The more we read in the news these days, the more we see how tolerant our society is becoming. We as a nation don't even try to hide our sin. We actually flaunt it in the public circle. God tells us that things will go from bad to worse, and I can see this happening.
People who are living in sin, not only live this way, but brag about it and say we should try it before we knock it. I just cannot believe how corrupt our country has become. Things that never would have entertained us twenty years ago, has become everyday news. We are quickly becoming a passive nation without ethics and morals.
God has never allowed any nation in history to survive when the people have become so morally corrupt. Do the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah ring a bell? We as Christians need to quit caving in to the worlds view of sin. Sin is still sin even if people don't want to admit it. As a nation, we cannot expect God to bless us if we want to live in sin. He has destroyed cities and nations in the past, and I don't see why He won't do it again.
If we aren't willing to make a stand for righteousness, we will decay further. We will rot away until there is no hope. We as a nation need to get on our knees, and ask for forgiveness from God. If we truly repent as a nation, God will forgive us. We should pray for all people, that they will turn from their evil ways and turn to God.
1Peter;3:10-12
("FOR THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE,TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL".)
So you see that there is still hope, but that hope is found in Jesus Christ our Lord. We cannot do it alone, we need His help. If we draw near to Him, He tells us that He will draw near to us. I believe this promise from God.
I could go on and on, but I don't need too. All of us can see where we are heading if we refuse to obey God's commandments.
SIN! is still SIN! is still SIN! is still! SIN!
IT REMAINS TO BE SIN, NO MATTER HOW WE COAT IT!!!!
God Bless You!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
"Why Did Jesus Come to Earth"? To Save The Lost!
Now that we are in full swing of the Christmas season, everyone is getting busier by the day. It seems like everyone is running around trying to get their shopping done. I happen to do a lot of my shopping before the rush starts. We just get run around by the different advertisements chasing from store to store. How many times have you heard people say,that they are glad that it is all over? They are worn out by all the hustle.
Before Jesus was born into the world, Joseph and Mary had gone to Bethlehem for the census. There was no room for Joseph and Mary so they were put up in a stable. Here is Mary, about to give birth, and they are in a stable. But that was where Jesus was going to be born, in a lowly stable.
After he grew and started His ministry, He reminded people that He came to save the lost and to be a servant. Not exactly what you would expect from God the Son. People say that He wasn't God, just a good person. Jesus tells us in the Scriptures that He came to earth. Now if someone came to earth, this means that they had to have existed before they came. I don't know anyone except Jesus who existed before He was born. But Jesus says I came to fulfill what was written about Me.
Matthew;5:17
(Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.)
If you come to do something, you had to come from some other place.
John;16:28
("I came from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.")
Jesus is telling us that He came from the Father. Now I would think that most of us believe that the Father is God. If Jesus came from the Father, then He had to have been with God the Father. This would prove that he existed with the Father, and that he had been sent from the Father to earth. He came as God the Son.
John;1:1-2
(In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.)
John;1:14
(And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.)
Now when someone tells us that Jesus was a good man, that is true. He was also God the Son in the flesh.
Jesus had a purpose for coming down from God the Father. He came to die in our place and give us Salvation through Him.
Matthew;18:11
("For the Son of Man has come to save that which is lost.)
Matthew;1:21
("She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.)
There is many places in the Scriptures that affirm the Deity of Jesus. He came because He loved us so much. He knew that we were without any hope of making it to Heaven. So God in His perfect plan came down to earth to bring us Salvation. There had to be a perfect sacrifice in order to satisfy a righteous and Holy God. Jesus who is righteous and Holy, came to earth to be that sacrifice, the atonement for our sins. So the next time that someone tells us that Jesus was a good man, we need to let them know that he was also God the Son.
Mark;10:45
("For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.")
As we go through the Christmas Season, let's not forget that we were given the perfect gift from God the Father in Jesus the Son. You can imagine what our destiny without Him would be. Don't wait, accept the free gift of life in Jesus Christ our Savior. If you haven't already accepted Jesus as your Savior, admit to Him that you are a sinner, confess Him as Lord of your life, and invite Him into your life, and believe in Him. Then you can thank Him for saving you. I pray you will do this before it is to late.
God Bless you!
Before Jesus was born into the world, Joseph and Mary had gone to Bethlehem for the census. There was no room for Joseph and Mary so they were put up in a stable. Here is Mary, about to give birth, and they are in a stable. But that was where Jesus was going to be born, in a lowly stable.
After he grew and started His ministry, He reminded people that He came to save the lost and to be a servant. Not exactly what you would expect from God the Son. People say that He wasn't God, just a good person. Jesus tells us in the Scriptures that He came to earth. Now if someone came to earth, this means that they had to have existed before they came. I don't know anyone except Jesus who existed before He was born. But Jesus says I came to fulfill what was written about Me.
Matthew;5:17
(Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.)
If you come to do something, you had to come from some other place.
John;16:28
("I came from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.")
Jesus is telling us that He came from the Father. Now I would think that most of us believe that the Father is God. If Jesus came from the Father, then He had to have been with God the Father. This would prove that he existed with the Father, and that he had been sent from the Father to earth. He came as God the Son.
John;1:1-2
(In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.)
John;1:14
(And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.)
Now when someone tells us that Jesus was a good man, that is true. He was also God the Son in the flesh.
Jesus had a purpose for coming down from God the Father. He came to die in our place and give us Salvation through Him.
Matthew;18:11
("For the Son of Man has come to save that which is lost.)
Matthew;1:21
("She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.)
There is many places in the Scriptures that affirm the Deity of Jesus. He came because He loved us so much. He knew that we were without any hope of making it to Heaven. So God in His perfect plan came down to earth to bring us Salvation. There had to be a perfect sacrifice in order to satisfy a righteous and Holy God. Jesus who is righteous and Holy, came to earth to be that sacrifice, the atonement for our sins. So the next time that someone tells us that Jesus was a good man, we need to let them know that he was also God the Son.
Mark;10:45
("For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.")
As we go through the Christmas Season, let's not forget that we were given the perfect gift from God the Father in Jesus the Son. You can imagine what our destiny without Him would be. Don't wait, accept the free gift of life in Jesus Christ our Savior. If you haven't already accepted Jesus as your Savior, admit to Him that you are a sinner, confess Him as Lord of your life, and invite Him into your life, and believe in Him. Then you can thank Him for saving you. I pray you will do this before it is to late.
God Bless you!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
When We Are All Alone!
Most of us experience this feeling way too much in our life. We have invested much time on friends and family, and rightly so. But what happens when our world is turned upside down and we are thrown to the wolves. If you have lived long enough, you probably have felt like everyone has abandoned you.
What could turn you life upside down? Many things could cause this to happen. Death, loss of job, divorce, just to mention a few. But what are we to do when something like this strikes us in our life. Most of us rely on our friends and family. But what if they aren't living close to you? Where do you turn?
[Turn To God]
James;1:2-4
(My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.)
God tells us to humble ourselves before Him, and not to be proud.
1Peter;5:6-7
(Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.)
Luke;14:11
("For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.)
[Casting Our Cares Upon Him]
Psalm;55:22
(Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.)
It's never easy to go through trials in our life, but we will all have many of them if we live long enough. God tells us to rely on Him always. He is in charge of everything that goes on in our life. He allows trials to happen so that our faith is perfected. Wouldn't it be nice if everything was perfect? But that isn't going to happen until we are in Heaven.
Until we are in Heaven, we need to rely on God's strength to get us through all the hard times and good times. He wants to have that close relationship with us. He loves us and cares for us and wants to be there for us. If we truly love Him, we will turn to Him always. We can do nothing without Him, we are weak but He is strong.
God Bless you!
What could turn you life upside down? Many things could cause this to happen. Death, loss of job, divorce, just to mention a few. But what are we to do when something like this strikes us in our life. Most of us rely on our friends and family. But what if they aren't living close to you? Where do you turn?
[Turn To God]
James;1:2-4
(My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.)
God tells us to humble ourselves before Him, and not to be proud.
1Peter;5:6-7
(Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.)
Luke;14:11
("For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.)
[Casting Our Cares Upon Him]
Psalm;55:22
(Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.)
It's never easy to go through trials in our life, but we will all have many of them if we live long enough. God tells us to rely on Him always. He is in charge of everything that goes on in our life. He allows trials to happen so that our faith is perfected. Wouldn't it be nice if everything was perfect? But that isn't going to happen until we are in Heaven.
Until we are in Heaven, we need to rely on God's strength to get us through all the hard times and good times. He wants to have that close relationship with us. He loves us and cares for us and wants to be there for us. If we truly love Him, we will turn to Him always. We can do nothing without Him, we are weak but He is strong.
God Bless you!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Born Once, Die Twice! Born Twice, Die Once!
[BORN ONCE]
What is this guy talking about? You probably have heard this saying sometime in your life. But do you know what they are talking about here? We all know that we were born once from our mothers womb, so how is a person born twice? When we are born from our mother, we are born with blood and water. All of us have been born this way. This is being born once.
[BORN SECOND TIME]
When you are born again, your soul is washed by the Holy Spirit, and purification of your soul takes place. At this point, you have been born twice. Born of water and blood, and also born of Spirit.
John;3:3
(Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.")
So we need to be born of the Spirit as well as of the water and blood.
1Corinthians;15:50
(Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.)
So if we aren't born of the Spirit, we cannot even please God, because we live by the flesh and not by the Spirit.
Romans;8:7-8
(Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.)
Carnally, means of the flesh. When a person lives carnally, they are spiritually dead, not having the Holy Spirit in them. So their mind will be on fleshly things.
Romans;7:5
(For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.)
[DIE ONCE]
Hebrews;9:27
(And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.)
We are all going to die once, all you have to do is look at history. We don't see three hundred year old people running around this world. God tells us that we will die because of sin in the world.
For the born again Christian, this is their physical death. Their spirit goes to heaven to be with the Lord. We don't have to worry about the second death
Romans;8:1
(There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.)
Once again, being born again, you are born of the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit. We are not condemned, because our sins are forgiven. Jesus has paid the price for us when He took our place on the cross and died for our sins.
[SECOND DEATH]
If a person isn't born again, they will experience the second death. What is meant by the second death?
{{{THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT}}}
This is the judgment throne, elevated, pure, and holy. God sits on it as judge in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation;20:11-15
(Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.)
NOW YOU SEE WHAT THE SECOND DEATH IS ALL ABOUT!
Continuous, unrelieved torment will be the final state of Satan, fallen angels, and unredeemed people.
Revelation;21:8
(But the cowardly, unbelieveing, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.)
[HOW DO I AVOID THE SECOND DEATH?]
I pray that all who read this blog will ask Jesus into their life and have their name written in the Book of Life. You don't want to experience the second death. You want to be born again. Call on the name of the Lord and ask Him to save you.
God Bless You!
What is this guy talking about? You probably have heard this saying sometime in your life. But do you know what they are talking about here? We all know that we were born once from our mothers womb, so how is a person born twice? When we are born from our mother, we are born with blood and water. All of us have been born this way. This is being born once.
[BORN SECOND TIME]
When you are born again, your soul is washed by the Holy Spirit, and purification of your soul takes place. At this point, you have been born twice. Born of water and blood, and also born of Spirit.
John;3:3
(Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.")
So we need to be born of the Spirit as well as of the water and blood.
1Corinthians;15:50
(Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.)
So if we aren't born of the Spirit, we cannot even please God, because we live by the flesh and not by the Spirit.
Romans;8:7-8
(Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.)
Carnally, means of the flesh. When a person lives carnally, they are spiritually dead, not having the Holy Spirit in them. So their mind will be on fleshly things.
Romans;7:5
(For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.)
[DIE ONCE]
Hebrews;9:27
(And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.)
We are all going to die once, all you have to do is look at history. We don't see three hundred year old people running around this world. God tells us that we will die because of sin in the world.
For the born again Christian, this is their physical death. Their spirit goes to heaven to be with the Lord. We don't have to worry about the second death
Romans;8:1
(There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.)
Once again, being born again, you are born of the Spirit and walk according to the Spirit. We are not condemned, because our sins are forgiven. Jesus has paid the price for us when He took our place on the cross and died for our sins.
[SECOND DEATH]
If a person isn't born again, they will experience the second death. What is meant by the second death?
{{{THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT}}}
This is the judgment throne, elevated, pure, and holy. God sits on it as judge in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation;20:11-15
(Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and the books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.)
NOW YOU SEE WHAT THE SECOND DEATH IS ALL ABOUT!
Continuous, unrelieved torment will be the final state of Satan, fallen angels, and unredeemed people.
Revelation;21:8
(But the cowardly, unbelieveing, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.)
[HOW DO I AVOID THE SECOND DEATH?]
I pray that all who read this blog will ask Jesus into their life and have their name written in the Book of Life. You don't want to experience the second death. You want to be born again. Call on the name of the Lord and ask Him to save you.
God Bless You!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
What Can I Do For Jesus?
You can't take it with you. How many times have you heard that? Even though this is true that we can't take anything with us when we die, there is still things that we can do while we are alive. The Scriptures tells us that we are made from dust and to dust we shall return. But you should do all you can to tell people about Jesus so that when they die they will go to heaven. So in a sense you are taking someone with you because you were willing to spread the gospel and tell them the way, and maybe they will give their life to Jesus.
When someone tells me that I can't take it with me, I agree with them and then I tell them that I can make sure that my family and friends know about Jesus, and pray for their salvation. If we can just help our family and friends and those who are willing to listen to the gospel, then we have done what we can to take people with us to heaven.
If we aren't willing to share the good news, then how will others hear. Right now everyone who has not accepted Jesus as their Savior is destined to burn in hell. This isn't a maybe, it's a fact. There is no getting around it, Jesus is the only way to heaven. Being nice isn't going to get you there. Your good works isn't going to get you there. Going to church, being raised in a Christian family, helping others, reading your bible, and the list goes on. None of these are going to get you into heaven. These are all good things to be doing, but they are not the way into the kingdom of God.
[THE WAY IS JESUS]
Jesus tells us over and over in the Scriptures that He is the way into heaven.
John;3:3
(Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.")
John;3:16-17
("For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.)
John;6:40
("For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.) This is more proof that Jesus is God the Son.
John;6:47-48
("Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. "I am the bread of life.)
John;14:6
(Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the father but through Me.)
1John;5:11-12
(And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.)
[WE ARE ALL SINNERS]
We are told by God that we all are sinners, everyone of us, no exceptions, we are all guilty and deserving of death.
Romans;3:23
(for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.)
1John;1:8
(If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.)
1John;1:10
(If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.)
[WHAT DO WE DESERVE?]
We all work for our wages, but what should be our wages for our sin?
Romans;6:23
(For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
What we deserve is to die for our sins. We are all guilty, everyone of us, you and I, and everyone who has ever lived on this earth. The only one without sin was Jesus.
2Corinthians;5:21
(He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God through Him.)
God the Father sent God the Son to bear our sins on the cross and take the full wrath of God in our place. That is why we don't have to pay the wages and die for our sins. Jesus has already died for us in our place.
[WHAT CAN WE DO THEN?]
We have a way out and the way is Jesus. He says he will save us if we only believe.
Romans;10:9-10
(that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.)
Romans;10:13
(for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.)
That's not hard to do. Jesus has made it so easy for us to have salvation. It wasn't easy for Him, He suffered terribly for us in our place. All we have to do is confess and believe.
[WHAT WILL JESUS DO FOR ME?]
He will save you from eternal life in hell and give you a home in heaven with Him.
1John;1:9
(If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us for all unrighteousness.)
Ephesians;1:13-14
(In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed , you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.)
It's a great feeling to know that we belong to God, and are one of His children.
[OUR HOME IN HEAVEN]
John;14:2-3
("In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.)
Jesus has told us that he is preparing a place for you and me, all who are born again. Don't wait!
Give your life to him today, right now. The next breath you take might be your last, we are not guaranteed another moment.
God Bless You!
When someone tells me that I can't take it with me, I agree with them and then I tell them that I can make sure that my family and friends know about Jesus, and pray for their salvation. If we can just help our family and friends and those who are willing to listen to the gospel, then we have done what we can to take people with us to heaven.
If we aren't willing to share the good news, then how will others hear. Right now everyone who has not accepted Jesus as their Savior is destined to burn in hell. This isn't a maybe, it's a fact. There is no getting around it, Jesus is the only way to heaven. Being nice isn't going to get you there. Your good works isn't going to get you there. Going to church, being raised in a Christian family, helping others, reading your bible, and the list goes on. None of these are going to get you into heaven. These are all good things to be doing, but they are not the way into the kingdom of God.
[THE WAY IS JESUS]
Jesus tells us over and over in the Scriptures that He is the way into heaven.
John;3:3
(Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.")
John;3:16-17
("For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.)
John;6:40
("For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.) This is more proof that Jesus is God the Son.
John;6:47-48
("Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. "I am the bread of life.)
John;14:6
(Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the father but through Me.)
1John;5:11-12
(And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.)
[WE ARE ALL SINNERS]
We are told by God that we all are sinners, everyone of us, no exceptions, we are all guilty and deserving of death.
Romans;3:23
(for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.)
1John;1:8
(If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.)
1John;1:10
(If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.)
[WHAT DO WE DESERVE?]
We all work for our wages, but what should be our wages for our sin?
Romans;6:23
(For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
What we deserve is to die for our sins. We are all guilty, everyone of us, you and I, and everyone who has ever lived on this earth. The only one without sin was Jesus.
2Corinthians;5:21
(He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God through Him.)
God the Father sent God the Son to bear our sins on the cross and take the full wrath of God in our place. That is why we don't have to pay the wages and die for our sins. Jesus has already died for us in our place.
[WHAT CAN WE DO THEN?]
We have a way out and the way is Jesus. He says he will save us if we only believe.
Romans;10:9-10
(that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.)
Romans;10:13
(for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.)
That's not hard to do. Jesus has made it so easy for us to have salvation. It wasn't easy for Him, He suffered terribly for us in our place. All we have to do is confess and believe.
[WHAT WILL JESUS DO FOR ME?]
He will save you from eternal life in hell and give you a home in heaven with Him.
1John;1:9
(If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us for all unrighteousness.)
Ephesians;1:13-14
(In Him, you also after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-having also believed , you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.)
It's a great feeling to know that we belong to God, and are one of His children.
[OUR HOME IN HEAVEN]
John;14:2-3
("In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.)
Jesus has told us that he is preparing a place for you and me, all who are born again. Don't wait!
Give your life to him today, right now. The next breath you take might be your last, we are not guaranteed another moment.
God Bless You!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Life Before Jesus & Life After Jesus!
Before I became a Christian, I lived my life just like everyone else. I lived to please my flesh. I saw no reason to do anything else but please myself. I knew what was right and wrong, I just tried to stay out of trouble. No different than anyone else would do. But one day I found Jesus as my Savior, and my world turned around. Yes I still am a sinner just like everyone else, but the difference is that now I have Jesus in my life and forgiveness of sins. My goal is to serve Him and please Him by obeying His commandments. Now with His help in my life I do my best not to sin. God tells us that all things are possible with Him, but without Him we can do nothing.
We all know someone who we never thought would get saved, and then one day they give their life to Jesus and what a change takes place. I'm proof that Jesus can change lives, just like He says He will. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you also are proof of the change that takes place. The Scriptures tells us that people will wonder why we don't do the things we used to do.
1Peter;4:3-4
(For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lust, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.)
We are suppose to stand out as different, living our lives to please Jesus. If you haven't seen a change in your life, why not? We are told that the change will happen when we are saved. I have had people tell me they are saved, but there is no evidence of a new creation in Christ. When you become a Christian you should have a new outlook at sin and evil. They are still present in our life, but they don't have a hold on us like they did before Jesus came into our life. Sin shouldn't be a master of your life any longer, you are not a slave to it.
2Corinthians;5:17
(Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.) So if you have given your life to Jesus, your old self has gone, you are brand new. The life you lead now is for God.
Colossians;3:9-10
(Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,)
It is God's plan for us to become more Christ like in our life.
Romans;8:29
(For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.)
1Corinthians;15:49
(And as we have born the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man.)
1John;3:2-3
(Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.)
So when you are saved, you should start to see a change in your life. What used to be important, isn't any longer, because Jesus has taken first place in your life. God is continually working in our life molding us into the image of His Son. When you become one of God's children, He will begin a work in your life.
Philippians;1:6
(being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.) We are an ongoing work, being totally change from our old sinful self.
We should start to see change. You should see the fruit of the spirit, not the fruit of the flesh.
[WORKS OF THE FLESH BEFORE JESUS]
Galatians;5:19-21
(Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, self ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.)
[FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AFTER JESUS]
This is a list of Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of those who belong to God by faith in Jesus Christ, and possess the Holy Spirit.
Galatians;5:22-23
(But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. Against such there is no law.)
As our pastor was telling us in church yesterday, these are traits that we should exhibit in our daily walk? If not, then the question is, WHY NOT?
Galatians;5:16-7
(I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.)
So our life before Jesus will serve the flesh, and do the deeds of the flesh. Once we have Jesus in our life, we will see a change. We will have the fruit of the Spirit. We will serve God and not our flesh.
God Bless You!
We all know someone who we never thought would get saved, and then one day they give their life to Jesus and what a change takes place. I'm proof that Jesus can change lives, just like He says He will. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you also are proof of the change that takes place. The Scriptures tells us that people will wonder why we don't do the things we used to do.
1Peter;4:3-4
(For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lust, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.)
We are suppose to stand out as different, living our lives to please Jesus. If you haven't seen a change in your life, why not? We are told that the change will happen when we are saved. I have had people tell me they are saved, but there is no evidence of a new creation in Christ. When you become a Christian you should have a new outlook at sin and evil. They are still present in our life, but they don't have a hold on us like they did before Jesus came into our life. Sin shouldn't be a master of your life any longer, you are not a slave to it.
2Corinthians;5:17
(Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.) So if you have given your life to Jesus, your old self has gone, you are brand new. The life you lead now is for God.
Colossians;3:9-10
(Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,)
It is God's plan for us to become more Christ like in our life.
Romans;8:29
(For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.)
1Corinthians;15:49
(And as we have born the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man.)
1John;3:2-3
(Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.)
So when you are saved, you should start to see a change in your life. What used to be important, isn't any longer, because Jesus has taken first place in your life. God is continually working in our life molding us into the image of His Son. When you become one of God's children, He will begin a work in your life.
Philippians;1:6
(being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.) We are an ongoing work, being totally change from our old sinful self.
We should start to see change. You should see the fruit of the spirit, not the fruit of the flesh.
[WORKS OF THE FLESH BEFORE JESUS]
Galatians;5:19-21
(Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, self ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.)
[FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AFTER JESUS]
This is a list of Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of those who belong to God by faith in Jesus Christ, and possess the Holy Spirit.
Galatians;5:22-23
(But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, selfcontrol. Against such there is no law.)
As our pastor was telling us in church yesterday, these are traits that we should exhibit in our daily walk? If not, then the question is, WHY NOT?
Galatians;5:16-7
(I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.)
So our life before Jesus will serve the flesh, and do the deeds of the flesh. Once we have Jesus in our life, we will see a change. We will have the fruit of the Spirit. We will serve God and not our flesh.
God Bless You!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Remember To Thank Jesus This Season
Now that Thanksgiving is over, I see that the stores have already put their Christmas decorations out. We just never get a chance to rest or slow down. I guess it is just part of our society. GO! GO! GO! that seems to be the prevailing theme. What ever happened to "take a break for a minute". I got up early Friday because I had gone to bed early thinking I might go to work. So I headed to the Store at about 6.00am and I couldn't believe it. I went into the store and it was packed. You had to watch where you were going or you would get run over by someone's cart. They were out in masses.
I guess the stores put sales on that early in the morning. I had stumbled into this before, but forgot that it was the Day After. It's a very dangerous time to go out and about. I went back to my motel and was thankful to be at rest. Needless to say, I'm home and all is well.
We have almost forgotten what we really are celebrating. I'm just as bad about getting presents for my loved ones as anyone else, maybe even worse. But when we stop and reflect on what the season is, we get back to what God has done for us. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His coming down from heaven in the form of man, to give us forgiveness of sins. You know what our destiny would have been if He hadn't loved us so much.
You have cults out there who don't believe that Jesus was God in the flesh. But the Scriptures affirm that Jesus was God. I will give you some of them and if you don't believe, maybe these will change your mind.
Matthew;1:23
("BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL" which translated means, "GOD WITH US".) That tells us that when Jesus was born, God was with man at that point. Who else can forgive man of his sins, but God alone?
Matthew;1:21
("She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.")
When Jesus healed the Paralytic:
Matthew;9:2
(And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven") The scribes thought that He was blaspheming.
Matthew;9:4-6
(And Jesus knowing their thoughts said,"Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ' Get up, and walk'? "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home.") So here Jesus was affirming to them that He had authority to forgive sins, and only God can forgive you of your sins.
We all know that God made this world and everything that is in it, including us. You might be one who thinks it could have been evolution. But that isn't what God tells us in His Word. We all know about Genesis, but there is also proof in the New Testament.
Hebrews;1:1-2
(God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.) So here the Father is telling us that world was made through the Son. Still not convinced?
Hebrews;1:3
(And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,) Here is proof that Jesus is part of the trinity. When God the Father was talking to the Son, He called Him God.
Hebrews;1:8-12
(But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS ." And "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTEL YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED, BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.")
Jesus tell us that He is the way, and the truth, and the life. So we need to be thankful for His sacrifice on the cross for our forgiveness of sins. It is His birthday that we are celebrating next month. We need to remember that as He is our Salvation, the Forgiveness of sins, the Way to heaven. Christmas is a joyful time of the year, but let's keep Jesus in the season, as well as all year. One day if you are a born again Christian, you will be able to thank God in person for the gift of life. I pray that you have accepted Him as your Savior, if you haven't, you can right now. He will forgive you of your sins, and you will have a home with Him in heaven for eternity. You don't want to spend eternity in hell.
Just something to think about as we head toward Christmas.
God Bless You!
I guess the stores put sales on that early in the morning. I had stumbled into this before, but forgot that it was the Day After. It's a very dangerous time to go out and about. I went back to my motel and was thankful to be at rest. Needless to say, I'm home and all is well.
We have almost forgotten what we really are celebrating. I'm just as bad about getting presents for my loved ones as anyone else, maybe even worse. But when we stop and reflect on what the season is, we get back to what God has done for us. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. His coming down from heaven in the form of man, to give us forgiveness of sins. You know what our destiny would have been if He hadn't loved us so much.
You have cults out there who don't believe that Jesus was God in the flesh. But the Scriptures affirm that Jesus was God. I will give you some of them and if you don't believe, maybe these will change your mind.
Matthew;1:23
("BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL" which translated means, "GOD WITH US".) That tells us that when Jesus was born, God was with man at that point. Who else can forgive man of his sins, but God alone?
Matthew;1:21
("She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.")
When Jesus healed the Paralytic:
Matthew;9:2
(And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, "Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven") The scribes thought that He was blaspheming.
Matthew;9:4-6
(And Jesus knowing their thoughts said,"Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, ' Get up, and walk'? "But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home.") So here Jesus was affirming to them that He had authority to forgive sins, and only God can forgive you of your sins.
We all know that God made this world and everything that is in it, including us. You might be one who thinks it could have been evolution. But that isn't what God tells us in His Word. We all know about Genesis, but there is also proof in the New Testament.
Hebrews;1:1-2
(God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.) So here the Father is telling us that world was made through the Son. Still not convinced?
Hebrews;1:3
(And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,) Here is proof that Jesus is part of the trinity. When God the Father was talking to the Son, He called Him God.
Hebrews;1:8-12
(But of the Son He says, "YOUR THRONE O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS ." And "YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTEL YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED, BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.")
Jesus tell us that He is the way, and the truth, and the life. So we need to be thankful for His sacrifice on the cross for our forgiveness of sins. It is His birthday that we are celebrating next month. We need to remember that as He is our Salvation, the Forgiveness of sins, the Way to heaven. Christmas is a joyful time of the year, but let's keep Jesus in the season, as well as all year. One day if you are a born again Christian, you will be able to thank God in person for the gift of life. I pray that you have accepted Him as your Savior, if you haven't, you can right now. He will forgive you of your sins, and you will have a home with Him in heaven for eternity. You don't want to spend eternity in hell.
Just something to think about as we head toward Christmas.
God Bless You!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Rapture! Not Tribulation!
When will God take his people from the earth? Some people are pre-tribulation, others are mid-tribulation, and still others are post-tribulation. I happen to be pre-tribulation. I will give you some Scripture that causes me believe this way.
What is a tribulation? Websters explains it as: distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution; also a trying experience.
Not something that any of us would want to go through.
In the book of John, we are told by Jesus Himself that He is going to prepare a place for us, and that He will come and take us to be with Him.
John;14:1-4
("Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.")
So Jesus tells us He is coming to take us home to be with Him.
Jesus bore God's wrath for us when He took our place on the cross. The penalty for our sins has been paid.
Romans;5:8-10
(But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.)
In this Scripture, we are told that we will be saved from God's wrath.
Romans;8:1
(There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.)
Another place in the Scriptures where we are told that we will be delivered away from the wrath to come.
1Thessalonians;1:9-10
(For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.)
A couple of other places in Scripture which make me believe in pre-tibulation are also in the book of 1Thessalonians.
1Thessalonians;4:16-17
(For the Lord Himself will decend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the lord.)
Now I want to explain this. If you die your spirit goes to be with the Lord, when He returns to gather those who are alive and remain, you will be given a new resurrected body.
1Corinthians;15:42-44
(So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.)
We are told again that we will be given a new body equiped for eternity.
1Corinthians;15:50-54
(Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptable, and we shall be changed. For this corruptable must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptable has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory.")
1Thessalonians;5:9
(For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus.)
Now these are some of the reasons why I believe in pre-tribulation. I just don't think that we are destined to go through that kind of troubles. We are told that it will be a terrible time on earth. The earth will not have seen anything as bad as what will happen. We are told in the book of Revelation that men will not repent of their of sins. I don't want to be here when these things take place, and you don't want to be here either. There is going to be pain, suffering, death, terror so bad that we can't even imagine.
Now is the time to give your life to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and save you. Make sure that your name is in the Book of Life.
God bless You!
What is a tribulation? Websters explains it as: distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution; also a trying experience.
Not something that any of us would want to go through.
In the book of John, we are told by Jesus Himself that He is going to prepare a place for us, and that He will come and take us to be with Him.
John;14:1-4
("Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.")
So Jesus tells us He is coming to take us home to be with Him.
Jesus bore God's wrath for us when He took our place on the cross. The penalty for our sins has been paid.
Romans;5:8-10
(But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.)
In this Scripture, we are told that we will be saved from God's wrath.
Romans;8:1
(There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.)
Another place in the Scriptures where we are told that we will be delivered away from the wrath to come.
1Thessalonians;1:9-10
(For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.)
A couple of other places in Scripture which make me believe in pre-tibulation are also in the book of 1Thessalonians.
1Thessalonians;4:16-17
(For the Lord Himself will decend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the lord.)
Now I want to explain this. If you die your spirit goes to be with the Lord, when He returns to gather those who are alive and remain, you will be given a new resurrected body.
1Corinthians;15:42-44
(So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.)
We are told again that we will be given a new body equiped for eternity.
1Corinthians;15:50-54
(Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptable, and we shall be changed. For this corruptable must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptable has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory.")
1Thessalonians;5:9
(For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus.)
Now these are some of the reasons why I believe in pre-tribulation. I just don't think that we are destined to go through that kind of troubles. We are told that it will be a terrible time on earth. The earth will not have seen anything as bad as what will happen. We are told in the book of Revelation that men will not repent of their of sins. I don't want to be here when these things take place, and you don't want to be here either. There is going to be pain, suffering, death, terror so bad that we can't even imagine.
Now is the time to give your life to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and save you. Make sure that your name is in the Book of Life.
God bless You!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Homosexual And Lesbian
Foremost, I want to make this perfectly clear that I'm not judging or attacking people who have chosen this lifestyle. The purpose of this blog is to inform us of what God says about this practice. For those who may not know what homosexual or a lesbian means, we turn to Websters Dictionary.
HOMOSEXUAL: relating to, or exhibiting sexual desire toward a member of one's own sex.
LESBIAN: a female homosexual.
This practice is strictly forbidden in the Scriptures. We can go back to the Old Testament to see what God says. In Leviticus when God was giving Moses the laws for how He expected the people to conduct themselves morally, He told them that they shall not do these things.
Leviticus;18:22-24
(You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination. Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves by any of these things, for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.)
When the two angels came to Sodom to talk with Lot, the men of the city also came to Lots house and said to him.
Genesis;19:5
(and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.")
So we see that this form of abomination is not new. In case you may not understand what abomination is, this is how Websters Dictionary explains it:
ABOMINATION: 1. something abominable 2. extreme disgust and hatred : Loathing
Now we will move toward the New Testament in the Book of Romans. There are consequences for this type of behavior. God tells us that He has made His existence evident to man by his creation, but man loved unrighteousness.
Romans;1:18-19
(For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.)
But what has man done with that evidence that God has planted in him?
Romans;1:21-23
(For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.)
Now the consequences of this action.
Romans;1:26-27
(For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own person the due penalty of their error.)
Romans;1:28-32
(And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.)
Now we know that God will not tolerate sin in any form. If society continues to reject God as it seems that we are doing, things are going to go from bad to worse. All a person has to do is just look at the last fifty years. You can see how our morals have declined and what it is doing to our society. I don't have to go through everything. Anyone who can read can see what is happening in our country. We are allowing same sex marriages, we are killing unborn babies by the millions. You get the point. We are becoming a product of our own actions. We are paying the penalty for rejecting God.
Don't think that you can reject God and still end up in heaven. We are told we will pay the penalty.
1Corinthians;6:9-10
(Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.)
If a person fits into one of these catagories, there is still hope. Jesus came down to die for my sin and yours. If you are willing to repent of your sins and accept His forgiveness of your sins, He will save you. He has forgiven me and He will do the same for you.
1Corinthians;6:11
(Such were some of you; but you washed, but you were santified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.)
No matter how deep in sin we are, Jesus tells us that He can and will forgive us. There is always hope until you die in your sin without Him. At that point, there is no longer hope for you. All you have at that point is to face judgment with the righteous God.
Hebrews;10:31
(It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.)
Don't wait another moment to ask for forgivness.
Romans;10:9
(that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;)
It's as simple as that to get saved. You will become a new creation in Jesus. Your old self will be done away with, you will become a child of God. YOU WILL BE BORN AGAIN!
God Bless You!
HOMOSEXUAL: relating to, or exhibiting sexual desire toward a member of one's own sex.
LESBIAN: a female homosexual.
This practice is strictly forbidden in the Scriptures. We can go back to the Old Testament to see what God says. In Leviticus when God was giving Moses the laws for how He expected the people to conduct themselves morally, He told them that they shall not do these things.
Leviticus;18:22-24
(You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination. Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. Do not defile yourselves by any of these things, for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.)
When the two angels came to Sodom to talk with Lot, the men of the city also came to Lots house and said to him.
Genesis;19:5
(and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.")
So we see that this form of abomination is not new. In case you may not understand what abomination is, this is how Websters Dictionary explains it:
ABOMINATION: 1. something abominable 2. extreme disgust and hatred : Loathing
Now we will move toward the New Testament in the Book of Romans. There are consequences for this type of behavior. God tells us that He has made His existence evident to man by his creation, but man loved unrighteousness.
Romans;1:18-19
(For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.)
But what has man done with that evidence that God has planted in him?
Romans;1:21-23
(For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.)
Now the consequences of this action.
Romans;1:26-27
(For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own person the due penalty of their error.)
Romans;1:28-32
(And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.)
Now we know that God will not tolerate sin in any form. If society continues to reject God as it seems that we are doing, things are going to go from bad to worse. All a person has to do is just look at the last fifty years. You can see how our morals have declined and what it is doing to our society. I don't have to go through everything. Anyone who can read can see what is happening in our country. We are allowing same sex marriages, we are killing unborn babies by the millions. You get the point. We are becoming a product of our own actions. We are paying the penalty for rejecting God.
Don't think that you can reject God and still end up in heaven. We are told we will pay the penalty.
1Corinthians;6:9-10
(Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.)
If a person fits into one of these catagories, there is still hope. Jesus came down to die for my sin and yours. If you are willing to repent of your sins and accept His forgiveness of your sins, He will save you. He has forgiven me and He will do the same for you.
1Corinthians;6:11
(Such were some of you; but you washed, but you were santified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.)
No matter how deep in sin we are, Jesus tells us that He can and will forgive us. There is always hope until you die in your sin without Him. At that point, there is no longer hope for you. All you have at that point is to face judgment with the righteous God.
Hebrews;10:31
(It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.)
Don't wait another moment to ask for forgivness.
Romans;10:9
(that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;)
It's as simple as that to get saved. You will become a new creation in Jesus. Your old self will be done away with, you will become a child of God. YOU WILL BE BORN AGAIN!
God Bless You!
Monday, November 20, 2006
No Compromising Here!
There are some who think our blogs should be just chit-chat. I am going to continue to tell people about Jesus Christ. This could be your last day on earth.
How many times do we hear on the news or when we are with other groups of people, "We need to be tolerant of other beliefs". I was looking at the beliefs of one so called religion and saw where they say "we need to be tolerant of other beliefs and morals". I could hardly believe what I was reading. We all have our own views on things, but to accept beliefs that are contrary to the Bible, I can't do that!
As a Born Again Christian, I would not compromise my beliefs, just to appease some other person who doesn't believe the Bible. God is straightforward when He gives us His commands. We are given the choice to do right or wrong. I am amazed at how people will turn the other way rather than stand up for what is right.
If we are going to live our lives agreeing with the rest of the world, then we are on the way to destruction and we are in a hurry to get there. God tells us that we are to be a light in a dark place. Being Christians,we are to stand out as different, not blend in with the rest of society. How's the rest of the world going to learn about Jesus if we aren't willing to make a stand? What does the Scriptures say?
We are instructed to spread the good news about Jesus. That He is the way to salvation. One person plants the seed, another person waters the seed, and maybe another person harvests.
Romans;10:14-15
(How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard.? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things.")
You see, we cannot even tolerate any sin, or any other gospel than the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was with the disciples, He gave them this commission.
Matthew;28:18-20
(And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Amen.)
So far I don't see anything that tells us to just stand by and be quiet. When we are spreading the good news, we need to be careful. We cannot compromise at all what God says. You have to tell others exactly what the Scripture says. There is no room for error.
2Timothy;2:15
(Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.) We need to tell it like it is, not watered down in order to make someone feel good. We need to get straight to the point about salvation. There is only one way to heaven, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. If you don't accept Jesus as your savior, you are going to end up in hell. There is no way to get around that fact.
How do we know if we know Jesus?
1John;2:3-5
(Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him" and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.)
We need to stay true to God's Word. There is no room for any variation from the Word. What God says in the Scriptures, is what He means.
We read that in the end times, people will find teachers to teach them what they want to hear. Paul told Timothy to stay true to the word of God.
2Timothy;4:2-5
(Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.)
I do my best to help explain the Word. I hope that this will assure you of what God expects from us as Christians. We are to love our fellow brothers and sisters. How can we say we love them and stand by and see them die without Jesus?
God Bless You!
How many times do we hear on the news or when we are with other groups of people, "We need to be tolerant of other beliefs". I was looking at the beliefs of one so called religion and saw where they say "we need to be tolerant of other beliefs and morals". I could hardly believe what I was reading. We all have our own views on things, but to accept beliefs that are contrary to the Bible, I can't do that!
As a Born Again Christian, I would not compromise my beliefs, just to appease some other person who doesn't believe the Bible. God is straightforward when He gives us His commands. We are given the choice to do right or wrong. I am amazed at how people will turn the other way rather than stand up for what is right.
If we are going to live our lives agreeing with the rest of the world, then we are on the way to destruction and we are in a hurry to get there. God tells us that we are to be a light in a dark place. Being Christians,we are to stand out as different, not blend in with the rest of society. How's the rest of the world going to learn about Jesus if we aren't willing to make a stand? What does the Scriptures say?
We are instructed to spread the good news about Jesus. That He is the way to salvation. One person plants the seed, another person waters the seed, and maybe another person harvests.
Romans;10:14-15
(How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard.? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things.")
You see, we cannot even tolerate any sin, or any other gospel than the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was with the disciples, He gave them this commission.
Matthew;28:18-20
(And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" Amen.)
So far I don't see anything that tells us to just stand by and be quiet. When we are spreading the good news, we need to be careful. We cannot compromise at all what God says. You have to tell others exactly what the Scripture says. There is no room for error.
2Timothy;2:15
(Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.) We need to tell it like it is, not watered down in order to make someone feel good. We need to get straight to the point about salvation. There is only one way to heaven, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. If you don't accept Jesus as your savior, you are going to end up in hell. There is no way to get around that fact.
How do we know if we know Jesus?
1John;2:3-5
(Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him" and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.)
We need to stay true to God's Word. There is no room for any variation from the Word. What God says in the Scriptures, is what He means.
We read that in the end times, people will find teachers to teach them what they want to hear. Paul told Timothy to stay true to the word of God.
2Timothy;4:2-5
(Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.)
I do my best to help explain the Word. I hope that this will assure you of what God expects from us as Christians. We are to love our fellow brothers and sisters. How can we say we love them and stand by and see them die without Jesus?
God Bless You!
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