The bible has much to say about living in victory.
Psalms 62:1-2 (NLT) 1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Do you see that? Victory comes only in the Lord God. It would be considered foolish to not put time with Him at the top of your priority list for 2011. Of all the things you spend your time on this year of 2011 only one can actually bring you fulfillment in life and can assure you of heaven when you die. I am not saying not to have other priorities in your life for the new year but be sure Jesus Christ and the Father God are at the top of that list. To put any other thing there would be considered idolatry in God's eyes.
In James 4:4-5 (NLT) 4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
5 What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy?
God's Holy Spirit that He has placed within us when were saved is very envious of our time and attention. It is because He and He alone knows what is best for us but if we are not giving the Spirit our time and attention we cannot hear His voice as He tries to show us the victorious way. It is amazing what spending a little time reading and meditating on God's word will do for you. To be victorious this year means making the things of God the priority in our lives. I have seen people refuse to give any time to God until they are in a desperate situation. Then they run to God's house wanting God and His people to help them out of their situation and when He does they leave and don't come back till they have another problem. They do not understand that if they would continue to attend God's house and give Him His rightful place they could avoid a lot of the problems they get into. And the problems that cannot be avoided, they could have God's power in their lives to help them through whatever they had to face and their prayers would be more powerful. The bible tells us not to trust any help but His because it cannot help us at all.
Psalms 62:9-12 (NLT) 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air.
10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.
11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;
12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
Notice the power to help and save us comes only from God and He alone.
Psalms 62:7 (NLT) 7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. David had fought many battles and gotten into a lot of terrible situations so when he speaks to us it is from his experiences that he had in his own life. He had learned the hard way that without God in your life you have no real help at all down here and surely no chance of heaven at all when you die. I would like to encourage you to take time from your busy schedule this year and get a bible reading plan and read through the bible this year. Take time to meditate on what you read each day and put it to work in your life. Before you read the bible be sure to pray for God to speak to you and believe me He will. I did that last year and I plan to do it again this year because ever time you read God's word you find something that you missed before and you also find that God will speak to your own situation in life. Psalms 62:11-12 (NLT) 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you;
12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.
God will repay you for your time you spend with Him. That's His promise to you. You will be wise to attend church as God commands us to do in Hebrews 10:25. Please keep reading these articles because they are designed to help keep you and I in God's will and way for this year. God has promised to repay us for our efforts. A word to you who might not even know God in a personal life changing way. If you will repent of your sins against Him and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and come into your life to save you and be your Savior and then to be your Lord to guide you each day and help you each day He will not turn you away.
John 6:37 (NKJV) 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. Go to a church and tell the pastor you have been saved and you want to be baptised. Attend that church and begin to grow in the things of God. Until next time, may God bless and keep you as you seek Him this year!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Rewarded Efforts
In the world of science, medicine and technology there must be a constant studying and learning to keep up with the advancements that are being made in these areas. If you don't study and learn new things you will fall behind and never advance thereby failing to capitalize on the new things that would enhance your experience, knowledge, and your life. There has to be an effort put forth to grow in the knowledge and understanding of these areas.
So it is with spiritual things. There are so many areas of wisdom, knowledge and understanding in God's word that we have never experienced before. There is no one who cannot grow in the things of God. The more we study and learn the more we expand our wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God and His ways. As we study and learn from God's word the more we begin to experience the benefits of our efforts as we apply those newly learned things to our everyday lives that we have learned from God. There are so many new revelations that we have not yet learned and only come through putting forth the effort to spend more time and studying God's word. How many Christians do you know that never grow in the things that God has in His word for them? They never study or learn and have fallen behind and live miserable defeated lives and never experience the abundant life that God wants for them and that Jesus died to provide. (John 10:10b). They constantly complain and never experience true joy. Don't you be one of those. It takes effort to advance and begin to experience new things from God found only in His word. People will take time to read the worlds opinion and seek that advice, but that only leads to more dissappointmnets. If we will begin to read God's word for our advice, new areas of wisdom, knowledge and understanding will come forth that will help us in our daily living. It is a most wonderful journey to begin to walk in the paths that God has prepared for us in His word, growing in them everyday being obedient to Him and learning to truly love Him. I want to encourage all of us to begin to grow in our wisdom , knowledge and understanding of God and let God be more a part of our lives so we can live a more victorious and abundant life. The things we face now and in the future will require a change in our lives and God's word provides that for us.
So it is with spiritual things. There are so many areas of wisdom, knowledge and understanding in God's word that we have never experienced before. There is no one who cannot grow in the things of God. The more we study and learn the more we expand our wisdom, knowledge and understanding of God and His ways. As we study and learn from God's word the more we begin to experience the benefits of our efforts as we apply those newly learned things to our everyday lives that we have learned from God. There are so many new revelations that we have not yet learned and only come through putting forth the effort to spend more time and studying God's word. How many Christians do you know that never grow in the things that God has in His word for them? They never study or learn and have fallen behind and live miserable defeated lives and never experience the abundant life that God wants for them and that Jesus died to provide. (John 10:10b). They constantly complain and never experience true joy. Don't you be one of those. It takes effort to advance and begin to experience new things from God found only in His word. People will take time to read the worlds opinion and seek that advice, but that only leads to more dissappointmnets. If we will begin to read God's word for our advice, new areas of wisdom, knowledge and understanding will come forth that will help us in our daily living. It is a most wonderful journey to begin to walk in the paths that God has prepared for us in His word, growing in them everyday being obedient to Him and learning to truly love Him. I want to encourage all of us to begin to grow in our wisdom , knowledge and understanding of God and let God be more a part of our lives so we can live a more victorious and abundant life. The things we face now and in the future will require a change in our lives and God's word provides that for us.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Borrowed Time
You and I are living on borrowed time. Time will not always be. What we are going to do about God and for God, we had better do it quickly. Don't put off another day concerning the things of God.
I. Time Will Cease Some Day 2 Peter 3:8-10 (HCSB) 8 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: with the Lord one day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years like one day.
9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.
A. God is not on a timetable, we are. Time is for man to do what he's going to do. Whether a man will receive God's Son as his Savior before he dies or before the Lord returns. Also to see if man will serve God and live for Him or not. God allows time for man to deal with his eternal destiny. God always has eternity in view, so the choices we make have eternal consequences.
II. Man Possesses Time To Make His Choices Only While He Lives 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT)
1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
A. We must use our time rightly to gain heaven while we live. At death it will be to late.
If you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you of those sins, this scripture says that you should do that right now. It is not wise to wait. You may not be alive tomorrow. Read the plan of salvation at the bottom of this page and do what it says so you will spend eternity with God in heaven.
B. Often we borrow God's time.
1. Once we are saved we must make sure we do not yield to Satan on God's time. When God saves you your time belongs to God. Jesus bought you with His precious blood. He saved you from Satan's grip on your life. He delivered you from hell. Now its time to let God help us get rid us of those wrong sinful things in our lives. We should spend our time producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit who now resides in us. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) 22 The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
2. We must not take God's time to make provisions for the flesh. We must not let the cares and riches of this world control God's time in our lives. God will take care of us. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Romans 12:21 (NKJV) 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is what we must be spending our time to do.
C. God Says To Redeem The Time Ephesians 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16 redeem the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.
This scripture says to "buy up the opportunity" to give our time to God. We must walk in wisdom and understanding of God's will for our lives.
1. To walk wise is to walk with God each day.
2. It is wise to invest your time to help save souls. (Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:13)
3. It is wise to keep God's commands for our lives. It is wise to spend time in His house. (Hebrews 11:25)
IV. Many will say at judgment "I didn't have time." Common excuse today.
1. God will ask why?
At the judgment we will have all the time we need but it will be to late.
2. What will we answer? "I borrowed your time for myself and the devil." How sad. Don't let that be you.
3. We all have the same amount of time to use. If we waste it in sinful pleasures we are foolish, thereby damning our souls.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (NKJV) 7 The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe.
How are you using God's time? He is giving you time right now to make a decision to repent of wasting your time in sin and then ask His Son Jesus to forgive you of your sins against Him so He can save you from hell.
If you have never done that, God is giving you time right now to do it. Be wise and say yes before your time runs out. Read scriptures at the bottom of this page and then take action now!
If you have been saved, how are you using God's time? Are you found in His house worshipping Him and praising Him for all He has done? Are you serving Him in any way and are you telling anyone about how wonderful He is and how He wants to save them also?
I. Time Will Cease Some Day 2 Peter 3:8-10 (HCSB) 8 Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: with the Lord one day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years like one day.
9 The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that [day] the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed.
A. God is not on a timetable, we are. Time is for man to do what he's going to do. Whether a man will receive God's Son as his Savior before he dies or before the Lord returns. Also to see if man will serve God and live for Him or not. God allows time for man to deal with his eternal destiny. God always has eternity in view, so the choices we make have eternal consequences.
II. Man Possesses Time To Make His Choices Only While He Lives 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NLT)
1 As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
A. We must use our time rightly to gain heaven while we live. At death it will be to late.
If you have never confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you of those sins, this scripture says that you should do that right now. It is not wise to wait. You may not be alive tomorrow. Read the plan of salvation at the bottom of this page and do what it says so you will spend eternity with God in heaven.
B. Often we borrow God's time.
1. Once we are saved we must make sure we do not yield to Satan on God's time. When God saves you your time belongs to God. Jesus bought you with His precious blood. He saved you from Satan's grip on your life. He delivered you from hell. Now its time to let God help us get rid us of those wrong sinful things in our lives. We should spend our time producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit who now resides in us. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) 22 The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
2. We must not take God's time to make provisions for the flesh. We must not let the cares and riches of this world control God's time in our lives. God will take care of us. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Romans 12:21 (NKJV) 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is what we must be spending our time to do.
C. God Says To Redeem The Time Ephesians 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16 redeem the time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.
This scripture says to "buy up the opportunity" to give our time to God. We must walk in wisdom and understanding of God's will for our lives.
1. To walk wise is to walk with God each day.
2. It is wise to invest your time to help save souls. (Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:13)
3. It is wise to keep God's commands for our lives. It is wise to spend time in His house. (Hebrews 11:25)
IV. Many will say at judgment "I didn't have time." Common excuse today.
1. God will ask why?
At the judgment we will have all the time we need but it will be to late.
2. What will we answer? "I borrowed your time for myself and the devil." How sad. Don't let that be you.
3. We all have the same amount of time to use. If we waste it in sinful pleasures we are foolish, thereby damning our souls.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (NKJV) 7 The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe.
How are you using God's time? He is giving you time right now to make a decision to repent of wasting your time in sin and then ask His Son Jesus to forgive you of your sins against Him so He can save you from hell.
If you have never done that, God is giving you time right now to do it. Be wise and say yes before your time runs out. Read scriptures at the bottom of this page and then take action now!
If you have been saved, how are you using God's time? Are you found in His house worshipping Him and praising Him for all He has done? Are you serving Him in any way and are you telling anyone about how wonderful He is and how He wants to save them also?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Changing America
During the presidential elections we were promised a change. And yes there has been changes alright. I am trying to be fair in my judgment but I don't see any of those changes being good for America. But we as Christians don't have to feel helpless as to helping change America for the good of everyone. God has given us His people a way to change our nation for the good of everyone. God says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Here we have God's formula for His blessings to come upon us again. First He says we have to get rid of our pride. We must humble ourselves. He is not speaking to sinners but to us His people. We as Christians have become to proud of ourselves rather than proud of God. We think we know what is best. If we didn't think this then we would be on our knees asking God to turn this nation around. Let me ask you, how much have you been earnestly praying for this nation rather than just complaining about it? What are we waiting for? God is ready to help but we must ask. James 4:2-3 (NKJV)
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we must pray and seek His face. Seeking God's face is more than just an occasional God bless America. Seeking means we search and search for His will earnestly. Every day we continue to look for Him through prayer. Then that scripture tells us we must turn from our wicked ways. We are to turn from those things that we know in our hearts that are not right. We must make bible reading a priority in our lives. Prayer is essential every day. When we earnestly pray we are seeking His face. Pastor John Hagee is asking people to join him and his church as they begin 40 days of prayer for our nation beginning on September 20th- October 30th. Will you be one of those who will take the time to pray for this beloved nation of ours? I pray that you will. I am going to be one that will. We have got to begin to do what God is telling us if we want God to turn this nation around and if we want protection from attacks of the enemy. God has promised in His word that He will forgive our sins and hear from heaven and will heal our land. Let's believe Him. If we God's people do not act now it will be to late for this nation to change and much trouble is on the way AND IT WILL BE OUR FAULT. Begin today praying as God told us to do. God bless our efforts and may He give us the grace to carry it out. Thank all of you that will respond. Remember, you are important to God and His efforts to save America.
14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Here we have God's formula for His blessings to come upon us again. First He says we have to get rid of our pride. We must humble ourselves. He is not speaking to sinners but to us His people. We as Christians have become to proud of ourselves rather than proud of God. We think we know what is best. If we didn't think this then we would be on our knees asking God to turn this nation around. Let me ask you, how much have you been earnestly praying for this nation rather than just complaining about it? What are we waiting for? God is ready to help but we must ask. James 4:2-3 (NKJV)
2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we must pray and seek His face. Seeking God's face is more than just an occasional God bless America. Seeking means we search and search for His will earnestly. Every day we continue to look for Him through prayer. Then that scripture tells us we must turn from our wicked ways. We are to turn from those things that we know in our hearts that are not right. We must make bible reading a priority in our lives. Prayer is essential every day. When we earnestly pray we are seeking His face. Pastor John Hagee is asking people to join him and his church as they begin 40 days of prayer for our nation beginning on September 20th- October 30th. Will you be one of those who will take the time to pray for this beloved nation of ours? I pray that you will. I am going to be one that will. We have got to begin to do what God is telling us if we want God to turn this nation around and if we want protection from attacks of the enemy. God has promised in His word that He will forgive our sins and hear from heaven and will heal our land. Let's believe Him. If we God's people do not act now it will be to late for this nation to change and much trouble is on the way AND IT WILL BE OUR FAULT. Begin today praying as God told us to do. God bless our efforts and may He give us the grace to carry it out. Thank all of you that will respond. Remember, you are important to God and His efforts to save America.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Real Truth
In John 18:38 Pontius Pilate asked Jesus "What is truth?" Pilate had the truth right before him. He didn't really want to know the truth and that's why Jesus didn't answer him. So sometimes people really do not want to know the truth. We know because of Pilate's actions and by the way we see so many people today going to other religions. Lets look at the truth of which nations are blessed and prosperous and which ones are still bound in in poverty and bondage to their leaders. The nations who believe in Jesus Christ are the ones that are blessed and prosperous and the others are in poverty and bondage to those that rule over them. John 8:31-33 (NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
The truth is in Jesus Christ and no one else. When you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins against God and invite Him into your heart you will experience the truth and if you abide in Him you will know the truth about which religion is true and which is false. Jesus said in John 14:6 (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. This is the only truth. There are not many truths. There is the truth and everything else is false. So this being the case we cannot except other religions that try to tell us there are other ways to God. I repeat there is only one truth and its found in Jesus Christ. No other religion has a Savior. They are all trying to find the way to God by trying to be good. But their good is only in their eyes. The bible says there is none good, no not one. Psalms 14:3 (NKJV)
They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Romans 3:9-12 (NKJV)
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." Now we can see why mankind needs a Savior. If none are good in God's eyes then no one can work their way into His presence and spend an eternity with Him. Just keeping rules and laws does not change a corrupt and sinful heart, it takes the Holy Spirit of God working within us to make that change. Just look at what people do who call themselves good. They can even kill for no cause, subject people to bondage and poverty and call it good. Jesus was the only One who never sinned. God Himself sent Jesus to save us from our sins. That is the truth. Do you know of anyone who has never sinned? Therefore we need a Savior and that Savior is none other than Jesus Christ the Anointed One, the only begotten Son of God. If you need further proof that the bible is truth, what if everyone lived as the bible says to live? The result would be perfection. No other religion offers that. I challenge anyone to sincerely seek the truth and ask God to show them. If you want to know the truth to act on it, God will show you the truth. Deep in your soul you will know. The truth is if you ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and invite Him into your life and then confess Him with your mouth as your Lord and Savior and then believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved and His Spirit will begin to work in your life. Then you will be a new creation and old things will pass away, thus a heart change. 2 Corinthians 5:17) You will have a home in heaven when you leave this earth. Begin to read the bible and grow in truth. Please leave a comment and let me know if you have received Him as your Savior and Lord. The comment button is under this article. Click on it and the comment page will open up. May God bless each of you and may you always know the truth as found in Him. May you become rich in the things of God.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
The truth is in Jesus Christ and no one else. When you ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins against God and invite Him into your heart you will experience the truth and if you abide in Him you will know the truth about which religion is true and which is false. Jesus said in John 14:6 (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. This is the only truth. There are not many truths. There is the truth and everything else is false. So this being the case we cannot except other religions that try to tell us there are other ways to God. I repeat there is only one truth and its found in Jesus Christ. No other religion has a Savior. They are all trying to find the way to God by trying to be good. But their good is only in their eyes. The bible says there is none good, no not one. Psalms 14:3 (NKJV)
They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Romans 3:9-12 (NKJV)
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." Now we can see why mankind needs a Savior. If none are good in God's eyes then no one can work their way into His presence and spend an eternity with Him. Just keeping rules and laws does not change a corrupt and sinful heart, it takes the Holy Spirit of God working within us to make that change. Just look at what people do who call themselves good. They can even kill for no cause, subject people to bondage and poverty and call it good. Jesus was the only One who never sinned. God Himself sent Jesus to save us from our sins. That is the truth. Do you know of anyone who has never sinned? Therefore we need a Savior and that Savior is none other than Jesus Christ the Anointed One, the only begotten Son of God. If you need further proof that the bible is truth, what if everyone lived as the bible says to live? The result would be perfection. No other religion offers that. I challenge anyone to sincerely seek the truth and ask God to show them. If you want to know the truth to act on it, God will show you the truth. Deep in your soul you will know. The truth is if you ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and invite Him into your life and then confess Him with your mouth as your Lord and Savior and then believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved and His Spirit will begin to work in your life. Then you will be a new creation and old things will pass away, thus a heart change. 2 Corinthians 5:17) You will have a home in heaven when you leave this earth. Begin to read the bible and grow in truth. Please leave a comment and let me know if you have received Him as your Savior and Lord. The comment button is under this article. Click on it and the comment page will open up. May God bless each of you and may you always know the truth as found in Him. May you become rich in the things of God.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Finding Real Contentment
When we begin to answer this question of where to find real contentment let us hear from the wisest man who ever lived. King Solomon calls himself the preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:1. We will look in chapter 2 for this study so open your bible and follow me as we walk through this chapter. In this chapter King Solomon recalls his attempt to find something on this earth that will bring lasting satisfaction, contentment and real value. If you could have anything you wanted to make you happy and bring you contentment what would you choose? King Solomon had the money and the wisdom to try it all. He sought mirth (gladness) by enjoying pleasure of all kinds but he concluded that this is vanity or emptiness. Then in verse 4 he tried wine to satisfy his flesh. Then he made great works like building himself many houses and planting vineyards, gardens, orchards, waterpools, had many servants, herds, flocks, silver, gold,singers, and musicians. So he became great and excelled more than all who were before him all the while his wisdom remained with him. In Chapter 2 verse 10 he said "Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; (verse11) Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and indeed all was vanity (emptiness) and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun." Then in the rest of that chapter he goes on and on about the things he tried and then he says in verse17-23 he said he hated life and all his labors and he despaired of all his attempts to find contentment. Then in verses 24-26 he sees that what good a man can enjoy down here comes from the hand of God. In verse 26 he says "For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This is also vanity and grasping for the wind." So even gaining wealth is vanity and grasping for the wind without God. Go outside and try to grab a handful of wind and see the foolishness of trying to find real contentment on this earth apart from God. He says "God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy." So even those who are of little biblical learning can easily see the truth. Don't get caught up in the things of this world because without God everything you attempt will end up useless and vain or in other words good for nothing. Everything is in the hand of God and the best thing you and I can do is get as close to Him as we can while we still have time and see if that does not solve the things we worry about. So let's practice "Casting all your care upon Him because He cares for you.(1 Peter 5:7) and "Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added." (Matthew 6:33) Lets stop trying to straddle the fence. It will tear you apart and bring nothing but worries, cares, miseries and more trouble. We must learn John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy, I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly." Which do you choose, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. To be good as was stated in verse 26 you must know Jesus as your personal Savior. You do that by admitting your sins to Jesus. Ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and you shall be saved. Not maybe, not hope so, it is a certainty. Read the scriptures at the bottom of this page to help you understand. Then make your decision for Jesus known by being baptised in a church. Begin to attend that church and worship the Lord that saved you. Thank Him right now FOR SAVING YOU!
Monday, August 9, 2010
God Vs. The Devil
I would like to adress this article to the Christians that might be reading it. Today I hear so much talk among Christian people about how strong the devil is. This truly bothers me. I know the devil is real but I also know that his power is nothing when you compare it to the power of af God. It seems to me that our focus is on the wrong one. In 1 John 4:4 it says "You are of God little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." In verse 3 John says that all such belief in the power of the devil is the spirit of Antichrist. Now lets look at verse 4 again! You are of God if you have been saved, and if you are not saved then you can be by recognizing God says that "all men have sinned and fallen short of His glory." Admit you are a sinner and ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins against a holy God (Romans 3"23). If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you shall be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) Since the power of God has saved you from the power of the devil to take you to hell, which one would you say is stronger. As a Christian we have overcome them. Them being Satan and his demons and all those he would put in our path. Remember our power comes from God which is stronger than any other power that exsists. The only power the devil has over the Christian is when he can get you in your mind to agree with him about how strong he is. The bible tells us in James 4:7 to "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Christian listen to what the greater power (God) says, not what the devil is telling you. If you resist him he will flee from you. If your mind is not agreeing with God's statement then who are you really listening to? You as a child of God have been given power and authority over the devil but he will try to fool you and convince you that God is a liar just like he did Eve. But notice in James 4:7 there is something we have to do and that is "submit" to God's word and stand fast in it against all enemies. The word "submit" means to give over or yield to the power and authority of another. Give yourself over to God's power and authority. Start to speak as God would in your situation. When you say you can't that is what the devil wants to hear. You have spoken his words and submitted to the devil's power rather than to the power of God. There is power in your words. God works when you speak His words. The devil has power over you when you speak his words of hopelessness and defeat. We by our minds and words give either God or the devil power over our situation. If you are rational in your thinking you must agree. It is not true that the devil is so powerful that we can't resist his moves in our lives. What happens is this. We think it is harder to take God's word on a subject that it is the devil. We "submit" ourselves to the devil by agreeing with him about the situation before us instead of "submitting" ourselves to God and His words. If this angers you then you can know that you are guilty of "submitting" to the wrong one. But the good news is you can change all that right now. Ask God to forgive you of listening to the devil more than Him. Begin to read and claim the word of God over your life and daily circumstances that you find yourself in. You are a vital part of this ministry. Please pray for the upcoming articles and pray that everone who reads these articles will be changed by the power of God and He will have His way in all our lives. God loves us and wants to give us peace,not evil, a future and a hope. (JEREMIAH 29:11) Lets believe God's word and believe Him to send the devil to hell where he belongs! Remember the power of your mind. Be careful to whom you let influence you.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Last Days
The bible says in 2 Timothy 3:1" That in the last days perilous times will come-( perilous means times of stress). For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away."
We see this today everywhere we turn and see and hear these things on the news daily. My heart is saddened each time I read some of the decisions that our so-called judges are making. When their opinion becomes the standard instead of God's word then we know that this great nation is on its way down. It is time for all of God's people to rise up in prayer and seek the face of our Father in heaven. We need to make God's word a priority in our lives so we will not be fooled by what is going on today. There are many people right now as you read this that are planning destruction for America. The news seems to not want to publish these facts. The only cure for America is God and respect for His way. When judges make decisions that are in opposition to God's word guess what is going to happen. The bible says we are to be alert because our adversary the devil as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour. You and I don't want to be the one whom he devours. (1Peter 5:8) So we must be on the lookout for his tactics. When you and I are in prayer and reading the word of God daily or as often as we can we will be alerted to anything that is in opposition to His word. We will turn away from such things. As I stated in a previous article you are important to God. You as a child of God have been given the privilege of audience with Him to make your petitions and believe Him for the answers. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." You and I can do something that will make a difference in our nation and families if we don't get weary and faint. We are not helpless and have influence with the God of glory who is our Father and who wants us to have a future and a hope, peace and not evil. Read Jeremiah 29:11-13 again and then claim it for not only ourselves but for our nation. If God's people refuse to do what He says then we will suffer the consequences. If we obey then the promises of God will be ours. Let's continue to be strong in the things of the Lord. Let us as the bible says "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added." (Matthew 6:33) As I close out this article, if you don't know God personally or even if you are not sure read the scriptures at the top of this page, then pray and ask Jesus to forgive your sins, invite Him into your life to take charge of it and then go to a church somewhere and make a public profession of your faith in Him and be baptized. Then attend regularly! Your life will be blessed richly! Chritians lets not "grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9) Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) We serve an awesome God, nothing is to hard for Him.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
GOD'S DOMINION
There is a story in the bible of a king of Babylon named Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel Chapter 4) He was a mighty king who ruled over the known world at that time. His kingdom became so great that he began to be filled with pride. He was not a believer in Jehovah God. But God wanted him to know that He is the mighty One. God wanted Nebuchadnezzar to know that He was the One who put him in the position that he was in and that He could take him out. Without God's help he would not have been a mighty king. He would not have been able to accomplish what he did unless God had given him that power and God was fixing to get his attention. He had a dream that was interpreted by Daniel the prophet in which Nebuchadnezzar would be driven from men and caused to live as a wild animal and eat the grass of the field and he would lose his right mind for a period of seven years until he realized "that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. He gives it to whomever He will,and sets over it the lowest of men." (Daniel 4:17) "At the end of the seven years Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes to heaven and his understanding returned to him and he blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation." (Daniel 4:34) Verse 35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" Now since we have heard what one of the mightiest kings of the earth had to say about the God of heaven whom we serve, I want to ask you, why do you worry about tommorrow? Why don't we trust God no matter what because He is going to have His way in the end. What I believe makes us worry is we that we are not continually focused on God. We are told by Jesus in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tommorrow. We are to "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) That is what this ministry is all about, keeping our focus on God and His word. If we do this we will be blessed of God and victorious in every situation we face and if we don't we will suffer needlessly. Lets listen to the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar and not have to go through what he did until he realized who rules in all the affairs of men no matter how great they may think they are. God's dominion is over all and that includes you and I. His dominion includes our government, our families, our economy, the world situation and our lives. Lets all do like Nebuchadnezzar did in verse 34, let's lift our eyes to heaven and bless the Most High God and praise and honor Him who lives forever and ever. "Let's cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us."(1 Peter 5:7) If you are reading this and you don't really personally know the Most High God, you can right now if you choose to. Read the scriptures at the bottom of this page and then pray and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins against a holy God and then invite Him into your life to take charge of it and help you live the abundant life and when this life is over heaven will be yours.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Importance of God's Word
There are many things that are important to us in this life. Things like food, shelter, clothing, finances, and transportation just to mention a few. But the most important thing in our lives is the word of God. Jesus shows us this in Luke 4:1-12 when He was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Every time the devil tried to get Him to turn from God's direction for His life He would always fight the devil with the word of God. After every temptation Jesus would say "It is written." After forty days without anything to eat the devil told Jesus to turn the stones into bread to satisfy His hunger but Jesus told the devil "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." You see the importance that Jesus placed on the Father's word in His life. Jesus as a man had read the word of God from childhood. It directed His life. Jesus shows us here the need for the word of God in our lives. Without the word of God we have no direction in this life. We have no power in our lives and I believe this is one of our problems today. Our children have had the word of God taken from them. People today do not consider the word of God important anymore. It is our duty as parents and grandparents and even great granparents to help expose our children to the word of God and we can't do that if we ourselves haven't read His word. How could anyone go through life successfully without the road map of God's word. God's word tells us the first most important thing in our lives is to personally know Him. He even tells us how to have a personal relationship with Him. Read scriptures located at the top of this page. He says that we must admit our sins against Him, be willing to turn from them and believe that He died on that cross for us. Then ask His Son Jesus to forgive us and invite His Spirit to live in our hearts. When we invite Jesus into our lives His Spirit comes to reside in us. Then the Holy Spirit leads us to read God's word and then He opens up our understanding of the word of God and shows us the importance of that word in our lives. The absence of God's word in the lives of people today is the major reason for the problems we face. Most of the problems we face today either in our personal lives, as families, or as a nation comes from a lack of direction from God which we can only get form His word. I want to encourage you if you are not already reading God's word on a regular basis please begin to do so and I promise you your life will drastically change for the better. We can have an abundant life but we must know how to make it a reality in our lives and that comes from reading and doing what the word of God tells us. His Spirit within us will give us the power to live as God says. May I ask you a question? How important is God's word to you? Do you read it regularly? Daily? The more you read it the more of God's blessings you will find in you life and those blessings will flow on down to your children and grandchildren and on and on. God wants to give us peace, a wonderful future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11), but if we are not reading the word of God, how will we know how to make this a reality in our lives? If you need more encouragement to read God's word look at the world around you. It is falling apart! The main reason is because we have abandoned God's word. He created life and He knows what is best for His creatures. Every thing we see around is temporary and will soon fade away but the word of God stands forever! (Psalm 119:89) May God help us to keep the word of God at it's rightful place in our lives so we can be fully blessed. This website was created to help and encourage us to do that. "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countanence upon you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26) Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page to let others know what you think about God's word and encourage them.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
God's Way -The Power Of Prayer
We have been talking about God's ways versus our ways. In the previous article I left off with verse 11 of Jeremiah 29. Now to continue in verse 12 let's look at God's promise to us where He says "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." God says that after you realize that I have you in My thoughts and when you know that those thoughts are for your good and not for evil, then you will call upon Me in prayer. Prayer is simple conversation between God and you. You can tell Him anything and everything and take your most dire need to Him and ask for His help. Hebrews 4:16 says "Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Notice we receive mercy -compassion for the miserable- and grace-unmerited favor of God-, that's what we need most. Prayer has a tendency to bring us closer to God in our relationship with Him. It makes us stronger to face the storms of life. This is what He really desires for all His children. No one will pray much or their prayer will be weak until they are convinced in their hearts that God truly has their best interest on His mind. This is why I am bringing this series of articles and that is the purpose of this website. To bring God's word of good, peace and the promises of a wonderful future, and the continuous hope that is not only for now but goes on into all eternity. (1 Corinthians 13:13) God tells us in the last part of verse 12 that He promises when you pray He will listen to you. You and I have been promised an audience with the very creator of the universe who has the power to do what we might ask of Him and even more than we could ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20) When He says He will listen that is the end of the subject no matter what someone else might say. Let God be true and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)What about the answer to our prayers? Can we trust God for our best? Well from the scriptures we have been looking at and many many more we can rest assured about His thoughts toward us. We can rest assured by the word of God that He only thinks good thoughts toward us. He knows how to deliver those in need. Remember our faith plays an important part in our prayers. Real faith simply means we believe God at His word. God is more concerned about our welfare than we ourselves are. He always wants good for us. I have placed a website for looking up bible words on the right side of the webpage. Click on it and then type in prayer, mercy, and grace, one at a time of course, and then it will show you all the scriptures for these words. You will be amazed and blessed! God bless you and draw you to Him is my prayer for you. Pray for me that God leads in the writing of these articles as we "Feast on God's Word." There is more to come!
Monday, July 26, 2010
GOD'S WAY OF PEACE
Some people are very negative toward God because they hear so much talk about Him that is simply not true. Thats why we should read the bible so we can know for ourselves what God's plan for us is and how He feels about us. We can even read God's mind when it comes to how He feels about His people and the plans He has for His people. You may think that is an arrogant statement but lets look at the scripture and see if its true. First of all in Jeremiah 29:11 God says that He is thinking of us. What a thrilling statement from God. He makes very plain that we are the focus of His thoughts. That should tell us the importance He places on us His people. If you have asked Jesus Christ to save you from hell then you are one of His. If you have not asked Jesus to save you you should do that right now. Just bow your head and admit that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and save you from the penalty of your sins which is hell. If you do that then God tells you and all Christians what He has planned for you. Lets read God's mind again. He says that the first plan He is thinking for us is peace and not evil. God wants us to have peace! This peace is on the inside. Peace with ourselves and with God. Tranquility of soul. Most of the evil in the world comes from this lack of peace within. Lack of peace within causes mankind to seek alternative measures such as drugs, alcohol, success, popularity, sexual immorality, and even war. You see real peace comes only from one source and that is Jesus. John 14:27 (NKJV)
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Thats why it is so important that you know that you have been saved by Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John14:6 "that He is the only way to the God." Make sure of your salvation. When Jesus saves you His Spirit comes to live within you. He is the basis for real peace. EPHESIANS 2:14 says "He Himself is our peace." 1 John 5:13 says "These things have I written to you that believe in the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you can continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." When you know for sure you are saved then you can have "peace that passes all understanding."(PHILIPIANS 4:7) That verse goes on to say that His peace will "guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord." I close out with Clossians 3:15 "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful.16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." We have to let the peace of God rule by reading His word and doing everything in His name all the while giving thanks through the Lord Jesus. This website is dedicated to helping us do that. If you keep coming back you will surely begin to experience His peace. Next article we will continue this verse in Jeremiah 29:11 and look closely to what else it is saying. In the mean time read it for yourself and let God speak to your heart. Look up peace in a bible dictionary! You can also help let God's peace rule in your heart by attending church where you can be further encouraged in the things of God.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Thats why it is so important that you know that you have been saved by Jesus Christ. Jesus says in John14:6 "that He is the only way to the God." Make sure of your salvation. When Jesus saves you His Spirit comes to live within you. He is the basis for real peace. EPHESIANS 2:14 says "He Himself is our peace." 1 John 5:13 says "These things have I written to you that believe in the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you can continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." When you know for sure you are saved then you can have "peace that passes all understanding."(PHILIPIANS 4:7) That verse goes on to say that His peace will "guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord." I close out with Clossians 3:15 "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful.16a Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him." We have to let the peace of God rule by reading His word and doing everything in His name all the while giving thanks through the Lord Jesus. This website is dedicated to helping us do that. If you keep coming back you will surely begin to experience His peace. Next article we will continue this verse in Jeremiah 29:11 and look closely to what else it is saying. In the mean time read it for yourself and let God speak to your heart. Look up peace in a bible dictionary! You can also help let God's peace rule in your heart by attending church where you can be further encouraged in the things of God.
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