New Direction In The New Year

Joel 2:12"Therefore also now saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning:"

There is a feast prepared with the bread of heaven, gather all those we can, and bring them into the house of the Lord;and cry unto the lord" spare thy people O Lord and "Forgive us for we no not what we do. Let us come together, all the people, and hear what thus saith the Lord; for the Lord says "Turn to me".

There are many going the wrong way, doing the wrong thing, following the wrong leaders, and traveling on the wrong road.Many on the broad road, yet Jesus said narrow is the way. God says turn, turn from our wicked ways, just turn and turn loose. Let go of the earthy and the things of this world and grab hold of the heavenly. Don't just turn your head giving the appearance of change,(you know walking different but still going in the same direction).Let us turn our hearts with sincerity and with weeping and mourning, rent your hearts like it greatly grieves our souls to have sinned against God, rent our hearts, as we desire to never do it again. Rent our heart not our garments, make this an inward commitment and not an outward show.

Rent our hearts, and turn to God with fasting, not the commitment of doing without meat for a day, but the commitment of doing without sin for a lifetime, as Jesus told the lady go and sin no more. Crucify the old man and his ways, walk in a newness of life. Turn and fast, as to fasten to him, and fasten on him, like Jacob holding on to the angel, and refusing to let Go,as our blessing are in holding on to God. Fasten on to him with true devotion and loyalty, hold fast weeping for the wrong we have done to him, and the shame sin has brought to us, his beautiful bride. Hold on and wait for our change to come.

Let us truly turn back to God, truly repent and become an accurate reflection of the one whose name we bear, that we might truly lead a lost and dying world, to the salvation of the Lord. Let us lead in truth ,teach in honesty, and reprove in love, for our Fathers desire is that none shall parish. Reach out in love to save the souls Christ died for, pray for the lost, be a living sacrifice, and lead one back to God, that we might truly be Christ like........

A God of second Chances

Luke 13:7-9"Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking   fruit on this fig tree,and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground. And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."

Here we have Jesus telling a parable about a fruitless fig tree. A vineyard owner planted a fig tree, which he left in the care of his gardener. Three years later, the owner returned to see if the tree had produced any fruit. It hadn't. In spite of the care and attention of the gardener, the tree was fruitless. In this parable the fig tree represents Gods people, God wants his peoples lives to be a reflection of his character so that others could see who God is. God has nurtured and protected us that he could accomplish this purpose. God wants to see if his careful attention will produce some spiritual fruit. He wants us to be careful not to slip into fruitless legalism, which gives the appearance of holiness but lacks the quality of true righteousness that God cares about. Simply turning away from our sins is not enough, we need to replace our sinful ways with something better, something more pleasing to God.

Even though the fig tree deserves to be cut down, the gardener didn't want the tree cut down. Like Jesus did for us , he spoke up against destroying the tree. Jesus continuous care is so that we might bear fruit. Through this parable we should learn an important lesson about repentance. Though we might deserve judgment, we have time to repent of our sins and live in a way that honors God. Our past sins may have resulted in a fruitless life ,but God is willing to give all who will a second chance.

God expects those who want a right relationship with him to live in a way that honors him. It's not enough just to believe in God or to turn away from sin. We must live obedient lives that bear fruit and fruit that will last. He is a God of second chances...........

Following or A Follower

John 6:66-67 "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?

" No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." As we embark upon a new year, the question arises, How many will walk with Christ no more.  How many of us are following behind Jesus just for the things we can get or are you a follower of Jesus The Christ?

Here in this chapter of John we have what can be called the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals who he is,why he came and our work in this great plan of salvation. Since the fall of man ,it has always be about reconciling man back with God, from Noah's ark, to Joseph in egypt, to Moses leading the children of Israel from Egypt and even Samson's battles, were all about the salvation of  mankind. Here in the story we have a great multitude following Jesus, all following Jesus were not Follwers of Jesus. We have many today seeking Jesus for material and worldly possessions and not for the salvation of their souls. Jesus reveals to us our work in this great plan, he took the loaves blessed it then broke it and gave to the disciples, who then distributed it among the people, Jesus then instructed them to gather up the fragments that none be lost. See Jesus came that none be lost,he has given us the blessed word of God for us to take out and share with a dying world, that none be lost, we are to take up the fragments of broken lives, and lead them to Jesus. 

 

 Jesus must live on the inside of us, he is the living word by which we shall have everlating life. He is the abundant life promised us by Gods word. God never promised us the road would be easy.But a narrow uphill road is the road we chose to travel and it is never an easy road, especially when so many are on the downward road. But what he did promise is that he would never leave you nor forsake you, and more abundantly life.What can be a more abundant life, than a lived in the arms of our Savior.

Steadfast In The Lord

Acts 27:31 "Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved."

This journey we have embarked upon is going to be filled with life's ups and downs. There are going to be storms in our life which will shake our very foundation of our being. This mean old world is going to throw things at us that will cause us to question the who, what ,and why of our life. We may even get to the point where we begin to question and doubt the will and ability of God, thinking we need to jump ship. But Jesus said "be of good cheer for I have over come the world."

Our text today lets us know the benefit of staying put. Even when life throws all it has at you, and you see the world around you falling apart, it is still safer to stay the course with the Lord than it is to go out on your own. Now there are some things you will have to do to make it through the times of trials and tribulations. See Paul told them to break fast and eat to their full. Paul knew they would need strength to withstand that which was before them. We to need to eat when the storms of life come. We need to feast on the promises of God's word for strength and encouragement in times of storms.He also had them throw some things off the ship to lighten up the load. There are some things and some people in our life we need to let go of and throw out of our life. Many of us are carrying around some stuff and have been holding on to some things way to long that truly don't mean us any good.

We must remember God rides in every storm. If He brings you to it He will bring you through it. We cannot jump ship and be all alone in the storms of life. It is better to make it safely on a little faith than it is to drown in a sea of doubt and despair. Except ye stay with the Lord you cannot be saved....

Who is Your Master

Matthew 6:24 "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon".

We are a complex being; made up of flesh and spirit. We have two seeking to be our master. We have two seeking  the service of our hearts intent, yet we can only serve one. We have the flesh which seeks the things that while seems pleasurable, and will only destroy us in the end, and then there is the spirit man, striving to destroy the evil which lies within the flesh. We cannot serve both, they are enemy one to another. One will always be denied, in favor of the other. So who is your true master?

Jesus said you cannot serve two masters. He didn't say you can do it, but it will be hard, he said you cannot do it. Yet many on this journey are fighting hard to hold on to both, trying to love two. We know that everybody wants to go to heaven ,but nobody wants to die to the ways, will, and desires of the flesh, which will  not allow us to live in the spirit and receive everlasting life with the Father. We want to be saved our way, serve God under our terms. We want the things desired by the flesh and at the same time, we want that  which is offered by the spirit of God. But the flesh is enemy to the spirit. The flesh is selfish, while the spirit giving; the flesh is proud, but the spirit is humble; The flesh is greedy ,the spirit is sacrificing; the flesh is malicious, while the spirit is forgiving; the flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing. So as you see it is impossible to serve both, they are opposite one another. One will lead you to death, damnation and hell, while the other leads you on the path of righteousness to everlasting eternity with the Father. To serve the flesh you must deny the spirit of God, and to walk in the spirit you must put to death the flesh. You cannot serve two masters.

Jesus tells us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you." When we put God first in our lives he will supply everything our flesh needs to survive, but not so much that it will hinder our walk in the spirit. God wants us to rely on Him for all of our needs, He will withhold no good thing from us. Trust God, be content with God and be a loyal servant to the spirit and watch your blessing flow. You'll be like a tree planted by the river of water, blessed in your comings and your goings...............

Is Christ In Your Christmas

Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn"

Will you share Christ this Christmas? With all of the commercialization that has taken place, will you find the time to share Christ with someone this Christmas. With all the shopping, Christmas presents, Christmas parties, the coming and going, will you stop long enough, to tell somebody about Christ this Christmas. With the football games, basketball games, the wrapping, whining, and worrying that will be heard ,will someone you know hear the real Christmas story.

The infant Lord who was born Savior of the world, who was rejected by the inn keeper, hunted by a king, sought by the wise men and received joyfully by Anna and Simione, is still being presented to all today. The good news about Christ is being proclaimed as we read this message. We each have the same choice that was available back then. We can like the inn keeper have no room for a savior,as we fill our lives with the things of this world,being over run with pride, greed, and selfrighteousness leaving no room for the savior.We can be like the king and try to kill the savior,not wanting him to enter in and make changes to who we are for fear he might take something from us, that we are trying to hold to.We can be like the wise men and seek Him to give Him the best gifts that we have and then receive Him joyfully like Anna and Simione, who prayed not to see death, until they saw the salvation of the Lord for themselves,they heard about it but they prayed to see it.

People we should not want to see death without seeing our salvation.Hearing about it is great,for faith comes by hearing, but we must pray not to see death until we see it for ourselves. Let us not kill Him off, let us make room in for him in our life, Let us seek Him with all our heart,and receive Him joyfully, and remember to share him with someone this Christmas.

Christ The Savior Is Born

Luke 2:11" For unto you is born this day in the city of David, A savior,which is Christ the Lord".

Have you given birth to Christ in your life? With all of the commercialization of Christmas, have you come to the realization that you need a savior? With the worries and worldly cares about what is under the tree, have you taken to heart the most wonderful gift that was born to hang on the tree.

Jesus the Christ, the infant Lord who was born Savior of the world.Who was rejected by the inn keeper, hunted by a king, and received joyfully by Anna and Simione, is still being presented to all today.The good news about Christ is being proclaimed as we read this message.We each have the same choice that was available back then. We can like the inn keeper have no room for a savior,as we fill our lives with the things of this world,being over run with pride, greed, and selfrighteousness leaving no room for the savior.We can be like the king and try to kill the savior,not wanting him to enter in and make changes to who we are for fear he might take something from us, that we are trying to hold to.Then we can be like Anna and Simione, who prayed not to see death, until they saw the salvation of the Lord for themselves.They heard about it but they prayed to see it.

We should not want to see death without seeing our salvation.Hearing about it is great, but we must pray not to see death until we see it for ourselves. Let us not kill him off., let us make room in for him in our life.Receive Him in our hearts, and share him with a dying world........Merry Christmas

The Unsaved Holy

Ezekiel 47:11 "But the miry places thereof and the marshes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt."

Here we have a vision of the flow of the life-giving river, and marked its wonderful and beneficial effects. The prophet also observed that here and there the river carried no blessing: there were marshes which remained as barren as ever. There are some whom the Gospel does not bless, like the marsh where more water just makes more mud;they hear in vain; learn but don't practice;feel but don't decide;and resolve but do not  perform.They are the unsaved holy, lost in the house of God.

No person  appear less likely to be saved than your religious unbelievers.They see with a blinded eye, understand with a carnal mind, and receive the truth but deny the power of it. Everything has to be proven to them.You cannot tell them anything new,they are so full religious knowledge, but possess a heart empty of love.The gospel is unable to penetrate their hearts for they wear the breast plate of gospel hardening. Their carnal security lives on the fact that they are hearers of the word so they don't become doers of the word.They bow assent to every truth,and yet believe nothing:They participate in every religious observance,and yet have no religion.Ever learning but never coming to the truth about God and His will for our lives.They have great religion but no true relationship with the savior thus they are lost in the congregation.Like the lost coin,in the house but lost among all the stuff in the house. They jump high shouting loud on Sunday, but they walk in the path of the unsaved the rest of the week.

Jesus told us to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel,we don't know who will or will not be blessed with His word,he just told us to tell everybody.So let us make sure we do our part and let the life giving river flow from us to all that we see, and trust the holy spirit to do his part and prepare the hearts of all where the river flows to receive the good new of Christ and Him crucified. 

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Acts 16:31" And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God has done all that is needed for man to be saved. Jesus said from the cross "it is finished". Now we must only believe.

The spirit and the bride say come. The word of God says come, make Jesus your choice. Jesus is standing at the door of your heart, knocking let Him in. In our text today the jailer after the quake had open the jail doors, found himself in darkness, thinking the prisoners had escaped he was seeking the light(vs29). He fell at the feet of the apostles and asked what must I do to be saved? There is a dying world out there, trapped in darkness seeking the light of the world, lost and scared, wondering what must they do to be saved. We the redeemed of the Lord must tell them as Paul told the jailer,"believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved." It is not about joining church, or a certain denomination. It is not about what leadership you are under, it is simply about your belief in Christ and Him crucified. You must believe that Christ died on cross, and rose on the third day with all power in His hands, and in faith belief that you died with Him and rose a new creation in Christ.

Today's church has made salvation about everything except what God intended it to be. The only way to salvation is through the belief in the death ,burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The forgiveness of sin is only through His shed blood. There is no other way, so let us live a life before man that will lead lost souls to believe that Jesus Christ is the way. That a lost world might be saved through Faith.......... 

The Price Of Salvation

Matthew 10:38 "Ye that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, Is not worthy of me".

Before his cucifixion,our Lord has a foresight of it, and does not hesitate to realize himself as bearing his cross.With equal prescience he foresees each true disciple receiving and taking up his own personal cross.He sees none exempted.Picture a procession led by Jesus bearing His cross,and His disciple making up a cross bearing train following behind Him.This is a real march of suffering which reaches through all time.The chief requrement of a disciple is to follow Jesus in all things,in cross-bearing as in all else.We can't rejoice with the risen Lord if you are not will to suffer with the crucified savior.

Cross-bearing is trying,laborious, sorrowful, and humiliating,but it is inevitable to all who will follow Jesus.We are bound to take up our own personal cross,I can't carry yours and you can't carry mine. Your cross might be giving up certain pleasures or indulgences,or any thing that might hinder your walk in complete obedience with Christ.Be it to live in poverty to proclaim the good news to the less fortunate, or enduring hardship and punishment for the good of others, what ever your cross, you must take it up voluntarily and follow Christ.We are to deliberately take it up,not to choose a cross, not to make your own cross,not to complain about the cross given you,not to faint under it,fall beneath it or run from it, but to patiently endure it ,for Christ is carrying the heavy end.

We ought to be thankful that we only have to bear it,and that it dosn't have to bear us.It is a royal burden, a sanctified burden,a sanctifying burden,a burden which gives communion with Christ.Let not the righteous dread the cross,for it will not crush them:it may be painted with iron colors by our fears, but it is not made of that heavey metal;we can bear it,and we will bear it right joyously,for the reward is glory. Bearing our own cross is the price we pay for salvation

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He Took My Place

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 actually 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. He sent His son to take my place.

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.

Answering The call

Matthew 9:9 " And Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of customs: and he saith unto him, follow me, and he rose, and followed Him".

Follow Me: These are the instructions given us by our Savior, have you answered the call. He said to take up our cross, deny our self daily and follow Him.He is the way so let us follow Him. He is the way out of darkness, for he is the light of the world ,so follow Him. The way out of damnation, for in Him is our salvation. The way out of confusion, for He is our Prince of Peace. The way out of sin, for he is the Savior, so let us answer the call and follow Him.

Here we have Jesus, on His mission journey. He was delivering many from the captivity of sin when he passed by and saw a man named Matthew sitting collecting taxes. Jesus saw him and said follow me. Matthew then raised up and in answering the call, he followed Jesus. He didn't question Him, he didn't try to finish up what he was doing, he didn't go back to doing that which Jesus had called him from ,it says he rose up and followed Him.Jesus is passing through the lives of many today, calling them out from among this world to follow Him.Today is the accepted day for salvation;"the day you hear His voice harden not your hearts".Do you hear him calling you at your heart strings? Do you hear Him standing at the door knocking? Don't let salvation pass you by.Rise up and follow Him.Rise up from the muck and mire of this world,rise up above the cares and concerns of this world, rise up from the grip and hold of the lust, will, and desires of the old man, and follow Jesus.He calling you, He came to save you, answer the call and follow Him.

Jesus asked Matthew a tax collector to follow Him and become a soul collector.He is calling today for us to leave that of the world and become builders of the Kingdom of heaven. He said to "Follow Him", there is more to following a person than just walking behind them.So let us follow Him in total commitment, by surrendering totally to His word,will and way.Let us follow Him with our whole hearts, walk in the truth of His word and by the power of His Spirit, that others might answer the call and follow Christ to Glory.

The Gift Inside

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water".

Here as we enter this season of giving we must keep in mind the greatest gift ever given was Jesus the Christ. He was given to be given. He came wrapped in the ugliness of sinful man, but there was a precious gift on the inside.

In our text today to make sure all on the cross was dead, the soldiers went and broke the legs of the malefactors. But when they came to Jesus they saw He was already dead, but to be sure the stuck Him in the side with their sword. Then the gift of life came flowing out, the blood by which we have the remission of sin, and the water by which we are purified. Guilt contracted must be expiated by blood and stains contracted must be done away with by the water of purification. the two must always go together, for what Christ has joined together let no man take apart. They signify the two great ordinances of baptism and the Lords Supper. It is the water out of the side of Christ that by faith is to us the washing of regeneration. It is not the blood from the grape that will save our soul but the blood out of the side of Christ. See the present was ripped open and the gift flowed out.

Let us continue to give Christ this Christmas, He is the gift that was given to be given. He is the gift that keeps on giving, especially if we keep on giving.  

What Will You Do?

Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son,and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,and laid Him in a manger;because there was no room for them in the inn"

Will you share Christ this christmas?With all of the commercialization that has taken place,will you find the time to share Christ with someone this Christmas.With all the shopping,Christmas presents, Christmas parties,the comming and going, will you stop long enough, to tell somebody about Christ this Christmas.With the football games,basketball games, the wrapping, whining, and worring that will be heard , will anyone hear the real Christmas story.

The infant Lord who was born Savior of the world,who was rejected by the inn keeper, hunted by a king,sought by the wise men and received joyfully by Anna and Simione, is still being presented to all today.The good news about Christ is being proclaimed as we read this message.We each have the same choice that was available back then. We can like the inn keeper have no room for a savior,as we fill our lives with the things of this world,being over run with pride, greed, and selfrighteousness leaving no room for the savior.We can be like the king and try to kill the savior, not wanting him to enter in and make changes to who we are, for fear he might take something from us, that we are trying to hold to. We can be like the wise men and seek Him to give Him the best gifts that we have and then receive Him joyfully like Anna and Simione, who prayed not to see death, until they saw the salvation of the Lord for themselves, they heard about it but they prayed to see it.

People we should not want to see death without seeing our salvation. Hearing about it is great, for faith comes by hearing, but we must pray not to see death until we see it for ourselves. Let us not kill Him off, let us make room in for him in our life, Let us seek Him with all our heart, and receive Him joyfully, and remember to share him with someone this Christmas.

What are You Doing With Jesus?

Luke 22:63 " And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him".

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Jesus was given to each of us, offered as a free gift, the gift of God unto salvation. His word says He is as near as to our hearts, so I ask what are you doing with Jesus?

It is said that you can share anything that you have, are you sharing Jesus with a lost and dying world? Now I am not asking if you are talking about Him with others, I am asking are you walking about Him in front of others. Are you letting your light so shine before men that they glorify the God in you they see? Do you share Gods love with those in need, not telling them God loves them but showing them God loves them by your actions. Do you feed the hungry, clothe the naked visit the sick and shut in or do you in prayer send God to do those things. Jesus said He choose you that you might bear fruit and fruit that will last, are you bearing lasting fruit? If Jesus came today and graded your life with Him what grade would you get?

In our text we see that the men that held Jesus mocked and made fun of Him and hit him , slapped Him and spit on Him. Let us be sure that we don't disgrace our Lord and savior with the action we are committing while we profess to have Him in our live. Let our life be one of sharing and spreading and building up of the kingdom. Ask yourself daily " what are you doing with Jesus"....

Only In Jesus

Ephesian 4:5"One Lord one faith and one baptism"

We all belong to Christ,and are of one spirit, living in one body with one heart, and answer the call to one hope, the hope of eternal life.Christ is not divided, and neither are we.There is only one Christ we hope in,one heaven we hope to get to, and only one way to get there, so let us with one voice profess and proclaim him,for there is one Lord,one faith, and one baptism.

One baptism;to be immersed into the word of God, and to be covered with the blood of the lamb.One baptism;Baptised with the holy spirt, the spirit which joins us all together.This spirit which causes us to walk worthy of the name by which we are called.Through the washing of regeneration,we begin a purification process,changing us from that which did not, into that which now does.Bringing about a new birth, making us another, different from the first, giving us the characteristics,and attributes of our adoptive Father,putting to death the ways of our natural father.Baptised, burried with Christ, that we can be raised with him in faith, to a newness of life.

One faith;A faith which pleases God. A faith that says that he is, and he is a rewarder of all who diligently seek him.One faith, a unified body of faith, which shows to the world, the substance of things hope for,as we are a walking recommendation to Christ,we are his ambassadors, and being his ambassador, we are the evidence to an unbelieving world that God is.Proof that his love is real and everlasting. The evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.One faith that says every word of God is true. One faith by which we live as a unified body,not knowing what we will be, but trusting we will be like him, for he is the author and the finisher of this faith. Jesus Christ our Lord.

One Lord;who is my shepperd, who is my savior,my provider, and my keeper. One Lord who was given power over all flesh,and he should give eternal life to all who believes on his name.One Lord by whose shed blood, we are made the righteousness of God.One Lord, my redeemer, my strength,my rock and my salvation.One Lord,Jesus Christ, the beloved lamb of God,the word of God made flesh,the spirit of God made humble, the mercy of God shared,the grace of God given, and the love of God sacrificed.

With all the choices of religion before us, there is only one God; There are many bibles printed, but there is only one truth.We have the freedom to live any life, but there is only one life.And with the many roads we can travel there is only one way. Jesus Christ, the truth of Gods word, his life everlasting, the way to eternal peace. One Lord,One faith, and one baptism.....There is only one Jesus

The Light That Hung On The Tree

John 12:12" Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Until Jesus came to dwell among men, the entire world was in darkness. The concept of walking in darkness, symbolized the sin and ignorance of the lost. Even the most Godly of men relied upon the priest to offer annual sacrifices, first for himself and then for the sins of the people. The coming of Christ, the spotless lamb of God, has taken away our sins and our darkness. His purpose in coming as the "light" was to rescue all who believes in him from Satan's  " dominion of darkness" and to bring them "into the kingdom of the Son ", Gods kingdom of light and love.

Jesus the "true light" that gives light to every man; but this light is available only to those who believe in and follow Christ. True believers will never walk in darkness, That is they will not continually abide in sin and spiritual ignorance. They shall walk in the light, the Devine truth and holiness of God. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. When you are born again, God opens your eyes to the spiritual realm, allowing you to see and understand things that you didn't know existed. They are hidden from the world, but revealed unto us. The holy spirit indwelling us reveals to us the path to life,(taking us from darkness into his marvelous light), the will of God ,and the revelation of the word of God.

Jesus the light of the world was hung on a old rugged cross, they meant it for bad but it worked out for the good to all who believes. They hung Him high that all who look up to Jesus shall be saved. So as we adorn our Christmas trees with the various lights remember the true light that was hung on a tree for the salvation of the world.

He Came To Save

Luke 23:39 " and one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying if thou be Christ save thyself and us ".

Contrary of the popular belief and the self serving messages of today, Jesus came to save. He said, He came to call the sinner to repentance. We have begun to allow the worlds doctrine, ideals and belief structure start to dictate the why Jesus came into this world. We celebrate His birth with the giving and receiving of material things. Making it about the treasures and pleasure of this world and many have lost track of the true gift and meaning of this holyday season.

Our text today is a picture of the prayer and desire of many of todays believers. There were two thieves hanging with Christ. They were both near to Him Physically so they both saw the same thing. They both prayed, but as you see one prayed to be saved from the cross while the other prayed to be saved by the cross. One prayed to be saved in his sins, while the other prayed to be saved from his sins. Many of us today want to bypass the suffering and the necessary death needed to truly enjoy a life with Christ. We desire to be saved from the cross instead of by the cross. Jesus came to save and if you truly want to receive the spirit of Christmas surrender your life to Christ. Be saved by His new birth into your life and the dying of the old man with Him on the cross. Be saved by the cross and not from the cross.

Don't remove Christ out of Christmas, now I don't mean the word Christmas, I mean the true meaning of Christmas. Make sure with all that you might find yourself giving or receiving, to be sure that you give Christ to someone and make sure you have received Christ in your life by living a life of total surrender unto Him.. Merry Christmas to all and have a safe Holyday season... 

Does Your LIfe deny Christ

John 18:17 "Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter,art not thou also one of this man's disciples?He saith, I am not.

Here we have a cowardly denial,of both the world and Peter.Peter was innocently questioned by the door keeper.Peter denied any association with Jesus.Peter made an attempt to be known as one of the crowd.He joined the crowd,standing around with them joining in their activites and conversation.

Too many today deny being associated with Christ.People see us in church or associating with other believers,and when we are asked,we deny any association to Christ.We deny him in the way we live our lives,our love for one another, in our ability and willingness to forgive one another,and give to one another.We deny him on our jobs,at school and in social functions.At the time when a witness is needed many deny Christ in an effort to fit in or be accepted by the crowd.We deny Him by not learning His doctrine,and by not proclaiming His teachings,we may not verbally deny Him as Peter did, but we deny Him in our actions. The worlds religion allows man to be as he is, do what he wishes and still feel acceptable to God. Just think for a moment! How few religions,how few churches,how few preachers and teachers proclaim the true doctrine of Jesus Christ.So few are willing to sacrifice their lives for the world and all they are and have in order to reach a lost,starving and diseased world,and thus we deny Him.

When we deny Christ we deny the lost the chance afforded us, to know Christ and have a chance at salvation.How can we truly say we love one another yet deny each other Christ.How can we say that we love the Lord with all our heart ,soul and life,and yet let His blood be trampled under foot,for when a witness is needed,when we need to stand up and speak for Christ,we hide in the crowd and deny Him. 

Enslaved Or Reborn Free

John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

How many of us would like to be king or queen for a day? Imagine having all of that power, and liberty to do what ever we wanted. Jezebel was once queen of Israel, she likely adorned herself in the finest royal apparel. But she pranced around unaware of the invisible robe made up of satanic chains wrapped tightly around her. She believed she had the liberty to do what ever she wanted, she even convinced her husband Ahab, to take what did not belong to him, simply because he was the king, and could do so.

But every time she did what she wanted, she tightened her shackles. Jezebel thought she was at  liberty to do as she pleased, but she was in fact totally enslaved. We must realize that liberty isn't freedom, liberty just means we have the freedom to choose, it is a free will, but we must make the right choice. Sadly, we live in a generation of Jezebels. Our society has convinced us that doing as we please, having a lot of money, and being famous, brings freedom. Because we feel " free", we think we can do as we please, we do not understand how our selfishness and sinful desires can steal our freedom, making us a slave to many masters.

When we believers fail to fellowship with God and meditate in his word, we return to our former bondage and ways. Christ has indeed freed us ,removing the desire, passion, and appetite for sin without withdrawals or symptoms. But to remain free, requires us to remain in his presence and in his word. Only Jesus can free us from the bondage of sin and death, and if we are not in Christ, we are no more freer than Jezebel was, and are destined for the same terrible end. Jesus Christ is the truth that makes us free............

Christ The Lord

Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of  David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord".

The fulfillment of God's promise to bless all the nations through Abraham's offspring has been fully realized in Jesus. Certainly, we ourselves have been profoundly blessed in Christ's birth, sinless life, ministry, death, resurrection, gift of the Holy Spirit, and promised return. And to this day, every time the Gospel reaches another soul, God's powerful, far reaching promise of blessing manifest itself a new.

But receiving the Gospel is just the first step into the river of  blessing Jesus brings into our redeemed lives. The old Chorus, " I got peace like a river" speaks of the spiritual blessings that flow into our heart as a result of our salvation."Blessed Assurance" reminds us of the certainty of our standing before God in Christ and of His presence with us. And "Count your blessings" urges us to stop and remind ourselves of the many blessings that life in Christ has opened up to us.Indeed we have been blessed in Christ Jesus, and Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and remember. So as we figuratively peer into the manger this Christmas, we can stir up gratitude in our hearts a new, as we think of how powerfully, faithfully, and graciously Jesus the Messiah has filled up our lives with His goodness.

Of all the people in the world, Christians have the opportunity at Christmas time to demonstrate the joy of living within the blessing of God's promise fulfilled in Jesus. We should be gracious, kind, patient, forgiving, helpful, and encouraging. Why? Because our own lives are overflowing with these very blessings from our Lord Jesus. The best way for us to rejoice, to show our gratitude for the blessings we've received, is to give them away to those around us, that they to might give birth to the savior in their lives.

Prepared To Receive !

Luke 8:40 "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for Him".

Jesus went to those who refused him in the land of Gadara; and there he saved one, to show the freeness and sovereignty of his grace. He then left the inhospitable country to show that he forces himself on no one. The bible tells us that wisdom abandons those who refuse her counsel (prov.1:24). Those whom the Lord has chosen shall be willing in the day of his power (ps.110:3).We see the multitude welcomed him, when Jesus is waited for and welcomed, he delights to come. He is not waited for by all: so we ask the question of our present hearers, do you welcome Christ? We all must answer this question for ourselves on this very day.

They were waiting for him; we, a gathered congregation waiting in the place where prayer is needed. Our earnest church, looking for revival and prepared to cooperate and work for it. Some churches don't wait for the Lord's presence, and would not be ready for him if he were to come. They were waiting, a seeking sinner, looking for mercy, searching the scriptures, hearing the word, inquiring of other like believers, constantly praying, and thus," waiting for Him." They waited for him and Jesus returned; His spirit already there, making us to wait. His heart is there in sympathy, longing to bless us; his work there as he brings us to that waiting condition; His promise is there, for "lo I'm am with you always". They waited for him and Jesus returned, and "the people gladly received him". Our fears makes him welcome; our hopes makes him welcome, our prayers makes him welcome, our faith makes him welcome, and our love makes him welcome, as we cared for one another. Jesus never disappoints wait for him, and he never refuses those who welcomes him.

A congregation cannot be said to welcome the Lord Jesus unless they are all there, which requires punctuality; unless they have come ready to meet him, which implies prayerful expectancy; unless they are ready to hear from him, which involves attention, and unless they are willing to accept his teaching, which demands obedience. Jesus is near us now: will you open the doors of your hearts to receive him?

Known By our Fruit

Galatians :22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such is no law".

 "A tree is known by the fruit it bears", yet as a tree takes time to grow and mature,so the spirit does not cultivate these virtues into a believers life over night. But just like you can see the evidence that it is a fruit tree before it bears fruit, there should be some evidence in the believer of the nature of God. With the death of Christ, all who believe are born of the spirit of God, exposed to the fruit of the spirit, let us bear the fruit by which we want to be known .

We have been blessed with the fruit of God's Spirit, and we are now to walk through life bearing God's nature. A nature made up of Love, a willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of others. Joy, a gladness of the heart;Peace, a tranquility of mind, Long-suffering, being patient with others; Gentleness, kindness; Goodness, generosity; Faith, is dependability; Meekness, having consideration for others;Temperance,is self control,the ability to harness and control ones lust. God has absolutely nothing to do with sin,it is not within His nature.Therefore being born again with the nature of God,we are not to surrender ourselves to the lust ,will and desires of the old nature.We are to walk bearing the fruit of God's nature, in the fruit of God's spirit. Now the word fruit is singular not plural,the Holy Spirit has one fruit, God has but one nature, but it has been broken down into a list of traits to help us understand His nature.When the believer is blessed with God's nature, all the traits are present,but time is needed for all to mature.

At conversion every believer crucifies the flesh,that is in repentance we have turned from, renounced and destroyed all that held us in the life of sin.We have forsaken all our evil passions that we might walk in the nature of God. All of our earthly children bear some, if not all of our characteristics,and if we have been born of the nature of God, we too should bear His characteristics and nature. If you profess to be an apple tree let the world see apples growing in you....

Will You Follow?

Matthew 10:38 "Ye that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, Is not worthy of me".

Before his crucifixion, our Lord has a foresight of it, and does not hesitate to realize himself as bearing his cross. With equal prescience he foresees each true disciple receiving and taking up his own personal cross. He sees none exempted. Picture a procession led by Jesus bearing His cross, and His disciple making up a cross bearing train following behind Him. This is a real march of suffering which reaches through all time. The chief requirement of a disciple is to follow Jesus in all things,in cross-bearing as in all else. We can't rejoice with the risen Savior if you are not will to suffer with the crucified Lord.

Cross-bearing is trying, laborious, sorrowful, and humiliating, but it is inevitable to all who will follow Jesus. We are bound to take up our own personal cross, I can't carry yours and you can't carry mine. Your cross might be giving up certain pleasures or indulgences, or any thing that might hinder your walk in complete obedience with Christ. Be it to live in poverty to proclaim the good news to the less fortunate, or enduring hardship and punishment for the good of others, what ever your cross, you must take it up voluntarily and follow Christ. We are to deliberately take it up, not to choose a cross, not to make your own cross, not to complain about the cross given you, not to faint under it, fall beneath it or run from it, but to patiently endure it ,for Christ is carrying the heavy end.

We ought to be thankful that we only have to bear it, and that it doesn't have to bear us. It is a royal burden, a sanctified burden, a sanctifying burden, a burden which gives communion with Christ. Let not the righteous dread the cross, for it will not crush them: it may be painted with iron colors by our fears, but it is not made of that heavy metal; we can bear it,and we will bear it right joyously, for the reward is glory. Will you bear your cross and follow the Lord? After all he took the heavy end.

Proof of Love

John 14:15 " If  you love me, keep my commandments".

"Yes Jesus loves me cause the bible tells me so". Yes we all know that God loves us, "for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son ,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life". But I ask the question do you truly love Him?With our lips we do honor Him ,but it seems that our hearts sometimes are far from Him.We tend to live our lives based on His love for us, more than our love for Him.

If we love Jesus ,we will keep His commandments. Obedience is not optional for believers.Jesus stated a simple fact that must be clearly understood."If  you love me you will keep my commandments. Jesus is not giving an optional commandment,"If you love me then (optional)keep my commandments. He is saying that the man who truly loves Him will keep His commandments.So for the born again believer there is no option.He loves Jesus ;therefore,he keeps His commandments.In this we the true believer is not claiming perfection,but we are claiming to love Jesus and to believe with all our heart that Jesus is the Son of God.Therefore we must diligently seek Jesus,and seek to please Him in all that we do.To Love Jesus is not an emotional thing.It involves emotions but it is not based on emotions.It doesn't change according to the situation.It is not a rational or mental commitment.It involves the mind but it is more than deciding and following some rules.To love Jesus is a matter of the heart and the spirit.It is a heart thing, from the innermost being of man.

The heart is the seat of man's affections, and devotion.The heart attaches and focuses our  affection, will,and devotion to an object or person.The heart causes a man to will, or to give himself either to good or bad.To love Jesus means that a man focuses his heart, affections, and will(devotion)upon God by giving and receiving the love of God. That we give all we have and are to Jesus Christ for him to do as he will.We deny ourself, not deny our self of things ,but deny self,we die to self and our will that we might live in Him for His will.So I ask you again "Do you truly love Him"

Giving Him Your All?

Matthew 26:7 "There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat".

Jesus once said  with our lips we do honor Him , but our hearts are far from Him. Are giving Jesus the best in our worship? What are you willing to sacrifice to the Lord in worship? Many profess that Christ is the head of their life, many say that Jesus is all that they need, yet when it come right down to it, there are things and people in our lives that keeps us from giving our best in our worship of the Lord.

In our story Jesus is at the house of Simon the leper when a woman came and anointed His head with a very expensive ointment in a form of worship. When the disciples saw it they thought the ointment would have better served if sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus tells them that she has done a good work that should be a memorial unto her where ever the gospel is preached. We should know that Jesus wants the all we have and the best we have when lifting up Him in worship.There should be nothing in our life that we feel is to valuable or important to sacrifice that we can give the lord our all in worship. Jesus surrender all for our salvation and we should be willing to give Him our all in our worship of Him, for He is worthy.

We often give more and sacrifice more to the idols, and material treasures and pleasure of this world than we do Jesus. If He is truly first and foremost in your life there should be nothing we have that we just let hinder us from giving our all to the Lord in our worship of Him. After all He gave up everything for us, even His life.