Saved By Grace

Titus 2:3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish,disobedient,deceived,serving divers lust and pleasures,
living in malice and envy,hateful and hating one another."

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God";there is none righteous,no not one,there is none who wants to obey the Lord,none who wants to do His will.There is not one who is able to walk in the Holy manner in which we have been called to walk in,we all had to be born again.If we could have done better,Jesus would not have had to die.

We who have been saved by the grace of God, need to be careful in our dealings with others.Sometime in our effort to be Holy we come across as being self righteous, acting as if we are better than someone else.We who have receive the Lord in our life are better off,but we are not better than anyone,for Jesus shed just as much blood for the least and He did for the greatest.We tend to sometimes forget that we at one time was lost,we were foolish,disobedient,deceived,many are still deceived,serving the lust,will, and desires of the flesh, under the disguise of religion."But by the grace of God there go I".We have to remember the kindness and love God shared with us when He gave us Jesus.It was according to His mercy that He saved us,He blessed us with a heart to receive Jesus in our life.There was nothing we did,for Jesus said we didn't choose Him ,but He choose us.

Let us be kind to those still in darkness,let us love them with the same love Christ loved us with.Let us pray that the Father forgives them for they know not what they do.Let us lay down our life by putting aside our wishes,wants,thoughts,and ambitions,and let the Lords will be done. Remember but for the grace of God,that lost soul could be you.... 

Lost In The Church

Luke 15:8 "Either what woman having ten pieces of silver,if she lose one piece,doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently til she find it".


Lost in the church! This is a real situation in today's church.In this era of self claimed, self named,and self famed religions and ministries, there are many following the ways of man they have become lost to the word of God.Many have elevated the man of God over the word of God.We have allowed so much of the worlds beliefs, and the traditions of man to influence the worship and service of God,that many are so lost in these traditions and rituals that they can't see Christ for themselves.

In the parable the woman lost her coin,the coin was in the house yet it was lost.There are many in the church but they are lost.They are in darkness lost amiss the mess that have crept into the church.Lost in the untruth which is being proclaimed from the pulpit.Lost in the itchy ear teaching as we try to please man instead of pleasing God.The woman had to turn on the lights and we must turn the light of Christ on, proclaim the true gospel message of Christ and him crucified, that all who here might diligently seek Christ for their life.Then   she began to sweep the house removing all that hindered her finding the coin.We to with the gospel must sweep the house,cleaning out all that can hinders the lost from coming to the knowledge of Christ and Him crucified.

There is much that takes place in God's house and by the man of God, that is not in line with the word or spirit of God.We must not let the people of God placed in leadership positions become bigger than the God we serve or the word of God we follow.Study God's word for yourself,let it direct you feet and light your path.Let His spirit rest rule and abide over and in your life that you are not lost in the church.

Hungry Man-Angry Man:Feed My Lambs

John21:15"So when they had dined,Jesus saith to Simon Peter,Simon,son of Jonas,Lovest thou me more than these?He saith unto him,yea Lord;thou knowest that I love thee,He saith unto him,Feed my lambs".

Feed my lambs! these are the instructions given to us by our savior.Those of us who have been blessed to have received the bread of heaven,are now instructed by the Savior to feed his lambs.Jesus revealed himself to us, that he is the Christ,the son of the living God, and we are now to feed this truth to a lost and dying world.This is the design of his precious Gospel, it wasn't written for a pastime,nor was it published for a profit, but it was written and published so that man could be brought to Christ.Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim this truth of the gospel message, that all might enjoy the salvation of the lord.We don't need to dress it up or add anything to it, the gospel will do what it was designed to do. It was not designed to feed the flesh of man, but to feed the spirit of man.A hungry man is a angry man, and this world is angry and hungry for the truth of God's word.

Jesus ask Peter if he loved him more than he loved these, and he is asking us the same question?Do you love me more than you love these things,and these people who occupy your life.Do you love me more than your friends, family, and even yourself.Jesus wanted to know the extent of Peters love for him,he wants to know the extent of our love for him.He knows but he wants to know if we know, are we willing to lose our life to save it.So he says "If you love me feed my lambs."If we truly love God we should be willing to lay aside our will and petty differences and feed those he died for.Someone shared the good news to us, and we should be willing to share it with someone else.The same gospel which lead us to Christ, will lead someone else to Christ.It is the duty of all who are called of Christ to feed his sheep, to feed them with knowledge,and the truth of the gospel.Feed them with the word of God that they might be wise unto salvation.Feed them, don't just put something before them and hope they eat,but feed them,those who are to hateful and stubborn to eat on their own. Feed those who are too weak or cannot feed themselves.Don't feed them the cake and candy messages of today,which will only make them fat and useless,but feed them the meat of the word that they may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work.

We might not be able to feed everyone we want, but let each of us just feed everyone we can,and together we will feed the whole world, one lamb at a time.So if you love the Lord,feed his lambs.

A Holy Calling

1 Thessalonians 4:7 "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,but unto holiness".

"You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"This quote has become a common catch phrase among believer.Anyone can grow up in church or hang around church people and pick up church language."I'm too blessed to be stressed"."I'm saved,sanctified,and filled with the holy ghost". Does the public and private life of a believer reflect his or her church jargon, or are these just catchy phrases used to cover up ones short comings?

God is calling us,God speaks to us in various ways, and he is calling us to stand up in the holiness of his darling son he sent to die that we might live. Perhaps we've heard the still,small voice of his spirit directing our spirit.Or maybe our conscience has screamed at us when we've headed toward something we know isn't pleasing to God.Maybe some instruction in God's word has hit us squarely between the eyes when we've needed it most.And then there are the timely conversations with the other Christians that brings us a needed word of encouragement,direction,or warning. Yes God is speaking to us,calling us to holiness.But are we listening? Sometimes we're so busy with us, we don't really stop long enough to acknowledge or absorb what He's saying to us. At other times we may not want to hear what He's saying because it doesn't suit us. Or we may just not take the time when we have it, because we're "not in the mood" to spend time with God.(let us be honest with ourselves)

Hopefully, though this isn't the norm for us.As Christians, we should long to hear from God and approach Him with a heart that is eager to listen and please him.But it can be a battle to fight against our own will, as well as the will of the world's demands pressing in on our time and attention.That why it is so important to have some quiet time set aside everyday (maybe 2 or 3 times a day) just to spend time with God. Time set aside to listen to his instructions. The time of day we do this is not as important as having the readiness of heart and mind to not only receive what God is telling us, but also to obey what he tells us. God is calling us to holiness, the word says "be ye Holy as I am Holy", but we'll need to be listening in order to hear His call.

 

Jesus said that those who follow Him should live in such a way, so that others would see their good works and glorify God in Heaven.So our holiness is more than just a matter of personal spiritual growth; it's a matter of honoring God and proclaiming Him to the world.To most of the world we are the only way they will see God. Are you an accurate reflection of our Saviors? Does your actions, attitude, and way of life ,show Christ like characteristics? Will you answer God's call to Holiness?

A Living Rest In Peace

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"

Here we have an inventation from the Lord, all things are ready.It is the great gospel cry,let him who hath ear hear,let whosoever will, come; for today is the day of salvation harden not your hearts.All things ready, all things prepared, all things removed which would hinder our comming and accepting this invite.Jesus has made himself known to us, he's giving us the opportunity to learn of him. It is finished, the foundation laid, the great invitation now offered, but we must accept it.It's offered to all who realize the burden of sin,those who are convienced of the evil of sin,those tired of being in and of the world,there is a promised rest,and all are invited.

First we must come to this rest, for it is in the best interest for sinners to come to Jesus.We must disassociate ourselves with all that stands between us and the promised rest of the Lord.We must give ourselves up to his conduct, submit to his rule and come to him freely,willingly and on his terms.It's his rest offered to all, but only given to those who truly desire his salvation.Let us come to him and take on his yoke,laying down our yoke of sin,for his yoke is easy.Take his yoke,for his yoke will free us from the bondage of sin and death. Take on his yoke of a servant, so that we might be diligent in our service to God.His yoke of submission, that we will humbly and patiently wait on our change to come.His yoke of obedience,that we might walk in his commands and his statues; yoked together with his love,that we have love one for another.Take on his yoke and learn of him,his yoke, that is lined with love and carries the hope of heaven.

And he will give us rest,enter his promised rest.The rest that comes from Jesus, the rest that is with Jesus, the rest that is in Jesus, in fact the rest is Jesus.It is a living rest in peace that only comes from Jesus He gives it to every soul that comes to him in faith seeking this rest.Come rest from the terror of sin, the power of sin,and the guilt of sin.Jesus Christ our rest in the Lord, we're all invited in , will you accept the invite?

Loving A Harlot

Hosea 1:2 "And the Lord said to Hosea,Go take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms:for the land hath committed great whordom,departing from the Lord.

The church of the living God.The bride of Christ,purchased with the blood of Christ, and yet she has turned to a woman of whoredom.Choosen to be a spiritual beauty,she has become material girl to be sold to the highest bidder.She has become more interested in making money than she is about saving souls, giving birth to children of whoredom.She professed to love the Lord,but she prositutes herself for the things of this world.

The Church of the living God,built upon the foundation of Peter confession to Jesus,that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God,but this message has gotten lost.Jesus gave His life for the Church, He paid for it yet she has wondered into the way of a harlot. The message she preached has changed from one of soul saving to one of fund raising.The church of God revelation has been replaced with the many ministries of mans imagination.So much of the world has been invited into the temple, the temple has been turned from a house of worship, to a worldly prositute, following what ever will bring in the most money.The under shepherds have turn from servants of the Lord, to servants of self.
Like a dime store pimp they use the church of God to line their pockets,and fill their lives with the toys of this world, preying on the flock instead of praying over the flock.

The Love of God,His church, has turned away from the truth of God's word, to the empty promises of this world.But God is faithful and He stands with His arms stretched wide open awaiting her return. Let us go back to God, let the church get back to the business of saving souls.Let the men of God be servants of God that they might be better leaders to the people of God.

So Good;IJust can't Tell It All

Psalms 116:7 "Return unto thy rest,O my soul;for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee".

In these troubled times we can get pulled away from the rest and peace of the Lord by the trials and percieved troubles of this world.We without even being aware of it ,at times begin to focus on that which we don't have and we don't thank and praise God for that which we do have.Through it all we must remember that God has been good to us.

We must remember that when we were lost in darkness on our way to hell, He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross to save our souls.Everything we need God gave us when he gave us Jesus.In Jesus we have salvation, in Jesus He has supplied our every need, in Jesus He our battles are won,in Jesus our enemies must behave, in Jesus we have rest and peace for our souls.So let us return to the Lord,he said in His word "take no thought", we already have the victory, our needs have already been met,but we must walk in the faith that we have all that we need.Jesus does have all power,and we must live in the faith that we are victorious, and believe that no weapon formed against us shall prosper,that all things do work together for the good to them who love the Lord,and return for the Lord has been good to us.

As I look over my own life,even in these hard times, God has supplied my every need.The world said I was unfit to live ,but God felt I was to precious to die.Today as I look back I see that God has been good to me,and woe with me if I don't preach the gospel of Jesus Christ,the power of God unto Salvation. He has been so good I just can't tell it all...........

Living A Hallelujah Life

John 15:8 "Here in is my Father glorified,that ye bear much fruit;so shall ye be my disciples".

We bring glory to God when we live a life before men that bears fruit,real fruit that will last.God's spirit working within us helps us change and begin producing right fruit in our lives.Galatians 5:22-23 list the fruit of God's Spirit, which becomes increasingly evident in us as we grow spiritually. Producing the fruit of righteousness is important,it is also important for us to understand that the credit for that fruit goes to God.We must strive to be acceptabled to God, not by our own righteousness,but with the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God.We must trust God to produce righteousness in us,for "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure".Yet there is a part we must also play.

When God calls us to be His children,He initiates a change in us from our formerly proud, and selfish, disobedient ways.He transforms us by renewing, or changing of our mind,a process to which we must surrender to. Paul said "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God"(Rom. 12:2). Transformation is not instantaneous,it requires ongoing changes in our thinking and outlook that permanently affect the way we live.We become " a living sacrifice,holy,acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service".

To bear good fruit we must have the mind of Christ, being like minded, having the same love, being on one accord, of one mind.Doing nothing out of selfish desires, or conciet, but with humility, esteeming others better than oneselfs.We must not look to our interest, but the interst of others.having this mind of Christ makes the  miracle of a transformed fruit bearing life possible.The symbolic meaning of baptism, represents both forgiveness of sins and newness of life in Christ.It should change our lives forever, especially when we recall that these blessings have come at a great price.Jesus Christ sacrificed His own life so we may gain ours through the forgiveness or our sins.We who accepts this truth are to live a fruit bearing life thus glorifying the Father which is in heaven.Let us worship him with our life and praise him with our living, that a lost soul might seek out the salvation of the Lord.Lets live a Hallelujah life and give God the highest praise.

Following The Crowd

Exodus 23:2 " thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt tou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment".

We live in a time where religion is big business.It is said that religion raises billions of dollars yearly. We are in the age of the mega church, the world famous preacher and the multiplatium chiors.In a time when it seems like anything is acceptable in God's house and from God's people and that God is o.k. with it all.We seem to be more concerned about the collection plate than we are the souls which Christ died for.

We who profess Christ are in fact telling the world that we are like Christ.That we bear His image ,His likeness, His character, His love, mercy, giving and forgiving, yet some of the actions we display are nothing at all like Christ.We have turned His house from one of prayer to a money making operation.We no longer feed the flock but we tend to feed off the flock.Jesus came to seek and to save the lost,yet we seem to be more interested in raising money than we are in saving souls.We must be careful not to be like Peter who denied Christ in favor of being like the crowd,or those who allowed the crowd to pursuade them to seek barabas and kill Jesus, when moments before they were shouting Hosana in the highest.Let us not get so caught up in the crowd that we lose track of who we proclaim to be.

God's word tells us not to follow the crowd to do evil,and don't pervert that which is right by siding with the crowd.We must be willing to stand alone,remember Christ as the suffering servant stood alone. The crowd is not always right, remember "narrow is the way and few that be that find it".When we profess to be Christ like, we must accept the whole Christ, the crucified Saviour and the risen Lord. Many want the joys of Christ ,but are unwilling to endure the suffering of Christ.But we are the head not the tail so lead and not follow.

God Has Not Forgot

Isaiah 49:15 "Can a woman forget her sucking child,that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget,yet I will not forget thee".


There are time in this life when we may wonder,does God still love me?Has He forgotten about me,does He even know the struggles that I am going through.We might wonder, have we stepped out of His will or have we made a wrong turn somewhere along lifes highway.We begin to look at the things and people in and of our life, searching,to see if we did something ,because we feel that God has forgotten all about us, that He has no Ideal of the things we are going through.But know this, God has not forgot.

God is aware of all that we face, and the storms of life which we go through.We at times can't see God working cause we are so wrapped up in our own personal moments of doubt and fear, that we don't notice He is keeping us in this very storm.That He is providing us with everything we need to get through each challenge.Remember you didn't think yesterday, that you would make it to today,yet here you are.How can God forget His child? He stretched out on an old rugged cross and died that you might be His child and you think He will forget you.A woman may forget her baby, but God can never forget His child.God has promised to supply our every need, and He is always true to His word. But we sometimes don't know what we need.Sometimes what we need is to spend time in prayer with the Lord,to call upon Him,and so Situations come in our life that will cause us to cry out unto the Lord.

Remember God is absolutely always in control.Nothing catches Him off guard and there is nothing that you are going through that He hasn't already prepared you for, and He has equipped you with all you need to make it through.It is just most of the time we are so lost in our pity parties, that we can't see all that God has for us,all He has given to us.We must never lose sight of the fact that God has not forgot.

My Soul Loves Jesus

Song of Solomon 3:4 " It was but a little that I passed from them,but I found him whom my soul loveth:I held him,and would not let him go,until I had brought Him into my mothers house,and into the chamber of her that concieved me".

The writter starts of with the phrase"I passed from them",We must go beyond the fellowship of the best of men,and commune with the keeper whom our soul loves.Our love must lead to action:"I sought Him"Those who truly love Jesus will seek him with all they have.And those that find Him will hold on to Him with all their might;and they will have to share Him; as the prophet said "It's like fire shut up in my bones",When you truly have Jesus you can't help but to share Him with all you see.

See the love of Jesus creates in our hearts ,love one for another.When we have him he lives within our spirits,His mind is our mind,his will is our will,and he is seen by others in all that we do.But first we must find Him;to find Christ ,one just needs to seek Him. The writter says "I found Him"; I a man,found the Lord of Glory;I a slave to sin, found the great delieverer;I, a child of darkness,found the light of the world;I the uttermost of the lost ,found my Savior and my God.Now I hold Him;Holding Him by not offending Him.First by being lazy,when the soul turns sleepy or careless,we tend to put Christ away.By beholden to Idols,for you can't serve two masters,nor hold on to two things.By being unwilling to be santified,or dwelling in an unholy house,we must remember to take Christ home with us,and let Him rule the house.If you only walk with Christ at church and never take Him home,you will soon part company with him forever.So hold on to Him and share Him with all.

When you diligently search for Christ in your heart, he shall be found,but then you must hold to Him by learning of Him,by loving Him,by obeying Him.Build a personal one on one realationship with him,then share him.Bring him to your house,not in word only but let others see him in you by your actions,and attitude.They say you can share anything you have,got Jesus?

You Do Have A Choice

Joshua 24:15 " and if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord,Choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood,or the gods of the Amorites,in whom land ye dwell:but as for me and my house,we will serve the Lord."

We were born in a life where we didn't have any part in a lot that was chosen for us.It is said to be a life of choice, but much of our life we really had no choice or say so in.Most of what stands before us when we come in this world, we had no choice or played no part in the decisions made which dealt us the hand we are left to play.

We had no choice in being born, or who our parents were.We didn't have a say as to who would be our siblings, if we will be raised in a wealthy or poor family, or our nationality.There is so much we deal with daily that we had no choice in,many circustances we come from we were put in without or consent or knowledge.But we are not bound by the choices that lay before us,or that were made for us, we are bound by the choices we make.Man is born in sin and shaped in iniquity,really through no fault of his own.Long before you or I was even thought of, situations had already taken place to make that choice for us.But thanks be to God even though that is a choice before us, it is not a choice we have to live with.As Joshua asked the children of Israel,we too have a chance to make a choice,a choice that will have a great influence over our life.We can choose life or we can choose death.

True there is much we have to deal with that we didn't have a choice in, but we do have the choice as if we will stay in those situations or circiumstances or not.Salvation is a personal thing,and we can choose to accept the free gift from God, or we can choose to turn it away.This is a choice we have,but it is a choice we must make every moment of everyday.Will we serve the true and living God or will we continue in the ways of this world.You have a choice,choose this day whom you will be a servant to..  

Live To Die Or Die To Live

Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affections,evil concupiscence,and covetousness,which is idolatry".(read 3:5-11)

Here this is a violent passage of scripture,a passage that attacks many people right where they are living.In this third chapter of Colossians,we see the violent demands of the believer's new life in Christ .It tells us to put to death the sins that enslaves the body and it's members.The word "mortify" means to put to death or act as though the body is dead.The believer is to take the various parts of his body and put them to death in so far as sin is concerned.How does one do this you ask?He considers his body to be hid in the death of Christ. He lives as though his body is dead with Christ.And remember a dead man cannot sin; a dead man can do nothing.Therefore, the believer is dead to sin,as he lives through Christ.

The point is this: it is an act of the mind or spirit.A person wants to live for God;therefore, he looks at his body and at sin.The only way he can possibly conquer sin is to treat his body as dead to sin or to consider sin as dead to his body.The person has to live as though his body has no part in sin,and sin has no part in his body.But note, this life is possible only in Christ.Christ alone,through the Holy Spirit,can work within the human heart and give it the energy and power to conquer sin permanently and eternally. Some men can discipline themselves to overcome some sin,but not all sin,and not all the time.This can only be done through Christ.There is an enormous difference between human discipline and godly control,and that difference is Jesus Christ.Not only are we told to put to death the sins that enslave the body,but we are also instructed to strip off the sins that enslave the emotions and the tongue(vs.8-11). Contrary to what we want to believe save people don't just act or speak any old kind of way.A Christian is Christ like in action as well as conversation.

What sins are to be mortified or put to death?The Bible is very specific, for there are some very specific sins which tend to enslave the human body.In fact,note the term "children of disobedience". These particular sins are not only terrible acts of disobedience to God,they are sins that can enslave the human body so much that they make a believer, a child of disobedience.How many are professing Christ here on the social network, yet are living in fornication,worshiping Idols,or using foul language.Some even boast about ungodly acts which they do like they are proud of them,children of disobedience.Rather we like it or not there is a demand put on all who profess this new life in Christ. 

The Simple Truth

Matthew 16:16 "And simon Peter answered and said,Thou art the Christ,the son of the living God".

What happened? Jesus asked the question to His disciples "who do you say that I am", and Peter answered and said "thou art the Christ the son of the living God". This is the simple truth that the whole foundation of today's church stands upon.Yet we felt the need to add our flavor to this truth like it wasn't able to do what God designed it to do.

After Peter made this confession, Jesus said " and the gates of Hell shall not prevail". Many seem to think that Jesus meant that hell would not enter into the church. But if you think about it a gate is designed to keep things out not to break in, and I don't know about you but I was full of hell when I entered into the church.The word of God says while I was yet a sinner Christ died for me.So i see hell did enter the Church, but the gate that hell had wrapped around my heart,the gate that it thought it had my soul locked behind could not keep that simple truth from penitrating my heart,convicting me of my sins and converting my soul.There is no heart this truth cannot convict, no life it cannot change, no soul that it cannot convert and no person it cannot save.

The world has deceived us into believeing that a lost soul cannot be saved by this simple truth.We have changed our message into something more along the lines of what we can get from God instead of what we can become for God.Our worship seems to be more of an entertaining show for the world and less about true elevation of the Lord and this simple truth "thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God".

Can You Really?

Philippians 4:13"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".

We who profess Christ are famous for quoting this scripture when we are challenged.But I ask the question? Can you really? Yes it is true that Jesus died on a cross, rose the third day morning with all power in His hands, and yes we do have access to this power through Christ,yet we tend to talk it more than walk it.

We seem to believe Jesus can make us rich,and famous.That He can bless us with the finer things of this world and yes He can, there is no limit to what God can do.But it seems when it comes to living a life pleasing to God,a life without sinning, we tend to have every excuse in the world as to why we can't.Now don't get me wrong, I am aware we cannot be perfected in the flesh, and the flesh itself is sinful so we will have sin with us every where we go.But it is like having a bottle of whiskey in your pocket,if you don't open it you can't get drunk.If we don't surrender to the lust ,will and desires of the flesh we won't give in to the sin that lies within the flesh.In fact Paul said if we walk in the spirit we won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.My point is Jesus died to save us from sin, yet we fill we have to sin. Are we saying that Jesus failed?If you truly believe that you can do all things through Christ, then let Christ lead you and live a life worthy of the name which we bear.Remember the spirit is willing, but it is the flesh that is weak,so walk in the spirit.

Now I am not claiming that any of us when saved will never sin again, no That is not what I am saying.But when you surrender your life to Christ,and you really believe that you can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth you, then the act of sin should be the exception and not the rule. Let us strive to get to the mountain top,closer to God, and leave the plains which is too close to Sodom,and do as Jesus told the woman,"go and sin no more"........

Come Out Shouting The Good News

Isaiah 48:20 "go ye forth of Babylon,Flee ye from the Chaldeans,with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this,utter it even to the end of the earth;say ye,the Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob".


We are not of this world,yet many still try to fit in where we don't belong.We are instructed not to conform to this world.We are now part of a heavenly body passing through on a earthly mission.God has delievered us from the things of this world.We are no longer governed by it's rules, guided by it's philosophies,moved by her motives,living by her laws or surrendering to her spirits.We don't have to chase her trinity,power, prestige,and prosperity.No we have been called from this confusion, as God has redeemed His servant Jacob.

God tells us to go forth,not backwards but forth out of Babylon,a place of confusion.Flee from the chaldeans,a people of confusion.He wants us to rid ourselves of those things and the people that do nothing but bring confusion in our lives.God is not the author of confusion,He is the prince of peace, our promised rest, so if there is confusion in your life, get rid of it,for it is not of God.Now He dosn't just want us to flee, but to rejoice while we flee,don't sneek away in the middle of the night,no he wants us singing, rejoicing with a loud voice.Jesus said to "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world".Tell everybody with a loud voice that God is a saviour.Let them know that God brought you out,out of the darkness, out of the bondage of sin, out of the land of confusion.Tell every creature, that Jesus Christ is the way.

Salvation is good news, but unfortunately it is also one of a Christians best kept secrets.We tend to show the world everything but the saviour.We spend more time spreading gossip than we do sharing the gospel.God want us to come from among the world of confusion,and let it be known that He is still God, still good, and He still saves.Let us rejoice in our salvation and introduce the world to our saviour,as we come out shouting the good news..

The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 9:16b "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel"!


The gospel of Jesus Christ , the power of God unto salvation.But did you know it is the power of God for everything that man needs.In the gospel of Jesus Christ, lies the truth of salvation,the way to salvation, and the life we are to live in salvation.The gospel of Jesus Christ will convict the hard heart convert the lost soul, encourage the weary spirit,and subdue the unwilling flesh.It is the power of God given to all who will accept it.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the message that will save man.In it lies the truth, that will lead one in darkness into God's marvelous light.The gospel of Jesus Christ, His birth, how He was born of a virgin, the perfect sacrifice for and imperfect people.He who knew no sin was made sin so we who was born of sin might be made free of sin.His death,how He died on a cross for the sin of all mankind while we were yet without strength,ungodly,unholy, while we were yet sinners Jesus was made a curse to free us from the curse.His resurrection,The new life we are given to live. How He rose on the third day morning with all power in His hands.The power for me to live a life pleasing unto God.The power for me to live a life that will lead others to the salvation of the Lord.Jesus the Christ and Him crucified the message that will convict and change a lost world.

Paul once said he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we to need not be ashamed of it. We don't need to dress it up,it don't need no extra spin on it, it will stand on its own.Yes there will be times it will hurt, for it is sharper than any two edged sword, but at the same time it cuts, it will also heal.When it convicts it will comfort,what it tears down it will build up.The gospel of Jesus Christ is complete and what it starts it will finish,so that the man of God will be throughly furnished unto all  good works...

Do You Love Me

John 13:35 "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples,if ye have love one for another."


Christian;to be like Christ,to be a servant of the most high God.How do we know who is and who is not a servant of God.What is it that separates the faithful church member or the religious enthusis from the true disciple of Christ.We have many claiming to be like Christ but the fruit they bear is more in line with the prince of this world.Jesus tells us how the world will know who are His.It is our love one for another.

We who profess Christ must be aware of the responsibility that comes with such a profession.When you accept Christ as the head of your life, when you truly believe in your heart the Lord Jesus,and confess with your mouth that God has raised Him from the dead, there is a cost that comes along with that confession.Jesus Himself tells us to count up the cost.See when you accept Christ you give us the right to hate those He shed His blood to save.Oh you can hate the sin but you must love the sinner. How can you truly say you love God and watch one He died for go unsaved.Now I am aware we can't save anybody but we can be like a street sign and point them in the right direction.See we must love inspite of.Inspite of who they are, inspite of what we think, feeel, know or want.Our love must be stronger than our religious affiliations, political parties, church denominations, race,creed, color, national origin or sexual preferance.God so loved the world, and all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

We live in a world that is hell bent on distruction.But we who have been born of God need to show the love of God.Let us not get so hung up with politics, religion, racial differences,denominations,or social stigmas, that we forget the commandment given to us by or saviour."To love one another as I have loved you".We are the light upon a hill and the world is looking to us for direction.We are the salt of the earth and the world needs us to put a stop to the spread of hatred and division.Let us come together as one in the love of our saviour that a world can be changed.
 We

Look Inward Not Outward

Nehemiah 9:2 "And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers,and stood and confessed their sins,and the iniquities of their fathers".

The first step towards redemption and reconciliation is acknowledgment of what we have done.The word of God tells us to confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.But most of us instead of acknowledging our shortcomings we tend to point fingers,and blame others or our situations for our faults.

We can't blame the internet for our addiction to porn, or the liquor stores for our alcohol addiction, no we must accept responsibility for our own actions.We are in the condition we are in, because of the choices we made, not because of the choices that were before us.In our text today the children of Israel realized their responsibility for their behavior.It is only by the truth that man can be made free.We cannot accept Christ in a lie,He is the truth, and it is in truth that we must receive Him ,any other way we are being deceived.

We can't grow spiritually until we take ownership of who we are and what we do.Everyone must confess his or her own sins.For with out repentance there is no remittance of sin.We must come to the knowledge that confession is an act of belief that God forgives.It is when we return to Him in truth that He will return to us in mercy and forgiveness.Let us spend more time in the mirror,and less time looking out the window.Look inward not outward.

Sharing The Good News

John21:15"So when they had dined,Jesus saith to Simon Peter,Simon,son of Jonas,Lovest thou me more than these?He saith unto him,yea Lord;thou knowest that I love thee,He saith unto him,Feed my lambs".

Feed my lambs! these are the instructions given to us by our savior.Those of us who have been blessed to have received the bread of heaven,are now instructed by the Savior to feed his lambs.Jesus has revealed himself to us, that he is the Christ,the son of the living God, and we are now to feed this truth to a lost and dying world.This is the design of his precious Gospel, it wasn't written for a pastime,nor was it published for a profit, but it was written and published so that man could be brought to Christ.Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim this gospel message, that all might enjoy the salvation of the lord.We don't need to dress it up or add anything to it ,the gospel will do what it was desgned to do. It was not designed to feed the flesh of man, but to feed the spirit of man.

Jesus ask Peter if he loved him more than he loved these, and he is asking us the same question?Do you love me more than you love these things,and these people who occupy your life.Do you love me more than your friends, family, and even yourself.Jesus wanted to know the extent of Peters love for him,he wants to know the extent of our love for him.(he knows but he wants to know if we know, are we willing to lose our life to save it.)So he says "If you love me feed my lambs."

If we truly love God we should be willing to lay aside our will and petty differences and feed those he died for.Someone shared the good news to us, and we should be willing to share it with someone else.The same gospel which lead us to Christ, will lead someone else to Christ.It is the duty of all who are called of Christ to feed his sheep, to feed them with knowledge,and the truth of the gospel. Feed the with the word of God that they might be wise unto salvation.Feed them, don't just put something before them and hope they eat,but feed them,those who are to hateful and stubborn to eat on their own. Feed those who are too weak or cannot feed themselves.Don't feed them the cake and candy messages of today,which will only make them fat and useless,but feed them the meat of the word that they may be thourghly furnished unto every good work.

We might not be able to feed everyone we want, but let each of us just feed everyone we can,and together we will feed the whole world, one lamb at a time.So if you love the Lord,feed his lambs.

He's Able

2 Timothy 1:12 "For the which cause I also suffer these things:nevertheless I am not ashamed:for I know whom I have believed,and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day".

Paul,who was whipped,persecuted,and imprisoned among other things is sustained by faith and by a sense of personal security in Christ Jesus.The meaning  which may be in the text:The gospel given to Paul,was able to keep until the judgment.See he knew the gospel was safe in th ecare of Jesus,for he knew that Jesus was the keeper of his soul.Paul felt great comfort as the result of committing his soul to Jesus.

What Paul had done was in feeling the value of his soul,knowing its danger,aware of his own weakness, believing in Jesus Christ the power of God, he placed his soul in Jesus hands.To heal him as a physican, to supply his needs as his shepherd; to be directed as his pilot;to plead his case as his advocate; and to guard over his soul as his protector.He had committed his soul to Jesus by an act of faith,that he continued to hold to.See Paul speaks not of believing in Jesus,but of believing Jesus, a personal faith in a personal Savior.He knew Jesus because he met Jesus for himself on the road to Damascus,and he constantly communed with the Lord,so he believed him.He was sure without doubt that the Lord could and would keep him.He says" I'm persuaded that he can keep me".So he was not ashamed, he was confident,he was thankful,and he was very cheerful,as he gladly praised the Lord in whom he trusted.This text is a confession of faith and a form of adoration.

 "I had lost that weary bondage of doubt which chained me for so many years.I have the same sin and temptations as before, and I strive against them now as before,and it is hard work.But where as I could not before see why I should be saved,I cannot now see why I should not be saved if Christ died for sinners.On that word I take my stand"(F.R.Havergal).Jesus Christ ,the power of God to keep us from falling, and the forgiveness of God when we do.Make Him the keeper of Your soul.

Inspite Of

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us".

Here we have God's unbelievable love and the great depth of Justification.This passage also gives one of the clearest definitions of God's love,agape love.It actuall shows the meaning of agape love.It is a new kind of love a love unknown to mankind.It is a godly love,a sacrificial love,a love that gives itself for those without strength,for the ungodly,for sinners,and for the enemies of God.It's God's unbelievable love.A Love Inpite of.

God's great love is seen in this unbelievable act.We were without strength; we were weak,worthless, useless, helpless,hopeless,destitute,powerless, we were spiritually unable to help ourselves.We were ungodly,not like God,different from God,profane,having a different lifestyle than God.We were on our way to Hell in a hurry, and in due time, in God's time, He sent His Son to die for us.See mankind had to be prepared for Christ before God could send Him into the world.We had to know that we were sinners in need of salvation.Even now we must come to the realization that we are lost before we will began to look to be saved.Christ died for us,for our benifit, because of our sins.Christ didn't died for those who  were righteous or holy,but God commended His love toward us that while we were yet sinner, still in sin, enemies to God, Christ died for us. 

It is impossible for the carnal mind to fully comprehend all that God did for man that man might be reconciled back to his loving creator.So Jesus told us to only believe.Let us take God at His word and accept on faith this unbelievable love He has given us.Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Come out Of The Darkness

2 Corinthians 4:4"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,who is the image of God should shine unto them".

We at one time were all none believers, trapped in darkness, blinded by the god of this world.The bible represents Satan as the master manipulator of human nature.Our weakness combined with the devil's influence has led the whole world into sin.Because of Satan's deceptions and the willful sinful tendencies of human nature,"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". We must understand, however, that the devil cannot force us to sin,he simply influences us through our fleshly weaknesses. But several major areas of our fleshly nature are easily manipulated by Satan.

First, our selfish, fleshly desires often get us into trouble.The lust of the flesh,the desires of the flesh, which calls us out side the will of God.Second, our natural deviousness, including self- deception, is a major weakness of the fleshly mind.We naturally look for ways to  justify our lust, and our sinful desires, along with the behaviors that arise from them.We deceive ourselves into believing that, since our desires are natural,they are not so bad after all.But God's word reminds us that"there is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way of death".Third, we have a natural tendency to resent having our fleshly desires limited by rules, even God's rules.Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit,set their minds on the things of the spirit.

The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God and blinded to the light of his truth,and love by the deception of the god of this world.One locked in darkness find it hard to see.Those that are in the flesh cannot please God.These and other fleshly weaknesses are what we call human nature.Satan takes advantage of our weak and greedy nature by persuading us to rely even more on our emotions, needs and wants, than we normally would.But we play our part.Without the positive influence of God's Spirit, we are simply not naturally inclined to live according to God's instructions.If you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.Once was blind but now we see,thanks to Jesus the light of the world.Let us all come out of the darkness into His marvelous light.

Everything:You're Everything To Me

Revelations 1:8 "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending,saith the Lord,which is,and which was,and which is to come,The Almighty".

Jesus is amazing in His power and in His Love.He exercised both perfectly,never flinching and never fighting.He stood His ground,doing everything His Father indicated,but He never reacted in self-defense when His enemies taunted Him.Jesus' authority and humilty were perfectly attuned to the Father's heart. It is beautiful and breath-taking when we stop to consider it.What is sobering,in light of this, is that we are called to be like Jesus.We have authority in Him, and yet we are mandated to walk in humility.It's a call we must take seriously and one we must pursue with care.

His mighty works "what manner of man is this,that even the winds and the sea obey him!" The elements, demons, disease,and even death were subject to the Lordship of Christ.Death had no dominion over Him, who could kill God? Jesus had to surrender to death and give up everything before he could die. He"became obedient[or submissive] unto death".The world percieved the cross as a moment of weakness when it was actually a temporary surrender of power,without which it would have been impossible for Him to die.

 

Jesus has all power, but He chose to excercise it in submission to His Father, in humility and Love. Abuse could not provoke Him to abuse His power; abandonment could not compel Him to abandon His humility.It was His love for us and His obedience to the will of the Father that allowed Jesus to lay down His power over death, and in humility, let it take Him temporary captive.He walked in both power and humility with utter integrity, and looked to His Father to show Him how. We must do no less.We must walk in his power to over come sin, and in His humility and love, lead a lost world to the salvation of the Lord

Promised Victory

Deut. 1:21--"Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee;Go up and posses it, as the Lord God of the fathers hath said unto thee, fear not, neither be discouraged".

The mission was complete, the twelve men had returned from their undercover surveillance of enemy territory. They now stood before their fellow country men. The report came in ; the land is good! But ten said it's impossible to possess, the people are too strong, its cities to well defended, and it's a land which eateth up the inhabitants. The people were swayed, they abandoned their invasion plans, and elected to return to the enslavement from which they had been delivered.They chose defeat even though victory was promised.

  We live in a 24/7 media world; it consist of television, radio, internet,phones newspapers, books, magizines and the trusted word of mouth.It's a media which even when factual, it can be misleading, prejudicial and often very one sided.Its truth are generally based on the opinons of the ones telling the story.We have televison programs swaying people to believe certain lifestyles are acceptable;some of our music degrades ,defiles and encourages ungodly living.The secular media tells us "it's your life , live it your way to the fullest", while some religious media tells us"Jesus died for your sins so you can live any kind of life,and God understands".Thus many are swayed to abandon Gods perfect plan for our lives,and return to the enslavement of sin to which we have been made free.Many believing the lies of the world live defeated lives when we have the promise of victory.12 went over but only 2 seen the promised victory from God.

 The word of God says "I can do ALL things through Christ who Strenghtens me",  who are we going to believe?The report of the world, or the word of God?We walk by faith in the promises of God's word,not by the sight of the lies the world shows us. The challengers might be strong but my God is stronger, the problems might seem like giants but our God is Bigger.We're are at the door step of our breakthrough, let us walk on by faith into the promised rest in the promised land that God has prepared for those who trust and believe him.We have been promised victory so why do we live defeated lives. 

My Road:Paved With The promise Of God

Psalm 91:11 "For he shall give his angels charge over thee,to keep thee in all thy ways".

The Lord gave his people shelter in the time of pestilence,for he had promised,"There shall no evil befall thee;neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling". This is the promise from the passover of those who dwell in God.After the passover came a journey to Canaan;and the promise of the covenant angel and his keeping them in all there ways.

We too are pilgrims on our way to Canaan. He who set us free by the Passover deliverance also provides for our journey to the land which flows with milk and honey.The entire journey to the promise land is protected by our deliever,as he has promised to keep us in all our ways.There are ways which are not protected for they are not in my promise."All thy ways" are mentioned, but there are some ways that are not to be followed by Children of God,which are not our ways.The ways of presumption,for in these many court danger as they defy God.The ways of sin,dishonesty, lying, vice,conforming to the ways of this world are also ways which are not our ways.The ways of worldliness,greed, selfishness, the ways by which men seek personal ambitions are usually dark and crooked and not of God.The ways in which safety is guaranteed are the ways of humble faith in the Lord Jesus.The way of obedience to His devine precepts.The way of child like trust,the way strict principle, stern integrity, of holy separation, and consecrated service.Seeking God's glory in all we do as we walk with God every where we go. While we travel in these ways all believers are secure.

God promises to protect us and keep all who go the way of the Lord.Jesus Christ is the way,and when we choose to go His way we are a kept people.He leads us,he guide us,he directs us, provides for us,  and He protects us.In Christ I amd a kept man. 

He Rose

Matthew 28:6 "He Is not here:For he is risen,as he said.Come,see the place where the Lord lay".

The resurrection is the basis for hope in the Christian faith.The women who came to the tomb expected to find death.Instead, they met an angel who told them that Jesus had risen.Belief that Jesus rose is the key to the completion of his promise that we will rise also.Believers can also experience Ressurection power in their lives.Without this assurance, Paul said,"we are of all men most miserable".The first witnesses were commanded to go and tell the disciples then later tell the world.Go and tell remains the command for believers today who have discovered the wonder of the risen Christ in their lives.

Go and tell is the command to every man and woman who has discovered the power of Christ.It is through the sharing of this good new that we have the power to change the world.We must tell people that the resurrection brings regeneration into the lives of those who are spiritually dead,through the power of the Holy Spirit,bringing about a new birth,changing one from the inside out.This is the basis for the Church's witness to the world. Every believer can share this certainty with all confidence.Of course,a great controversy has always surrounded the resurrection.The Jewish priest paid the guards to deny what happened that day,and there are still millions of people who deny the resurrection, in word and in deed.Sometime we don't live like he rose with all power. Our lives sometimes hide the fact that He got up.We at times live life like we don't trust that he overcame the world and all it's temptations, and thus harms our witness to the world.

 

 A witness is one who tells what he or she knows as a certainty. You can only witness that which you seen or experienced. Countless people who have been touched and changed by meeting the living Jesus provide undeniable evedience of the resurrection.The way they live their life is their witness that he rose,and rose with all power.The first disciples were commanded to be witness,and each of us whose lives have been changed by the resurrection must invite those who need Him to know Him.The truth that He got up, gives hope to a needy world.Share with a lost and dying world the fact that He got up.