade.  The Apostle Paul looked at himself as a captive of Christ, one who had been a slave to sin, and was NOW set FREE, being taken captive by Christ.  Paul was now marching TRIUMPHANT in Christ’s TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION.

 

In a Roman triumphal procession, incense was burned and diffused.  Paul compared this to the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST, which, like the aroma of the incense, is diffused throughout the world, by the PREACHING of God’s Word.  The messenger of the message was identified with the message, and could be referred to as the “PLEASING AROMA of CHRIST.”

 

The main essence of the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST, is KNOWING that through Him, people can have LIFE and RESURRECTION.  To those who REJECTED this KNOWLEDGE, the message of Christ’s LIFE and RESURRECTION, along with the messenger was a STENCH of death to their nostrils, and their destination is HELL, the place of DESTRUCTION.  BUT to those who BELIEVE and ACCEPT the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST, they will receive SALVATION, which will lead to their glorification.  To them the message of the KNOWLEDGE of Christ is a PLEASING AROMA, and it brings LIFE.

 

We that are TRUE BELIEVERS, NEED to be like Paul.  We NEED to be a MESSENGER of the KNOWLEDGE OF CHIRST, and to be spreading the message to a LOST and DYING world, and that we would be a PLEASING AROMA of CHRIST to the ALMIGHTY God.  Are you equal to such a task?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are a STENCH in His nostrils, and you are destined for DESTRUCTION and an ETERNITY in Hell.  However, God in His INFINITE MERCY and AMAZING GRACE, is offering you the opportunity to come to Him NOW, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a PLEASING AROMA to Him, and a messenger of the message of the KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"Be Holy"

“Be Holy”

 

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:  “Be holy, because I am holy.”         1 Peter 1:14-15

 

When we come to Christ for the SALVATION of our souls, we are considered as OBEDIENT children.  In these verses of Scripture, the Apostle Peter is telling us that as OBEDIENT children, we should NOT conform to the evil desires we once had, when we lived in ignorance of the PERFECT will of the Living God.

 

Instead of conforming to our PAST life of sin, we NEED to be HOLY as God is HOLY.  The word “HOLY” means to be set apart for religious purposes, or consecrated, living a SINLESS life.  So Peter is saying that we should be SINLESS in all we do.  Of course, we know that being SINLESS, while we are in the flesh, is impossible.   

 

However, we need to be DILIGENT at working towards a complete HOLY nature, and NOT drifting back to the SINFUL life-style, from whence God has called us.  WHATEVER we do we should do it in and through a HOLY nature.   

 

One cannot obtain an ABSOLUTE HOLINESS in this life, but as OBEDIENT CHILDREN, we are CALLED by God to ‘Be holy, because I am holy.” which means, we are to WORK continually towards that goal.  HOLINESS is an attribute of God’s nature, and as His Child we should be more than willing to be molded after His image. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are NOT His OBEDIENT Child, and therefore you cannot be HOLY in this life or the next.  But you will be UNHOLY and will be destined for an ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, heartache, agony, pain, and despair, unless you come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and work DILIGENTLY at being HOLY as He is HOLY.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Watch Out!"

“Watch Out!”

 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.  For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.  By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.         Romans 16:17-18

 

We are living in a time when people’s minds are being POLLUTED with thoughts, which are contrary to the way most of them have been raised.  They are being INFLUENCED by those who are NOT serving God, but are serving their OWN appetites.  They are being led down the WRONG path, the path of DESTRUCTION, the path to Hell. 

 

The results of this type of INFLUENCE are:  HATRED, REBELLIOUS ATTITUDES, DISOBEDIENCE, and a MULTITUED of SELFISH, LAWLESS mindsets.  Many have not had a Spiritual footing or a SOUND foundation, their roots are shallow and they are easily persuaded to follow the WRONG PATH.

 

The Apostle Paul gives us ALL this warning:  “KEEP AWAY FROM THEM!”  One of Paul’s main concerns was for the churches, which he was instrumental in starting.  He was well aware of Satan’s tactics, and knew first hand, how powerful an influence he had on those who were weak in their faith, and leaned towards a SELFISH mindset.  They were EASY PREY for Satan’s cunningness.  They were overtaken by his smooth talk and flattery.  Have you ever noticed people who are being used by him, use smooth talk and flattery to INFLUENCE others? 

 

Paul warns that these people, who are being used by Satan, to thwart the work of God, will DECEIVE the minds of naïve people, those who are EASILY INFLUENCED, by smooth talk and flattery.  These people are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and will infiltrate the churches and INFLUENCE the minds of those weak in their faith.  This is usually the ones who cause dissention among the believers, which is one of the things God REALLY HATES.  “WATCH OUT!”  Be sure you are NOT doing what you KNOW GOD REALLY HATES. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are being INFLUENCED by SATAN and he is leading you down the wrong path, the path that leads to HELL, the place of ETERNAL torment, torture, pain, agony, heartache and despair, with NO WAY of escape.  Or if you are a believer, who is weak in your FAITH, and have been INFLUENCED by Satan to cause dissention in your church or family, then you need to come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you NEED to ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and STAY AWAY from those who are INFLUENCED by Satan, turn AWAY from your sinful life and turn TOWARDS the SAVIOR, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Righteous Judgment"

“The Righteous Judgment”

 

All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just:  He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from Heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might.         2 Thessalonians 1:5-9

 

The Apostle Paul, in this letter to the Thessalonian believers, was encouraging them to be steadfast in their persecutions and trials.  The demonstration of their endurance was evidence of their FAITH in God and His RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT.    They were under numerous trials and persecutions, yet the Thessalonian believers stood firm and unwavering in their FAITH.  And because of their STEADFAST FAITH, they were counted worthy of the Kingdom of God. 

 

Paul goes on to tell them about the Righteous Judge, the Lord God.  He says that God will pay back TROUBLE to those who TROUBLE them, and give RELIEF to those who were troubled.  This will take place at the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will be revealed from Heaven in a BLAZING FIRE, and He will be accompanied by His powerful angels. 

 

He will then punish those who do NOT KNOW God, those who do NOT have a relationship with Him and do not OBEY the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Those who continually and willfully reject Him.  They will be PUNISHED with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION and SEPARATED from the presence of the Lord and from His glory and His might.  They will be sentenced to Hell, the place where they will SUFFER ETERNAL, torment, torture, heartache, pain, agony and despair, with NO WAY of escape.  They will be FOREVER SEPARATED from EVERYTHING that is PURE and GOOD.  While the TRUE BELIEVER will be REJOICING in Heaven, the place of ETERNAL BLISS, FREE from any form of heartache, pain, agony, torment, torture and despair.  Only ALL things that are PURE and GOOD will be the blessings of those who have TRULY given their HEARTS and Lives to God.

 

To which group do you belong?  If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are one that will be PUNISHED with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION, in Hell, for ALL of ETERNITY.  God, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE is giving you the opportunity NOW, to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and be counted WORTHY of the Kingdom of God.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Then and Now!"

“Then and Now!”

 

Yes, in the past you lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth.   That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God.  In the past all of us lived like them, trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted.  We should have suffered God’s anger because of the way we were.  We were the same as all other people.  But God’s mercy is great, and He loved us very much.  Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, He gave us new life with Christ.  You have been saved by God’s grace.         Ephesians 2:2-5

 

Mankind, from the encounter with Satan in the garden, until NOW, has been in a HOPELESS, UNREPENTANT condition.  The UNREPENTANT HEART follows the world, which is under the control of the prince of the air, Satan, they are the ones who hate anything that is godly.  Unbelievers generally follow the ways or lifestyle of other unbelievers, and are HEAVILY INFLUENCED by the PEER PRESSURE of this LOST and DYING WORLD.

 

In the middle of the Tribulation, Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast down to earth and will no longer have access to the throne of Almighty God, nor will he rule the world.  Now the unsaved are in Satan’s clutches and are following him in his opposition to God.  THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS GROUND.  BEWARE!!!

 

The very same spirit that is spoken of here, is controlled by Satan and is PRESENTLY at work in unbelievers.  How strongly we can observe this today, in the activities of those who live in DISOBEDIENCE to the Word of God.  

 

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we too were once DISOBEDIENT toward God and His Word.  We were the same as ALL others, who have not come to God for the SALVATION of their souls.  We ALL should have come under God’s anger, because of our sinful lifestyle.

 

BUT God in His GREAT MERCY and LOVE, had a plan to bring LIFE to our spiritually DEAD souls.  He made us ALIVE with Jesus Christ, He raised us up with Christ, and seated us with Him in Heaven.  We should be REJOICING EVERYDAY, for GOD’S ABUNDANT MERCY and AMAZING GRACE. 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you have NOTHING to REJOICE about.  You are headed for HELL, the place of UNENDING heartache, pain agony, torment, torture, and despair.  You MUST come to God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and cast off your “THEN” life-style, and LIVE for Him, “NOW”.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!