I Surrender All

Philippians 2:21 "For all seek their own,not the things which are Jesus Christ's".

WIIFM "What in it for me"We as children of the most high God have to come to a few realizations before we can effectivelly walk this journey we have embarked upon.The first is this life we now live is not ours.The souls we are to lead to Christ He paid for,and the church we are members of belong to Him.We are just tools He uses in His garden of salvation,unworthy earthen vessels chosen to carry His precious word through out a dying land that all might live.

The word of God tells us this life we now live in the flesh,we now live through Christ,it is not us who live but He now lives through us.We have no say so as what we will or will not do.We are His servant, He is the master we are His bond servants.It is not about our will,our wants or even who we are.It is not about our salvation but the Savior who saved us all.They are not our souls we were told to compell to come to the Lord.It is not up to us who is or is not worthy to hear the good news.Jesus said go out and proclaim it to ever creature.Just like we don't know who is going to hell,we also don't know who is going to heaven,regardless of how many tickets they have in their hand.Jesus told us to proclaim the gospel to every creature.It is not our church,or even our ministry,we are just ministers in the ministry of Christ. We are members of the Church of the living God.Jesus said" upon this rock I build MY Church", not your church or your ministry.We don't even have a say as to where in the body we want to be,for He says "God has placed each member,everyone of them in the body where it pleased Him".

When and only when we truly come to realize this is about Christ and Him crucified,when we come to the knowledge that God didn't leave any part of salvation up to us for He said "you didn't choose me,I chose you",cause we didn't have enough since to choose Jesus, we said give me Barabas.But we were chosen for His will,out of His goodness and to serve His purpose.So let us remember the true JOY of salvation "Jesus-Others-Yourself",and let us stand united as the redeemed of the Lord say so.

Issues Of The Heart

Romans 10:9 "That if thou halt confess with thy mounth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,thou shalt be saved".

The relationship with God that is of salvation is a matter of the heart, and here in this 10th chapter of Romans it is revealed how a man can be saved from sin and death and be made the righteousness of God. The righteousness and salvation of God is right before man,it lies within his heart and only need be confessed with his mouth.

The gospel demands that man only believes and confesses that Jesus has both died for his sins and have been raised from the dead, for him to have everlasting life with the Father.All that man desires,perfect peace, righteousness,and salvation, are found in mans mouth and in his heart.Man only needs to do three simple things to be saved from sin, death and hell, and enter into the rest of the Lord.Man must confess with his mouth the Lord Jesus.He must confess that Jesus Christ is theLord from heaven,the only begotten of the Father.He must believe in his heart. Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. He must believe that Jesus died for man,and was raised from death because he perfectly satisfied God's demand for justice.God was perfectly satisfied with Jesus dying for the sins of man,taking the sins of mankind,and his punishment upon His back, therefore God raised Him from the dead.Man must believe with the heart,and then confess with the mouth as you can't confess that which you don't believe.

When we believe with our hearts that Jesus is the Christ who accepted for all mankind the wage paid by sin,God takes that faith and counts it as righteousness.Then the man confesses Christ unto salvation, that is he is saved by openly confessing Christ,no man can deny Christ and be saved by Him.

Did Jesus Die In Vain?

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us,who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him".

Jesus Christ death;the message is unbelievable,a message of redemption,that is a substitution for sin. This is one of the great verses proclaiming the unbelievable love of God.It is impossible for man to grasp the fact that God made Christ to be sin for us,yet that is exactly what the scripture says.He who knew no sin made to be sin,for the sole that sinneth shall surley die,so for man to live He had to die.

Did He die in vain?Why was this act necessary? Because man needs more than just righteousness to stand perfect before God.To stand righteous before God is not enough,for man has already sinned.Man already stands guilty of breaking God's law, and the judgement and condemnation of death has already taken effect upon man. So the condemnation and judgement of sin had to be taken care of. God did this by laying all the sins of man upon Christ,all the guilt and condemnation of sin,God placed it all on Christ and let Him bear it all Himself.God's purpose for this was that we through Christ death, might be made righteousness of God in Christ.When a person really believes in Jesus Christ,God takes that man's faith and He counts it as righteousness.The man is not righteous,but God considers the man's faith in Christ as righteousness.God does this because he loves man so much,that he sent His only Son to die that we might have a right to life.Jesus secured righteousness for man. He came into the world to die for man.He came and arose from death and thus conquered death for man,thus His resurrected life could stand for the resurrected life of the believer.But did Christ die in vain in your life?Have you accepted this truth?

The truth is this God loves His Son Jesus Christ so much, that He honors any man who honors His son by believing in Him and believing Him.When we sincerly trust Christ,God takes that faith and counts it as righteousness,thus He judges us , and treats us,as though we are innocent.We are not innocent,us and God both knows this,but God counts us as innocent because of our faith in Jesus Christ.To God we have died with Christ and rose a new creation.So did Christ die in vain for you?.

We Prosper In The Will Of God

Genesis 50:19 "And Joseph said unto them,fear not: for am I in the place of God".

On this road we have been called to travel,there are going to be times when we find ourselves in some uncomfortable situations.There will be times when we will ask"why me Lord" and "why here Lord". There will be times when we will question and doubt if we are still walking with the Lord.But rather we like it or not, we will endure trial and suffer unjustly on the walk we have embarked upon.Contrary to the popular message being proclaimed today, the pathways of righteousness will take you through the valley of the shadow of death.But fear not, for God is in control.

See here Joseph was a man of great integrity and character.He was one who walked with the Lord.Yet on his journey he was sold into slavery by his own brothers,he was thrown in prision because of a lie that was told on him.But all along the wayGod was in control.Each trail that came upon him, was preparing him, and elevating him into a position to accomplish God's will for his life. There are some roads we must travel to get  us to the place God has for us.We must be like Joseph and remain faithful knowing that God is always in control and He always has our best interest at heart.He never promised us a walk through the park,but He did tell us to "be of good cheer for I have overcome the world", and that he would never leave us nor forsake us.God's will is that none should perish,so he will use us as He will, to accomplish His perfect plan of salvation.

So when you find yourself in a uncomfortable position don't focus on you, but look to what it is in the situation that can bring God glory, and salvation to one that might be lost.We must remember it is not about us, or about us being saved, it is about a Savior who can save anybody,we are just tools in His garden of salvation.So when the world put you in a situation intending evil,know that God meant it for good, for we know "all things work together for the good to them that love the Lord,them who are the called according to his purpose."

Blessed And A Blessing

Genesis 45:7"And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth,and to save your lives by a great delieverance."

We were all called out of darkness into God's marvelous light.All of us were at one time a prisoner, caught up in the of the wiles of the enemy.We were all sold into the bondage of sin, by the lust of the flesh,lust of eye and pride of life.But thanks be to God that he blessed us with salvation through the death of His son Jesus Christ, that we might lead others to the light of His salvation.

In our story today Joseph was made head of all Egypt.A journey that started when his brothers out of envy,sold him into slavery,and ended with him being a father to Pharaoh,lord of his house and ruler throughout all the land of Egypt(vs.8).But God didn't do all of this for Joseph, for him to  be a big shot,no God blessed Joseph that he might be a blessing to others.That he might use his position for the glory of God.God didn't reveal Himself to us so that we can sit high and look low,He didn't deliever us that we might wear important titles,sit in the high seats of self-righteousness.No God saved us that we might reach back and lead someone else to His light. God revealed the dangers that lied ahead to us that we might tell others that are lost in darkness that there is a famine coming, and only those who are here in the care of the Lord shall be saved.God blessed us to bless others.

God gave us His only begotten Son that we might have a right to everlasting life.We owe it to God to share the good news of salvation to every creature,to let our lights so shine that man will glorify God and lost soul might be saved.Let us recieve the Lord and be blessed,and share th eLord and be a blessing.

The Decision is Yours

Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God".

Paul's last visit to the church at Ephesus was punctuated with the warning," Your soul is now in your own hands"..."You have not heeded the Gospel"..."My hands are clean,my conscience is clear"..."I have told you the whole truth without compromise".......

See Paul had told them the whole truth about the righteousness of God,the love of God, the patience of God,and also the wrath of God,for he had proclaimed to them Christ and Him crucified.He told them the whole truth about sin,it is not a simple error that will be overlooked in ignorance.It has regrets,it is a transgression to the law of God and it breaks His heart.The truth that all sinners are condemed before God.How it destroys body and soul,and it is a condition of man and a act of man.It is an unredeemed condition of the soul, and a willful act of the individual.He told the the whole truth about death and Hell.Death is not the end but it can come without warning.It closes the curtain on God's mercy, and it can be both physical and spiritual.Hell like death is an unpleasant subject,but rather we like it or not, it is the destination of many because they refuse to submit to the Lord of Glory.

Then he told the whole truth about Salvation,the supreme need of every individual.It is a free gift to all  provided through the love of God.Completed by the Son of God on Calvary.Available only through Jesus Christ. Secured only through faith,and kept by the power of God.Here we have all the truth,what will you do with it?

A Holy Calling

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

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

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

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

 

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

Thank God For Jesus

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:

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 heald.Because of His shed blood we are saved from sin. Because He choose 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 this 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.

The Gift of God

John 1:29 "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him,and saith, Behold the Lamb of God ,which taketh away the sin of the world."

One day when I was lost ,Jesus died upon a cross,to take away the sin of the world.He saved me;God took on the image of man, that man might once again be made in the image of God.He took on my image,endured my punishment and suffered my death, to take away my sin.Behold the Lamb of God.

Jesus the Christ, the precious lamb of God,who is standing at the door of our hearts knocking,will you let Him in? John said "he seeth Jesus coming unto him"; Do you see Jesus coming unto you?Will you invite Him in? Today is the accepted day of salvation harden not your heart.John said "behold or Look" the Lamb of God".We must look too the Lamb of God that we might be saved from our sin.What must truly look to Him when we fall into divers temptations,for Jesus said "I have power over all flesh". Jesus and Jesus alone has the power to make the flesh behave.It is when we walk in the spirit of Christ that we don't give in to the lust,will and desires of the flesh.John tells us why we must look to Him,he says "which taketh away the sin of the world".Notice sin is singular,the sin that started all this was mans disobedience to God.When man obeys God man is without sin, it is our disobedience to God that opens the door to all the evil of this world.Jesus is the only way man can be obedient to God.

Now I'm not saying you will never have sin in your life.The flesh is full of sin, and you have to carry it where ever you go.But think of it like a bottle full of whiskey,you can have it in your pocket,but as long as you don't open it and drink of it, you won't get drunk.Look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Only Believe

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.He is standing at the door knocking let Him in.In our story today the jailer after the quake had open the jail doors,found himself in darkness, thinking the prisioners 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 nust tell them as Paul told the jailer,"believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved."It is not about joining church,a certain denomination,or the leadership you are under,it is simply about your belief in Christ and Him crucified.You must believe that Christ died on calvery's and rose on the third day with all power,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 ressurection of Jesus Christ.The only forgiveness of sin is 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.......... 

Stay With The Lord

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

This journey we have begun will be filled with lifes 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 with the Lord.Even when life throws all it has at you to where you see the world around you falling apart it is still safer to stay the course with the Lord than it is to abandon His care.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 thier 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 having done all to stand,we must stand in the full armour of God.He also had them throw some things off the ship to lighten up the load.There are somethings and some people in our life we need to let go of and throw away. Many of us are carring around some stuff and have been holding on to some things way.

Paul faced the raging sea around him with the faith that God would do just what He said He would do,and that was the anchor Paul held on to survive.Stay with the Lord ,He is peace in the time of a storm.

Are You Robbing God?

Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me.But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee?In tithes and offerings."

The word of God tells us to render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's and unto God that which is God's and we tend to rob God of that which is His.Now we render to Ceasar his do, you know we go to work we pay our bills,we provide for all of the earthy needs,which is good,but in doing so we tend to rob God of His due,stealing His glory and deprive Him of that which He has bought and paid for.

In this tight economy we sometimes feel we don't make enough or have enough to pay our tithes, or give an offering.Well when you don't have enough to pay your tithes that when you should pay your tithes. God can do more with your little bit than you can with a whole lot.Your tithes is just that which you owe Him, many rob Him with our offerings.to We pay our tithes at the liquor store, shoe store,clothing store,and the mall while we give our offering at the casinos,to the bill collectors,and give God what ever is left.God don't need our money, the earth is the Lord and the fullness there of.We not only rob Him of our monatary offerings,but we don't even offer Him our whole life.He died for us yet we give Ceasar the life which truly belong God.All that we have comes from God yet many times we don't even say thank you to Him thus even stealing the glory that is due Him.

Let us give God the first and the best of our fruits.Give Him the first two hours and forty minutes of everyday and feel the glory of the Lord as He directs your paths and fills you with the joy of His salvation.Offer Him your total heart and watch Him work miracles in you and through you.Give Him the first tenth of your earnings and watch Him open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing you can't hold.Trust in God, don't rob Him out of fear from this world,after all He told us be of good cheer for He has overcome this world.You can't beat God giving,and I dare you to try...... 

Praise The Lord

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway:and again I say,Rejoice".

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we put all of our faith and trust in Him.In doing so, we should be accepting life, the good and the bad,as it is handed to us.However,we may still find ourselves broken and beaten by hard times instead of rejoicing in the belief we have in Him to bring us through those times.We may find ourselves worrying about the things we need, rather than trusting in his continuing provision for us,as Paul obviously did.A non-believer does not rely on support from the Lord to get through trials and tribulations. However, we as believers,have professed that we are putting all faith in Him.So why is it that we sometimes do not practice this belief? We attend church and bible study,yet we may still get easily discouraged with our daily challenges instead of continuing to be encouraged by our relationship with God.

God's sovereignty, is available during any type of circumstance for the believer.To rejoice during troubled times is to tap into that sometimes inexplicable peace.Like a troubled child who wants to crawl into mom and dad's bed during a thunderstorm,the Lord is near to those that are troubled.When we are anxious, it is generally about something that has yet to happen.Anxiety stems from circumstances that are beyond our control,or as a result of our own negligence.But those of us who trust in the Lord, should cast all our cares upon him, and leave them with Him.Then we should accompany this action by giving thanksgiving and prasie,so we're putting things into perspective,trusting that it is alright already. Then the peace of God will fill our hearts during these troubled times.

Just as he made a commitment to us, we have to continue to hold up our end of the bargin.How do we convience non-believers of his love and faithfulness, if we are not exuding His joy and peace during difficult situations? If we have truly put our faith and trust in Him, we would just put the worry, fear, and negativity all in His hands.We can mature personally and spiritually if we draw closer to Him and turn over our troubles to Him.Letting our troubles go also frees up our time and energy,allowing us not only to grow in our walk with him, but also to minister to others who may not yet believe.As we find peace and joy in our lives,others will want to learn how to live in complete joy and peace.Rejoice I say, for God is good.Praise the Lord at all times.

A Child Of The King

Galatians 4:7 " Wherefore thou art no more a servant,but a son; and if a son,then an heir of God through Christ".

When a child is adopted that means a parent went and chose a particular child to take care of, to provide for.We have been chosen by God, picked out to be part of His royal family.We're adopted into God's family when we trust in Jesus as our Savior.It only happens through our relationship with Him. This is when we become God's child.We were oringinally born in sin,which separates us from God, making us His enemy, as we are followers of satan.But when we make a conscience decision to accept Christ,and become a born again ,baptized, blood washed believer we begin a relationship with Christ and are on our way to becoming a part of God's royal family.

Once we establish a relationship with Christ we are brought into God's family.God adopts us and bestows His grace on us through Christ.Every spiritual blessing is found in Christ,and the only way to be with Christ is by believing in Him and doing what He requires.This is how everyone becomes blessed.God is now our Father.All of the riches of heaven are our inheritance.So why are we acting like orphans?Why do we stand outside the gate,like we are not welcome to come in,like we don't know the way in.We should be living as children of the king,heirs of His promise,celebrating everyday,the joys of our inhertiance.God so loved us he looked beyond all that was wrong with us and he chose us.He wants us to be part of His family,He adopted us with the blood of His only begotten,Let us accept this free gift with gladness and walk worthy of the family name.

Jesus died, He endured all that sin causes so that we can be free of the guilt, shame and death of sin. That we might have a life of peace and Joy with our Father which art in heaven.All we need to do is go out and enjoy that which God has for us.He is our Father,and every good and perfect gift is from Him,and he will with hold no good thing from us.All that is before us, all that we go through is for our good and the building of His Kingdom which is part of our inheritance,for we are a child of the King.

Don't Jump Ship

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

This journey we have embarked upon is going to be filled with lifes 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 on the ship.Even when life throws all it has at you to where you see the world around you falling apart it is still safer to stay the course with the Lord than it is to jump ship.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 thier full.Paul knew they would need strength to withstand that which was before them. We to need to eat when the stoms 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 somethings and some people in our life we need to let go of and throw out of our life. Many of us are carring around some stuff and have been holding on to some things way to long that truly don't mean us anygood.

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....

My Sin For His Righteousness

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us,who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him".

Jesus Christ death;the message is unbelievable,a message of redemption,that is a substitution for sin. This is one of the great verses proclaiming the unbelievable love of God.It is impossible for man to grasp the fact that God made Christ to be sin for us,yet that is exactly what the scripture says.He who knew no sin made to be sin,for the sole that sinneth shall surley die,so for man to live He had to die.

Why was this act necessary? Because man needs more than just righteousness to stand perfect before God.To stand righteous before God is not enough,for man has already sinned.Man already stands guilty of breaking God's law, and the judgement and condemnation of death has already taken effect upon man. So the condemnation and judgement of sin had to be taken care of. God did this by laying all the sins of man upon Christ,all the guilt and condemnation of sin,God placed it all on Christ and let Him bear it all Himself.God's purpose for this was that we through Christ death, might be made righteousness of God in Christ.When a person believes in Jesus Christ,I mean really believes,God takes that man's faith and He counts it as righteousness.The man is not righteous,but God considers the man's faith in Christ as righteousness.God does this because he loves man so much,so much that he sent His only begotten Son to die that we might have a right to life.Jesus secured righteousness for man.He came into the world to die for man.He came and arose from death and thus conquered death for man,thus His resurrected life could stand for the resurrected life of the believer.

The truth is this God loves His Son Jesus Christ so much, that He honors any man who honors His son by believing in Him and believing Him.When we sincerly trust Christ,God takes that faith and counts it as righteousness,thus He judges us , and treats us,as though we are innocent.We are not innocent,us and God both knows this,but God counts us as innocent because of our faith in Jesus Christ.To God we have died with Christ and rose a new creation.He took my sins that I might have HIs righteousness.Thank you Jesus

God Is

Isaiah 45:22"Look unto me,and be ye saved,all the ends of the earth:for I am God,and there is none other."

 

In this day of the I, me,and myisms,the concept of God has taken on many different forms,shapes,and meanings.In a era of religious rights and freedom, you can talk about and worship openly any god, but the true and living God.In this christian nation we live in,Christ is not welcome in our schools, courts, government funded programs, and on any given sunday he might not be welcome in his own church house.In a country which has laws protecting gay rights, civil rights,womens rights, animal rights, gun rights, and criminal rights, it still is not politically right to profess Christ openly in public.

God is real and it is time for the redeemed to say so.We sometimes try so hard to please the world, that we get caught up in its confusion, adopting it's ways, and we begin serving and worshiping it's gods. This brings about a suffering due to sin. But the good news is with all we've done,even though we sometimes turn from the real God to worship idols,God comforts us through his word,as he lets us know he hasn't forgotten us.He let us know that he is still good ,still God and still saves as he still sits upon the throne.Look to Him when you are feeling down and left out.Seek Him if you are lost in a world of darkness.hold to His hand if you feel yourself falling into the grips of sin.He is God and there is no other.

God has always had a plan of salvation, a way to deliever us from the bondage of our captivity. A way to repair the broken relationship between the creator and his creation. God says assemble yourselves and draw near, and return to me.We must turn from our ways to draw near to God. God is both a just God and a perfect savior, for all who comes to him. God wants us to come to him, for there is none other like him,look to him in faith, look away from all the pretenders in our lives and fix our eyes,and the desires our heart on the true God.Seek him out, look to him and be saved. Look to God for "He is".

Your Choice- His Way

Job 34:33 "Should it be according to thy mind?He will recompense it,whether thou refuse,or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest".

God commands that all repent and be baptised,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.

The question is asked of Job by God, "should it be according to thy mind?" Should salvation be planned to suite you? Should beggars be choosers?Should these who profess penitence become dictators?What is your objection? Is there something wrong with God's perfect plan of salvation?Since He paid for it should it not be his way.When we pay for something we want it our way.Isn't his way the best way,after all our way got us to the point of needing to be saved.Should salvation be according to my mind which is ignorant to the things of heaven,which is sometimes feeble,fickled, selfish and often short sighted. Rather we accept or refuse salvation,God has paid the price.Rather you believe it or not,God will punish sin, and the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.God will be glorified and will glorify Christ by the conversion of willing souls who do it His way.God is not one to dispute with,He dosn't need saving we do,we have the choice if we want to be saved,but how we are saved is not up to us.So here God says "Not I", He will not be responsible for the choices we make, He did all he needed for us to be saved, now it is up to us to accept his way or deny salvation.

We have an invitation,"therefore speak what thou knowest". Let us excercise our freedom,choose or reject the plan of salvation set before us.Be sure of that you know by personal observation and experience,and let you decision be based on unquestionable knowledge.Decide for you self,but let it be done with much prayer and spiritual thought,for you decision is for an eternity.

Harvest Time

Luke10:2"Therefore said he unto them,The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few:pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest."

It's been said that you are either a missionary or a mission field.That is,you are either being ministered to by others, or you are ministering to them. This scripture reminds us that we can go out in confidence, because God has gone before and prepared the way. There are persons of peace out there who are waiting to accept the Gospel if we share it with them.

Jesus didn't plan to minister alone. His goal is to partner with those willing to minister with him.The spiritual fields are ripe for harvest.Many want to hear the good news,but there is a lack of workers willing to gather in the spiritual crops, to bring in the sheaves.Jesus has empowered us to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, in our walk and our talk ; in our attitude and our graditude; our sharing and our caring, he has given us everything we need to go into the fields and reap the harvest.When we go out and proclaim the good new of the Gospel, we heal sin sick souls, which shows the love of God to all. Now understand, not everyone is going to be receptive to Jesus or his message,but we are just to proclaim it anyway.We are to proclaim the good news to every creature, and warn those who resist the truth, that Jesus is real whether they believe it or not and he is comming back.

When we proclaim Gods word truthfully, then his spirit will move on the prepared heart and lead them to his salvation. Remember God adds to the Church daily as he sees fit. We are just to go out and proclaim the good news.We can share anything we have; Got Jesus? share a word, save a life!

Let Go and Hold On

Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee,cut it off,and cast it from thee:for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,and not that thy whole body should be cast into Hell."

He who loses his life shall save it, this is what Jesus told us.We must be willing to let go in order to hold on.Many are trying so hard to live a spiritual life by holding on to carnal things.But we must die to all that is carnal to live in all that is spiritual.God's word tells us we cannot serve two masters for you will deny one for the other.So choose ye this day whom you will be a servant to.

Jesus says "if thy right hand offends thee cut it off and throw it away.We must rid ourselves of any and all things that hinders our walk with the Lord.Many are missing out on some of the great things God has for us because we won't let go and grab hold.We have things, people and situations in our lives that mean us no good, do us no good and bring us no good, yet we won't let them go.We hold on to beliefs, feelings, and thoughts that are in opposition to Gods word, which keeps us outside the will which God has for our life.Jesus said to not only separate yourself from that which offens you, but to also cast it from you,or throw it away.We can't separate ourselves from something yet keep it within reach where we will keep falling back to it on leaning on it.God wants us to lean and depend upon Him for all of our needs. He wants us to cast ALL our cares upon Him, no matter how big or how small.

This journey we have embarked upon is one of faith.We must be willing to rid ourselves of the old man and all he stood for and stood with, and surrender ourselves totally over to the will of God.We must walk out on the promise of God's word and trust in all that it says,knowing that He will do just what He said.And if our right hand interferes with that walk ..................

Mirrors and Windows

Psalms 51:3 "For I acknowledge my transgressions:and my sin is ever before me".

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"; "For there is none righteous no not one".We    live in a world where everybody is looking out the window.We seem to find fault in everything and everybody,yet can't seem to notice the faults that lie within ourself.We are quick to tell someone "you can't judge me"and yet we are just as quick to pass judgement on others.The word of God tells us to remove the beam out of your own eye then remove the speck in your brothers eye.

Here in our text the writer tells God he is aware of  his own transgressions,and how he sees his sin before him.See here is a person who is looking in the mirror and not out of the window.It is so easy to focus on the flaws of others, that we don't even realize that what we are doing is a flaw within us.We want to condem and dislike those who we think is going against Gods word.We say things like they are not a christian,we call them evil and say they are not saved.But ask yourself,do you always act Christ like?Are all your thought,actions and behaviors something which is always pleasing to God?Does that mean you are not saved, or you don't believe.Remember there are weak and lame sheep in every flock and yet they are all still His sheep.We forfiet the right to dislike and hate people when we professed to be a christian.Jesus died for all souls, even those we don't agree with. 

The writer of our text knew that his salvation was based on his life and walk with God,and not the way others might walk.Let us spend more time in the mirror of life that we might become a better reflection of who Jesus is to a dying world.Yes we are to hate sin but we must love the sinner.Let us be less of a judge of each other, and more of our brothers keeper.Let us through prayer and supplication help bear the shortcomings and infirmities of the weak and lame sheep of our Lords flock.Let us love one another as Christ has loved us.Inspite of.

Dancing With The Devil

Judges 16:6 " And Delilah said to Samson,Tell me,I pray thee,wherein thy great strength lieth,and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee."

The enemy comes not but to steal, kill and destroy.We must realize that there is nothing good in the enemy.He is a liar and the father of them.Yet many of us get caught daily in the web that he has woven, to capture and destroy that which God has created.The enemy is not going to be in a red suit with horns on his head,often times he will look just like that we are seeking in through the lust of the flesh,the lust of our eyes and the pride of life.

In our story today the enemy came in the image of a beautiful woman.There si a reason God tells us be not unequally yoked.See delilah was a deciever.She pretended to be one thing in order to destroy that which God had created.See much like Eve in the garden,Delilah was pleasant to look at in Samson eye, and it was the lust of his eye, that lead to the lust of his flesh, which caused him to tell delilah the secret of his heart.It is the deception of the enemy which causes us to surrender to him our hearts and hinder our relationship with God.Samson kept toying with her when he should have left her presence.Many of us are playing footsie with the enemy when we should leave him alone.

Satan is real,and as we see in our story after Delilah decieved Samson, she went on to destroy his life. He had to repent and return to God.Satan has decieved many and went on to destroy their lives.the only way back is to repent and turn back to God to be saved.

Walk In The Light

1John 1:5b-7;"God is light,and in him is no darkness at all.If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lie,and do not the truth:But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin."

God is light and in him is no darkness at all, for God dwells in the light, and he has commanded us to walk in that light.Our fellowship with God and his son Jesus Christ is in the light,if we remaind in the darkness we cannot have fellowship with him.

Darkness and light cannot co-exist. The point of reconcilliation between God and man is man's acknowledgement of his sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord.We must not remain at the point of acceptance, but we must grow in faith, in obedience to God's word and unto perfection.Those who are not walking in the light are abiding in death.Those who claim to have fellowship with God but continue to practice sin deceived themselves.

Those who enjoy genuine fellowship with God, metaphorically speaking,"walk in the light."This does not mean that they are perfect or sin free, but they let the light reveal the sin in their lives, and then turn away from that sin.Those who walk in the light have fellowship both with God through the confessing and cleansing of their sins and with other believers.People do sin and all that say they don't is calling God a liar,when Gods word is active in your life you will confess your sins and not deny them.Truly knowing Jesus Christ is having a practical daily devotion and obedience to the Father's words.So let us live with the light on and experience the full love of God..

Jesus Wept

luke 19:41"And when he was come near, he beheld the city,and wept over it"

Compassion, one of the most beautiful virtues of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.A genuine heart felt concern, and deep rooted unconditional love for others.Here in our story today we have the great ambassordor from heaven,overcome with emotion,as he was making his public entry into Jerusalem. Jesus, desending down Mount Olive,as he approached the city,when he was come near,he could look down into the city.He could look into the heart of the city,he wasn't elevated with the applause and acclamation of the people or impressed by the size of the crowd, but when he came near he beheld the city,and seen its impending doom.Christ looks into the heart of man, not impressed with the hand praise and lip service,not over taken by the size of the congragations,for he sees the impending doom of all who haven't accepted him as their Lord and savior.The gospel has been preached, salvation has been offered,Yet in the mist of our praise ,many still have not made peace with God.We cry out his name,but many have yet to accept him as Lord and Savior.Many are still blinded by the gods of this world, to the accepted day of salvation.The day you hear his voice, is your accepted day of salvation.

When he was come near he beheld the city with a weeping eye.He wept for the lost souls who continue to live unrepented lives.He approached the city, and his eyes effected his heart, and his heart effected his eyes,and he wept.He didn't weep because he was betaryed,and sold out by his own.He didn't shed a tear when they whipped him all night long and hung him on a cross to die, for this reason he came.No he wept because Jerusalem had not made the most of the day. Jesus weeps now for those who still don't realize now is the accepted day for salvation.There is still time to repent,yet Christ knows few will make use of it.

He wept at the condition of the temple,once a house of prayer set apart for communion with God,but now has become a den of thieves,greedy of filthy lucre.He wept because if only they had known the things that would bring them peace.He wept because in the day of salvation they harden their hearts. Yes, Jesus loves us so much that he weeps for those who has yet to receive his salvation. It is his will that none shall parish, he died that we all might have everlasting life.

A Living Testimony

Isaiah 49:6"And he said,it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,and to restore the preserved of Israel:I will also give thee for a light to the gentiles,that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth".

Our mission in life, just as it was for Israel and for Jesus,is to share the truth about God with others,so they know what they have to do to have a right relationship with God.God wants to restore his relationship with all people and nations.A relationship broken by sin and compounded by people's rebellion against him.

People seems to have one or two approaches for sharing our christian faith with others.Some feel strongly,that they should live the christian life to the best of their ability,and only talk about Jesus if asked.Although others might know them to be kind and considerate, but because they seldom speak about Jesus or the gospel,few will ever know about their faith in God.The other way is to share the gospel with our words as well as our lives. Working hard, trying to live in a way that is a good reflection on God's character,but also looking for opportunities to talk about God,Jesus,our faith, and what it takes to have a right relationship with God.Jesus said, this about the relationship between our lives and our words:"you are the light of the world.A city on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.Instead,they put it on its stand,and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way let your light shine before man,that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven."

We are called to be God's light in our world today.It's through our lives that people see what God is like and hopefully become attracted to him.But it is through our words that they hear what's true about God,(For faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God)and what it takes to have a right relationship with him.God's servants are to be the light that penatrates spiritual darkness and leads others to a relationship with Jesus.It is our dedication to this mission which glorifies God,and in the process help reconnect others to him.This is the mission of servants of the Lord.

Live The Life You Talk About

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear Children.And walk in Love as Christ has also loved us,and have giving Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."

It is so easy to say you are a Christian with your mouth , but what does your life say.Religion is one of the fastest growing organizations in the world today.Everybody is seeking to believe in someone and be part of something.But with all the religions in the world today there is only one Lord and Savior of the world.His name is Jesus Christ.

If you profess to be a Christian it means you are Christ like.But Christ is not boastful, proud, hateful, judgmental,quick tempered,unkind,uncaring,unloving, He is not part of the un-generation.So how can we profess to be like Christ with our mouth and not live like it.Let us be true followers of God.I don't mean just walking behind Him, I mean walk as Christ walked. In love one for another,by giving our selves for the salvation of another.Presenting ourself as a living sacrifice,let us be a free will offering to the Lord that He might do with us as is His will.That we might be a sweetsmelling savour for the Lord.

Remember a lost world is watching you.When you say you are a Christian how you act displays to the world what Christ is like.Let u sbe a more accurate reflection of our savior.Let us through prayer and supplication walk worthy of the name which we lay claim, and live the life we talk about.