Will You?

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?

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 been 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, but we see All who follow Jesus, are not always followers of Jesus. Are you following him, or a follower of his?

Many followed Jesus seeking the miracles he preformed and the food which they ate. 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 then to take up the fragments of broken lives, and lead them to Jesus. Then Jesus will reveal who he is, that they might eat of his flesh and drink of his blood and enter into the kingdom.

Jesus must live on the inside of us, he is the living word by which we shall have everlasting life. He is the abundant life promised us by Gods word. God never promised us big cars, fancy houses, large bank accounts, he never said the road would be easy, a narrow uphill road is never an easy road especially when so many are bumping into you on their way down. But what he did promise is that he would never leave you nor forsake you, and life more abundantly. What can be more abundant than a life lived in the arms of our savior. Jesus is asking you "Will you go away?"

Blessed By Faith

Ephesians 1:3 " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Faith in God is not wishing He would do something, it is more than a wing and a prayer. Faith in God is trustful and waiting we a hopeful patience when nothing makes sense, when everything is dark, when there seems to be no way things will work out. This kind of faith places its confidence in God's goodness, even though everything in life seems to shout to the contrary.
Faith gives us hope, even the hope of glory. We have a blessed assurance to His promises. God takes our faith in Jesus, and counts it as righteousness, our faith in Jesus makes us one with Christ giving us union with him. When Jesus died and rose again, we to by faith, died and rose a new creature in Christ. Having a new life with a new heart. A heart ruled by the peace of Jesus Christ, a peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace which binds us, joins us, and weaves us together, that we are assured , confident, and secured in the love and care of God. This peace strengthens, encourages, guides, sustains ,delivers, saves, provides, and gives us real life, a new life in Christ. This peace makes us one with Christ and his word as our heart is rich with the word of Christ.

His word takes root in the heart and fills us with all the wealth of His commandments, promises, instructions and warnings that we might have real love one to another, as we do everything in the name of Jesus.

Say Thanks By Giving

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".

 In this time of thanksgiving we find ourselves being thankful for many things. We are thankful for our jobs, health, food ,clothing, family, and for the day. But none of what we have would be possible if it wasn't for what God gave us. Let us be sure we are thankful for Jesus.

Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God went through all that He did for us and because of us. The Son of God became the son of man, so that the sons of man could become the sons of God. By His stripes we were healed. Because of His shed blood we are saved from sin. Because He chose us we can live a life everlasting with our Father. Jesus paid for it all, as He accepted for us the wage paid by sin. Let us be thankful for Jesus. Let us share Him this thanksgiving day. Offer Him to a hungry soul that they too might feel the joy of salvation on this thanksgiving day.

Bless our Father in heaven this day by sharing with others that which He shared with you. Say thanks by giving the meat that will last a lifetime, break the bread of heaven with a hungry soul that they might eat to life everlasting. Let the day of thanks be about more than sharing cakes and pies, turkey and dressing, football and beer with friends and family. Let this Thanksgiving day, be a day of thanks by giving. Share with a lost and hungry soul the blessings given to us from our Heavenly Father.

Do You Know Him?

Eph:1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:"

They say knowledge is power, but is it? Because you know something is that power? If you are in darkness and know how to turn on the light but don't, where is the power. The power is in the applying of that which you know. God said "My people parish for a lack of knowledge". We deny him, abandon him, forsake him, and at times sell him out, all because we lack knowledge of who he truly is. In Isaiah God says " My people are taken captive for a lack of knowledge". We remain as prisoners of sin  held in the bondage of slavery to the flesh,  all because we lack knowledge as to who we are, and whose we are.
 

We have been called to share with the world the blessings of God's great plan of salvation. It is imperative that we come to know the true God in the most personal and intimate sense. It is through the knowledge and understanding of who he is, that we fully grasp our call and realize our duty in this great plan of salvation. You can't fully understand whose you are, if you don't truly know who he is. It is not just enough to know the word of God, but we must also know the God of the word. We must pray to receive the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of God and His purpose for our life. We must seek God above anything else, and trust his Holy Spirit to reveal the deep spiritual things to us. As these truth are revealed the eyes of the heart are opened, for it is with the heart that a man truly believes.
 

 When the eyes of the heart is opened we come to know three things. (1)what is the hope of our calling:God calls us to stand perfect before him without spot and or blemish; we are not perfect, but our hope is that through the blood of Jesus and the revelation of the holy spirit we might be made perfect, as we are saved by hope.(2)That we might begin to know the riches of the glory of his inheritance; as informed Christians we now reconize the priceless value of our salvation; We realize what a priceless treasure we are to God. And (3)When we come to the knowledge and understanding that we are his, it unleashes the power of God in our life, what God did for Jesus he will do for us, the resurrection of Jesus shows us that God has the power to give us new life and the power to live a new life before him.....Our perfection is in Jesus the Christ the power of God unto salvation

Our Resting Place

Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

In the first part of this chapter Jesus taught the solemn truth of human responsibility, and afterwards he had joyfully proclaimed in prayer the doctrine of election. Now he turns to give a free and full invitation to those who are needing rest. We must remember who it is  who is inviting men to come to him. The Son of the most high God, bids men to draw near to Himself without fear, and he will give them rest.

 

Christ said I will give you rest, not I will show you rest, nor tell you of rest, but I will give you rest for your soul. Christ said believe in me and I will give you rest, I will give you peace with God and peace with conscience. I will turn your storms into everlasting calm. I will give you a rest the world cannot take from you. The more we learn of Jesus the more we can take rest in His promises. Many are wondering through a vast wilderness of doubt, disbelief, and worry because they don't know enough to know Christ as a way out of no way. Christ said "Learn of Me".

 

We learn of Him as we draw near to Him through the study of His word. God said "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge", it is not that the knowledge is not available, it is that many do not make themselves avavilable to receive the knowledge. Let us take His yoke upon us, let us learn of Him that we might be better witnesses to a dying world, of the good news of salvation.

A surrendered Heart

Matthew 26:41 "watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation;The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak:"
Jesus facing the worst night in human history, the night when the love of God came face to face with the hatred in man. Jesus in the garden with Peter, James,and John, as Jesus finds them sleep and says "watch and pray that you enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is week".
Jesus said" watch and pray that you enter not into temptation"; to enter: go in "willfully", in our rebillious nature we willfully disobey Gods commands, as the flesh is weak. It will cause us to deny Christ in our talk, at a time when a witness is needed, abandon him with our walk, when we are needed to stand with and for him. If not kept in check the desires of the flesh will kill the willingness of the spirit, as they war constantly , the flesh never wants to do, what the spirit knows needs to be done. Jesus in the garden, a willing spirit, fighting with a rebillious flesh, says "not my will but thy will be done". His flesh wanted the cup to pass, but not his will, but the will of the Father be done.
God can take a willing spirit, a humble spirit, a loving spirit and save the whole world. He took the willingness of Jesus, the love of Jesus and humbleness of Jesus and made him the perfect sacrifice for an imperfect people, to control a rebillious flesh and encourage a willing spirit. Do you have a willing spirit? Let the Lord use you...

Love Makes Us One

1Samuel 18:3 "Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul".

Christ and the believer that love Him, live as if they have but one soul between them. "Lovest thou me", "feed my sheep". Jesus the friend, asks three times and then appoints the duty: Peter out of sincere love answers three times, and renders the life long duty.

We must look upon our selves as the Lord's holy possession in opposition to all other competitors. The Lord will not share us with rival" I am a jealous God". If we accept the salvation of the Lord ,all others must go. We belong to Him, giving up all authority to Him, as self has become a dethroned tyrant. Our soul becomes His soul and His spirit becomes our spirit. Our Soul until it comes into the covenant with the Lord, is in a restless state. It is like a bee going from flower to flower or a bird from bush to bush; but when it is married to Christ, it is settled with Him and it rest in perfect peace.

The covenant we have entered into is a offensive and defensive league. We are to have common friends and common enemies with the Lord. His people must be our people, and His enemies our enemies. We have opened our mouth to the Lord and we can't go back. We must be His without end or interruption. There will be stumbling among the best of us, but a renewal of the covenant is the antidote to the poison of backsliding. He who has truly made this covenant with the Lord, has given himself entirely to Christ without reservation, and like Paul has asked, "Lord what will thou have me to do". This is a covenant bound by love

Are You Guilty?

Matthew 26:22"And they were exceeding sorrowful, and begin every one of them to say unto him, Lord is it I?"

Here they are at the Lord supper, and the Lord says "one of you shall betray me", the Lords inner circle, his twelve, hand picked by him, and one would betray him. They were troubled to know their master would be betrayed, and it troubled them even more to know one of them would do it. They were troubled most of all, that they didn't know which one it was; each afraid for himself, and they asked "Lord is it I". They didn't point fingers at each other, or place blame on one another; they didn't say Lord is it Peter, John or James, they each asked "Lord is it I".

Are you guilty of betraying the Lord of glory? Do you in fact profess Him with your lips but with your heart serve and worship another? We must examine our relationship with the Lord daily. We should look within our self  and search for the things which can hinder our relationship with Christ. Look within for things we might have elevated above the Lord, things that have begun to replace our time to study His word, or do His will. Then we must eliminate them or put them in there proper place. There should be nothing in our life which comes before our relationship with God. We should be absolutely sure as to where we stand with Christ. Salvation is real, and the choices we make are eternal. Have you with all sincerity of heart, examined your relationship with the Lord? Do you still have the same fire for study and worship you once had or have other things began to take precedence over your time for God? Have you began to let the worries of this world occupy your prayer life? Have you ask the question " Lord is it I "

Sometimes we get so comfortable in who we think we are in Christ we can push Him to the side as everything else becomes more important than He is. Let us examine ourselves daily to be sure Christ is first in our day not just our life..

With The Love Of Jesus

John 13:5 "After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded".


Religion today has seemed to be more about personal popularity and less about caring and seeking the lost souls of the world.But the word of God says pure religion undefiled is caring for the widows, fatherless and the less fortunate among us. What happened? Are we not are our brothers keeper, isn't the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak? Are there no more feet washers among those seeking and in the leadership roles of todays Church? Well if you want to be the head you must be willing to care for the feet.

There was a time when the church and its leadership took care of the people, now it seems the people are suppose to take care of the church leaders. I remember a few years ago, a world famous Bishop was asked to come pray for some soldiers who was about to depart to Iraq to go to war. He turned them down because they could not meet the price he charged for such a service. It is sad when we began to put a price on the salvation or the need for prayer, for a soul that Jesus paid for with His life. Many in leadership positions have office hours as to when you can call on them, yet the enemy is attacking 24/7.To whom much is given much is required. It is the job of the head to care for the feet, remember the good shepherd laid down His life for the sheep. Now true, God hasn't asked us to physically die to save anyone, but we can lay down our lives metaphorically to lead the lost to the salvation of the Lord.

There is nothing wrong with the desire of being a leader. God's word says he who desires the office of a Bishop desires a good thing. But if you desire the office, make sure you are committed to doing the work. Be willing to care for the feet, Jesus did and He is our example..

A Witnessing Life

John 12: 9-11 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Does your life confess Christ before men? Does the life you live in this world bear witness that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God? Does it tell a dying world there is a Savior who loves all and who can save all? Does your life bear witness that Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation?

Lazarus was a man whose life bore witness to Jesus saving power. He never speaks a word in the bible, yet the bible says many of the Jews wanted to kill him because many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus because of the witness of Lazarus's life. The life we live before man should lead the lost to believe on Jesus. We must confess our alligence to Christ openly.We must openly walk in obedience to His word, our life must put the savior on display.The world must see His love working in us, His mercy coming from us, and His power keeping us on the path of righteousness. .He wants us to live a life before men that will lift Him up and not put others down.To live a life that will draw lost souls to Him to be saved.

We must be careful not to  confess Christ with our mouth, and deny Him with the way they live our lives. We must live in the real world the life we portray in the church house. Like the life Lazarus had after He was given a new life through Christ, the world must see Jesus when it looks at us that the lost will be saved. Live a life that will confess Him before men, and He will confess you before His Father. Put Him on display with your life.

Salvation? It's In Him

Psalm 37:39 "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble".
God commands that all repent and be baptized, but the choice is up to each person.We are accountable for the choices we make. But how we are saved is not up to us. There is only one way to be save, and we have no say so it that matter. It is never wise to dispute with God, especially upon the matter of salvation. No sinner seeking pardon should be foolish as to dispute how it is to be done with our Savior.

What is salvation? It is the testimony that Jesus the word of God made flesh 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. It is not about coming to or joining a church congregation, no it is about coming to Jesus and surrendering your whole self over to Him.

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.

Captivated by Confusion

There are many In the house of God who are lost. Lost to who God is and what He has called us to do. Jesus died to save us from sin yet we tend to believe He is alright with our sinful life style as long as we come to church. We are lost in the house of God.

There are a great many people, who enter church houses around the world to worship and praise God, but who have no ideal they are lost. They are lost in the church. And so there are  many who stay lost outside the church. Over the last ten years or so it seems that God has called a vast number of Apostles, Bishops, Pastors, and Prophets, and yet sin is running more ramped than ever before, and the sad thing is a lot of the trouble is coming out of the church house. We are lost; lost in religion and religious rituals, lost in mans traditions and in denominations, lost in church leadership, seeking to be part of the who's who of religious circles, lost in positions and titles, busy with church business, but lost to the business of the Church.  We are the body not the head, we are servants, called out and separated to do the will of God, to go out into the world and preach Christ and him crucified.

 

We can get lost trying to convince the world of who we are, that we forget to tell them about who Jesus is. The lost in this world don't need to know who we are ,but they need to know who Jesus is; they don't need to know we are saved, but they need to know the savior.

Salvation: Is In The Living Word Of God

John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me".
We have been called out of the darkness into God's marvelous light that we might lead others out of the darkness. Let us let our light so shine before men that they will see our good works, and seek the true light and the salvation of the Lord. Salvation is in Christ and Christ alone.

What is salvation? It is the testimony that Jesus the word of God made flesh 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. It is not about coming to or joining a church congregation, no it is about coming to Jesus and surrendering your whole self over to Him.

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.

Bring It To Jesus

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

The invitation, Jesus said "come" to him, a different command than the pharisees' always saying "do this or that". Jesus offered a different kind of yoke. Jesus is asking us to come to Him so that we could recieve a well fitting yoke, one that is not a burden, but will bring us rest. Jesus yoke is tied to the grace of God and results in salvation, based on faith, and not on personal effort, only believe. Jesus wants those of us who follow him to throw off the yoke of legalism we were once hitched to,to quit worrying about our circumstances, and take on his yoke.Cast all of our cares, problems, and our circumstances on Him. Jesus' plan to lift the yoke off all who are shackled to their circumstances.
Jesus invites the weary to come to Him so they can experience rest for their souls.The key to experiencing this rest is having a right relationship with God, something that can happen only if you have a personal relationship with Jesus.We all have responsibilities that drain us and difficulties that wear us down.We can let the world drag us down its weary path, or we can join our lives with Jesus, who wants us  to know that He's eager to have us in His yoke of care, guiding us,giving us help for our present needs, and assuring us that He has a plan for us that includes rest and peace, with everlasting life.

So he tell us to come, leave where you are, the situation you are in and come to him.The promise is when you come to Him with everything he will give you rest. Rest from worry, from need, from doubt, rest from the cares of this world ,for he said" seek ye first the kingdome of God", before you seek a job, a husband, a way out , a way in, before you do anything seek Him, come to him and He will give you rest.The invitation has been extended,will you accep it?

Your Walk Matters

Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it".
Many teach all you need to do is believe in Jesus and you go to heaven, there is no need for change just  believe. We must be careful not to be decieved that it is acceptable to to worship God the way we want,refashioning Him in our own image,shaping his word to fit our life style, and thinking this is a godly way of life? Is this traveling on the narrow road?Is simply believing on Jesus as Lord and savior enough to enter eternal Life? Jesus said not all who cry Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of Heaven. So is simply believing enough? The bible say the devil believes and trembles, so our believing should bring about an action also. What does it mean to believe? Remember God said "your ways are not my ways";Man believes with his mind, but God's word says to believe in thine heart. See our belief in Jesus must be in the heart so that it can change our heart. It is when we believe in our hearts that we can truly deny ourselves, and follow Christ on the narrow road. It is when we believe in our heart that we can honestly and boldly confess with our  mouth that Jesus is Lord.Then we can live by a faith that will keep us when the cares of this world try to lead us down the broad road.

The way leading to eternal life is the way of living within the boundaries defined in God's law. It is not the broad popular way that approves of any behavioral preference and practice. As it was in Jesus day,many put their faith in the words and opinions of the religious teachers they like the most and whose teaching agrees with their lifestyles. Few look to God's word  in the scripture as the primary source of their belief. If you really want to follow God according to His instructions,let us honestly take a look at where our current worship habits and the way we live our lives come from.We need to ask ourselves whether they come from scripture or not,are the teachers we follow, faithful to God's word or are they teaching ideals and opinions to fill the pews and collection plates.The answer to these question will help you determine if you are on the highway to heaven. Your walk matters, the downward road to destruction won't lead you on the upward path of righteousness.

The Power Of Grace

Psalm 19:12-13 "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."

God's word contains all you need, His word is solid, chocked-full of what everyone needs for life and godliness. There are no hidden agendas. God simply wants to use His word to bring all people to him. It's filled with truth and reveals to man the mind of God and His desire for Life. Embracing God's word and its goodness will result in total joy of the heart.

When we the children of God rightly heed the wise warnings of Scripture, we become  increasingly concerned about the dangers of sin in our lives. We come to understand that we have errors and faults to which we may be very well blinded. These secret faults, though hidden to us, are certainly no secret to God and are often also quite apparent to those around us. We may be able to fool ourselves, but God cannot be fooled. God knows who is real in their walk with Him, for He along sees the intent of the heart, and He is the only one that truly matters. So it is right and good for us to go to the Lord in prayer, asking Him for insight to discern our faults. When we desire to please God, He is pleased to reveal our shortcomings and deal with them appropriately. As the apostle John declared by the spirit, if we say we do not sin, we deceive ourselves. But if we confess our sins, agree with God about them, then He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us of our sins.

By God's grace His people can stand against the great transgression of willful sin and thereby be found blameless and innocent before him. When we seek with a whole heart and clear conscience to do the will of our Redeemer God, then we have the great joy of knowing that our words and even our innermost thoughts can also please Him.

Hear The Word- Receive The Word

Acts 13:26 "Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent".

Paul and Barnabas first preached the gospel to the seed of Abraham, but they contradicted and blasphemed, and therefore, in verse 46, we see that they now were proclaiming the good news to the Gentiles. Let all heed to this warning, let us not refuse the gospel and find it taken away from us.

Jesus Said, " Preach the gospel to every creature." But you might ask, shall it be offered to those who crucified him,  the soldier who stuck him in his side. Yes Jesus wants the gospel preach to everyone. The man who put the crown of thorns on Christ head, needs to know that their is a crown of life for him if he repents. He who stuck Christ in the side, into his very heart, he needs to know there is a nearer way to the heart of the savior. No matter how bad we might think they are Jesus shed just as much blood for the least of them as he did the greatest of them, and they deserve to hear the word. Christ came to seek and save that which was lost.

We have an invitation. Let all exercise their freedom, you can choose or reject the plan of salvation set before you. 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.