Christmas is more than a day, it is an attitude we need to have in our hearts. We need to remember why we celebrate and why we even have Christmas.
Here is how Webster’s defines Christmas
Christmas:
a Christian feast on December 25 or among some Eastern Orthodox Christians on January 7 that commemorates the birth of Christ and is usually observed as a legal holiday
But how do you define Christmas, that is the question.
Is it a day for family, presents and fun or is it a day of remembrance to celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?
If we look at Christmas through the eyes of our Creator, we would see the true meaning of Christmas.
Hebrews 1:1-10 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him." And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
God sent Jesus to us, He spoke to us through His Son. A prophet of old days was God’s way of talking to man, a priest was man’s way of talking to God. Christ is both, the perfect prophet, and the perfect priest, angels where sent to minister to men the message of God, Jesus is God’s revelation or message to man.
Jesus was begotten, or came out of or just as God, and is redemption for all of mankind. He holds all things, created all things, rules all things, and is the final authority of all things. Nothing has happened, or will happen that He is not over.
Jesus Christ is the reason for Christmas, a celebration of Him, for Him, by Him.
That is why I said in the beginning Christmas is an attitude of our heart, and something we should celebrate everyday. We have within us the cure for what ails the world, the cure for sin and death. We must give Him away everyday, the more you give Christ away in all you do, the more you will experience Christ love.
Jesus came knowing He would give up His life for the redemption for mankind. Man could not come up to God, so God came down to man. And Jesus faced the cross with joy, He kept His eyes on the prize, us. He faced things most of us will never know, He did it without complaining, and He gave us His all so we could live our lives. Lay down anything that would hinder you from serving Him. He alone is the author and finisher of our faith, look to Him daily to strengthen you, and celebrate Him with everyone you can.
So as you celebrate Christmas this year, keep that attitude going until God calls you home, and remember Gods' words.
For this is the Christmas story, the story of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:1-7 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Merry Christmas
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Friday, December 21, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Be the Man God called you to be!
We have allot to be thankful for, every day we wake up, we are blessed and in the hands of Almighty God. We have been chosen to be on this earth, for such a time as this. And as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, boyfriends, and brothers we have been surrounded by people that God has given us, and we should look at them as gifts from God. And God has given us a unique opportunity to come together and serve Him, in a church family that wants us to all grow, and be the men God has called us to be.
We should pray for our Brothers in Christ. We need to lift each other up, give permission to one another and hold each other accountable. We should know that we can count on each another, be there for each other and encourage each other knowing that none of us walk alone.
We have a huge responsibility, to teach our families about the Lord, we are slowly losing future generations, by not being the men that God has called us to be, we need to start now, lead our families in prayer each day, do a devotion with them, and love and instruct them as the Lord has instructed us.
Psalms 78 talks about what happens when we do not teach our children, about God
1 - A Contemplation of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6- That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; 8 And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
You can read all of Psalms 78 here
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=78&v=1&t=NKJV#top
.Eric Ludy, - wrote God's Gift to Women, here is an excerpt from the book.
"The version of manhood that heaven applauds and all hell fears is accessible by all males who live and breathe. However, in every generation of young men, there are only a rare few who find it. These few will deliberately choose to change what they will protect and serve with their life. This uncommon band of warrior poets will quit their loyal service to Self and surrender their lives wholly and completely to the protection and service of Another. From out of a generation of young men searching for more, you and I are called to be among these brave few.
I want to challenge each of us to be the Man, God has created us to be.
We should pray for our Brothers in Christ. We need to lift each other up, give permission to one another and hold each other accountable. We should know that we can count on each another, be there for each other and encourage each other knowing that none of us walk alone.
We have a huge responsibility, to teach our families about the Lord, we are slowly losing future generations, by not being the men that God has called us to be, we need to start now, lead our families in prayer each day, do a devotion with them, and love and instruct them as the Lord has instructed us.
Psalms 78 talks about what happens when we do not teach our children, about God
1 - A Contemplation of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, 3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6- That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; 8 And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
You can read all of Psalms 78 here
http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Psa&c=78&v=1&t=NKJV#top
.Eric Ludy, - wrote God's Gift to Women, here is an excerpt from the book.
"The version of manhood that heaven applauds and all hell fears is accessible by all males who live and breathe. However, in every generation of young men, there are only a rare few who find it. These few will deliberately choose to change what they will protect and serve with their life. This uncommon band of warrior poets will quit their loyal service to Self and surrender their lives wholly and completely to the protection and service of Another. From out of a generation of young men searching for more, you and I are called to be among these brave few.
I want to challenge each of us to be the Man, God has created us to be.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Revival in America today
We must faithfully pray for the 2012 elections, but do not let our hope and trust come from the result of any elections. Our only hope is in the reality of who God is. Not who we think He is. Do not let this fire die after the election. seek God daily as the saints of Old did, for yourselves, your families, your churches and your Nation.
Our Nation is desperately in need of spiritual and moral revival. And the issues facing this nation will not be resolved in the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court. The United States is desperately in needs of another Great Awakening! This needs to start right where we are today, in our hearts, homes, Churches and work it’s way out.
If we fail to trust in the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, then how can we encourage those around us, with hope we do not have, or faith we do not exercise? Only a spiritual awakening within the people of God has the power to bring about this cultural transformation in our Nation.
There are a number of compelling reasons why we as Christians should pray for America and the elections:
The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are running to become our leaders.
Proverbs. 14:34. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any
people”
When we elect leaders, we are also bringing into play those will influence them, advice them and help shape our Nation, that includes their past advisors also.
Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.”
Godly leaders will help slow the erasure of our religious liberties. This provides a window of opportunity for us to pray and evangelize. Pray for Restoration, Humility, Repentance, Mercy and healing 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Pray for Awakening ,Renewal, Empowerment, Joy & Hope Ephesians 5:13-20 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Pray for Perseverance, Wisdom, Godly Strength, Protection, Truth & Preparedness , Ephesians 6:10-18 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil {one.} 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.7 Ways to Pray For America Originally presented by Dave Butts, Chairman for America’s National Prayer Committee.
Adopted & edited in part by Brian Kinnett The original order of this prayer guide by Dave Butts has been reorganized to share with each of you today. Everything in this color is thier words.1. The Purposes of GodUltimately, whatever the area of prayer emphasis, we must always come back to the purposes of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10). We can pray confidently in the will of God along with Scripture that teaches us that ultimately all things in heaven and earth will be summed up in Jesus Christ when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father (Eph. 1:8b-10 & 1 Corinthians. 15: 24-28). As we pray for something as important as national elections, we must lay down our own desires and take up the desires of God. What we really desire is for the Lord’s purposes to be achieved in and through our nation. All of our requests must be couched in words and thoughts that focus our hearts on the Kingdom of God.
Pray today for the purposes of God to be accomplished in the U.S. elections:
Pray that Christians will turn and seek first the Kingdom of God and be a guiding light to
the people of the U.S. who do not know Christ.
Pray that God will be honored in the midst of this election campaign.
Pray for opportunities for Christians to share their faith and their values in the midst of
this election process.
Pray that the results of the 2012 elections will please the Lord and bring His blessing over the Church and to this nation.
2. The ChurchThe Church is often relegated to the sidelines by the world and considered irrelevant and out of touch. Though we sometimes deserve that critique, God has a completely different perspective on what His people are to be and how we are to function. In Ephesians 3:10, the Apostle Paul writes, “His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known….”
Though seemingly powerless in the eyes of the world, the Church—through righteousness, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit—the wisdom of God is manifested through His revelation of power into any and every culture.
Ephesians 3:14-21 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.Pray today for the Church in America, that:
Our eyes will be opened to see the hope to which we are called (Eph.1:18).
We will experience in a fresh, new way the Presence of Christ in revival.
Believers will be given the faith to believe that their votes will make a difference.
A spirit of repentance and humility will be poured out upon the people of God.
3. The Voters The Great American Experiment in representative government for more than 200 years has depended upon voter involvement. From the very beginning of our nation there has been debate on who should be allowed the privilege of casting a vote to select our governmental leaders. The weight of history has increasingly opened the ballot box to more and more individuals.
This requires an educated electorate who will examine the issues and the candidates and vote in a way that is best for the nation, not just their own well-being. Much prayer is needed for this critical process.
Pray today for voters in the United States, that: Wisdom will be sought from God (James 1:5).
Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.
Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear. 4. The CandidatesIn the early years of our nation, it was thought to be in bad taste to even be seen wanting an office, much less actually campaigning. Oh, how things have changed! Now candidates for public office, especially at higher levels, put themselves and their families through a rigorous process that brings every aspect of their lives into public view. It has become so intense that many good individuals have chosen not to endure the sort of public scrutiny that is an integral part of the campaigning process today Praying for candidates does not mean praying just for those you agree with or support.
All are leaders and potential leaders in our nation—and as such, all need our prayers.
Pray today for candidates for office in the United States, that:
They will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received.
Their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny.
They will surround themselves with godly advisors.
They will focus on the issues we face as a nation and not on personal attacks on other
candidates
..
1st Timothy 2:1-4 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties {and} prayers, petitions {and} thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Exodus 18:21 “But select capable men from all the people –men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain –and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and
tens.”
I Kings 3:28 “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.”
Proverbs 1:5: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,”
Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory”. 5. The MediaIn our day of 24-hour news coverage, the media have taken on a huge role in our election process. Handling media correctly sometimes seems to take precedence in a campaign over actually dealing with issues. The media themselves often forget their role of informing and reporting and have become endorsers and supporters, even while they try to deny that role.
Increased prayer for the media is an essential way for Christians to impact an election.
Pray today for the media in America, that: • Truth in reporting and election coverage will become a high value.
Media bias will disappear.
Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports.
Hope will become a part of the message of the media.
The following verses of Scripture deal with the deception of false pretence and draws contrasts between the ways of the wicked and the consequences of their sin and the ways of the righteous who are blessed of God. Telling and reporting the truth of a matter is important to God and we who call upon Him need to be people living out the truth ourselves. Our dependence on the media to inform us is therefore of critical importance and necessary requiring our prayers so that we will not be led astray but judge rightly and accurately.
Proverbs 12:9-22 “9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a man if filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. 15 The way of a fools seems right to him, but a wise
man listens to advice. 16A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. 18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your
words you will be condemned.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.”6. The Impact on the NationsIn our rapidly shrinking world, what happens in one country has an effect on others. This is especially true for the United States. The individuals who hold the presidency and Senate and Congressional seats will make decisions that impact the rest of the world.
Whether those decisions help or harm the people of the world is largely determined by the choices that Americans make at the polls. We need to pray that our choices will serve to bless the world.
Pray today for the election and its impact on the world, that:
Voters will consider the foreign policies of candidates and how they fit with biblical
principles.
The activities of other nations will not have an undue influence on our elections.
The result of U.S. elections will serve to spread the gospel around the globe.
The U.S. will stand firm in its commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a nation.
Ps 33:12-22 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. 16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. 22 Let Thy loving kindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.
Hebrews 12: 23-29 25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their
duplicity.”
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called –His holy people who are his rich and
glorious inheritance.”7. Spiritual Warfare Surrounding the ElectionsNothing is achieved in the Kingdom of God without warfare. That includes the election of
righteous individuals to the leadership of one of the key nations on the planet. As we pray, we must expect the enemy to attack in many ways. There will be attacks on candidates and their families, on the media, the Church, and perhaps the nation itself. Some will be clearly spiritual, while other attacks may have physical manifestations. Our call is to have great discernment as we pray and stand in the strength of Christ’s victory.
Pray today around the spiritual warfare issues involved in the election, such as:
Great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the
election.
Physical, emotional and spiritual protection for all candidates and their families
throughout this campaign season.
A strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision.
The unleashing of the sword of the Spirit throughout the nation, judging the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
Colossians 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
John 17: 13-19: 13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
Job 1:10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Hebrews 4: 12-13: 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your
protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”Ps 34:1-22 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soulshall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together .4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD .12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves {length of} days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit .14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and His ears are {open} to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 {The righteous} cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Revival starts in each one of us, we are to be watchmen on the wall, and warn everyone about the coming terrors of those who reject Jesus Christ, and eternal damnation that will follow. We are nothing more than pilgrims in desert, our job is not convert, persuade or manipulate anyone into Christianity.
We must be obedient to God and not worry about what others say or do, we will answer to God for how we live, what we say and what we do. That is why Paul warns us to all we do as unto the Lord. Pray like you have never have prayed before, and never cease.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8- For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12- So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
In Christ
brian
Our Nation is desperately in need of spiritual and moral revival. And the issues facing this nation will not be resolved in the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court. The United States is desperately in needs of another Great Awakening! This needs to start right where we are today, in our hearts, homes, Churches and work it’s way out.
If we fail to trust in the power of Jesus Christ in our lives, then how can we encourage those around us, with hope we do not have, or faith we do not exercise? Only a spiritual awakening within the people of God has the power to bring about this cultural transformation in our Nation.
There are a number of compelling reasons why we as Christians should pray for America and the elections:
The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are running to become our leaders.
Proverbs. 14:34. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any
people”
When we elect leaders, we are also bringing into play those will influence them, advice them and help shape our Nation, that includes their past advisors also.
Proverbs 11:14, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisors make victory sure.”
Godly leaders will help slow the erasure of our religious liberties. This provides a window of opportunity for us to pray and evangelize. Pray for Restoration, Humility, Repentance, Mercy and healing 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, 14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Pray for Awakening ,Renewal, Empowerment, Joy & Hope Ephesians 5:13-20 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Pray for Perseverance, Wisdom, Godly Strength, Protection, Truth & Preparedness , Ephesians 6:10-18 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places.} 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil {one.} 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.7 Ways to Pray For America Originally presented by Dave Butts, Chairman for America’s National Prayer Committee.
Adopted & edited in part by Brian Kinnett The original order of this prayer guide by Dave Butts has been reorganized to share with each of you today. Everything in this color is thier words.1. The Purposes of GodUltimately, whatever the area of prayer emphasis, we must always come back to the purposes of God. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven” (Mt. 6:10). We can pray confidently in the will of God along with Scripture that teaches us that ultimately all things in heaven and earth will be summed up in Jesus Christ when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father (Eph. 1:8b-10 & 1 Corinthians. 15: 24-28). As we pray for something as important as national elections, we must lay down our own desires and take up the desires of God. What we really desire is for the Lord’s purposes to be achieved in and through our nation. All of our requests must be couched in words and thoughts that focus our hearts on the Kingdom of God.
Pray today for the purposes of God to be accomplished in the U.S. elections:
Pray that Christians will turn and seek first the Kingdom of God and be a guiding light to
the people of the U.S. who do not know Christ.
Pray that God will be honored in the midst of this election campaign.
Pray for opportunities for Christians to share their faith and their values in the midst of
this election process.
Pray that the results of the 2012 elections will please the Lord and bring His blessing over the Church and to this nation.
2. The ChurchThe Church is often relegated to the sidelines by the world and considered irrelevant and out of touch. Though we sometimes deserve that critique, God has a completely different perspective on what His people are to be and how we are to function. In Ephesians 3:10, the Apostle Paul writes, “His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known….”
Though seemingly powerless in the eyes of the world, the Church—through righteousness, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit—the wisdom of God is manifested through His revelation of power into any and every culture.
Ephesians 3:14-21 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.Pray today for the Church in America, that:
Our eyes will be opened to see the hope to which we are called (Eph.1:18).
We will experience in a fresh, new way the Presence of Christ in revival.
Believers will be given the faith to believe that their votes will make a difference.
A spirit of repentance and humility will be poured out upon the people of God.
3. The Voters The Great American Experiment in representative government for more than 200 years has depended upon voter involvement. From the very beginning of our nation there has been debate on who should be allowed the privilege of casting a vote to select our governmental leaders. The weight of history has increasingly opened the ballot box to more and more individuals.
This requires an educated electorate who will examine the issues and the candidates and vote in a way that is best for the nation, not just their own well-being. Much prayer is needed for this critical process.
Pray today for voters in the United States, that: Wisdom will be sought from God (James 1:5).
Self-interest will be laid aside for the common good.
Discernment between truth and falsehood will be clear. 4. The CandidatesIn the early years of our nation, it was thought to be in bad taste to even be seen wanting an office, much less actually campaigning. Oh, how things have changed! Now candidates for public office, especially at higher levels, put themselves and their families through a rigorous process that brings every aspect of their lives into public view. It has become so intense that many good individuals have chosen not to endure the sort of public scrutiny that is an integral part of the campaigning process today Praying for candidates does not mean praying just for those you agree with or support.
All are leaders and potential leaders in our nation—and as such, all need our prayers.
Pray today for candidates for office in the United States, that:
They will take brave stands for righteousness, even when it may not be well received.
Their families will be protected from harm and unnecessary scrutiny.
They will surround themselves with godly advisors.
They will focus on the issues we face as a nation and not on personal attacks on other
candidates
..
1st Timothy 2:1-4 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties {and} prayers, petitions {and} thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Exodus 18:21 “But select capable men from all the people –men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain –and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and
tens.”
I Kings 3:28 “When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.”
Proverbs 1:5: “A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,”
Proverbs 24:6 “For by wise guidance you will wage war, And in abundance of counselors there is victory”. 5. The MediaIn our day of 24-hour news coverage, the media have taken on a huge role in our election process. Handling media correctly sometimes seems to take precedence in a campaign over actually dealing with issues. The media themselves often forget their role of informing and reporting and have become endorsers and supporters, even while they try to deny that role.
Increased prayer for the media is an essential way for Christians to impact an election.
Pray today for the media in America, that: • Truth in reporting and election coverage will become a high value.
Media bias will disappear.
Christianity will receive fair coverage in all reports.
Hope will become a part of the message of the media.
The following verses of Scripture deal with the deception of false pretence and draws contrasts between the ways of the wicked and the consequences of their sin and the ways of the righteous who are blessed of God. Telling and reporting the truth of a matter is important to God and we who call upon Him need to be people living out the truth ourselves. Our dependence on the media to inform us is therefore of critical importance and necessary requiring our prayers so that we will not be led astray but judge rightly and accurately.
Proverbs 12:9-22 “9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a man if filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. 15 The way of a fools seems right to him, but a wise
man listens to advice. 16A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. 18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Matthew 12:36-37 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your
words you will be condemned.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.”6. The Impact on the NationsIn our rapidly shrinking world, what happens in one country has an effect on others. This is especially true for the United States. The individuals who hold the presidency and Senate and Congressional seats will make decisions that impact the rest of the world.
Whether those decisions help or harm the people of the world is largely determined by the choices that Americans make at the polls. We need to pray that our choices will serve to bless the world.
Pray today for the election and its impact on the world, that:
Voters will consider the foreign policies of candidates and how they fit with biblical
principles.
The activities of other nations will not have an undue influence on our elections.
The result of U.S. elections will serve to spread the gospel around the globe.
The U.S. will stand firm in its commitment to Israel’s right to exist as a nation.
Ps 33:12-22 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. 13 The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; 14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. 16 The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a false hope for victory; nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving kindness, 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. 22 Let Thy loving kindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.
Hebrews 12: 23-29 25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “YET ONCE MORE I WILL SHAKE NOT ONLY THE EARTH, BUT ALSO THE HEAVEN.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their
duplicity.”
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called –His holy people who are his rich and
glorious inheritance.”7. Spiritual Warfare Surrounding the ElectionsNothing is achieved in the Kingdom of God without warfare. That includes the election of
righteous individuals to the leadership of one of the key nations on the planet. As we pray, we must expect the enemy to attack in many ways. There will be attacks on candidates and their families, on the media, the Church, and perhaps the nation itself. Some will be clearly spiritual, while other attacks may have physical manifestations. Our call is to have great discernment as we pray and stand in the strength of Christ’s victory.
Pray today around the spiritual warfare issues involved in the election, such as:
Great awareness and discernment for the Lord’s praying people as they pray over the
election.
Physical, emotional and spiritual protection for all candidates and their families
throughout this campaign season.
A strong hedge of protection around the nation itself during this time of decision.
The unleashing of the sword of the Spirit throughout the nation, judging the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12).
Colossians 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
John 17: 13-19: 13 But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
Job 1:10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Hebrews 4: 12-13: 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your
protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”Ps 34:1-22 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soulshall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear it and rejoice. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together .4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 9 O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want. 10 The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD .12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves {length of} days that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit .14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous, and His ears are {open} to their cry. 16 The face of the LORD is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 {The righteous} cry and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivers him out of them all 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked; and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Revival starts in each one of us, we are to be watchmen on the wall, and warn everyone about the coming terrors of those who reject Jesus Christ, and eternal damnation that will follow. We are nothing more than pilgrims in desert, our job is not convert, persuade or manipulate anyone into Christianity.
We must be obedient to God and not worry about what others say or do, we will answer to God for how we live, what we say and what we do. That is why Paul warns us to all we do as unto the Lord. Pray like you have never have prayed before, and never cease.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8- For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12- So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
In Christ
brian
Monday, September 17, 2012
Heaven Bound
I listened to a sermon this week and this is what was said “ What do you think of first thing in the morning? Do you think of yourself and your day, or on God. If you answer yourself your dwelling on earthly things if you dwell on God then it is Heavenly things. We need to dwell on God.
So this what we know Heaven is the spiritual realm in which the glory of God's presence is manifest, and in which dwell the angels of God, and all believers who have departed this world . “ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews. 12:22-24.
The few glimpses of Heaven given in Scripture reveal a pervading sense of the holiness of God Isaiah 6;1-7 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'
If you read Revelation, 4 & 5, you will see glimpses of heaven that are not pleasant to the unbeliever, and they haD an overwhelming impact on those who saw them. Paul in 2 Corinthians . 12:2-4 said this “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. “ What he saw was not only impermissible but impossible to describe in human terms!
Heaven is certainly among those things he described elsewhere as "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man" 1 Corinthians. 2:9! No wonder Paul says in another place that we shall be "astonished" when we see the Lord at His coming in glory.
Heaven is the immediate home for those saved in Christ . To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43. Paul said that "to be absent from the body (is to be) at home with the Lord" 2 Corinthians . 5:8,’’.
We know "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2-3 One day we will see Him "just as He is." And when we do, we will be purified from all sin and bound eternally to Him! Part of this transformation will be perfecting our relationships with one another. On earth, even among the most mature of us, our relationships are hindered by barriers created by fear, pride, jealousy, and shame. But the Bible says that "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). When we fully apprehend the perfect love which God has for us, and are cleansed from the sin that presently indwells us, our relationships with one another will finally be what God intended them to be.
Paul says that "though now we see through a glass darkly," then we shall "see face to face" and "shall know fully, as we are known" 1 Corinthians . 13:12. We shall know all things about God, without fail. We will praise Jesus Christ like never before, I believe right now we do not know truly know what true praise and worship is, we can’t because we truly do not understand the Love of God, remember the saying “ Christians don’t usually speak lies, they sing them” well one day we will join the heavenly chorus in singing hymns of praise to Almighty God in Heaven we will gain much clearer insight into the wisdom of God and His love in creation, and in redemption.
When our bodies are transformed, they will possess in actuality all that we can now only dream of being capable of. Not only will our bodies be freed from illness and aging, but we will not be held by gravity, or bound to a dying body we will be new!" Wow!
Revelation 21:1-5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Peter asked Jesus what we would have since we forsake all for Him, Jesus said this Matthew 19: 27-30 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first. The new heaven and earth are a transformation of the creation as "the regeneration" That same term is used to describe our new birth of a believer.
All things we have given up, every thought will be nothing and forgotten in heaven, because God’s glory will out shine it all. Isaiah 65:17 says this 'For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind! Being in the presence of Jesus Christ will be eternally gratifying for eternity, we will not have want, or need, or pain or sorrow, we will serve our Lord and be able to praise Him as never before.
The rest of this I will finish and send out, Heaven is a place we should all be dwelling on, let’s set our minds on heavenly things, and all that we will gain, and cast off the cares of this world to our Lord, and know He will provide all we need.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
So this what we know Heaven is the spiritual realm in which the glory of God's presence is manifest, and in which dwell the angels of God, and all believers who have departed this world . “ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews. 12:22-24.
The few glimpses of Heaven given in Scripture reveal a pervading sense of the holiness of God Isaiah 6;1-7 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'
If you read Revelation, 4 & 5, you will see glimpses of heaven that are not pleasant to the unbeliever, and they haD an overwhelming impact on those who saw them. Paul in 2 Corinthians . 12:2-4 said this “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows--how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. “ What he saw was not only impermissible but impossible to describe in human terms!
Heaven is certainly among those things he described elsewhere as "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man" 1 Corinthians. 2:9! No wonder Paul says in another place that we shall be "astonished" when we see the Lord at His coming in glory.
Heaven is the immediate home for those saved in Christ . To the thief on the cross, Jesus said, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise" Luke 23:43. Paul said that "to be absent from the body (is to be) at home with the Lord" 2 Corinthians . 5:8,’’.
We know "we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2-3 One day we will see Him "just as He is." And when we do, we will be purified from all sin and bound eternally to Him! Part of this transformation will be perfecting our relationships with one another. On earth, even among the most mature of us, our relationships are hindered by barriers created by fear, pride, jealousy, and shame. But the Bible says that "perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). When we fully apprehend the perfect love which God has for us, and are cleansed from the sin that presently indwells us, our relationships with one another will finally be what God intended them to be.
Paul says that "though now we see through a glass darkly," then we shall "see face to face" and "shall know fully, as we are known" 1 Corinthians . 13:12. We shall know all things about God, without fail. We will praise Jesus Christ like never before, I believe right now we do not know truly know what true praise and worship is, we can’t because we truly do not understand the Love of God, remember the saying “ Christians don’t usually speak lies, they sing them” well one day we will join the heavenly chorus in singing hymns of praise to Almighty God in Heaven we will gain much clearer insight into the wisdom of God and His love in creation, and in redemption.
When our bodies are transformed, they will possess in actuality all that we can now only dream of being capable of. Not only will our bodies be freed from illness and aging, but we will not be held by gravity, or bound to a dying body we will be new!" Wow!
Revelation 21:1-5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Peter asked Jesus what we would have since we forsake all for Him, Jesus said this Matthew 19: 27-30 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. "But many who are first will be last, and the last first. The new heaven and earth are a transformation of the creation as "the regeneration" That same term is used to describe our new birth of a believer.
All things we have given up, every thought will be nothing and forgotten in heaven, because God’s glory will out shine it all. Isaiah 65:17 says this 'For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind! Being in the presence of Jesus Christ will be eternally gratifying for eternity, we will not have want, or need, or pain or sorrow, we will serve our Lord and be able to praise Him as never before.
The rest of this I will finish and send out, Heaven is a place we should all be dwelling on, let’s set our minds on heavenly things, and all that we will gain, and cast off the cares of this world to our Lord, and know He will provide all we need.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Watchman on the Wall
So many times we get our mission wrong in life as Christians, I am not pointing fingers right now I am looking back because I am at the head of line. But we miss the mark, because we allow the things of this world to interfere with the will of God in our lives.
Every human being is put on this earth for a precise time, we are not born to early or to late we are here now for a reason , and that reason is to fulfill God’s will, and we will one way or another.
We are here primarily to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and go into the world making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are to simply educate them and share with them, out of Love and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8- Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
We get caught up sometimes in the thought process that we must stay and linger, and make sure that someone converts t Christ before we move on, we in a since are trying to do the work of God, and when that happens we are interfering with the will of God, a dangerous place to be I might add.
Mark6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts--9 - but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 10 Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.11"And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
We are to live the word of God, preach the word of God, and warn all those we come in contact with to repent, and know the kingdom of God is at hand, and that one day every human will stand before Jesus Christ and give an account of their life, and will answer for what they have done with the gift of God’s only Son. Now we do this simply by repeating the Bible, it is Truth and shows the depravity of man, and the Love of God, but it also talks about the wrath of God, something most people refuse to talk about nowadays,
In both the Old and New Testaments God gave mankind prophets, a prophet nowadays is a person who speaks truth, about what the future holds, well the future of mankind is grim those who have made Jesus Christ Lord and Savior have a wonderful future, those who reject Jesus Christ have condemned themselves to an eternity of darkness, sadness, despair and death. The only truth today is God’s word and as children of God we have to speak that truth in all we do, for that is the future of mankind.
Ezekiel 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 'when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 'then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5'He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' 7 "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 10 "Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say, "If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" ' 11 "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
You see God has said to us warn mankind of the coming Judgment, and the swiftness of His Sword, it is a scary place to be in the hands of angry God, and His Judgment is permanent, and there is no second chances, no rest, no peace for those who reject God’s truth.
Ezekiel goes on to say, 12 "Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: 'The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.' 13- "When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die. 14 "Again, when I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, 15"if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 "None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17"Yet the children of your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' But it is their way which is not fair! 18"When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. 19- "But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. 20 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways."
The world, hates that it will be held accountable by God they will blame and cry out at us when we warn them, that is ok for when you speak truth to them they then and there make a decision to accept the truth or deny the truth, but rest assured it is their decision. And they will answer to God for it, the decision you and I ,must make is will we accept the position as watchman on the wall, God deals swiftly with those who deny His work.
The sword of the Lord is swift, and sharp and it will tear the spirit from the flesh. You are a watchman, you have been warned, now warn others that the Day of Judgment is fast approaching, that now is the time to turn to Christ.
Jesus is God, many will deny this just as they did in His day, do not take this personally just speak the truth out of love and continue to live your life as Jesus has called you.
Jesus said this to the Jewish people John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37"I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 "I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." 39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40"But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 "You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49- Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 "And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51"Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."
You have your orders from the word of God, it is your choice now to either serve God as a Watchman or disobey God and remain silent. Do not let fear rule your hearts, trust the Lord and make the right choice.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Every human being is put on this earth for a precise time, we are not born to early or to late we are here now for a reason , and that reason is to fulfill God’s will, and we will one way or another.
We are here primarily to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and go into the world making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are to simply educate them and share with them, out of Love and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
1Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8- Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
We get caught up sometimes in the thought process that we must stay and linger, and make sure that someone converts t Christ before we move on, we in a since are trying to do the work of God, and when that happens we are interfering with the will of God, a dangerous place to be I might add.
Mark6:7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts--9 - but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 10 Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.11"And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
We are to live the word of God, preach the word of God, and warn all those we come in contact with to repent, and know the kingdom of God is at hand, and that one day every human will stand before Jesus Christ and give an account of their life, and will answer for what they have done with the gift of God’s only Son. Now we do this simply by repeating the Bible, it is Truth and shows the depravity of man, and the Love of God, but it also talks about the wrath of God, something most people refuse to talk about nowadays,
In both the Old and New Testaments God gave mankind prophets, a prophet nowadays is a person who speaks truth, about what the future holds, well the future of mankind is grim those who have made Jesus Christ Lord and Savior have a wonderful future, those who reject Jesus Christ have condemned themselves to an eternity of darkness, sadness, despair and death. The only truth today is God’s word and as children of God we have to speak that truth in all we do, for that is the future of mankind.
Ezekiel 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 'when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 'then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5'He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' 7 "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 10 "Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: 'Thus you say, "If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?" ' 11 "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'
You see God has said to us warn mankind of the coming Judgment, and the swiftness of His Sword, it is a scary place to be in the hands of angry God, and His Judgment is permanent, and there is no second chances, no rest, no peace for those who reject God’s truth.
Ezekiel goes on to say, 12 "Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: 'The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.' 13- "When I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, but he trusts in his own righteousness and commits iniquity, none of his righteous works shall be remembered; but because of the iniquity that he has committed, he shall die. 14 "Again, when I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' if he turns from his sin and does what is lawful and right, 15"if the wicked restores the pledge, gives back what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 "None of his sins which he has committed shall be remembered against him; he has done what is lawful and right; he shall surely live. 17"Yet the children of your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' But it is their way which is not fair! 18"When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. 19- "But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. 20 "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, I will judge every one of you according to his own ways."
The world, hates that it will be held accountable by God they will blame and cry out at us when we warn them, that is ok for when you speak truth to them they then and there make a decision to accept the truth or deny the truth, but rest assured it is their decision. And they will answer to God for it, the decision you and I ,must make is will we accept the position as watchman on the wall, God deals swiftly with those who deny His work.
The sword of the Lord is swift, and sharp and it will tear the spirit from the flesh. You are a watchman, you have been warned, now warn others that the Day of Judgment is fast approaching, that now is the time to turn to Christ.
Jesus is God, many will deny this just as they did in His day, do not take this personally just speak the truth out of love and continue to live your life as Jesus has called you.
Jesus said this to the Jewish people John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 37"I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. 38 "I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father." 39 They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. 40"But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. 41 "You do the deeds of your father." Then they said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." 48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 49- Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 "And I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51"Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."
You have your orders from the word of God, it is your choice now to either serve God as a Watchman or disobey God and remain silent. Do not let fear rule your hearts, trust the Lord and make the right choice.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Sunday, July 29, 2012
The Cup Of Christ
There’s a whole lot more that God wants for us , but somehow it’s gotten lost in our ways. This is why we’re here. We’re on this journey together, even though God has a different plan for each of us, we journey. And somehow we need to get back the hearts God gave us.
The reason most people fail in their daily walk is simple, we ignore what should be deepest and truest to our heart, our relationship with Jesus Christ. We end up trying to produce external changes , through emotional experiences, or through feel good books, instead of doing what is required of us.
John 14:10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13- "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
If we believe that Jesus is God, and He and the Father are one, then we need to obey Him. Which requires of us to live differently than the world, to live as if we have God within us, a living tabernacle is what we are.
We are called to live a life different from the world, to drink out of a cup, that few get to drink of. We are called to fight the good fight. Remember Jesus said this , in John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, appointed for this moment in time. Arise and fulfill your purpose, don’t set back and become like the world, live bravely, live freely, live as if you know what tomorrow holds, for we know the one who holds tomorrow and should not fear what it has in store for us.
God tells us this , in Micah 6:8 b “ And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? “
1Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Ask yourself do you love Mercy? We should it has been shown to us among all people, do we walk humbly with God? Or do we walk in front of God? Do we watch the way we live, are we brave, strong, ? Do we live all of life out of love? Do we pursue righteousness, godliness, ? Or do we pursue our own self centeredness?
The Lord requires of us to lives as we are called, to whom much is given much is required, just like the Old Testament patriarchs, and the Apostles we are called to drink from a cup, with Christ.
Luke 12:47 "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Remember Indiana Jones going after the Holy Grail the cup Christ drank out of,? That is what the world wants, but without Christ. They want the blessings from the cup, but not the life of obedience we are called to. We need to be the opposite , we need to be like Christ, with Christ, that is what made David a man after God’s own heart and that is what separates us from the world.
Luke 22:14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 "for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17- Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19- And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
In a traditional Jewish Passover feast, there are four cups used. The first is the cup of sanctification, which recalls God calling His people to Himself and delivering them out of slavery. The second is the cup of plagues or judgment, reminding God’s people of the ten plagues in Egypt. The third is the cup of redemption and blessing. The fourth is the cup of praise and God’s kingdom.
The third cup, is the cup that Jesus shared with His disciples. This is the cup that Jesus also pleaded with His Father to take from Him in the garden, but drank it out of obedience. Matthew 26:39“My Father, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will”.
As disciples of Jesus we all drink of the cup of redemption, for we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb, just as the Apostles, drank this cup when they went out from Jerusalem to the ends of the world obeying the Great Commission.
It is this cup of remembrance, the communion cup observing Jesus’ sacrifice. This cup also bears the name the cup of obedience , for we must be doing our Father’s will, whatever the cost. No exceptions, this is character and integrity displayed by God’s chosen throughout biblical history.
Not to many , are obeying our Lord and Savior’s Great Commission, we don’t want to drink from the cup God has given us, that is why Divorce is rampant in the church, that is why Idolatry is rampant, that is why programs fail, and people leave, not to many are willing to , forsake money, status, or a lucrative career, to join the Sainthood of Christian men and women.
We are Saints after all, men and women who are linked throughout biblical history by a common thread. The blood of Jesus Christ, before the cross they looked to the coming Christ and put their faith in what God told them, and after the cross we look back to that moment when Jesus Christ cried out It is Finished, and gave up His Spirit, and died. Only to rise again on the third day, and be seated at the right hand of God.
Every one of them and us have come to the point where pure faith and total trust in God have collided with our broken and hopeless spirits, we have had to lay down our own selfish ways for His cause, His truths, and His will. It is this Sainthood to which we are called to be protectors and defenders of the Body of Christ. It is Sainthood we enter at the point of salvation and when we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is this Sainthood we are to live our lives.
Each soul has it’s own story just as the Saints of old each of us have started as cowards, connivers, thieves, liars, and murderers.
We think of the Old Testament as a time far from here, from an unreachable era in history. Even though it did take place in a different time, the impossible challenges that Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Esther. ,Ruth, Elijah, Daniel, faced and we still face now. Even when Jesus ministered and the early church grew things may have been different culturally, but every situation, everything they faced where the same hurdles we must overcome, the forces of deceit, cruelty, heartlessness, and evil are still the same forces on the earth today.
But even greater than this Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and He says to take heart for He has overcome the things of the world, and that means as His, we can overcome them when we put our complete faith and trust in Him.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
In each and every case, we Saints that drink this cup, risk losing our lives and spilling our blood out of obedience and integrity.
And just like the saints of old, we cannot take our faith for granted, or ever get comfortable thriving in God’s grace,. We are called into Sainthood, as The Bride of Christ, His holy church.
We are going to be under relentless attacks more each day for each day brings us closer to the end of days.
Children of God are being led astray in worshipping the golden calves of our day. Anti-christs are everywhere.
No place is exempt, and no one is exempt from these attacks, our homes, our schools are being infected, our children , we are standing against the world’s and all it offers spiritually, culturally, and vicariously.
We have to live boldly and effectively as we witness for Christ. We can stand firm against the tides of change, and face today’s version of the philistine’s , baal worshippers, and evil rulers.
We need to stand strong in the protection of our families. Defend the purity of Christ’s church. And be obedient to Jesus Christ among all else.
When Jesus was referring to John and James the sons of Zebedee when they asked to sit in glory at His right and left. Jesus told them in Mark 10:38-39“You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptized with ? They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
All of us will drink the cup that God has place on our tables before us the cup of redemption and blessing, but in that cup is the drink of obedience,sacrifice and servant hood. When we drink of this cup there is no turning back, it is the cup of eternal life
1Peter 5:6 NKJV - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. - Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11- To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
The reason most people fail in their daily walk is simple, we ignore what should be deepest and truest to our heart, our relationship with Jesus Christ. We end up trying to produce external changes , through emotional experiences, or through feel good books, instead of doing what is required of us.
John 14:10 "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13- "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
If we believe that Jesus is God, and He and the Father are one, then we need to obey Him. Which requires of us to live differently than the world, to live as if we have God within us, a living tabernacle is what we are.
We are called to live a life different from the world, to drink out of a cup, that few get to drink of. We are called to fight the good fight. Remember Jesus said this , in John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, appointed for this moment in time. Arise and fulfill your purpose, don’t set back and become like the world, live bravely, live freely, live as if you know what tomorrow holds, for we know the one who holds tomorrow and should not fear what it has in store for us.
God tells us this , in Micah 6:8 b “ And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? “
1Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.
1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Ask yourself do you love Mercy? We should it has been shown to us among all people, do we walk humbly with God? Or do we walk in front of God? Do we watch the way we live, are we brave, strong, ? Do we live all of life out of love? Do we pursue righteousness, godliness, ? Or do we pursue our own self centeredness?
The Lord requires of us to lives as we are called, to whom much is given much is required, just like the Old Testament patriarchs, and the Apostles we are called to drink from a cup, with Christ.
Luke 12:47 "And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 "But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
Remember Indiana Jones going after the Holy Grail the cup Christ drank out of,? That is what the world wants, but without Christ. They want the blessings from the cup, but not the life of obedience we are called to. We need to be the opposite , we need to be like Christ, with Christ, that is what made David a man after God’s own heart and that is what separates us from the world.
Luke 22:14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 "for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17- Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, "Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 "for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19- And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
In a traditional Jewish Passover feast, there are four cups used. The first is the cup of sanctification, which recalls God calling His people to Himself and delivering them out of slavery. The second is the cup of plagues or judgment, reminding God’s people of the ten plagues in Egypt. The third is the cup of redemption and blessing. The fourth is the cup of praise and God’s kingdom.
The third cup, is the cup that Jesus shared with His disciples. This is the cup that Jesus also pleaded with His Father to take from Him in the garden, but drank it out of obedience. Matthew 26:39“My Father, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will”.
As disciples of Jesus we all drink of the cup of redemption, for we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb, just as the Apostles, drank this cup when they went out from Jerusalem to the ends of the world obeying the Great Commission.
It is this cup of remembrance, the communion cup observing Jesus’ sacrifice. This cup also bears the name the cup of obedience , for we must be doing our Father’s will, whatever the cost. No exceptions, this is character and integrity displayed by God’s chosen throughout biblical history.
Not to many , are obeying our Lord and Savior’s Great Commission, we don’t want to drink from the cup God has given us, that is why Divorce is rampant in the church, that is why Idolatry is rampant, that is why programs fail, and people leave, not to many are willing to , forsake money, status, or a lucrative career, to join the Sainthood of Christian men and women.
We are Saints after all, men and women who are linked throughout biblical history by a common thread. The blood of Jesus Christ, before the cross they looked to the coming Christ and put their faith in what God told them, and after the cross we look back to that moment when Jesus Christ cried out It is Finished, and gave up His Spirit, and died. Only to rise again on the third day, and be seated at the right hand of God.
Every one of them and us have come to the point where pure faith and total trust in God have collided with our broken and hopeless spirits, we have had to lay down our own selfish ways for His cause, His truths, and His will. It is this Sainthood to which we are called to be protectors and defenders of the Body of Christ. It is Sainthood we enter at the point of salvation and when we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it is this Sainthood we are to live our lives.
Each soul has it’s own story just as the Saints of old each of us have started as cowards, connivers, thieves, liars, and murderers.
We think of the Old Testament as a time far from here, from an unreachable era in history. Even though it did take place in a different time, the impossible challenges that Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Esther. ,Ruth, Elijah, Daniel, faced and we still face now. Even when Jesus ministered and the early church grew things may have been different culturally, but every situation, everything they faced where the same hurdles we must overcome, the forces of deceit, cruelty, heartlessness, and evil are still the same forces on the earth today.
But even greater than this Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and He says to take heart for He has overcome the things of the world, and that means as His, we can overcome them when we put our complete faith and trust in Him.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
In each and every case, we Saints that drink this cup, risk losing our lives and spilling our blood out of obedience and integrity.
And just like the saints of old, we cannot take our faith for granted, or ever get comfortable thriving in God’s grace,. We are called into Sainthood, as The Bride of Christ, His holy church.
We are going to be under relentless attacks more each day for each day brings us closer to the end of days.
Children of God are being led astray in worshipping the golden calves of our day. Anti-christs are everywhere.
No place is exempt, and no one is exempt from these attacks, our homes, our schools are being infected, our children , we are standing against the world’s and all it offers spiritually, culturally, and vicariously.
We have to live boldly and effectively as we witness for Christ. We can stand firm against the tides of change, and face today’s version of the philistine’s , baal worshippers, and evil rulers.
We need to stand strong in the protection of our families. Defend the purity of Christ’s church. And be obedient to Jesus Christ among all else.
When Jesus was referring to John and James the sons of Zebedee when they asked to sit in glory at His right and left. Jesus told them in Mark 10:38-39“You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptized with ? They said to Him, "We are able." So Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
All of us will drink the cup that God has place on our tables before us the cup of redemption and blessing, but in that cup is the drink of obedience,sacrifice and servant hood. When we drink of this cup there is no turning back, it is the cup of eternal life
1Peter 5:6 NKJV - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. - Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11- To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Thursday, July 12, 2012
God is not gray
The world we live in seems to be filled with gray matter. Truth is out of reach of most people, because they refuse to acknowledge it. People say that it’s to hard to be good, and I am not as bad as most people. As a matter of fact, most people say that they are better than anyone around them, making themselves the lights in a dark world based upon their own morality.
Justification of ones own acts ,or life is something that continues to go on based on their ideas of good and bad, because we all have our opinion of what good and bad truly are, after all we are all human right? But God has a different opinion, He says that He is the light. And as His children we are commanded to walk in the light. God is not gray, God is not black, God is light.
1John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
These words are not an easy task for us to undertake, and on our own we will not, but if we trust in Jesus Christ we will. We know when we do wrong, the Holy Spirit is always communicating to us and teaching us, we just don’t choose to listen to Him. But that is why John included verse 9, God is faithful He will forgive us, but we must be repentant, not just oh I’m sorry, we must hate our sin.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
So many people want a god of their own making, because the gray area is really a greater place to live in. When Jesus said to keep His commandments, to Obey Him, people shy away, because it is easier to live our lives without thinking about consequences. But again God says that there is know gray area for His children.
Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 33- "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.35"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
I hope you really read the word of God, and to what Jesus is saying, we are held accountable on the day of judgment, think about that before you say something out of hate, or anger without repenting, think about what Jesus says, about if your not with Him, then your against Him, again no gray area, God is a God of light. We try to serve two masters, one is the system of the world and all it offers, and the other id God, we can not serve both.
Luke 16:11 "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12- "And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Jesus says again here do not justify yourself, before men. God knows our hearts, and our hearts or flesh wars against the Spirit. Again there is no gray in the kingdom of God, we must learn to walk in His light and keeps His commandments. Obedience is our act of love back to Christ, not that works saves us, but faith without works is dead according to God’s word.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5- For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6- Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
Here we are told not to partake of darkness, for we once where I it, we know what it is, but now we are light in the Lord , and need to walk as children of light. If we are honest, just review the events of the day, how much light did we shine today, did we serve a gray god today, or the God of light?
Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5- you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
God told us in the 10 Commandments not to make a god for ourselves, that means any gray god whom we would choose, today we can submit to the god of choice, for marriage or abortion, tomorrow we will submit to the god of thievery, the next day the god of adultery, the next the god of hate, the next the god of whatever needs we have. It is a slippery slope we slide on once we bow our knees to these gray gods. We can’t make gods to suit ourselves, we will have to face Jesus Christ one day, and he knows what it is like to live on this earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4- In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5- And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
We as children of God, must comprehend the light, the light of this world is Jesus Christ, He is the way, the truth and the life, and we must live our lives as He has told us, we can not go around bearing false witness, serving grays gods. We must serve Him, and Him alone.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
As children of God we have lived to long in the gray, we need to come to the light, live in the light, and fellowship in the Light. And we can no longer have fellowship with the darkness. Again there is no gray area in God’s kingdom, our God is light.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Justification of ones own acts ,or life is something that continues to go on based on their ideas of good and bad, because we all have our opinion of what good and bad truly are, after all we are all human right? But God has a different opinion, He says that He is the light. And as His children we are commanded to walk in the light. God is not gray, God is not black, God is light.
1John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
These words are not an easy task for us to undertake, and on our own we will not, but if we trust in Jesus Christ we will. We know when we do wrong, the Holy Spirit is always communicating to us and teaching us, we just don’t choose to listen to Him. But that is why John included verse 9, God is faithful He will forgive us, but we must be repentant, not just oh I’m sorry, we must hate our sin.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--17 "the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" 23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
So many people want a god of their own making, because the gray area is really a greater place to live in. When Jesus said to keep His commandments, to Obey Him, people shy away, because it is easier to live our lives without thinking about consequences. But again God says that there is know gray area for His children.
Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. 31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 33- "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.35"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
I hope you really read the word of God, and to what Jesus is saying, we are held accountable on the day of judgment, think about that before you say something out of hate, or anger without repenting, think about what Jesus says, about if your not with Him, then your against Him, again no gray area, God is a God of light. We try to serve two masters, one is the system of the world and all it offers, and the other id God, we can not serve both.
Luke 16:11 "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12- "And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? 13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." 14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Jesus says again here do not justify yourself, before men. God knows our hearts, and our hearts or flesh wars against the Spirit. Again there is no gray in the kingdom of God, we must learn to walk in His light and keeps His commandments. Obedience is our act of love back to Christ, not that works saves us, but faith without works is dead according to God’s word.
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5- For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6- Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8- For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
Here we are told not to partake of darkness, for we once where I it, we know what it is, but now we are light in the Lord , and need to walk as children of light. If we are honest, just review the events of the day, how much light did we shine today, did we serve a gray god today, or the God of light?
Exodus 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5- you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
God told us in the 10 Commandments not to make a god for ourselves, that means any gray god whom we would choose, today we can submit to the god of choice, for marriage or abortion, tomorrow we will submit to the god of thievery, the next day the god of adultery, the next the god of hate, the next the god of whatever needs we have. It is a slippery slope we slide on once we bow our knees to these gray gods. We can’t make gods to suit ourselves, we will have to face Jesus Christ one day, and he knows what it is like to live on this earth.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4- In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5- And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
We as children of God, must comprehend the light, the light of this world is Jesus Christ, He is the way, the truth and the life, and we must live our lives as He has told us, we can not go around bearing false witness, serving grays gods. We must serve Him, and Him alone.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
As children of God we have lived to long in the gray, we need to come to the light, live in the light, and fellowship in the Light. And we can no longer have fellowship with the darkness. Again there is no gray area in God’s kingdom, our God is light.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
God's word not ,mans.
America’s heart has strayed far from God. We have bowed down to the gods of death through the abortion industry, the gods of sex trough the homosexual agenda, the gods of money through our nation’s compulsive habit to borrow money, and the many idols of gods through the entertainment industry, I could name more but any one of these is sickening on it’s own, and every child of God should be appalled at what is happening, we have walked away from the very principals of God’s word.
I know that we are not Israel, and that we in no way replace them, but God’s word is applied to all His children, in my opinion because Paul says there is no difference between Jew and Greek, and we are all Spiritual descendents of Abraham.
God said this to the Jewish people after Joshua died, Judges 2:10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13- They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14- And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.
Israel was defeated and handed over to the enemy because of their rebellion, but God delivered them and set judges over them, and after the Judge died they returned to their evil ways, and God judges them again, until eventually, God turns them over to themselves, and they destroy one another and are scattered all over the world.
In our nation, Christians have strayed far from what God says. We have lost touch with God because we have watered down the word of God. The church has anointed liberal preachers, that one day will stand before God, but even more than that those who listen and accept these liberal teachers will be held accountable before God, because they have the Word of God available to them.
1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3- forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7- But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
People in the Church are being defeated and handed over to the enemy through the pulpits of our Churches. Some are possessed by Satan, and they purposely twist the Word of God and lie to the people who sit and believe them just as Satan lied to Eve and she foolishly listened. The difference is that those of us who see this, must stop Eve or the body of the Church from eating this fruit. Verse 6 specifically states this .On the flip side some of theses Pastors teach without knowing that they are serving Satan. Either way we must stand up for the truth.
People are easily swayed when they are not in the word of God as they should be, and others are swayed when they think they are above these things. Jesus Christ is the only perfect one, let us never forget that.
2Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3- By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5- and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6- and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 - and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)--9- then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
God’s word not mine is what is important, warning after warning is spoken throughout the word of God. Judgment comes to the children of God, when they rebel against Him, God is longsuffering when it comes to His children, He raises up judges to set over His children, and rule. And His children still rebel, after each judge leaves we have seen this in our Nation, not only with Political leaders, but also with Judges in our courts, and Preachers on a national stage.
It is time that We The Body of Christ, come together, warn our brothers and sisters, and teach strictly the word of God. We are the watchmen God has appointed for this time, we are to blow the trumpet of warning and teach the truth. If people deny God after that it is upon them, and them alone.
Ezekiel 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 When he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 'then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 'He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' 7 "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.8 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
I know that we are not Israel, and that we in no way replace them, but God’s word is applied to all His children, in my opinion because Paul says there is no difference between Jew and Greek, and we are all Spiritual descendents of Abraham.
God said this to the Jewish people after Joshua died, Judges 2:10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. 13- They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14- And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so.
Israel was defeated and handed over to the enemy because of their rebellion, but God delivered them and set judges over them, and after the Judge died they returned to their evil ways, and God judges them again, until eventually, God turns them over to themselves, and they destroy one another and are scattered all over the world.
In our nation, Christians have strayed far from what God says. We have lost touch with God because we have watered down the word of God. The church has anointed liberal preachers, that one day will stand before God, but even more than that those who listen and accept these liberal teachers will be held accountable before God, because they have the Word of God available to them.
1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3- forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7- But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
People in the Church are being defeated and handed over to the enemy through the pulpits of our Churches. Some are possessed by Satan, and they purposely twist the Word of God and lie to the people who sit and believe them just as Satan lied to Eve and she foolishly listened. The difference is that those of us who see this, must stop Eve or the body of the Church from eating this fruit. Verse 6 specifically states this .On the flip side some of theses Pastors teach without knowing that they are serving Satan. Either way we must stand up for the truth.
People are easily swayed when they are not in the word of God as they should be, and others are swayed when they think they are above these things. Jesus Christ is the only perfect one, let us never forget that.
2Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3- By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5- and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6- and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 - and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)--9- then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
God’s word not mine is what is important, warning after warning is spoken throughout the word of God. Judgment comes to the children of God, when they rebel against Him, God is longsuffering when it comes to His children, He raises up judges to set over His children, and rule. And His children still rebel, after each judge leaves we have seen this in our Nation, not only with Political leaders, but also with Judges in our courts, and Preachers on a national stage.
It is time that We The Body of Christ, come together, warn our brothers and sisters, and teach strictly the word of God. We are the watchmen God has appointed for this time, we are to blow the trumpet of warning and teach the truth. If people deny God after that it is upon them, and them alone.
Ezekiel 33:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3 When he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 'then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. 5 'He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6 'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' 7 "So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.8 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Where is your Hope?
There is a common ground on which all walk, that is life itself. From conception to the end, life’s paths are a constant act of perpetual motion. We may seem like and say we go three steps forward and two steps back, but we are in a forward motion, heading towards end times. Ours or The End of Time, we do not know.
I stood at a brother’s showing today, I watch people, and take mental notes on how they act and move about, and carry themselves in general. Not for judgmental purposes, but I like observing how people are, I do like studying the human condition.
My friend and brother took a path I don’t understand, but God does He took his life, left behind young children, a Dad and Mom, that loved him, along with the rest of his family. The parking lot was full, the guest register was filling up fast and people huddled together to watch pictures of his life. His mom said, that he always told her he had no friends.
But there they where, coming to give condolences, reminisce about the good times.
Christians and Non-Christians that would talk about their friendship with him. He was a young man, who fought with demons from mistakes, mistakes we all make. But he could not shake them, they dogged him and eventually won the battle for his mind, but they lost the war for his soul. He had given his life just recently to the Lord, and was searching for answers, answers that only God could give him, and hope only God could give him, some answers God allowed us to share, and we got to see the heart of a child beating in a young man.
Life is to short as it is, it seems to end so quickly. Our decisions we make have huge impacts, we can’t think our decisions won’t effect others. Every decisions will effect someone. Some of those eternally, we need to make the right choices daily. As I looked at his friends, I say in their faces, a lack of hope, a despair that is seen in the eyes of a lost world, no future, just gloom and doom because they have no hope for what the future holds. But we do, our hope is in Christ. He is foolishness to them.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The world does not have a promise of our tomorrow. The world cry’s out love you brotha, but does that mean anything to someone who does not know what love is? The world cry’s out this one for you man, he would have enjoyed that. Because the world has no point of separation from our old selves, when we choose to stay where we are, We need to live that hope, our hearts should cry out and share this hope. We Do have that hope, His name is Jesus Christ. We need to introduce Him to everyone we meet, in the way we live our lives.
Romans 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
God’s word is filled with broken men, and women who have struggles. Struggles that some of us may never know, but struggles that others know very well. But are all known to God. We face some of these by choice, because of our lack of belief, or faith in Christ and the Word of God. We face others because they are consequences for our choices.
We all have doubts, worries, concerns, thoughts, anxieties, lost dreams, crushed hope, etc but life is not about making easy choices. Life for men and women of God is a long line of bumps, bruises and blood. We might as well get used to that now, and expect life to keep coming at us, whether we are up or down.
To the men and women of God I ask this, what in the world is more important to you than Jesus Christ,? nothing or no one should be. What can be next in line, your family, your spouse, your children, their needs? Then others, then yourself. If we use this formula for everyday living, life gets a little bit easier to handle, because we Love Jesus Christ, and that means that we are obedient to Him, and all He says and does. That is what is required of us.
If our hope is in ourselves, if our faith is no more than words that leave our lips, if we do not participate now in the world we live in, then is that hope in us? Is Jesus Christ our hope, our joy our everything? Do we trust Him, call upon Him, follow Him?
Hebrews 10:23-25 , 31-39 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
My friends life is over, his choice was final, so was his decision to ask Christ in his life. I do not condone what he did, I hate what he did, and the way it has impacted his family already, but I have a hope that Jesus Christ's arms will reach out hopefully through the years to come to everyone who attends his funeral, he will have a funeral where the word of God is taught, the hope and love that Christ gives us, I pray every time someone remembers my friend, that the name of Jesus Christ be burned into their heart, that they can not have a thought or memory that is not filled with the message of the cross.
If life is getting at you, stop and fall to your knees, call upon the one who made you, ask Him for His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, He alone is our hope, the hope for all mankind. He is like no other, and once you meet Him, your life will never be the same. His name is Jesus Christ, and without Him alone, you can have no hope.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
I stood at a brother’s showing today, I watch people, and take mental notes on how they act and move about, and carry themselves in general. Not for judgmental purposes, but I like observing how people are, I do like studying the human condition.
My friend and brother took a path I don’t understand, but God does He took his life, left behind young children, a Dad and Mom, that loved him, along with the rest of his family. The parking lot was full, the guest register was filling up fast and people huddled together to watch pictures of his life. His mom said, that he always told her he had no friends.
But there they where, coming to give condolences, reminisce about the good times.
Christians and Non-Christians that would talk about their friendship with him. He was a young man, who fought with demons from mistakes, mistakes we all make. But he could not shake them, they dogged him and eventually won the battle for his mind, but they lost the war for his soul. He had given his life just recently to the Lord, and was searching for answers, answers that only God could give him, and hope only God could give him, some answers God allowed us to share, and we got to see the heart of a child beating in a young man.
Life is to short as it is, it seems to end so quickly. Our decisions we make have huge impacts, we can’t think our decisions won’t effect others. Every decisions will effect someone. Some of those eternally, we need to make the right choices daily. As I looked at his friends, I say in their faces, a lack of hope, a despair that is seen in the eyes of a lost world, no future, just gloom and doom because they have no hope for what the future holds. But we do, our hope is in Christ. He is foolishness to them.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The world does not have a promise of our tomorrow. The world cry’s out love you brotha, but does that mean anything to someone who does not know what love is? The world cry’s out this one for you man, he would have enjoyed that. Because the world has no point of separation from our old selves, when we choose to stay where we are, We need to live that hope, our hearts should cry out and share this hope. We Do have that hope, His name is Jesus Christ. We need to introduce Him to everyone we meet, in the way we live our lives.
Romans 12:1-5 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
God’s word is filled with broken men, and women who have struggles. Struggles that some of us may never know, but struggles that others know very well. But are all known to God. We face some of these by choice, because of our lack of belief, or faith in Christ and the Word of God. We face others because they are consequences for our choices.
We all have doubts, worries, concerns, thoughts, anxieties, lost dreams, crushed hope, etc but life is not about making easy choices. Life for men and women of God is a long line of bumps, bruises and blood. We might as well get used to that now, and expect life to keep coming at us, whether we are up or down.
To the men and women of God I ask this, what in the world is more important to you than Jesus Christ,? nothing or no one should be. What can be next in line, your family, your spouse, your children, their needs? Then others, then yourself. If we use this formula for everyday living, life gets a little bit easier to handle, because we Love Jesus Christ, and that means that we are obedient to Him, and all He says and does. That is what is required of us.
If our hope is in ourselves, if our faith is no more than words that leave our lips, if we do not participate now in the world we live in, then is that hope in us? Is Jesus Christ our hope, our joy our everything? Do we trust Him, call upon Him, follow Him?
Hebrews 10:23-25 , 31-39 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
My friends life is over, his choice was final, so was his decision to ask Christ in his life. I do not condone what he did, I hate what he did, and the way it has impacted his family already, but I have a hope that Jesus Christ's arms will reach out hopefully through the years to come to everyone who attends his funeral, he will have a funeral where the word of God is taught, the hope and love that Christ gives us, I pray every time someone remembers my friend, that the name of Jesus Christ be burned into their heart, that they can not have a thought or memory that is not filled with the message of the cross.
If life is getting at you, stop and fall to your knees, call upon the one who made you, ask Him for His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace, He alone is our hope, the hope for all mankind. He is like no other, and once you meet Him, your life will never be the same. His name is Jesus Christ, and without Him alone, you can have no hope.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In Christ
brian
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