The emotion of fear. We all have something that we fear. It could be snakes, spiders, water, the dark, or any number of things. The list could go on indefinitely.
We are told in the Bible that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are not only to fear God, but also to show reverence to Him as God. This reverential awe and fear is foundational for all spiritual knowledge and wisdom.
Proverbs; 1:7
(The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instructions.)
What do we gain by the fear of the Lord our God?
Psalm; 25:14
(The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.)
The secret could well mean the counsel or intimate communion of God.
Proverbs; 3:32
(For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But the secret counsel is with the upright.)
This means that God discloses Himself and His truths to the upright.
A perverse person is an abomination to the Lord. Let's look at what an abomination is.
ABOMINATION-Specifically, an abomination is an attitude or act that is incompatible with God's nature and intolerable to Him, leading to His anger and judgment. Here is a list of some of them.
Proverbs; 6:16-19
(These six things the Lord hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And on who sows discord among brethren.)
God is a fountain of life to those who fear Him.
Proverbs; 14:27
(The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.)
We might be afraid that we could be persecuted for speaking out for Jesus. We might be afraid of the ridicule we would receive from others, but Jesus tells us whom we should fear, and why we should fear Him.
Luke; 12:4-5
("And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!)
God is the only one who has this power to cast you into hell. God sees everything that we do, and hears all that we say. You cannot hide anything from God.
Proverbs; 15:3
(The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.)
Maybe you still think that you can hide what you are doing from God and that He won't see you. The Scriptures tells us that nothing is hidden from God.
Hebrews; 4:13
(And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.)
God does love us and He wants us to come to repentance of our sins. He doesn't want any of us to perish, but He is also a just God. He sent Jesus to be the sacrificial lamb, to die in our place for our sins. If you are unwilling to come to Jesus for forgiveness of your sins, then you will die in your sins and face judgment.
Hebrews; 9:27
(And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,)
You will not escape judgment for your sins if you don't come to Jesus for forgiveness. Your final judgment for your sins will be your final eternal state.
Revelation; 20:15
(And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.)
No matter what the world tells you, there is forgiveness only in Jesus Christ. Give your life to Jesus today while you still can. We are not guaranteed another day on earth. The more you keep saying no to Jesus, the harder your heart becomes.
Hebrews; 3:7-8
(Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,)
One last reminder of whom to fear.
Hebrews; 10:31
(It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.)
God Bless You!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
How Many Ways? Jesus Is The Only Way!
When you are traveling across the country, you get your map out and discover that there are many different ways you can get to your destination. So you sit down and map out your route to find the easiest and quickest way to get there. God has a route for you. We are all heading for our final destination, either we will end up in Heaven or the Lake of Fire. You have two routes you can take, either the wide road or the narrow road.
Jesus tells us that the choice is ours. If we try to save our life, we will lose it.
Mark; 8:35
(For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.)
If you try to live a life of ease and acceptance by the world standard, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. But if you give up your life to Jesus and His work, you will save it. Following after Jesus isn't going to be easy, you will be persecuted by unbelievers and most likely you will lose some of your friends because you don't have anything in common with them. When we are born again we become a light and we are to let our light shine in a dark world.
Ephesians; 5:8
(For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light)
Darkness describes the character of the unconverted. The realm of darkness is presided over by the power of darkness. Those who live in this realm hate the light because it exposes their evil ways.
John; 3:19-21
And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and dose not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.")
Now you can understand why you will lose some of your unsaved friends.
Jesus tells us that the two roads are before us and we have to choose who we will follow. We can follow Him and have eternal life in Heaven or we can follow the world and have eternal life in the Lake of Fire.
Matthew; 7:13
("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.)
This is the easy way that doesn't lead to heaven. The wide gate includes all religions of works and self righteousness, with no single way to heaven. They say that there are many ways into heaven, but they will lead you into hell. This is the lie of the world.
Jesus says that he is the only way to the Father.
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.)
Acts; 4:12
(Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.)
Do not be deceived, Jesus is the way and the only way to Heaven. We are told that in the end times many false prophets will come and will deceive many. "DON'T BE ONE OF THE DECEIVED!"
Sometimes the easiest way is not the best way. It might look easy at first but then when it is to late you are trapped.
The right way is to take the narrow way and the most difficult path.
Matthew; 7:14
(Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.)
Salvation is by grace alone, but it is not easy. We must repent of our sins and be in submission to Christ as Lord of our life. We must have a willingness to obey His will and Word.
John; 14:15
("If you love Me, keep My commandments.)
John; 14:23
(Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.)
We must give our life to Jesus and obey Him. He gave His life on the cross to pay for our sins and bring eternal life to all who would believe in Him. God the Father sent Jesus His Son to save the world.
John; 3:16-17
(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.)
Pick the narrow path and give your life to Jesus while you still have the choice. If you die with out Jesus, you have chosen the wide road and it leads to destruction. Your eternal life is at stake, make the choice for Jesus.
God Bless You!
Jesus tells us that the choice is ours. If we try to save our life, we will lose it.
Mark; 8:35
(For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.)
If you try to live a life of ease and acceptance by the world standard, you will not inherit the kingdom of God. But if you give up your life to Jesus and His work, you will save it. Following after Jesus isn't going to be easy, you will be persecuted by unbelievers and most likely you will lose some of your friends because you don't have anything in common with them. When we are born again we become a light and we are to let our light shine in a dark world.
Ephesians; 5:8
(For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light)
Darkness describes the character of the unconverted. The realm of darkness is presided over by the power of darkness. Those who live in this realm hate the light because it exposes their evil ways.
John; 3:19-21
And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and dose not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.")
Now you can understand why you will lose some of your unsaved friends.
Jesus tells us that the two roads are before us and we have to choose who we will follow. We can follow Him and have eternal life in Heaven or we can follow the world and have eternal life in the Lake of Fire.
Matthew; 7:13
("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.)
This is the easy way that doesn't lead to heaven. The wide gate includes all religions of works and self righteousness, with no single way to heaven. They say that there are many ways into heaven, but they will lead you into hell. This is the lie of the world.
Jesus says that he is the only way to the Father.
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.)
Acts; 4:12
(Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.)
Do not be deceived, Jesus is the way and the only way to Heaven. We are told that in the end times many false prophets will come and will deceive many. "DON'T BE ONE OF THE DECEIVED!"
Sometimes the easiest way is not the best way. It might look easy at first but then when it is to late you are trapped.
The right way is to take the narrow way and the most difficult path.
Matthew; 7:14
(Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.)
Salvation is by grace alone, but it is not easy. We must repent of our sins and be in submission to Christ as Lord of our life. We must have a willingness to obey His will and Word.
John; 14:15
("If you love Me, keep My commandments.)
John; 14:23
(Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.)
We must give our life to Jesus and obey Him. He gave His life on the cross to pay for our sins and bring eternal life to all who would believe in Him. God the Father sent Jesus His Son to save the world.
John; 3:16-17
(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.)
Pick the narrow path and give your life to Jesus while you still have the choice. If you die with out Jesus, you have chosen the wide road and it leads to destruction. Your eternal life is at stake, make the choice for Jesus.
God Bless You!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Our True Identity In Christ Jesus! Part (2).
I would like to continue with our life after Jesus takes over as Lord and Savior.
We are brought under Christ headship.
Ephesians; 1:9-10
(And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.)
Christ is the head of the church in which we have become a part of.
You are also marked as belonging to Christ.
Ephesians; 1:13-14
(And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.)
We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory.
Ephesians; 2:6-7
(And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.)
We are God's work of art.
Ephesians; 2:10
(For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)
We are brought near to God.
Ephesians; 2:13
(But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.)
We share in the promise in Christ.
Ephesians; 3:6
(This mystery is that through the gospel the gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.)
When you become a member of God's family through Christ Jesus, you can come with freedom and confidence into God's presence.
Ephesians; 3:12
(In Him and through Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.)
We are a members of Christ body, the church.
Ephesians; 5:29-30
(After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of His body.)
Every believer is part of the body, the church.
We have been given fullness in Christ.
Colossians; 2:10
(and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.)
We never need anything else to be saved because we are complete in Him.
We are set free from our sinful nature and are not a slave to sin anymore.
Colossians; 2:11
(In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,)
We will have eternal glory.
2Timothy; 2:10
(Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.)
When we give our life to Jesus, we are a new creation. We have a fresh new life to live for Him and He becomes Lord of our life. We have been given eternal life and our sins have been forgiven. Let's remember what Jesus has done for us and how much it cost Him. Thank Him always for all you have been given.
God Bless You!
We are brought under Christ headship.
Ephesians; 1:9-10
(And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment-to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.)
Christ is the head of the church in which we have become a part of.
You are also marked as belonging to Christ.
Ephesians; 1:13-14
(And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.)
We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory.
Ephesians; 2:6-7
(And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.)
We are God's work of art.
Ephesians; 2:10
(For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.)
We are brought near to God.
Ephesians; 2:13
(But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.)
We share in the promise in Christ.
Ephesians; 3:6
(This mystery is that through the gospel the gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.)
When you become a member of God's family through Christ Jesus, you can come with freedom and confidence into God's presence.
Ephesians; 3:12
(In Him and through Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.)
We are a members of Christ body, the church.
Ephesians; 5:29-30
(After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of His body.)
Every believer is part of the body, the church.
We have been given fullness in Christ.
Colossians; 2:10
(and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.)
We never need anything else to be saved because we are complete in Him.
We are set free from our sinful nature and are not a slave to sin anymore.
Colossians; 2:11
(In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,)
We will have eternal glory.
2Timothy; 2:10
(Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.)
When we give our life to Jesus, we are a new creation. We have a fresh new life to live for Him and He becomes Lord of our life. We have been given eternal life and our sins have been forgiven. Let's remember what Jesus has done for us and how much it cost Him. Thank Him always for all you have been given.
God Bless You!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Our True Identity In Christ Jesus! Part (1).
Have you ever thought about your new life in Christ after Salvation and all that Jesus does for you when He saves you? When we put our faith in Jesus he gives us new life and we are a new creation.
2Corinthians; 5:17
(Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.)
We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or re-educated, we are recreated(New Creation), living in vital union with Christ.
You are also justified(Declared not guilty of sin)
Romans; 3: 22-24
(This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.)
We are not condemned for our sins, and we are set free from the law of sin and death.
Romans; 8: 1-2
(Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death.)
We have been sanctified and acceptable in Jesus Christ.
1Corinthians; 1:2
(To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:)
Sanctified means that we are chosen or set apart by Christ for His service.
We are also righteous and holy in Christ.
1Corinthians; 1:30
(It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom in God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.)
1Thessalonians; 4:7
(For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.)
We will be made alive at the resurrection.
1Corinthians; 15:21-22
(For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.)
We receive God's righteousness.
2Corinthians; 5:21
( God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.)
We we trust in Christ, we make an exchange-our sin for His righteousness.
You and I and all who have believed in Jesus become one in him.
Galatians; 3:26-28
( You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.)
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We are holy, blameless, and covered with God's love. We have been adopted as God's children.
Ephesians; 1:3-6
(Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will-to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.)
Our sins are taken away and we are forgiven.
Ephesians; 1:7
(In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.)
Next blog I will continue with more of our true identity in Christ.
God Bless You!
2Corinthians; 5:17
(Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.)
We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or re-educated, we are recreated(New Creation), living in vital union with Christ.
You are also justified(Declared not guilty of sin)
Romans; 3: 22-24
(This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.)
We are not condemned for our sins, and we are set free from the law of sin and death.
Romans; 8: 1-2
(Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death.)
We have been sanctified and acceptable in Jesus Christ.
1Corinthians; 1:2
(To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours:)
Sanctified means that we are chosen or set apart by Christ for His service.
We are also righteous and holy in Christ.
1Corinthians; 1:30
(It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom in God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.)
1Thessalonians; 4:7
(For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.)
We will be made alive at the resurrection.
1Corinthians; 15:21-22
(For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.)
We receive God's righteousness.
2Corinthians; 5:21
( God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.)
We we trust in Christ, we make an exchange-our sin for His righteousness.
You and I and all who have believed in Jesus become one in him.
Galatians; 3:26-28
( You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.)
We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We are holy, blameless, and covered with God's love. We have been adopted as God's children.
Ephesians; 1:3-6
(Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will-to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.)
Our sins are taken away and we are forgiven.
Ephesians; 1:7
(In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.)
Next blog I will continue with more of our true identity in Christ.
God Bless You!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Signs Of Jesus Return!
When Jesus was on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to Him and ask, "what will be the sign of your coming, and the end of the age?" Jesus gave them different signs to watch for and to be prepared.
[SIGNS OF HIS COMING]
Matthew; 24:4-5
(And Jesus answered and said to them; "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.)
We have seen some of this in the last few years. (David Koresh) at Waco. (Jim Jones) The People's Temple. This is to name just a couple. There has been many more, and Jesus said to watch out for the deceivers who say they are Him.
Matthew; 24:6
(And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.)
We are living this in our present age, but it will escalate toward the end.
2Timothy; 3:13
(But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.)
All a person has to do is read the paper and you will see that our society has grown worse. Our morals are almost non-existent.
Matthew; 24:7-8
(For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All of these are the beginning of sorrows.)
Once again, just look at the present world. If you are honest with yourself, you cannot deny that we are living this right now.
Matthew; 24:9-10
(Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.)
Look at how these other so called religions hate Christians. Christians are persecuted around world every day.
Matthew; 24:11
(Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.)
We have many so called people who claimed to be a modern day prophet and they prophesied that some event would take place and it did not happen. This is a false prophet. Look at the different cults that have prophesied future events and they didn't happen. Once again these are false prophets.
Matthew; 24:12
(And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.)
Crime, divorce, murder's, child molesters, lack of mercy, homosexuality just to name a few. The morals of Americans has gotten worse over the last 50 years to the point that we have hardened our hearts against God.
You might ask what are we to do about all of this. We need to tell others about Jesus and what He has done for us. There is no hope in any other name. Tell them that Jesus died for them on the cross so that through His death they might have life eternal. Tell them that God loves then and doesn't want anyone to perish.
Matthew; 24:13
(But he who endures to the end shall be saved.)
The ones who persevere are the ones who are saved-not the ones whose love grows cold. This does not suggest that our perseverance secures our salvation. God, as part of His saving work, secures our perseverance. True believers are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation.
1Peter; 1:1-5
(Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.)
I pray that this is your hope too. Jesus has done it all to save us from an eternity separated from God. He gave His life on the cross for you and me. The free gift of life is from God to those who believe on his name and put their faith in Him. There is no other way to heaven but through Jesus.
John; 3:16
(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)
Put your faith in Jesus today. We don't know the exact time of His return, but we do know that every day it gets closer. It could be any day, don't wait.
God Bless you!
[SIGNS OF HIS COMING]
Matthew; 24:4-5
(And Jesus answered and said to them; "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.)
We have seen some of this in the last few years. (David Koresh) at Waco. (Jim Jones) The People's Temple. This is to name just a couple. There has been many more, and Jesus said to watch out for the deceivers who say they are Him.
Matthew; 24:6
(And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.)
We are living this in our present age, but it will escalate toward the end.
2Timothy; 3:13
(But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.)
All a person has to do is read the paper and you will see that our society has grown worse. Our morals are almost non-existent.
Matthew; 24:7-8
(For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All of these are the beginning of sorrows.)
Once again, just look at the present world. If you are honest with yourself, you cannot deny that we are living this right now.
Matthew; 24:9-10
(Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.)
Look at how these other so called religions hate Christians. Christians are persecuted around world every day.
Matthew; 24:11
(Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.)
We have many so called people who claimed to be a modern day prophet and they prophesied that some event would take place and it did not happen. This is a false prophet. Look at the different cults that have prophesied future events and they didn't happen. Once again these are false prophets.
Matthew; 24:12
(And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.)
Crime, divorce, murder's, child molesters, lack of mercy, homosexuality just to name a few. The morals of Americans has gotten worse over the last 50 years to the point that we have hardened our hearts against God.
You might ask what are we to do about all of this. We need to tell others about Jesus and what He has done for us. There is no hope in any other name. Tell them that Jesus died for them on the cross so that through His death they might have life eternal. Tell them that God loves then and doesn't want anyone to perish.
Matthew; 24:13
(But he who endures to the end shall be saved.)
The ones who persevere are the ones who are saved-not the ones whose love grows cold. This does not suggest that our perseverance secures our salvation. God, as part of His saving work, secures our perseverance. True believers are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation.
1Peter; 1:1-5
(Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.)
I pray that this is your hope too. Jesus has done it all to save us from an eternity separated from God. He gave His life on the cross for you and me. The free gift of life is from God to those who believe on his name and put their faith in Him. There is no other way to heaven but through Jesus.
John; 3:16
(For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)
Put your faith in Jesus today. We don't know the exact time of His return, but we do know that every day it gets closer. It could be any day, don't wait.
God Bless you!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Guilty Of Sin? Or Has Your Sin Been Pardoned? Which Are You?
As we get closer to Resurrection Sunday, have you thanked Jesus for going to the cross and dying for your sins? Everyone of us is guilty of sin, and we are the reason that Jesus came to die on the cross. When Jesus was nailed to that cross, He bore our sins on that cross. He gave Himself as a sacrifice to God to make atonement and pay the ultimate price for us. He died in our place. We deserved to die, everyone of us. Jesus loved us so much that He came down from Heaven to die in our place. Now, if we give our life to Him and put our faith in Him, He will give us eternal life. Jesus is the only one who can give us eternal life.
Romans; 6:23
(For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
If you have already been born again into a new life in Jesus, your death sentence because of sin has been pardoned. You are free from penalty of sin. If you still haven't given your life to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness of sins, you are still under the death penalty for your sins.
You have a chance to repent now and ask for eternal life. The day is coming soon when your chance will end. It could be today or tomorrow. We are not told how many days we will live before we die and have to face judgment.
Hebrews; 9:27
(And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,)
You might be one of those people who say that they just don't believe the Bible, but that doesn't change anything. God has told us that we are all going to die at least once, and depending on what you have done with your life while you were here on earth, whether you have been born again or not, this will determine your eternal destination. It will be either Heaven with everyone who has accepted the free gift of life in Jesus, or the Lake of Fire with all who have rejected Jesus.
Maybe you still think that there is another way to Heaven. Maybe you think you can be good enough, or you can talk your way into Heaven, or you can buy your way in. No where in the Scriptures does it say there is another way. If there had been any other way to bring us forgiveness for our sins, Jesus would not have had to die. But Jesus, being sinless, did have to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is the way to Heaven.
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.)
Only one way, not many ways, exist to God. Jesus clearly says that He is the way and the only way.You can twist it around all you want, but it still comes down to the fact that there is only one way to Heaven.
God tells us that he sent Jesus to earth to bring forgiveness of sins.
John; 3:16
(For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)
There is still hope for you to come to repentance before it is to late. In fact we are called to come to Him for forgiveness.
John; 6:37
(All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.)
Jesus said that He would be resurrected from the dead on the third day, and He did rise exactly as He had said. He had victory over sin and death.
1Corinthians; 15:55-57
("O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
We can have victory over sin by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. It isn't what we have done, it is all about what Jesus did in the cross. He gave us the victory by defeating sin and death. The sting was the sin that was exposed by the law of God, but conquered by Christ in his death on the cross.
This Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, let's all give thanks to God for sending Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross for our sin. In fact, let's be thankful to Him all year long, not just on Resurrection Sunday. We can have eternal life through Him and only Him. Don't ever think that you can get to Heaven any other way. There is no other way except through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. He has eternal life in Him. If you have Jesus, you have life.
1John; 5:11-12
(And this is the testimony; that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.)
God Bless You!
Romans; 6:23
(For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal in Christ Jesus our Lord.)
If you have already been born again into a new life in Jesus, your death sentence because of sin has been pardoned. You are free from penalty of sin. If you still haven't given your life to Jesus and asked Him for forgiveness of sins, you are still under the death penalty for your sins.
You have a chance to repent now and ask for eternal life. The day is coming soon when your chance will end. It could be today or tomorrow. We are not told how many days we will live before we die and have to face judgment.
Hebrews; 9:27
(And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,)
You might be one of those people who say that they just don't believe the Bible, but that doesn't change anything. God has told us that we are all going to die at least once, and depending on what you have done with your life while you were here on earth, whether you have been born again or not, this will determine your eternal destination. It will be either Heaven with everyone who has accepted the free gift of life in Jesus, or the Lake of Fire with all who have rejected Jesus.
Maybe you still think that there is another way to Heaven. Maybe you think you can be good enough, or you can talk your way into Heaven, or you can buy your way in. No where in the Scriptures does it say there is another way. If there had been any other way to bring us forgiveness for our sins, Jesus would not have had to die. But Jesus, being sinless, did have to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He is the way to Heaven.
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.)
Only one way, not many ways, exist to God. Jesus clearly says that He is the way and the only way.You can twist it around all you want, but it still comes down to the fact that there is only one way to Heaven.
God tells us that he sent Jesus to earth to bring forgiveness of sins.
John; 3:16
(For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.)
There is still hope for you to come to repentance before it is to late. In fact we are called to come to Him for forgiveness.
John; 6:37
(All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.)
Jesus said that He would be resurrected from the dead on the third day, and He did rise exactly as He had said. He had victory over sin and death.
1Corinthians; 15:55-57
("O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
We can have victory over sin by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. It isn't what we have done, it is all about what Jesus did in the cross. He gave us the victory by defeating sin and death. The sting was the sin that was exposed by the law of God, but conquered by Christ in his death on the cross.
This Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, let's all give thanks to God for sending Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross for our sin. In fact, let's be thankful to Him all year long, not just on Resurrection Sunday. We can have eternal life through Him and only Him. Don't ever think that you can get to Heaven any other way. There is no other way except through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. He has eternal life in Him. If you have Jesus, you have life.
1John; 5:11-12
(And this is the testimony; that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.)
God Bless You!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Looking Forward To Heaven!
Have you ever had something that you looked forward to and couldn't wait until it happened? You would think about it all the time. You had been promised that this day would come and you would get to go when it did come. Well, if you are a Christian and have put your faith in Jesus Christ for Salvation, your day is coming soon. Your have a prize waiting for you when Jesus comes. The prize is the Salvation of your soul. You will get to go to heaven and live with God forever.
Maybe you are one of those who doesn't believe that Jesus will ever come back. You might base this assumption on the fact that it has been so long ago that He rose to Heaven. Oh, He said that He would return, but it has been so many years ago that you just don't believe. Things carry on just like they have since He promised He would come back. God tells us that He is not slack in His coming to get those who are His, but that He wants as many as will come to him for Salvation to come.
2Peter; 3:8-9
(But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, But is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.)
God doesn't want you to die in your sins, so He is giving everyone as much time as He can. The day is approaching when time will run out and he will rapture all of the Born Again believers out of here. Then terrible time will come upon the earth as has never been before. God doesn't want you to go through these times so he is waiting for all who will repent to repent of their sins.
I have had people tell me that He isn't going to come back because nothing has changed. That couldn't be any further from the truth. All we have to do is look at the present world situation and we can see major changes in our civilization. We are ruthless and unloving, and people just don't care about anyone except themselves. All of this is predicted to happen as the time of Jesus return draws near. God also tell us that this kind of thinking would develope. There would be those who would start to doubt his return.
2Peter; 3:3-4
(knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, " Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.")
Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of the week leading up to the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, the day our Lord rose from the dead. Maybe you have doubts as to who Jesus was, but the centurion who was guarding Jesus had no doubt to who He was after he witnessed what happened after Jesus died on the cross.
[SIGNS ACCOMPANYING JESUS' DEATH]
Matthew; 27:51-54
(Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him , who were guarding Jesus, saw the earth quake and the things that happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!")
These were people who witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Three days latter, Jesus rose from the dead. God raised Him up from the dead and now He lives forever and ever.
Jesus spent a little more time with the disciples before He returned to Heaven. When the day of His return came, He was taken up in the clouds out of their sight.
Acts; 1:9
(Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.)
Two men stood by them in white apparel to give them encouragement.
Acts; 1:10-11
(And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.")
Jesus has told us Himself that He will return one day to take us home so that we can be with Him.
John; 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also 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.)
We are also told that the world will not be expecting His return. It is called the Day of the Lord, and it refers to Judgment.
1Thessalonians; 5:2-3
(For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.)
Just as false prophets of old fraudulently forecast a bright future, in spite of the imminence of God's judgment, so they will again in the future days just before the final Day of the Lord. You don't have to be caught unprepared. You can give your life to Jesus today and have security in knowing that your eternal life is with Jesus.
How can you do this? Confess that you are a sinner and repent of those sins. Ask Jesus into your life and give your life to Him.
Here is a prayer that you can pray!
Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You and that I do not live according to Your plan; therefore, I ask You to forgive me. I believe that You died for me, and in so doing, You paid the debt for my sins. I repent of my sin and now I want to live the kind of life that You want me to live. I ask You to come into my life and be my personal Savior. Help me to follow You and to obey You as Lord. Allow me discover Your good and perfect will for my life.
I pray that you have prayed this prayer and meant it from your heart.
God Bless You!
Maybe you are one of those who doesn't believe that Jesus will ever come back. You might base this assumption on the fact that it has been so long ago that He rose to Heaven. Oh, He said that He would return, but it has been so many years ago that you just don't believe. Things carry on just like they have since He promised He would come back. God tells us that He is not slack in His coming to get those who are His, but that He wants as many as will come to him for Salvation to come.
2Peter; 3:8-9
(But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, But is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.)
God doesn't want you to die in your sins, so He is giving everyone as much time as He can. The day is approaching when time will run out and he will rapture all of the Born Again believers out of here. Then terrible time will come upon the earth as has never been before. God doesn't want you to go through these times so he is waiting for all who will repent to repent of their sins.
I have had people tell me that He isn't going to come back because nothing has changed. That couldn't be any further from the truth. All we have to do is look at the present world situation and we can see major changes in our civilization. We are ruthless and unloving, and people just don't care about anyone except themselves. All of this is predicted to happen as the time of Jesus return draws near. God also tell us that this kind of thinking would develope. There would be those who would start to doubt his return.
2Peter; 3:3-4
(knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, " Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.")
Today is Palm Sunday, the first day of the week leading up to the Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, the day our Lord rose from the dead. Maybe you have doubts as to who Jesus was, but the centurion who was guarding Jesus had no doubt to who He was after he witnessed what happened after Jesus died on the cross.
[SIGNS ACCOMPANYING JESUS' DEATH]
Matthew; 27:51-54
(Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him , who were guarding Jesus, saw the earth quake and the things that happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!")
These were people who witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Three days latter, Jesus rose from the dead. God raised Him up from the dead and now He lives forever and ever.
Jesus spent a little more time with the disciples before He returned to Heaven. When the day of His return came, He was taken up in the clouds out of their sight.
Acts; 1:9
(Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.)
Two men stood by them in white apparel to give them encouragement.
Acts; 1:10-11
(And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.")
Jesus has told us Himself that He will return one day to take us home so that we can be with Him.
John; 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also 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.)
We are also told that the world will not be expecting His return. It is called the Day of the Lord, and it refers to Judgment.
1Thessalonians; 5:2-3
(For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.)
Just as false prophets of old fraudulently forecast a bright future, in spite of the imminence of God's judgment, so they will again in the future days just before the final Day of the Lord. You don't have to be caught unprepared. You can give your life to Jesus today and have security in knowing that your eternal life is with Jesus.
How can you do this? Confess that you are a sinner and repent of those sins. Ask Jesus into your life and give your life to Him.
Here is a prayer that you can pray!
Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You and that I do not live according to Your plan; therefore, I ask You to forgive me. I believe that You died for me, and in so doing, You paid the debt for my sins. I repent of my sin and now I want to live the kind of life that You want me to live. I ask You to come into my life and be my personal Savior. Help me to follow You and to obey You as Lord. Allow me discover Your good and perfect will for my life.
I pray that you have prayed this prayer and meant it from your heart.
God Bless You!
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