A Mirror Moment

Galatians 2:14 "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If thou being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the gentiles to live as do the Jews."

The life we have been called into is not an easy life. It is a life which requires a lot of sacrifice, long suffering, self denial, humility, giving and forgiving just to name a few. But it is a life that must be lived in truth. It is a life we can't just talk, but the world must also see this life in our walk. It is easy to say you are a Christian, to say you are Christ like, but what does the life you are living before man say. It is one thing for people to see you dressed on Sunday's and say that there is a Christian, but if they see you dressed up on Friday or Saturday night will they say the same thing?

Here Paul called Peter to the carpet. Peter was trying to tell the gentiles they had to live and walk a certain way. Yet that which he was telling them they had to do, he himself wasn't doing. We who are believers, sometimes are quick to point fingers at the way the non-believers are living and the things they do which goes against the word of God, but what about that which we do which to goes against God's word. How can we who are saved expect the lost to live in accordance to God's word, if we are not. Let us first make sure we are walking in the right direction before we begin pointing fingers at those who we believe are going wrong. Paul told Peter if you being saved is living the life of the unsaved, how can you expect the unsaved to live right.

We know or at least we profess to know that Jesus rose with all power in heaven and earth in His hands, let us then live as though we believe this truth. Let us spend more time in the mirror and less time looking out the window, and then maybe we can win more souls to Christ.

His Ways To Be My Ways

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things".

When Christ came to earth, He explained that there is a different way of thinking and living for those who have been born of the Holy Spirit. He taught that God's way is the way of giving, rather than the normal selfish human way of always getting. The key to living a way of life different from the way of the world is to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, that this mind will be in us that was also in Christ Jesus. Through His spirit, God not only leads us in a different way of thinking, He helps us change the motivations that govern our actions.

 

This focus on unselfishness rather than the self-serving approach produced by our natural way of thinking, brings about a dramatic change in the way we live and everything we do. God ask that we reorder our priorities,allowing his spirit to change our thinking, serving God by doing his will and seeking his kingdom. When we put God first ,he promises to provide ways for us to meet our needs. He will with hold no good thing from us.Living a godly life is much more than merely calling on God's name as though that alone will excuse us for doing whatever we please. Living a godly life is doing what pleases God. It is practicing what he commands, and living a way of life defined by his word. Jesus taught a way of life based on observing God's commandments from a heart of love that willingly makes personal sacrifices for the sake of others, focusing on giving rather than receiving. A true Christian cannot base his way of life, his new way of living on his own ideas about right and wrong.

 

 God's law and Christ example of perfect obedience to those laws, set the standards for the genuine Christian way of Life. Our new life is based on giving, a free gift given by God to all who will receive it." For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son",Giving is the way of God and the foundation of His love to mankind. Let us use this same foundation as we give to a lost world that which God gave to us, His only begotten Son.

Love In Spite Of

Luke 6:27-28 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you".

What would happen if, as Christians, we started actually living out what Jesus taught us? Jesus teachings on love attacks several traditions and misinterpretations of  what we believe love to be. While we have learned to love thy neighbor, we sometime seem to exclude our enemies. But Jesus  instructs us to love and do good to our enemies. we are to love not based on who they are, but because of whose we claim to be.Now this love does not result from a weakness or failure to stand up for truth or justice, it is a purposeful love that flows from a strong heart that seeks eternal salvation for others. This sacrificial love demonstrates that our purpose for living is larger than ourselves.

Jesus commands us to pray for and bless those that offend us. Our natural response is to strike back when mistreated, but Jesus teaches us to do the opposite. Jesus gave two illustrations to show the extent of how far our love for others should go, there is a blow to the face and stolen clothes, in such cases we are not retaliate. The purpose is to reach out in love instead of satisfying ourselves through revenge. Our love must be strong and purposeful in accepting mistreatment, as it shows our trust in the Lord and his ability to use the situation for his Glory. Jesus not only taught how we are to love, but how we must also be merciful to others in our daily lives, as the Father is merciful to us.

The standard of sacrificial love goes beyond what others might do or what we might want to do, but it is what Jesus teaches us to do, and what he did. The prime example of selfless giving is our heavenly Father himself, who showed kindness to all humanity regardless of how they treated him, as he gave his only begotten son that we might have everlasting life. When we have love one to another as Jesus hgad to us, then we will lead a lost world to the salvation of the Lord.

With A Loud Voice!

Revelations 5:12 "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing".
John said The Lamb was worthy, and the books were opened, and we shall all be judged, every man, according to his works. While there is time, worship the Lamb of God! For He is worthy. In heaven He is seen receiving all the honor, glory, and praise, yet on earth He received almost none of these things. In fact, He was ridiculed while hanging on the cross, and he was made a curse for us by being crucified. The solders may have mocked Him, as a false king before His crucifixion, but now He is truly worshiped as a king in Heaven. Do you mock him ,saying he is you King but not living as a subject in His Kingdom. The four living creatures "Amen" in agreement, and the elders do the only thing they could, they fall down and worship the Lamb who was slain, the Lamb who is worthy.

This Christian journey we have embarked upon, has many unknowns. It is full of challenges, obstacle's, opportunities, temptations, stumbling blocks, and barriers. It is a narrow road we must travel, and along the way we will slip, trip and fall. We will stumble, have doubts and sometimes even entertain the thought of giving up. But we must press on towards the mark of the high calling of God, so quitting is not an option. No matter where the journey leads us we must trust that Jesus will never fail. He is our Shepherd and He will supply our every need and lead us along the way. With every twist and turn, with every peak and valley we overcome, it brings glory to God and salvation to a dying soul. Every obstacle and challenge we are faced with, is a opportunity for us to be molded, shaped and fashioned into that which God has called us to be. No matter what it is we are going thru it is working together with Gods purpose for our good. Whatever happens is part of God amazing plan of salvation, and is made available because of the worthiness of the Lamb.

Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe. Jesus suffered bled and died to atone for the sin of mankind. He is worthy of all the praise, so let our living say with a loud voice, Lord we praise you, while our life is one that shouts of worship for the precious Lamb of God, for He is worthy. Let us sacrifice as He sacrificed, give as He gave, and love one another as He first loved us that all might know the glory of the Lord....

He Watches Over Me

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him".
The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. The only place of safety in this world is in God. The Bible speaks of a great fortress which the righteous run to and is safe. A strong tower, a place of refuge for the children of God. Tamar may disguise herself, and walk a different path, so that Judah may not know her; Isaac, half blind, might bless Jacob and pass over Esau; Joseph may forget or be forgotten by his brothers; Solomon might doubt to which mother the child rightfully belongs; and Christ may come to his own, and not be received.

 

 But the Lord knows them which are His, and his eye is always on them. Time, place, speech, or the way we dress cannot obscure his vision or dull his hearing. He can discern Daniel in the den; Jonah lodged in the belly of the fish, Peter in prison, Lazarus wrapped in rags, or Abel rolled in Blood, He can call them by name, and send his angels to comfort them, for God knows those that are His, and are known of His. Many talk about trusting God, but the truth shines in that great day of trouble, the true believer is calm and quiet in his God, and takes refuge in His strong tower. Everybody can find a bird's nest in the winter when the trees are bare, but what about when the green leaves hide them. The believer faith and life is put on displayed by adversity. The true believer shines in times of tribulation, for His trust lies within the Lord.

 

 One thing, however, should never be forgotten: whether we know believers or not, God knows them. He does not include one hypocrite in the number, nor exclude one sincere believer, even though he may be of little faith. Ask yourself, "does he know me as one of those who trust in him? The Lord knows them that are His, and they know him as their stronghold. It might sometimes rain on a true believers life, but it never rain in his life, for his comfort is in the Lord.Ignorance and forgetfulness may cause love and knowledge to leave his creation, but the Lord is not subject to either, for His eye is on the Sparrow, so know that He is watching over You!

Victory In God's Truth

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth".
God's promises are sure. God's commitment to allow a new generation to inherit a land he had promised them was a solid agreement.The disbelief of the older generation did not  hinder God's faithfulness to carry out His promise he had made to their fathers. He had given this land to His children back in the time of Abraham and Jacob. Before the foundations of the world, he promised us everlasting life with Him, and now it is time for us to lay claim to it.

The Canaanites were a formidable enemy, However God said "Israel you will drive the canaanites from the land. He assured Joshua" I will be with you". The presence and power of God guaranteed the land was theirs, it wasn't Joshua's wisdom, militaries abilities, or strategies. It was in the truth of God's promise, and the power of His word that brought this to pass. Sin also is a formidable enemy, it uses various weapons to defeat us in this present life. Through the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life, we are often defeated in our quest to live holy unto the Lord. But God's word has already given us the victory, we just have to do like the children of Israel and step out in faith and lay claim to everlasting life with our Savior. His word he tells us He has power over all flesh. We must be of  good cheer, for He has overcome the world. He has lost none He has been given. We have a new life in Christ. Like with Joshua, he gave us several resources to help lead us to the promised land.

He gave us a clear set of instructions that we must follow to be victorious. He told us to always pray. You can't give in to the temptations of this world if you are always praying. He told us to esteem other higher than ourselves. It is hard surrender to the lust of the flesh if you always have anothers best interest at heart. He told us to love one another like Christ loved us, thus always making a sacrifice of yourself for the salvation of others. He then gave us a promise, that if we followed His instructions we would be rewarded with everlasting life. He promised to be with all the way. Jesus Christ the word of God made flesh, in whom we have the victory. 

What Will You Do With Jesus?

Matthew 27:22 "Pilate saith unto them, what shall I do then with Jesus which is called the Christ?They all say unto him, let Him be crucified".
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might live. God loved us so much that He gave. He gave at a time when we were in great need, and He gave the best that He had. "For while we were yet sinners Christ died for us". Now, what will you do with Jesus?
Jesus was given to everybody, yet there are many who have yet to do anything with Him. They haven't accepted Him and they haven't shared Him. Jesus is the answer to what ever situation that you might find yourself in. He is the solution to whatever problem that might arise in your life, and He is the way out of any circumstance that surrounds you, yet many still have yet to receive this free gift. So what are you going to do with Jesus? Do you accept Him in your life? Do you share Him with a dying world? Or do you like the multitude, kill Him off to keep Him silent.The Jews and religious leader wanted Jesus dead because He put a damper on their agenda. Many of us want Him dead in our lives because He puts a damper on our personal agenda's. He causes us to love when we want to hate, to forgive when we want to stay angry, to share when we want to keep it all to ourselves, and to look at ourselves instead of being able to point our fingers at others.

 

What will you do with Jesus?  He is God's free gift to all the world, He is as near to you as your heart.Do you accept Him and share Him or do you kill Him off in your life to keep Him silent. He has been offered, what will you do with Jesus?

He Came To Save

John 3:17 For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved


Salvation is a big deal and describes the whole life of the true believer. They feel the need of being saved from self, sin, Satan and the world. They trust in God for preservation, and the end there of is eternal rest and peace in the bosom of the Father. The prosperous sinner is on another track, and comes to another conclusion: he disowns all need of salvation, and considers his success to be of his own winning. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off. God is not with the unrighteous; they have neither safety, nor strength, nor salvation in their time of trouble.

What is the word of this salvation? It is the testimony that Jesus is the promised Savior. The word which promises forgiveness to all who exhibit repentance of sin, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In a word, it is the proclamation of perfect salvation, through the risen Savior. It is a word, as being spoken by God, and as being his present utterance even at this moment. It is a word which reveals "the word". Jesus the living word of God. It is the word of salvation; for it declares, describes, presents and presses home salvation. It is a word sent, for the Gospel dispensation is a mission of mercy from God. The gospel message, Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Ghost himself is sent to work salvation among men. Will you decidedly and honestly refuse it? Will you delay and put off your acceptance of this free gift? Will you play the hypocrite and pretend to receive it, while in your heart you reject it. Will you be a temporary convert, or will you accept the word of salvation with delight?

We have an invitation. Let us exercise our freedoms. We can choose to accept or reject the plan of salvation set before us. Be sure of that you know by personal observation and experience, and let your decision be based on unquestionable knowledge. Decide for your self, but let it be done with much prayer and spiritual thought, for you decision is for an eternity. Know this that Jesus came to save, even the worst of men can be saved.

Our Keeper

Jude 24" Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding  joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen".
Jesus is the keeper and savior of our soul. He is the word of God made flesh and the truth of God's revelation to mankind. In Him and Him alone lies all the blessing God has promised us and he is our salvation. We must look to this truth and trust that He is able to do just what He said. He and He alone can keep us from falling while presenting us faultless before God.


We must beware of wolves in sheep clothing. Jude wrote a short but powerful letter about the problem of false teachers, swaying Christians from the Gospel. He told believers to remember the words of Jesus concerning the last days. See the ungodly teachers of the false faith promote a make believe religion, full of immoral living standards which defile and deny the things of God. They practice feeding off the flock instead of feeding stumble and straggle behind. Be patient with those who are hesitant about the faith. We who have been born again of  Christ must be kind hearted and tender, not prideful, pushy, or harsh. Our faith should result in us having a desire to live a holy life. We  should be repulsed by sin, even while trying to rescue those that have fallen into it. We must hate the sin but love and show mercy to those that have been trapped by it.

We all have opportunities to respond to people with encouragement. When they come let us leave them with hope, and confidence by sharing with them the good news of salvation. Jude's final word was, don't worry about falling, for God is more than capable of keeping you standing blameless and tall in His presence. Able to keep you joyfully shouting, singing, and praising Him for sending His son, Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. It is Jesus who deserves all glory, power, majesty, and authority now and forever. Let us look to Jesus and be saved........

God And God Alone

Ezekiel 20:19 "I am the Lord your God; walk in my statues, and keep my judgments, and do them"

Are you serving God and God alone, or have you begun to spend more time serving things and stuff. Has the blessing in your life started to occupy more of your time than Him who blessed you? Idolatry occurs when we begin to value and power to things and take it away from God. John told believers to "keep themselves from idols, and if we are not careful, we can begin turning to things and stuff and away from God.

Without being fully aware of our actions, blinded by the need of self gratification, we can begin to serve, worship and make sacrifices, to whoever or what ever energizes and controls our lives. We can become more concerned about our bank accounts, the jobs we hold and sometimes even the titles and positions we chase after, and find that we are spending less time with God. There are a lot of things we move in front of God, not realizing we have done such a thing. Look at those in Government or business how they have fallen prey and now worship power. Look at the scholars and highly educated in great universities around the country, knowledge has become their throne. To those of us who live a simple life, we put more thought, effort and sacrifice in our jobs, children, or spouse. We strive and work hard to make sure they have the best things in life, and at times worship the blessing at the expense of the blessor. Walk in His statues and keep His judgments and do them and He will bless you according to His will, riches and glory.

We must remember that it is God and God alone who deserves our worship and praise. Without God we can do nothing nor have anything. The best thing we can do for our families, jobs, careers or anything else we seek or have been blessed with, is to make sure God is first in our life and His glory is the motivating factor for the things we seek after. Remember only be satisfied when God is glorified. It is truly God and God alone......

Holding On

Genesis 32:26 " And He said let me go, for the day breaketh, and he said, I will not let thee go except thou bless me".
This is a long hard journey we have begun, and there are times when you might feel like what is the use. It can sometimes seem like the more you do, the more you pray, the more you give the harder things get. While those who appear to do nothing seems to be walking on easy street. But be not dismayed, serving the Lord will payoff after while.

 

In this microwave generation we live in today, everybody seems to want everything right now. Nobody wants to pay their dues as they use to say. Remember everything God has for you is yours, and He will give it to you when you are ready for it. In todays story Jacob was about to meet his brother Essau for the first time since he tricked him out of  his birth right. He was here wrestling with an angel and he refused to let go until the angel blessed him. He had decided to hold on to God until God answered his prayer. We to must continue to hold to the promises of the Lord in prayer and communion with Him, until we are blessed. The job of the enemy is to try to discourage us, and hinder our time with God. He will cast doubt and sometimes put fear in our hearts, in an effort to get us to let go of God. But we must remember God cannot lie, if He said it, it must come to pass. Here Jacob continued to hold on, and the bible says the angel did bless him there.

 

The true blessing come when we hold on to God, through all of the trials and storms of life. So often the storms and trials themselves are blessings as anything that makes you call upon the name of the Lord is in fact a blessing. Don't let the lies of the devil cause you to let go of the promises of God. Don't  miss out on your blessings. Hold on to God through thick and thin. It is the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous which will prevail. So pray without ceasing and watch God work in your life.

Believing Is Seeing

John 12:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?


We live in a seeing is believing world, yet we are to win them over to a believing is seeing way of life. We as Christians walk by faith, but the world we are trying to lead to salvation, walks by sight. They wander in a dark wilderness, believing only what it sees, and  sometimes they even question what they see. We have been called out of darkness to be the light upon a hill that they might see our good works and glorify God in heaven.

Here in our text Lazarus was dead and the people doubted that Jesus could call him back to life. Jesus tells Mary if she would only believe, then she could see the glory of the Lord. We too only need to believe and we can see the glory of the Lord. When we believe we to can see the power of good raise a dead soul to a new life in Christ through the power of our testimony and they truth of our witness. We must believe that His word can do what He says. We must believe and walk in the new life we have been called to live. We must believe that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. We must believe that Jesus rose with all power in His hands, and that He has power over all flesh. We must believe in the power of God unto salvation.

Our witness can be hindered when our believing is in doubt. When we doubt that that God's word alone can convict and convert the hearts of all who hears it, as the gates of Hell will not prevail against it, our testimony is not believed. Our witness must also be accompanied by our living testimony, to the truth and power of God's word. It is when we believe that we can see the power of God unto salvation...

A Royal Preisthood

2nd Tim.2:20 "But in the great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor"

The new testament gives us many beautiful parables about what it means to be saved. What it mean to be a member of the family of God, and to serve the lord Jesus Christ. In the book of Ephesians, Paul talks about the church as the household of God. Here in 2nd Timothy he speaks of the child of God liken to a vessel in this great house. He speaks of two types of vessels in this house; a vessel of honor and a vessel of dishonor.

Every Christian is a chosen vessel unto Christ, the question is are we to honor or to dishonor. Every believer should live a dedicated life, having a compelling desire to be used of God in whatever way he chooses. We must be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. We must study Gods word, that we might be a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We should be useful to the master, and prepared for every good work. See it is Jesus Christ which gives us the power and the tools for this ministry of reconciliation. It is through Christ, that the presence of God enters our hearts, and has the power to transform and convert a vessel of dishonor into a vessel of honor. Gods grace allows us to endure all things, that we might with a singleness of mind proclaim with a loud voice the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation.

Let us walk in the power of God, and walk worthy of the name by which we are called that we will become vessels of Honor and bring Glory to God and lost souls to His salvation.

Too Late

Mark 13:26 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory."
Many who profess to believe know that Christ is coming back again, yet we live as though we have all the time in the world. The word of God says no man knows the hour, and He will come when we least expect Him to come, but on many occasion you can find us doing that which will be unpleasing to Him when He returns. True you can't loose your salvation, but is the life you are living that of one who was born of the spirit of God?

Now the word of God tells us there were ten virgin, all had their hearts filled with the grace of God awaiting the bridegroom. Yet when He came only five was ready and fit to go in with Him. No matter how much God loves us He cannot lie, and the unrighteous will not enter into the kingdom of God. We have to begin living the life God called us to and saved us for. We are to bear witness with how we live our life to a dying world that not only did Jesus die, but He rose again with all power in His hands. We can't continue to live a defeated life with our walk and speak victoriously with our talk and expect to win over a seeing is believing world. Let us show the world the miracle that is us, by living a life pleasing to God that all might see our good works and glorify our Father which art in heaven.

Then when Jesus returns it can be a great getting up morning for all. Jesus died to save us from sin not in sin, so let us abide in Him that He might abide in us. Let us be that light that is set upon a hill for all to see, that all might be saved. Don't let Him pass you by....

Blessing From Above

2 Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in Him yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

Many often say they are waiting for their blessing from God, but the truth is, everything God wants to give to man He did with Jesus. When man was lost, God gave him Jesus, as he is the way. When he wanted to man love one another, he gave us Jesus. When man needed an advocate, and high priest, a sacrifice, a Savior, a redeemer, a provider, an example, and a light in a world of darkness God gave us Jesus. God said he would supply our every need, and he did when he gave us Jesus.

Here we have Paul explaining to the church at Corinth, that all they need, every promise of God was fulfilled in Christ. He says all the promises; that includes those in the old testament as well as those of the new testament. Everyone from Genesis to Revelations, every promise in the word of God was fulfilled with Jesus. The conditional and the unconditional, the physical and the spiritual, all of God's promises are fulfilled in Him. They are established beyond all doubt, they are confirmed beyond all alterations. In Christ lies the stability of the promises, for He is the foundation and truth of God's word. Christ is the witness of the promises; the surety of the promise, the sum and substance of the promise.The fulfillment of the promises by His actual incarnation, His virgin birth, his living plea, His atoning death, and in his rising with all power. He also guarantees this deliverance of the promise as all power is in His hands to fulfill them.

The closer we are to Christ the more of God's promises are fulfilled in our lives. Let us glory in the promises of God, through living a life led by his spirit, in obedience to His word, and in the way of His darling son Jesus the Christ, the promise of God to all mankind.

Just The Beginning

John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said "It is Finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost".


Many believe the death of Jesus marked the end. In some cases it was the end, but the truth is, to  many it was only the beginning of His earthly ministry. It was His death that gave life to the life we now live in the flesh, as it put to death sin and the guilt of sin. Yes; Jesus death was just the beginning.

Calvary was a horrible sight. In fact it was the most horrific night in the history of mankind. However, it was also the greatest thing that could have happened for mankind. With the death of Jesus, came our opportunity to live a life everlasting with our Father in heaven. Jesus death didn't end His earthly ministry, it was the beginning as we, his ambassadors are to take this good news and share it with a lost and dying world. We who bear witness to His birth, death and resurrection are to be the voice of one crying in the wilderness, the good news of salvation. We are the light upon a hill that is showing all in darkness the way to salvation.

The death of Jesus was the greatest gift ever given to and for mankind. So let us not look at Calvary as Christ's end, but instead let us look at it as our beginning. A new life with a new purpose. A life free from the guilt and power of sin. A new life of sacrifice and service. It is just the beginning....

Lifted Heels

John 13:18 "I speak not of you all:I know whom I have chosen:but that the scripture may be fulfilled, he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."

Here we have a picture of betrayal and apostasy,of a man who turns away from Christ to the world, and this should be a strong warning to every man who professes to follow Christ. When any man betrays the Lord, the Lord's heart is cut to the cord because a soul is being lost. Jesus desire is that none be lost and it truly hurts when one turns from Him to this world. When He is betrayed by those He loves.

Now understand, Christ did not choose Judas, but Christ did draw Judas; he did move upon Judas' heart to quicken his mind. He did stir Judas to understand that Jesus was the Messiah, the son of the living God. But Judas rebelled against the drawing power of Christ and rejected the quickening power of Christ. When a person betrays Christ and begins to live in sin, he shows that he did not truly respond to the movement of God's spirit within his heart. He exposes his true unregenerated nature. The betrayer eats with Christ, yet his heel is against him. Judas ate with Christ,he was a friend of Christ, he didn't hate Him; he cared for Christ. He on many occasions walked into the house of God with Jesus and had close fellowship with Jesus. Judas was His follower, a choice disciple, yet Judas lifted up his heel against Jesus. Judas true nature exposed itself, one of disloyalty; as he forsook Jesus;of contempt, as he rejected Jesus, and one of betrayal as he turned his back on Jesus. When a witness was needed,he sold Jesus out, choosing the things of the world (money, recognition and power), over the salvation of the Lord.

Have you betrayed the Lord?  Have you walked with Him, supped with him, went into the house of God to fellowship with him, only to sell him out for the things of this world. Have you discounted his word in search of power, prestige or a position in the church. Have you replaced soul saving with money making as the purpose for your walk with him.Have you raised your heels against the Savior of the world for personal gain?

Somebody Loves You

John 3:16 "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."

Love; the most powerful of all emotions. It has been the focal point and topic of a many movies, books, songs, plays, and poems over the years. Love is the one thing you can't live without. It is also the one thing to where there is no defense, you can't stop love and there is no end to love. There is truly no containing love. You can't kill, destroy or hurt love. True love is not just a word it is in fact the action of THE WORD.

 

It is important for us to realize that there is one who truly loves us. I don't mean one who loves who we are or what it is that we have or do. No I am speaking of one who love in spite of who we are and what we have done. One who loves us so much that He laid down His life that we might have life. God loves us and His desire is that all of us spend eternity with Him in His heavenly kingdom. His love is so complete it supplies everything we need to live a life pleasing to Him. A love so complete that we shall not ever be in want if we abide in this love. A love so strong it allows us to love others the way He loves us.

 

As we go through life let us remember there is one who do love us. His love is ever lasting and without end. Let us seek this love and abide in this love that we might enjoy a abundant life everlasting in a garden paradise with our Father who art in heaven.

Clean Slate

Isaiah 44:22 "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."

The nation of Israel transgressed and worshiped idols, so God brought Israel judgment through the nation of Babylon. But at the appointed time, God blotted out their transgressions. He forgave, so that his servants could fulfill the duties of a relationship with him. There is so much to be thankful for. God created us for his purpose. He created each person to serve him, but at some point everyone turns from God. However, the invitation to return and do God's will, is always open. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. We have a clean slate, he has blotted out all our transgressions through the blood of the lamb, a new start is available each day.

Each of us can trust God's redemptive power because of what Christ did at Calvary. Each time we take communion, we remember Christ as our redeemer. Isaiah prophesied that Israel's God would lead his people back from Babylon. The process of redemption continues throughout each redeemed person's life. When we pray in Jesus' name, he intercedes on our behalf. Every time God steps in to help us, we see His hand at work as He further purifies us to be His chosen people. Each time we fall God's power is at work to meet the needs of all who calls upon His name. We can truly trust in God's faithful and continued redemptive work in our lives, by just recognizing what He has already done in each of our lives.

Because our redeemer is continually at work in us and on us, we can be assured that more God sightings lie ahead. So let us continually thank God for providing Christ, our redeemer, and praise him for your clean slate.

Have You went back?

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?

We have embarked upon a journey of a lifetime. This walk we have begun is not a stroll on a Sunday morning, no it is a life long hike up a mountainous terrain, filled with obstacle, bumps, pot hole, and  many dangerous enemies lying in the cut waiting to detour us onto the downward road. Many who have begun this walk, have fallen by the way side, because the road got tough and the material gain has blinded them. Will you turned back from following Christ?

In our text today we have Jesus speaking to the multitude that often followed Him. He pointed out, how many of them only followed Him because of the things they received. We to can be guilty of following Jesus for the things we seek and not because He is the way to life everlasting. Many have stopped following Christ in favor of the things and positions they have obtained. Once we receive the job we want, or the wife/husband we want or even the positions and titles we seek after, we find our commitment to Jesus weakened. we tend to devote more time to the blessing, not leaving much time to the one who blesses. Let us remember to follow Jesus for who He is and we won't be sidetracked with the things we might obtain.

It is really a dangerous thing to follow Christ only for what we can get from Him. God is not mocked, let us be careful not to sow to the flesh, that we might reap the rewards of God's spiritual blessing and have everlasting life.  

In All The Wrong Places

Luke 24:5 " And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, why seek ye the living among the dead"?

We must seek the Lord while he may be found, but many are looking for Him in all the wrong places. Finding Jesus is not a matter of denomination, the church you attend, or even the pastor/bishop you might serve under. No finding Jesus is a matter of searching our hearts.

Here in our scripture, the women came seeking Jesus, they were asked why seek the living among the dead? Many today still seek Jesus among the dead. See He is not on that cross you wear around your neck, or in the bumper sticker, or fish symbol on your bumper. Jesus is alive, and living in the heart of every one that hears Him knocking and lets Him in. He is alive, He is the living word of God. He is alive in the love shared one to another, alive in the giving and forgiving between two people. Yes we should seek Jesus, but we should not seek the living among the dead. We need to look into our hearts, for He says He is as near to us as our hearts.

Jesus died on a cross for the sin of the world, and rose the third day morning with all power in His hands. Let us seek Him while He might be found with all of our hearts, and then take Him into a dying world that all might know the good news of salvation.

What Is Jesus Worth To You

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".

"First I give honor to God who is the head of my life"; How many times have we heard and said these words. But Is He really? Now this is not to question ones beliefs, but what does it mean for God to be the head of your life? Many say this yet Jesus actually gets the tail end of all that we have. So The question is asked What is Jesus worth to you?

In our text we see a woman who thought so much of Jesus, she anointed Him with the very best she had. Not only was it her best , but she gave it all to Him leaving nothing for herself. See to her  giving her all to Jesus was the best thing she could do for herself, she felt He was worthy of her best and her all. We too should give Jesus our best and all that we have, knowing that our little bit in Jesus hands is more than enough. When the widow gave the prophet all she had, notice how her meal and oil was over flowing. The word of God say to bring our first fruit to His store house and see don't He give us a blessing that we cannot hold. It is when we give the Lord the best we have and all that we have that we can worship Him in spirit and in truth.

So what is Jesus worth to you? Is He worth more than the new car you spend so much money and time on? What about the new house, boy friend, or the new job. Do you love Him more than these things? Does He gets as much attention, time and/or money as these? What is Jesus worth to you, is He worthy of your best and do He receive your best?

Jesus And The Cross

Galatians 6:14"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world ".
Because we have a wonderful Savior we can rejoice. The world looked upon Him with contempt, and the cross was a stumbling-block to the Jew and folly to the Greek. But to the Christian, that cross is the subject of glorying. The cross, the place where I first saw the light. All is glory around the cross. It was a glorious Savior who died; it was glorious love that led him to die; it was a glorious object to redeem a world; and it is unspeakable glory to which he will raise lost and ruined sinners to have life by his death. Who would not glory in such a Savior.

If you have not yet found out that Christ and Him crucified is the foundation of the whole gospel you haven't been studying God's word. Your religion is a one without a foundation of truth, like a lamp without light, you will be left in darkness, and your religion will not deliever your soul from Hell. Don't get hung up on the traditions of man and his religious ritual, and miss the glory on the cross. The glory of the cross is that it was not only to Jesus the path to life, but that each moment it can become to us the power that destroys sin and death, and keep us in the power of the eternal life. Faith in the power of Jesus dying on the cross and His victory over sin and death, will daily kill off the deeds of the body, and the lust of the flesh.

Look at the glory on the cross; Christ crucified, as he accepted for us the wage paid by sin. The world was crucified, as he took on the sins of the world, like a felon executed upon the cross, its character condemned, its judgments condemned, its teachings despised, its treasures, pleasures, joys and toys all rejected by the Savior as is the glory of the cross. The believer crucified, as we by faith accept the death of the Savior and walk in a newness of life."Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, and the body of sin is destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin". (Rom.6:6) Let us glory in the light seen at the cross, and tell the world that Jesus saves

Pricked Heart-Saved Soul

Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this they were pricked in their heart,and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren what shall we do"?
Peter's sermon was not a fine display of eloquence. Neither was it a very pathetic plea. It wasn't even a loud but empty cry of believe, believe, it was a simple, plain statement and a sober argument. Its power laid in the truth of  God's word, his appeal to the scripture, the witnessing of his brothers,and his own evident faith in God's word. Above all the power was in the Holy Spirit who accompanied the truth in the word of God. When you are cut to the heart it is deadly, but to be pricked in the heart is saving. The truth of the gospel has often, by the power of the Holy spirit, produced life saving wounds to the hearts of all who hears it.

Conversion is the work of argument, for the judgment is gained by the truth. It is the work of conviction, for the awakened are pricked in their hearts. It is a work of inquiry, for they ask "what must we do to be saved". And lastly it is the work of comfort, for its subjects have received remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter preaching was the strongest word in the first oration delivered in the defense of Christianity. The truth of God's word pricked the hearts of those that listened. It wasn't Peter, nor his hoop, not even his style, but the truth of God's word which pricked their hearts. Heart work must be God's work. Only the great heart-maker can be the great heart breaker. The Holy Spirit, the comforter came to convince the world of the truth of God's word. Does it seem strange that in convicting you of your sins, instead of comforting you, he covers you with shame, and confusion causing you to sink into un-utter able anguish and dismay? But in convicting us of sin, he does in fact prove to be a comforter.As we are comforted in the fact that Jesus died to save us from sin, and we can, through faith receive everlasting life.

 

Through the truth of God's word and the power of the Holy Spirit the message of a few, has lead to the salvation to many. Let us to once again put our trust in the truth of God's word, and the power of His Holy Spirit, and share with a lost world the good news of Jesus Christ the power of God to convict and convert.