Matthew; 7:13-14
(Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.)
I have been reading 'The Pilgrim's Progress' by John Bunyan. It speaks of the Christians travels as he makes his way to the Celestial City. It talks about the different trials he encounters on his way. Some of these trials were family, vanity, despair, flatterers, doubt, and little faith. I'm sure that all of us have dealt with some of these if not all of these on our Christian journey. If we stray off of the narrow way, we can be putting our self into harms way.
Jesus tells us that we will experience difficulty if we choose to follow Him. You will be ridiculed for your belief and possibly persecuted. It probably won't cost you your life, but it isn't going to be easy.
John; 15:20
(Remember the word I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.)
Jesus was speaking to His disciples here, but it can also apply to us today. If we choose to follow Jesus and obey Him, then we can expect trials and tribulation. They may be physical or they may be spiritual, but they will come.
Our goal as a child of God is to worship Him and obey Him. He has given all of us as His children the mission of spreading the truth and being a witness to the lost. If we let our light shine in this dark world, they will see it. If we allow our self to be entangled by all of the cares of the world, we won't be able to carry out this mission. Satan knows where to put the stumbling blocks. He will cause you to doubt your own salvation at times. He will put your pride in front of you. He will put anything in front of you that will cause you to detour off the straight and narrow path.
We need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. If we do, then it is much harder to be caught off guard. We need to expect these trials and remember that He who is in us is stronger than he who is in the world. Jesus has already won the war and He is our Rock and our Salvation. We live in a dark world but Jesus is the light of life. Walk in the light!!
John; 8:12
(Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.)"
You want to stay on the narrow path and not stumble? Stay on the lighted path.
God Bless You!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Comfortable And Forgetting!
The United States was a nation that began as a country that acknowledged the hand of God in her founding. God was given a prominent place in the national life and was given credit for the blessings of the nation. But our country has, by and large, left her godly roots and is now believing that our own genius and hard work has been responsible for our success. We are headed for a fall. And if we find ourselves in trouble, perhaps we will turn back to God and once again experience His blessings.
This statement was written in study notes of 'The Word For Today Bible'. The study notes were by Pastor Chuck Smith. The statement was written before the current financial mess we find our country in. As people point the finger of blame at each other, we need to point the finger at ourselves. We have become so comfortable with God's blessings that we have forgotten that it was Him who was blessing us. We didn't give Him the glory or the praise for all that He was doing for our country. We have turned from obeying God to disobeying God. Now we wonder why we're not being blessed. It's very simple, "we've turned our backs on God."
There is only one hope for us and that is Jesus Christ. If we will just turn back to God and ask for forgiveness and help, He will forgive and heal our nation. The government is not going to be able to change the condition of our heart. Only God can change a heart and He is waiting to do just that.
2Chronicles;7:14
(if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.)
He's our only hope for America. We're not going to see change without God's help. The hearts of so many people have turned so wicked, that we have become the present day Sodom and Gomorrah. A nation that promotes abortion (KILLING INNOCENT BABIES), gay marriages, and all forms of sexual sin, is doomed to destruction. God is a holy God, and anything less than holiness in His people is not acceptable.
1Peter; 1:15-16
(but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
God Bless You!
This statement was written in study notes of 'The Word For Today Bible'. The study notes were by Pastor Chuck Smith. The statement was written before the current financial mess we find our country in. As people point the finger of blame at each other, we need to point the finger at ourselves. We have become so comfortable with God's blessings that we have forgotten that it was Him who was blessing us. We didn't give Him the glory or the praise for all that He was doing for our country. We have turned from obeying God to disobeying God. Now we wonder why we're not being blessed. It's very simple, "we've turned our backs on God."
There is only one hope for us and that is Jesus Christ. If we will just turn back to God and ask for forgiveness and help, He will forgive and heal our nation. The government is not going to be able to change the condition of our heart. Only God can change a heart and He is waiting to do just that.
2Chronicles;7:14
(if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.)
He's our only hope for America. We're not going to see change without God's help. The hearts of so many people have turned so wicked, that we have become the present day Sodom and Gomorrah. A nation that promotes abortion (KILLING INNOCENT BABIES), gay marriages, and all forms of sexual sin, is doomed to destruction. God is a holy God, and anything less than holiness in His people is not acceptable.
1Peter; 1:15-16
(but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
God Bless You!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
God's Word Endures Forever!
The Bible is the inerrant Word Of God. God has told us that his Word will never pass away. Even though people have tried to say that there are errors in the Bible, I have yet to find one or have someone show me one. Someone might try to take a portion of Scripture out of context and say it contradicts itself, but that claim doesn't hold any water. If you want to know what God has for you in your life here on earth, then study the Bible. It is true from cover to cover.
Isaiah; 40:8
(The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.")
God tells us that his Word is permanent, not to be altered or changed in any way. We're not to add to it or take away from it as some of the cults have done in rewriting their bible. They have done this to make their bible say what they believe. Instead they should believe what the bible says. We are warned in the Book of Revelation the consequences for adding to or taking away from God's Word.
Revelation; 22:18-19
(For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.)
I have never understood why people who want to know God better, turn to books written by man. I'll admit there are a lot of good books out there, but they are just that, books written by man. If you want to know God, then read the book God wrote. Now someone is going to say that the Bible was written by man. Man did write the words in the Bible, but God gave him the words to write. That is why it is the inspired Word of God or God breathed.
2Timothy; 3:16
(All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,)
No where in Scripture does God say "as time goes by, I might have to change My Word to better reach new generations of people". The safest place to be is in the Word of God, not in other books.
Maybe you just don't understand the Bible. The reason you don't understand is that satan has blinded you to the truths of the Word of God. Without the Holy Spirit in you, you will not understand God's Word.
1Corinthians; 1:18
( For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.)
Every person is either in the process of salvation or destruction. To the Christ rejectors who are in the process of being destroyed, the gospel is nonsense. To those who are believers, it is powerful wisdom.
Ask God to remove the blinders that satan has on you and to reveal the truths in His Word. Tell Jesus you believe in Him and that you repent and will turn from your sins. Ask Him to save you and give you eternal life.
God Bless You!
Isaiah; 40:8
(The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.")
God tells us that his Word is permanent, not to be altered or changed in any way. We're not to add to it or take away from it as some of the cults have done in rewriting their bible. They have done this to make their bible say what they believe. Instead they should believe what the bible says. We are warned in the Book of Revelation the consequences for adding to or taking away from God's Word.
Revelation; 22:18-19
(For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.)
I have never understood why people who want to know God better, turn to books written by man. I'll admit there are a lot of good books out there, but they are just that, books written by man. If you want to know God, then read the book God wrote. Now someone is going to say that the Bible was written by man. Man did write the words in the Bible, but God gave him the words to write. That is why it is the inspired Word of God or God breathed.
2Timothy; 3:16
(All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,)
No where in Scripture does God say "as time goes by, I might have to change My Word to better reach new generations of people". The safest place to be is in the Word of God, not in other books.
Maybe you just don't understand the Bible. The reason you don't understand is that satan has blinded you to the truths of the Word of God. Without the Holy Spirit in you, you will not understand God's Word.
1Corinthians; 1:18
( For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.)
Every person is either in the process of salvation or destruction. To the Christ rejectors who are in the process of being destroyed, the gospel is nonsense. To those who are believers, it is powerful wisdom.
Ask God to remove the blinders that satan has on you and to reveal the truths in His Word. Tell Jesus you believe in Him and that you repent and will turn from your sins. Ask Him to save you and give you eternal life.
God Bless You!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Saving Faith!
Romans; 10:17
(So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.)
So here is how we gain faith in Jesus Christ. We study the Word of God, we are taught the Word at church, and we can memorize verses. The list goes on but it all has to do with the Word of God. When we read God's Word, we see how the faith of different individuals played out. So what exactly is faith and where does it come from?
Webster's Dictionary explains it this way: belief and trust in and loyalty to God, something that is believed with strong conviction.
You believe or trust something to be true.
In the Book of Hebrews, the 11th chapter, we see how many people in the Old Testament had saving faith. Take Noah for example. He built an Ark to float on water because God had told Him. It took him 120 years to build the Ark. His faith was expressed by his obedience to God's command. When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he had faith that God would protect him from the lion's and God did.
We need faith in Jesus to be saved and that faith comes from God.
Ephesians; 2:8
(For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.)
Our faith is given to us by God and without it, it is impossible to please Him.
Hebrews; 11:6
(But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)
When Jesus was here on earth, He would heal someone and let him know that his faith had made them well. At other times He would forgive someone of his sins and tell him that his faith had saved them. Not all who Jesus healed were saved, but those who exhibited true faith were saved.
Luke; 17:19
(And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.")
Luke; 18:42
(Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.")
When we come to Jesus for forgiveness, we must believe He is who He says He is. We must put our faith in Him and believe that He will forgive us of all our sins and save us. Jesus came to save the lost (sinners) and all of us were lost before we came to Him. If we do not come to Him for salvation, we will remain lost and without eternal life. There is only one way to eternal life and that is through faith in Jesus Christ!
John; 14:6
(Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.)
If you are really searching to know God, be in the Word of God. We can read all kinds of books about God, but what better book that the one He inspired. THE BIBLE
Be in the Word, we don't know how much time there is left. Study it, memorize it, have it written on your heart. If we ever have our Bibles taken away from us, then you will still have the Word of God written on your heart.
God Bless You!
(So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.)
So here is how we gain faith in Jesus Christ. We study the Word of God, we are taught the Word at church, and we can memorize verses. The list goes on but it all has to do with the Word of God. When we read God's Word, we see how the faith of different individuals played out. So what exactly is faith and where does it come from?
Webster's Dictionary explains it this way: belief and trust in and loyalty to God, something that is believed with strong conviction.
You believe or trust something to be true.
In the Book of Hebrews, the 11th chapter, we see how many people in the Old Testament had saving faith. Take Noah for example. He built an Ark to float on water because God had told Him. It took him 120 years to build the Ark. His faith was expressed by his obedience to God's command. When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he had faith that God would protect him from the lion's and God did.
We need faith in Jesus to be saved and that faith comes from God.
Ephesians; 2:8
(For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.)
Our faith is given to us by God and without it, it is impossible to please Him.
Hebrews; 11:6
(But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)
When Jesus was here on earth, He would heal someone and let him know that his faith had made them well. At other times He would forgive someone of his sins and tell him that his faith had saved them. Not all who Jesus healed were saved, but those who exhibited true faith were saved.
Luke; 17:19
(And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.")
Luke; 18:42
(Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.")
When we come to Jesus for forgiveness, we must believe He is who He says He is. We must put our faith in Him and believe that He will forgive us of all our sins and save us. Jesus came to save the lost (sinners) and all of us were lost before we came to Him. If we do not come to Him for salvation, we will remain lost and without eternal life. There is only one way to eternal life and that is through faith in Jesus Christ!
John; 14:6
(Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.)
If you are really searching to know God, be in the Word of God. We can read all kinds of books about God, but what better book that the one He inspired. THE BIBLE
Be in the Word, we don't know how much time there is left. Study it, memorize it, have it written on your heart. If we ever have our Bibles taken away from us, then you will still have the Word of God written on your heart.
God Bless You!
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