We all do it, but we are not to worry about life. I know that when I was young, my mother would tell me that she worried about me when I would go places with my friends. My responce would be, and I know that we have all have used this, "I can take care of myself." I always felt that I could take care of myself, but did I ever learn that is not always the case. Now I say "Thank You Lord" for protecting them.
First an explanation of worry. Webster's Dictionary says "Worry-is mental distress or agitation resulting from concern."
[Food]
We are told in the Bible not to worry about food and clothing. God knows that we have this ability to worry, and he addresses it. In Matthew;6:25-26(For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?)
[Clothing]
Matthew;6:28-30(And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more cloth you? You of little faith!)
[Life]
Matthew;6:27(And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?) After Jesus has told us not to be concerned with all these things in life, He tells us what we should be concerned with.
[Kingdom Of God]
Matthew;6:33-34(But seek first His kingdom and His rightousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.)
So now we know what is really important in our lives. We need to first seek His kingdom and ask Jesus into our life. Because if we don't have Jesus in our life, nothing else is going to matter when we die. We don't want to go before God and not have our names written in the book of life. And how do you get your name written in the book of life? You confess that you are a sinner, and ask for forgiveness from Jesus, ask Him to come into your life and save you. Tell Him that you are giving your life to Him.
[Discipleship]
Matthew;16:24-25(Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.) So if you are trying to save yourself by your good works, it's not going to happen. But if you give your life to Jesus, you will save it.
[In God's Hands]
Who would your rather have holding onto you? Would you rather have yourself, or God? I want God in control of my life. John;10:27-29("My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.)
I pray that you will not worry, and secure your future by giving your life to Jesus.
God Bless You!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
The Word! Who Is The Word?
Sometimes we hear things and they go in one ear and out the other. We don't stop to digest what we just heard. When we talk about the Word of God, do we really think about what or who is the Word? The Word is God.
[Diety Of Jesus]
God tells us exactly who the Word is. In 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.) The Bible says straight forword "The Word was God". Who's the Word? The Word is Jesus, God the Son. Begotten of the Father, 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.) This explains the Word as being God.
When Jesus was speaking to the Jews He told them John;8:56-58 (Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.") So here Jesus declares Himself to be God. You might ask well how is He declaring Himself to be God? By using "I AM."
When God was telling Moses to go to the children of Israel in Exodus;3:13-14 (Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me,'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children,'I AM has sent you.') So we see that 'I AM' refers to God.
In Isaiah we are told by God that He is the only God. Isaiah;43:10-11 ("You are My witnesses," Says the Lord, And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after ME. I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.) In Isaiah;43:25(I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for MY own sake; And I will not remember your sins.) Now, who can forgive our sins but God alone? In Mark;2:5( When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you.") Here again Jesus shows his diety by forgiving sins.
One more Scripture about the Word. In 1John;1:1-2(What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life, and the life was manifested, and we seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.)
Now we know that Jesus was the Word, and that He was with the Father in the beginning. The proof is all through the Bible. Search the Scriptures daily so that you can learn the truths in God's Word. 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.) So He's the way, He's the truth, He's the life.
God Bless You!
[Diety Of Jesus]
God tells us exactly who the Word is. In 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.) The Bible says straight forword "The Word was God". Who's the Word? The Word is Jesus, God the Son. Begotten of the Father, 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.) This explains the Word as being God.
When Jesus was speaking to the Jews He told them John;8:56-58 (Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad. Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.") So here Jesus declares Himself to be God. You might ask well how is He declaring Himself to be God? By using "I AM."
When God was telling Moses to go to the children of Israel in Exodus;3:13-14 (Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me,'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children,'I AM has sent you.') So we see that 'I AM' refers to God.
In Isaiah we are told by God that He is the only God. Isaiah;43:10-11 ("You are My witnesses," Says the Lord, And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after ME. I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior.) In Isaiah;43:25(I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for MY own sake; And I will not remember your sins.) Now, who can forgive our sins but God alone? In Mark;2:5( When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you.") Here again Jesus shows his diety by forgiving sins.
One more Scripture about the Word. In 1John;1:1-2(What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life, and the life was manifested, and we seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.)
Now we know that Jesus was the Word, and that He was with the Father in the beginning. The proof is all through the Bible. Search the Scriptures daily so that you can learn the truths in God's Word. 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.) So He's the way, He's the truth, He's the life.
God Bless You!
Monday, October 09, 2006
To Much! Or Not Enough?
Have you ever thought about how your Pastor makes his living, and how much you should pay them? Over the years I have heard people say, their Pastors are being paid enough. Really? Are you sure you would be willing to do the same job if you were called to teach the Word for the same pay? You might, but you might find that their job is a 24 hour a day job.
They are called when people are sick, when they are hurting, when they have family problems. Or maybe someone dies and the family needs prayer and they may be asked to do the funeral service. They officiate weddings, answer the phone, prepare the message for Sunday and any other day of the week your church might meet. They teach classes for adults and young people and lead prayer meetings etc.
Most Pastors are teaching the Word because they love God and they are called by God to teach. Some of course do it for private gain. Others are called by God to teach the Word. Ephesians;4:11-12(And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelist, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.)
[Stricter Judgement]
Teachers are told in James;3:1(My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive stricter judgement.) This is not to discourage true teachers, but to warn them of the role's seriousness. So you see, this is a very serious job. We are instructed in Hebrews;13:17(Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.)
[Preaching The Good News]
Those who preach the Word are to make their living by doing the same. 1Corinthians;9:14(Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.) This is where they get their income to support their family. This is directly form God.
So the next time we hear someone say their Pastor is paid too much or not enough, we need to let them know that a Pastor is to make his living by teaching the Word. We all have families to support. Let's make sure that they can do the same.
God Bless You!
They are called when people are sick, when they are hurting, when they have family problems. Or maybe someone dies and the family needs prayer and they may be asked to do the funeral service. They officiate weddings, answer the phone, prepare the message for Sunday and any other day of the week your church might meet. They teach classes for adults and young people and lead prayer meetings etc.
Most Pastors are teaching the Word because they love God and they are called by God to teach. Some of course do it for private gain. Others are called by God to teach the Word. Ephesians;4:11-12(And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelist, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.)
[Stricter Judgement]
Teachers are told in James;3:1(My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive stricter judgement.) This is not to discourage true teachers, but to warn them of the role's seriousness. So you see, this is a very serious job. We are instructed in Hebrews;13:17(Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.)
[Preaching The Good News]
Those who preach the Word are to make their living by doing the same. 1Corinthians;9:14(Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.) This is where they get their income to support their family. This is directly form God.
So the next time we hear someone say their Pastor is paid too much or not enough, we need to let them know that a Pastor is to make his living by teaching the Word. We all have families to support. Let's make sure that they can do the same.
God Bless You!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
If You Love Your Child! Don't Abuse! Do Discipline!
I was reading our local newspaper today, and there it is on page after page about some violence or vandalism in our country. Sometimes the perpetrator is an older adult, a lot the time it is a teenager or young adult. People say why are we having so much crime in our cities and country. It could be summed up easily by saying our sins and our actions go hand in hand. But that is just part of the problem. You may not like or agree with what I have to say, but I will try to back it up with Scripture.
Let me give you my take on our problems in society. We have as a society tried to take God out of our lives. You might ask how have we taken God out? I will just mention a few of the problems. (1) We don't allow classroom prayer. It might offend somebody. (2) We don't allow the Ten Commandments on public property. It might offend somebody. (3) You can't talk about God to your fellow workers in many of our work places. It might be contrary to what they believe. (4) You can't put up a nativity sceen on public grounds, one or two people might be offended. It's alright if they impose their belief on you, but don't you dare talk about God or show what you believe in public. The list could go on and on. I don't even know all the restrictions that the few have forced on the many. We just sit by and allow these things to happen. We have a few individuals who impose their belief at the expense of the majority of our beliefs.
[Crime]
One solution would be to punish the criminal for the crime. You say we do punish them. Do we really? The punishment should fit the crime. When someone commits willful murder of another person, they should have to pay the price for the crime. Genesis;9:6 (Whoever sheds mans blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.) Pretty severe isn't it? Leviticus;24:17 (Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.) God tells us that we have to be absolutely positive of their guilt before we can impose the death penalty. Numbers;35:30 (Whoever kills a person,the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.) So in this way God protects the innocent.
[Disobedience]
With our children! We need to discipline them so that they grow up knowing that there is consequences for their actions. First let me say, I don't mean to beat them without mercy, but you do need to spank them. Now you may say I don't agree with you. Proverbs;19:18-20 (Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.) And again in Proverbs;23:13-14 (Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.) Quote from John MacArthur" The child will survive the punishment and thus avoid an untimely or premature death due to sinful conduct".
It's not easy to disciline our children, because we love them, and we don't want to inflict pain on them. In Hebrews;12:11(All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of rightousness.) God tells us that He disciplines His children. Hebrews;12:6 (For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.) Again in Revelation;3:19 (Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.)
God disciplines us for His purpose. Hebrews;12:9-10 (Futhermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; Shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits and live. For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.) So you can see that all discipline is good and we need it.
How do you train your children to obey and do what's right, You discipline them when they do wrong. Most of us have been trained by it and we are here reading this blog. This might not be the only cure for our society, but it is a step in the right direction. Pray and ask for God's direction in dealing with discipline. That way you won't be abusive. Maybe you don't need to spank your child everytime their disobedient, but you do need to discipline them.
God Bless You!
Let me give you my take on our problems in society. We have as a society tried to take God out of our lives. You might ask how have we taken God out? I will just mention a few of the problems. (1) We don't allow classroom prayer. It might offend somebody. (2) We don't allow the Ten Commandments on public property. It might offend somebody. (3) You can't talk about God to your fellow workers in many of our work places. It might be contrary to what they believe. (4) You can't put up a nativity sceen on public grounds, one or two people might be offended. It's alright if they impose their belief on you, but don't you dare talk about God or show what you believe in public. The list could go on and on. I don't even know all the restrictions that the few have forced on the many. We just sit by and allow these things to happen. We have a few individuals who impose their belief at the expense of the majority of our beliefs.
[Crime]
One solution would be to punish the criminal for the crime. You say we do punish them. Do we really? The punishment should fit the crime. When someone commits willful murder of another person, they should have to pay the price for the crime. Genesis;9:6 (Whoever sheds mans blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.) Pretty severe isn't it? Leviticus;24:17 (Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.) God tells us that we have to be absolutely positive of their guilt before we can impose the death penalty. Numbers;35:30 (Whoever kills a person,the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not sufficient testimony against a person for the death penalty.) So in this way God protects the innocent.
[Disobedience]
With our children! We need to discipline them so that they grow up knowing that there is consequences for their actions. First let me say, I don't mean to beat them without mercy, but you do need to spank them. Now you may say I don't agree with you. Proverbs;19:18-20 (Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death. A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again. Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.) And again in Proverbs;23:13-14 (Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.) Quote from John MacArthur" The child will survive the punishment and thus avoid an untimely or premature death due to sinful conduct".
It's not easy to disciline our children, because we love them, and we don't want to inflict pain on them. In Hebrews;12:11(All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of rightousness.) God tells us that He disciplines His children. Hebrews;12:6 (For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.) Again in Revelation;3:19 (Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.)
God disciplines us for His purpose. Hebrews;12:9-10 (Futhermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; Shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits and live. For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.) So you can see that all discipline is good and we need it.
How do you train your children to obey and do what's right, You discipline them when they do wrong. Most of us have been trained by it and we are here reading this blog. This might not be the only cure for our society, but it is a step in the right direction. Pray and ask for God's direction in dealing with discipline. That way you won't be abusive. Maybe you don't need to spank your child everytime their disobedient, but you do need to discipline them.
God Bless You!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Forgiven! Forgotten! Not To Be Remembered!
Have you ever wished that you hadn't done or said something? The first thing that comes to your mind is that you wish you could take it back. Well unfortunately I have and so have you. We go to the person whom we have offended and ask them to forgive us and they probably say they will, but do they forget as well as forgive? We only hope that they can.
Most of us cannot forget a wrong done to us even though we have forgiven the offender. We don't usually dwell on it, but sometimes it will surface and then we are still hurt or angry.
It's all through the Bible where we are instructed to forgive others. Jesus tells us in Luke;17:3 (Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.) Well what if he keeps doing the same thing, am I suppose to keep forgiving him? Luke;17:4 (Ang if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times saying, I repent, forgive him.) Now that would be hard to do. But with Gods help, we can.
Thanks be to our God that He doesn't remember our sins after forgiving them. You might ask "well how can God forget after forgiving?" The answer, I don't know. I just believe what He tells us in the Bible. Where does it say that? When God spoke of the New Covenant, He says in Hebrews;8:12 (For I will be merciful to their iniquities,and I will remember their sins no more.) Again in Hebrews;10:17 (And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.)
When Jesus came down and died on the cross for our sins, he created a New Covenant. The Old Covenant with the sacrifice of animals was done away with. He was the Sacrifical Lamb of the New Covenant. AT the Passover Celebration, in Matthew;26:27-28 (Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink form it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.) He was telling the disciples that he was going to shed his own blood to create a new covenant between God and man.
How far does God get rid of our sins? We are told in Psalm;103:11-12 (For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.)
So as you can see, God not only forgives our sins, but also forgets them.
God Bless You
Most of us cannot forget a wrong done to us even though we have forgiven the offender. We don't usually dwell on it, but sometimes it will surface and then we are still hurt or angry.
It's all through the Bible where we are instructed to forgive others. Jesus tells us in Luke;17:3 (Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.) Well what if he keeps doing the same thing, am I suppose to keep forgiving him? Luke;17:4 (Ang if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times saying, I repent, forgive him.) Now that would be hard to do. But with Gods help, we can.
Thanks be to our God that He doesn't remember our sins after forgiving them. You might ask "well how can God forget after forgiving?" The answer, I don't know. I just believe what He tells us in the Bible. Where does it say that? When God spoke of the New Covenant, He says in Hebrews;8:12 (For I will be merciful to their iniquities,and I will remember their sins no more.) Again in Hebrews;10:17 (And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.)
When Jesus came down and died on the cross for our sins, he created a New Covenant. The Old Covenant with the sacrifice of animals was done away with. He was the Sacrifical Lamb of the New Covenant. AT the Passover Celebration, in Matthew;26:27-28 (Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink form it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.) He was telling the disciples that he was going to shed his own blood to create a new covenant between God and man.
How far does God get rid of our sins? We are told in Psalm;103:11-12 (For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.)
So as you can see, God not only forgives our sins, but also forgets them.
God Bless You
Friday, October 06, 2006
Book On Life! Book Of Life!
I was looking for free software on download.com today and found one that I thought I might like to have on my computer. So I read the disclaimer and it was free download. I downloaded it and then it says you must register it to use it. Now what part of free was this software? THE DOWNLOAD!!! Eternal life in Jesus, now that is free to us. He paid the price for us, we cannot earn it. All we have to do is accept it by faith.
It seems like everyone has a quick fix for problems in life. There are a lot of so called religions out there who tell you that they have all of the answers for whatever ails you. How can I tell if they are telling me the truth? It's simple, if what they tell you comes true, then they are telling the truth, but if just one thing they say doesn't come true, then it is a false religion. They can't be part right and part wrong. Their religion is either all right, or all wrong.
[Signs Of Christ's Return]
Jesus tells us this is how you will know. Matthew; 24:11-12 ( Many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.) Matthew; 24:23-25 ( Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. " for false Christ and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. "Behold I have told you in advance.")
[Disguising Themselves]
You need to study God's word so that you aren't deceived. Paul tells us in 2Corinthians; 11:13-15 ( For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of rightousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.)
[Destructive Heresies]
Simon Peter tells us in 2Peter; 2:1-3 ( But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgement from long ago is not idle, and their distruction is not asleep.) So we are told that lot of people will beleive their lies.
[An Angel Told Me]
Paul tells us in Galatians about the perversion of the gospel. Galatians; 1:6-9 (I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
So Gods word tells us that that many will profess to have the answers. But Jesus tells us, I am the way. 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.) How do we get to the Father through Jesus? John; 3:16-18 ( 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. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.)
If you want peace in your life and assurance of eternal life, then confess to God that you are a sinner, ask for forgiveness, and ask Jesus into your life. 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 rightousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.) Just call on God. Romans; 10:13 ( for "WHO EVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." ) Don't wait until you are standing before God, because then it will be to late. Revelation; 20:15 ( And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.)
Hebrews;10:31 ( it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.) I pray you won't wait.
God Bless You!
It seems like everyone has a quick fix for problems in life. There are a lot of so called religions out there who tell you that they have all of the answers for whatever ails you. How can I tell if they are telling me the truth? It's simple, if what they tell you comes true, then they are telling the truth, but if just one thing they say doesn't come true, then it is a false religion. They can't be part right and part wrong. Their religion is either all right, or all wrong.
[Signs Of Christ's Return]
Jesus tells us this is how you will know. Matthew; 24:11-12 ( Many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.) Matthew; 24:23-25 ( Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. " for false Christ and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. "Behold I have told you in advance.")
[Disguising Themselves]
You need to study God's word so that you aren't deceived. Paul tells us in 2Corinthians; 11:13-15 ( For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of rightousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.)
[Destructive Heresies]
Simon Peter tells us in 2Peter; 2:1-3 ( But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgement from long ago is not idle, and their distruction is not asleep.) So we are told that lot of people will beleive their lies.
[An Angel Told Me]
Paul tells us in Galatians about the perversion of the gospel. Galatians; 1:6-9 (I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
So Gods word tells us that that many will profess to have the answers. But Jesus tells us, I am the way. 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.) How do we get to the Father through Jesus? John; 3:16-18 ( 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. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.)
If you want peace in your life and assurance of eternal life, then confess to God that you are a sinner, ask for forgiveness, and ask Jesus into your life. 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 rightousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.) Just call on God. Romans; 10:13 ( for "WHO EVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." ) Don't wait until you are standing before God, because then it will be to late. Revelation; 20:15 ( And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.)
Hebrews;10:31 ( it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.) I pray you won't wait.
God Bless You!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Who Knows? God Knows!
Have you ever heard someone say "well no one will see or no one knows"? I'm sure you have. We sometimes think that we can get away with doing something we aren't suppose to just because no one is around. Then the next thing you know everyone knows what has happened.
God says, I see it. Hebrews; 4;13 ( And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.) So you may think that no one sees, but God knows all and see all. So don't be fooled, God see all that we do, and he knows the intentions of the heart. Hebrews; 4:12 (For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.) It doesn't get any more plain than that.
When King David saw Bathsheba and saw that she was beautiful and wanted her for his wife. He had her husband Uriah placed in the battle where he knew he would be killed. 2Samuel; 11:14-15 (Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. He had written in the letter, saying, "Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.") God knew this and sent Nathan to David to rebuke him. 2Samuel; 12:9 ( Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.) This was not hidden from Gods eyes.
While Moses was up on the mountain, the people of Israel had Aaron fashion a golden calf. God saw this and told Moses in Exodus; 32:7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses," Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves". They thought no one would know, but God knew and was going to kill them all. Exodus; 32:10 ( "Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.") Moses asked the Lord not to kill them.
I could go on, but you see that nothing is hidden from God. He see all that goes on in our world, in our mind, and in our heart. What ever you do, don't be fooled, God knows what we are doing, and what we intend on doing.
Give this some thought the next time you think that no one will know.
God Bless You!
God says, I see it. Hebrews; 4;13 ( And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.) So you may think that no one sees, but God knows all and see all. So don't be fooled, God see all that we do, and he knows the intentions of the heart. Hebrews; 4:12 (For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.) It doesn't get any more plain than that.
When King David saw Bathsheba and saw that she was beautiful and wanted her for his wife. He had her husband Uriah placed in the battle where he knew he would be killed. 2Samuel; 11:14-15 (Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. He had written in the letter, saying, "Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.") God knew this and sent Nathan to David to rebuke him. 2Samuel; 12:9 ( Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword, have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the sons of Ammon.) This was not hidden from Gods eyes.
While Moses was up on the mountain, the people of Israel had Aaron fashion a golden calf. God saw this and told Moses in Exodus; 32:7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses," Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves". They thought no one would know, but God knew and was going to kill them all. Exodus; 32:10 ( "Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.") Moses asked the Lord not to kill them.
I could go on, but you see that nothing is hidden from God. He see all that goes on in our world, in our mind, and in our heart. What ever you do, don't be fooled, God knows what we are doing, and what we intend on doing.
Give this some thought the next time you think that no one will know.
God Bless You!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Slanderers, Are We Gulity?
When I was at work yesterday, I noticed where someone had written something against President Bush on one of the engines on our train. I'm sure that you have probably heard or seen statements made against our leaders. We probably are all guilty of this to some degree.
If you slander someone, you can divide a friendship, Proverbs; 16:27-28 (A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.) Slander can ruin families, friends, business deals, the list is endless. We are told not to have anything to do with a slanderer. Proverbs; 20:19 ( He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therfore do not associate with a gossip.)
[Submit To Government]
God tells us to be subject to our leaders. Romans; 13:1-2 (Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resist the authority resist the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on them-selves.)
[ Pray For Our Leader]
Paul tells us in 1Timothy; 2:1-4 ( Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for Kings and all who are in athority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.) So we are to pray that our leaders will repent of their sins and come to saving knowledge of God. In this way they will be godly men and hopefully look to God for guidance in leading our nation.
It isn't easy when we have to accept things that we don't agree with or even like. Laws that are made that interfere with what we want in life. We are all guilty of it. So we go around expressing our dislike and trying to get others on our side, so we can sway their opinion.
I know that there ruthless leaders in some countries, and I don't agree with what they do. I do know that they will give account to God for their actions. Romans; 14:10-12 (But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,"AS I LIVE SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.) Pretty sobering isn't it?
I pray as godly men and women, that we will refrain from slander and gossip.So the next time anyone of us wants to trash our leaders or anyone else, we need to remember that we will give an account to God one day.
God Bless You
If you slander someone, you can divide a friendship, Proverbs; 16:27-28 (A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.) Slander can ruin families, friends, business deals, the list is endless. We are told not to have anything to do with a slanderer. Proverbs; 20:19 ( He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therfore do not associate with a gossip.)
[Submit To Government]
God tells us to be subject to our leaders. Romans; 13:1-2 (Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resist the authority resist the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on them-selves.)
[ Pray For Our Leader]
Paul tells us in 1Timothy; 2:1-4 ( Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for Kings and all who are in athority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.) So we are to pray that our leaders will repent of their sins and come to saving knowledge of God. In this way they will be godly men and hopefully look to God for guidance in leading our nation.
It isn't easy when we have to accept things that we don't agree with or even like. Laws that are made that interfere with what we want in life. We are all guilty of it. So we go around expressing our dislike and trying to get others on our side, so we can sway their opinion.
I know that there ruthless leaders in some countries, and I don't agree with what they do. I do know that they will give account to God for their actions. Romans; 14:10-12 (But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,"AS I LIVE SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.) Pretty sobering isn't it?
I pray as godly men and women, that we will refrain from slander and gossip.So the next time anyone of us wants to trash our leaders or anyone else, we need to remember that we will give an account to God one day.
God Bless You
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Difficult Times Ahead For Us!
How sad can the news get? I get up this morning and listen to the news, and what do I hear but another school shooting. Once again it is the innocent little children who are victimized. You have 5 children dead, and who knows how many family members who are suffering. Killing of human life. Of course the killer takes his own life so he doesn't have to stand trial for his crime. Only a coward would harm a helpless small child who just wants to be loved and cared for and to love you in return.
Pray for the family members of the victims. Who are suffering because of this cowardly act, and that need our prayers.
How could this happen? Well when sin entered into the world, our world started to decay, along with all of our morals. Now when God had finished making the world and all that was in it, it was perfect. Genesis; 1:31 ( God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.) So the human race started out without sin. The command! Genesis 2;16-17 (The Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.)
[Fall Of Man]
Genesis; 3:4 ( The serpent said to the woman,"You surely will not die!) The deceiver spoke a lie to the woman. The woman believed the lie. Genesis; 3:6 (When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.) Now we have sin in the world, the beginning of decay.
Our world has been going down hill since sin entered in. Jesus came to give us hope. His sacrifice on the cross gave us a means of salvation through Him. With out Him, we were all doomed to eternal damnation. When Jesus left to go to the Father, he went to prepare a place for all the saved. John; 14:2-3 (In my Fathers 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.)
[Difficult Time]
How do we know when He will come again? We don't know! But Jesus tells us what will happen in those days. 2Timothy; 3:1-4 ( But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.) I think that if you look around at our world today, you will see that we are in difficult times.
Now Gods word is true, and we need to make sure that we are ready for His second comming. How do we get ready? We need to confess our sins, and ask God to forgive our sins, and to come into our heart and give us new life in Him. He is the only way to heaven. John; 14:6 ( Jesus said to them, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.) That is proof that there is no other way.
I pray that you will ask Jesus into your life today, before it is to late.
God Bless You
Pray for the family members of the victims. Who are suffering because of this cowardly act, and that need our prayers.
How could this happen? Well when sin entered into the world, our world started to decay, along with all of our morals. Now when God had finished making the world and all that was in it, it was perfect. Genesis; 1:31 ( God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.) So the human race started out without sin. The command! Genesis 2;16-17 (The Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.)
[Fall Of Man]
Genesis; 3:4 ( The serpent said to the woman,"You surely will not die!) The deceiver spoke a lie to the woman. The woman believed the lie. Genesis; 3:6 (When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.) Now we have sin in the world, the beginning of decay.
Our world has been going down hill since sin entered in. Jesus came to give us hope. His sacrifice on the cross gave us a means of salvation through Him. With out Him, we were all doomed to eternal damnation. When Jesus left to go to the Father, he went to prepare a place for all the saved. John; 14:2-3 (In my Fathers 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.)
[Difficult Time]
How do we know when He will come again? We don't know! But Jesus tells us what will happen in those days. 2Timothy; 3:1-4 ( But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.) I think that if you look around at our world today, you will see that we are in difficult times.
Now Gods word is true, and we need to make sure that we are ready for His second comming. How do we get ready? We need to confess our sins, and ask God to forgive our sins, and to come into our heart and give us new life in Him. He is the only way to heaven. John; 14:6 ( Jesus said to them, " I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.) That is proof that there is no other way.
I pray that you will ask Jesus into your life today, before it is to late.
God Bless You
Monday, October 02, 2006
Having The Love Of God, And Showing It.
I was thinking today just how blessed I am to have my family and friends. Sometimes we just take it for granted. Not the case. Though it would be nice if it was always that way. Take children who only have one parent, or no parents at all. They would give anything to have a family. The same for husbands or wives who have lost their mates. If we are to show the love of God in our lives, we need to have compassionate love for one another.
We are told in Gods word to look after orphans and widows. James; 1:27 ( Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.) Another place is 1 John; 3:17-18 (But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.)
So we need to show our love for our fellow brothers and sisters by our actions. God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Everyone should know John;3:16 (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.) Also in 1John; 4:9 (By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.)
So we are commanded to love our brothers and sisters as we love God. If you say you love God but you have ill will for a brother or sister, then how can you say I love God. 1John 4:20-21 (If someone says,"I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.) No getting around it, is there?
God knew us when He made us. So He covered everything that we would deal with in the scriptures. You might say "well how do we know that God wrote the scriptures?" 2Peter; 1:20-21( knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.)
You don't have to believe me. Do as the men of Berea. Acts; 17:11 (Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.) That is how you will find out what God has to say.
I pray that if you don't study the Scriptures daily, you will start today.
God Bless You
We are told in Gods word to look after orphans and widows. James; 1:27 ( Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.) Another place is 1 John; 3:17-18 (But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.)
So we need to show our love for our fellow brothers and sisters by our actions. God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Everyone should know John;3:16 (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.) Also in 1John; 4:9 (By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.)
So we are commanded to love our brothers and sisters as we love God. If you say you love God but you have ill will for a brother or sister, then how can you say I love God. 1John 4:20-21 (If someone says,"I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.) No getting around it, is there?
God knew us when He made us. So He covered everything that we would deal with in the scriptures. You might say "well how do we know that God wrote the scriptures?" 2Peter; 1:20-21( knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.)
You don't have to believe me. Do as the men of Berea. Acts; 17:11 (Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.) That is how you will find out what God has to say.
I pray that if you don't study the Scriptures daily, you will start today.
God Bless You
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