Reflections of a year gone by

As we draw close to the end of this year most of us will reflect over the past, our triumphs and failures, we will reflect on lost loved ones and miss them , we should reflect and be grateful for those days we had with them and rejoice with those we still have with us.

Life has no pause or reset buttons, it always leads onward.

As we reflect over the past don't let the demons of discouragement and despair get into your mind, they will only lie to you and deceive you. They will dishearten you and destroy your hope, joy and focus.

This is a time to refocus on God , look back and see where failure grew and raised it's ugly head is where we pressed on without God, we do things in our flesh and forget to ask and seek God, then ask Him why, when we fail.

This I know unless I surrender daily to Him, I will surrender to my flesh, the world or the enemies lies and deceit, which leads me to defeat.

I need God in order to love another person unconditionally. I need His help to overlook offenses. I need His help to guard myself against all the temptations that lurk around every corner. I need His help to become more like Christ so I can lay down my life for my family. Without Him, my marriage wouldn’t be anything special. Odds are it would end badly, just like so many do.

We all get to choose who we will surrender our will to daily, our weaknesses and our strengths , we must learn out of obedience to surrender to God before our feet hit the floor, our enemies wait in darkness to attack in our thoughts, dreams and mind.

You can have the life God wants you to have. But you can’t have it without God’s help. No matter what’s happened in your past, this is a new day. A new chance. A new beginning. A new year awaits, let's not squander this gift from God.

This is a new day the Lord has given to us, be glad and rejoice in Him. Things can be different, let's go forward in Christ in Him we will find healing, in Him we will be more engaging, in Him we can truly forgive as we've been forgiven, in Him we can have peace, strength and overcome what gets in our way,in Him we can be more intimate with our spouse, in Him we can become closer to others than ever been before.

The past is the past. It's dead and buried don't dig it up and relive it. We can’t change it. But God can change our future. He can take what the enemy meant for evil and use it for good.The enemy wants us to It feel like we have too much to overcome, like the damage is too great to be repaired. We don't and It’s not.

We don't have what it takes to face life alone, we need God .

Life is complicated, we need all the help we can get. Jesus said ““Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

We need to take Him up on this, we don't need to fight back fairly, we need to learn to fight like men and women of God. You don’t fight for victory; you fight from the victory God has given you.

““When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭20:1-4‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring — what your life will be! For you are like smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:13-17‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

What would you do ?

If you knew tomorrow you were going to die what would you do the day before?

Jesus did this , He prayed for His disciples,He prayed for you and me, He taught those around Him still about love, peace, joy and His Father. He took the disciples into the upper room He washed their feet and ate with them, all the disciples were there including Judas the man who would betray Him.

He then went to the garden knowing He would be arrested there and on His way He sang with the disciples except for Judas who was preparing for His betrayal.

He did all this with joy because He knew that all He had prepared for since creation with the Father was coming to fulfillment.

So what would you do if tomorrow you knew you were going to die. Would you face the day with joy? Would you stay with your friends? Would you teach them still? Or would you focus on yourself?

Read the gospel of John chapters 15  - 19 and see what all Jesus did for you and I. Read also the account in Genesis of the fall and remember why Jesus did this.

The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Genesis 3:14-15 

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:11-13

Fair weather fan or disciple?

Those who are fair weather fans of Jesus teach tolerance and acceptance of all. Those who are disciples of Christ teach repentance, grace and forgiveness is available to all.

Tolerance is not a biblical value, or even a trait of God.

Grace is.

What is the difference between Tolerance and Grace?

Tolerance means that although I don’t see things the way you do, I still allow you to continue on doing what you are doing without objecting to it in order to be fair.

Grace is showing love, mercy, and kindness,to others regardless of their circumstances as a reflection of what God does for us.

Jesus said to many your sins are forgiven , go and sin no more. He did not give them a pass, but showed them a better way. How about us, do we tolerate sin in our lives? In our children, friends?

How about showing Grace instead, show them and ourselves a better way by truly becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Read the gospel of John and see what all Jesus has done and said for His grace is greater than our sins.

“Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.  In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do You say? ” They asked this to trap Him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse Him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with His finger. When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Then He stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only He was left, with the woman in the center. When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,”  said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”John 8:4-11

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word,    you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Jesus responded, “I assure you: Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.  A slave does not remain in the household forever, but a son does remain forever.  Therefore, if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. John 8:31-32, 34-36

How will they know?

There are so many who have no hope, who are discouraged and weak. The ways of the world are not the ways of God. Each day we wake with the choice to serve God out of love and obedience and face the world, or serve our own self interest.

When we serve with compassion we will speak with love, kindness and gentleness a lesson I need to relearn each day at times, I can be quick to lash out in my flesh. But the more time I spend with God ,I see I need to confront our world with His passion and love.

God reminds me that the world does not have His Spirit in them, they see things differently because they walk in the darkness, not the light. He says to let the Holy Spirit speak out of gentleness, kindness, peace, and love knowing that He is long-suffering not willing that any should perish. And that if they reject His message it is Him they reject and that truly breaks my heart.

I can do nothing to change that, I can speak , pray and be obedient, today as I read ,God gently reminded me this is how we are to live, I pray His words encourage you today to share the gospel message out of love with someone,for the same gospel that changed me, can change you or someone today, but unless they hear it how will they know?

1st Thessalonians 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition  to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace  among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers:  warn those who are irresponsible,  comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient  with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil  to anyone,  but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
16 Rejoice  always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will  for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Don’t stifle the Spirit.
20 Don’t despise prophecies,
21 but test all things.
Hold on to what is good.
22 Stay away  from every kind of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace  Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit,  soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord  Jesus Christ.  24 He who calls  you  is faithful, who also will do it.

A higher calling!

As Christians we are called out of the world, we are soldiers in the army of the Lord, our weapons are used not to kill but to set free those held captive.

We must engage our culture on the issues that they do not want to engage God on, for they know right from wrong.

Poverty, same sex marriage, racism, sex slavery, immigration, persecution, abortion, orphans, pornography, these are issues the world embraces but we as Christians can not be in line with the world.

We are called to to be steadfast and immovable speaking the truth out of love, showing them the way.

Do not disengage in the heat of battle, engage armed with the word of God and in His Spirit.

Here is a great quote.

If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I AM NOT confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity,

Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved ; and to be steady on ALL the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that point.

Elizabeth Rundle Charles

“And I say to you, My friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But I will show you the One to fear: Fear Him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the One to fear! Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?   Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight.   Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows! “And I say to you, anyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God,   but whoever denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Whenever they bring you before synagogues and rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.”

Luke 12:4-12

The heart of man

God's word says the “heart” is who we really are at our core. According to God's word living the Christian life, is about loving God with all of our hearts. God is not content to live on the fringes of our lives.

He will settle for nothing short of the center!

This is in stark contrast to the most popular views of the Christian life. But this is what God says, not man.

For most non believers and believers alike, a believers life is a matter of keeping the rules.

While God knows and cares about our behavior, the Bible tells us about redemption , this picture of a believer’s life is based on the work of Jesus Christ not mankind.

The Bible tells us that believers our life is based on a new relationship with God that brings hope and peace and consumes the very core of our daily lives!

A Christian is someone whose life is installed by the Holy Spirit and love of God. And with all we are hearts we need to seek Him first and foremost , we can not harbor in our hearts any other idols , we can not know Him and serve ourselves, we can not know Him and stay the same, the good news is He changes us we must believe, repent and submit in and to Him.

God's word is clear, His name will not be mocked.

“This is what the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Correct your ways and your deeds, and I will allow you to live in this place. Do not trust deceitful words, chanting: This is the temple of the Lord , the temple of the Lord , the temple of the Lord . Instead, if you really change your ways and your actions, if you act justly toward one another,   if you no longer oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow and no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods, bringing harm on yourselves, I will allow you to live in this place, the land I gave to your ancestors long ago and forever. But look, you keep trusting in deceitful words that cannot help. “Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?  Then do you come and stand before Me in this house called by My name and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts’? Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your view? Yes, I too have seen it.” This is the Lord ’s declaration.

Jeremiah 7:3-11

When we can't recognize the problem, we should start by looking in the mirror.

I hear all the time , why does this happen to me? Why is this going on all around us ? Where is God when these things happen?

While these questions on the surface seem like they are legitimate, if we would stop and evaluate ourselves by looking intently in the mirror , we would see the problem: us.

We pray without seeking God, as if He sits ringing His hands waiting on us to talk with Him, 90 % of the time people pray in the course of tragedy, instead we should be in a constant state of prayer.

We preach without power because we do not ask the Holy Spirit to speak we only lean on our own wisdom.

We lie to each other and God, we steal, are angry and selfish, we lust and we put everyone and everything before God and then wonder why God doesn't hear is.

The problem is not God, it is us.

When is the last time you repented ? Most believe they do not need to.

When is the last time you spent time in God's word?

God requires repentance and obedience, it is not an option.

If you think it is and have not come to repentance and obedience then go look in the mirror, for the person you see is the problem that needs to be fixed, and only God can do this.

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,  for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.  But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works — this person will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James 1:19-27

Follow Me! It's not a question

When Jesus called the Apostles they were working in their fields of labor, but He came upon them and said follow me, and they did.

The Apostles left their income and security and endured overwhelming circumstance, many died agonizing deaths but they kept focus on the mission given them trusting that God will supply their every need.

As believers we are given this same mission while on earth: to Follow Him to spread the gospel and love of Jesus Christ to a lost world through our words, our behavior, our service, and our lifestyle. This mission may cost us relationships, position, careers, reputation, and even our very lives. Believers may be persecuted, slandered, ostracized, imprisoned, or even killed for our faith. God asks us to trust Him with all of our needs. God asks us to believe that what we have right at this moment is enough to care out His mission. God asks us to endure in our circumstances, no matter how difficult, and to find joy no matter what because we have Him with us always.

What made the Apostles forsake it all and follow Him?

How about you are you following Him, or are you trying to lead?

In what circumstance are you doubting the Lord’s provision? Are you struggling to accept that where God has placed you and what He has in front of you is enough for today?

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near! ” As He was walking along the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen. “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for   people! ”  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.

Matthew 4:17-22

The mountain of God

Most of us have the perspective God has us where He wants us when things are smooth and everything is perfect and right in the world. We want to live on the mountain of God, we just want to take the tram to the top instead of the journey through the valleys and up the rocky mountainside.

I have never seen a mountain that is smooth up and down, there are rocks, ravines, trees, weeds, you name it there are obstacles one most overcome to make it to the top.

With the help of God and only with the help of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit we scale life's mountains, David said the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want, what a beautiful picture of peace and security. A shepherd guides and guards His sheep in the pastures of life and up the mountainsides, a sheep listens to the masters call and knows that it is safe and secure on the journey.

God has each of us where He chooses , our journey may not seem safe and secure, but there is know greater place you can be than in the shepherds hands going through the valleys or up the mountains of life , instead of wondering off on our own and away from God let us also say "the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want." and let Him lead us on our journey.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:1-6

Hospital day 17

Is it right to be angry?

Is it ever right to be angry?

I’m not very good with anger. I hate it when people get angry with me. And when I say something in the heat of the moment out of anger I spend hours afterwards regretting it.

What does God’s anger mean to us? Do we really expect him to get angry with us, punish us?

God does get angry, and rightfully so, He sees beginning and end at the same time, and sees the heart of wickedness in mankind, and He deals justly with it, God never reacts He acts against it, and says leave vengeance to Him.

There are many things in our world today which can rightly make us angry. We have to do what we can to put things right, and then leave the rest to God. We need to help people to realise, that only true repentance can turn away God's anger.

We need to pray we will understand our own anger  and know when to use it and when to apologise to God.

Humanity is brought low, man is humbled, and haughty eyes are humbled. But the Lord of Hosts is exalted by His justice, and the holy God is distinguished by righteousness. Lambs will graze as if in their own pastures, and strangers will eat among the ruins of the rich. Woe to those who drag wickedness with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes, to those who say: “Let Him hurry up and do His work quickly so that we can see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take place so that we can know it! ” Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own opinion and clever in their own sight.  Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes straw and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will become like something rotten and their blossoms will blow away like dust, for they have rejected the instruction of the Lord of Hosts, and they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore the Lord ’s anger burns against His people. He raised His hand against them and struck them; the mountains quaked, and their corpses were like garbage in the streets. In all this, His anger is not removed, and His hand is still raised to strike. He raises a signal flag for the distant nations and whistles for them from the ends of the earth. Look — how quickly and swiftly they come! None of them grows weary or stumbles; no one slumbers or sleeps. No belt is loose and no sandal strap broken. Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows strung. Their horses’ hooves are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. Their roaring is like a lion’s; they roar like young lions; they growl and seize their prey and carry it off, and no one can rescue it. On that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. When one looks at the land, there will be darkness and distress; light will be obscured by clouds.
Isaiah 5:15-21, 24-30

We should know the Love of God with the laws of God.

Jesus was hard on the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes for each of them knew the words of God, they preached them but did not live by them.

They were givers of the law, but not lovers of God.

Let us live by the grace and the love we have been given, this does not mean to agree with sin and those who commit it, (which we all do.) but rather share the love of Christ with them instead of spewing out condemnation on them.

We can talk about things without clubbing those who do not know Jesus.

Do all things out of love for your Heavenly Father.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.  They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.  They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,  and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues  and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.  But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.  And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.  The greatest among you shall be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.   “But woe  to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you  shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you  neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and make long prayers just for show.   This is why you will receive a harsher punishment.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.   “Woe to  you,  blind guides, who say,  ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’  You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred?  And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’  You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred?  So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it.  And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it.  And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For  you tithe mint and dill and  cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law:  justice and mercy and faithfulness.  These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.  You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For  you clean the outside of  the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of  greed and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like  whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and  all uncleanness.  So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Matthew 23:1-28

Problems or Solutions

The headlines of each day are talking points for political grandeur, you must understand you're being fed only what they want you to know.

Jesus said as recorded in Mark 3.24-29  If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.  And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end.  But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.    “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,  but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”

The strong man is being bound, the house is divided and those who refuse to see the truth are blinded by their own lust for self, power, and greed.

There are more than enough people talking about the problems, we need more of us talking about the solution.

The problem is we are all Sinners, the solution is only found in salvation and obedience found in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5.12-15  Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

Who do you say I am?

There is no greater question in the bible that was ever asked that today is so relevant that the answer has eternal ramifications. Jesus asked the disciples who do you say that I am?

Think about your answer.

Jesus asked the disciples before who do others say I am?

Is your answer based on who Jesus is from others or a personal relationship with Him?

Is Jesus your LORD and Savior?

Is Jesus just your Savior?

We honor Jesus at times with our words as our Savior, but our hearts are far from Him.

If He is our LORD we put all our hope and trust in Him, that is why the apostles could face what came their way, be it beatings, imprisonment, or execution.

That is why the Holy Spirit tells us in Hebrews 11.24-38. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

You see if Jesus is your LORD and Savior, you trust Him always living a life that man cannot take, but you willingly lay down in service to Him, no matter what the outcome.

You live by faith in Him alone. Let us take up our cross and follow Jesus, no matter what and answer Jesus question in word and deed.

Mark.8.27-29. And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

Our efforts are in vain.

James Boice writes: “The only way anyone will ever be saved is if God operates entirely apart from us and for his own good pleasure”

We get caught up in our own efforts , and believe we can save ourselves, a foolish belief we at our best break God's law daily no matter how hard we try.

How could we earn our salvation if we cannot keep simple laws, like love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body and souls and love your neighbors as yourself?

Thank God that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and that no man can come to God the Father except through Him.

Don't you see , He gave us the way, Himself! God says I know you can't keep my laws, sin has a stranglehold upon you,it is deceiving and enticing, but I made a way, put your faith in me, I will deliver you out of death into life.

Those who believe that all “good people” will be saved, no matter their religious affiliation believe in man's works, that will keep you from Jesus!

There are none good, we need to be constantly reminded of this, and none of us would love or even serve God apart from His grace.

Titus .3.3-11 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

The Love of God

God's love is greater than our understanding, He loves all of mankind for the scriptures tell us,

Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

That us is everybody. Period. Yet His love is not accepted by all of us.

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

There are many who reject God, God has not rejected them, He says whosoever will, then He says if you do not believe, that's your choice.

Once you do believe, God loves you so much He will not leave you as you are, He starts changing us from the inside out. To be like Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Some people don't like this transformation at first, and fight God but He is getting rid of that old sin nature in us, which like a cancer grows in us, but Jesus is the cure.

You will not be the same after you receive Him into your life.

Philippians 1:6-11 ESV And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Wherever you are today if you feel God calling, if you know God's working, if you're struggling with life, know you have God who is working and waiting on you. Today would be a great day to talk with Him, and let Him embrace you where you are.

Uncertainty, certainly not!

It is true we live in perilous times, that we face uncertain days.

If you're a child of God, you must trust Him and know that these days must come.

The World is dying, our Nation is dying, We are dying. But the good news is, that Christ is risen, and because He is risen we have hope, we are given life, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and nothing can separate us from Him.

Instead  of fear or fret, pray and praise God always. He alone is sufficient, and will guide, guard and give us the grace to make it through whatever comes our way.

Isaiah 40:21-31 ESV

Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?  It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;   who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.  Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.   To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One.  Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.  Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord , and my right is disregarded by my God”?  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Stop competing with Christ,

We need to learn to do all things for the cause of Christ, our job is to Love Jesus and those around us, and then make disciples of those God has surrounded us with, whether your a Pastor, teacher or layman , (we all are at least one of these.) This is your mission.

  And God in His infinite mercy and timing has put you where you are . Whether you're speaking to 1 or 1000 be satisfied in Christ. Do not fret over what others do, but do what God has called you to do and do it where He put you.

John the baptist had the right heart, see how he responded when others came to him and said Jesus is baptizing more than you.

John 3:25-30 ESV

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

We are not in a competition with Jesus or others, we are simply to serve Jesus out of love. If we want to live a life of abundance and satisfaction,it can only be found in Christ alone.

Confidence in Christ alone

Have you ever been so self confident that you cross the line into arrogance? I have, and it is a line I try to avoid always, I do not like myself when I cross it.

Today in the world we live in there are billions of people put on this planet, not one of us chose where we would be born, not one of us chose our skin color, not one of us chose our families, or circumstances we grew up in.

Our lives were and are governed by the hands of God, there is not a blink of an eye that He is not aware of.

When we humble ourselves and come to this realization we understand our mortality, our fallibility and our need for God's divine sovereignty in and over our lives.

Knowing that we can screw up and find grace in Jesus Christ, because God the Father sent Him to us because of our weakness in our flesh, knowing we could no better save ourselves from sin and death than we could choose where and who we are born to.

We are weak and needy people, and finding our hope in Christ’s grace is what marks a mature relationship. The most dangerous aspect of our relationships is not our weakness, but our delusions of strength in ourselves.

Our strength, our hope, our confidence, our peace, our prosperity our lives, our future's, our past, our salvation belongs to the Lord. We are and always will be in His hands. Let your weakness become strength in Christ alone.

Psalms 46:1-11 HCSB

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah There is a river — its streams delight the city of God, the holy dwelling place of the Most High. God is within her; she will not be toppled. God will help her when the morning dawns. Nations rage, kingdoms topple; the earth melts when He lifts His voice. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah Come, see the works of the Lord , who brings devastation on the earth. He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; He burns up the chariots.   “Stop your fighting — and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

Psalms 121:1-8 HCSB

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.   The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Psalms 146:1-10 HCSB

Hallelujah! My soul, praise the Lord . I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing to my God as long as I live. Do not trust in nobles, in man, who cannot save. When his breath  leaves him, he returns to the ground; on that day his plans die. Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed.   The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. The Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God reigns for all generations. Hallelujah!

Living a life in the power of love

When we learn to live for our Lord Jesus from a stand point of love ;we will understand that our relationship with Him is not based on what we do, but how much Jesus loves us.

We get trapped in doing something to be loved many of us get caught here, when this happens our motives get skewed. And we focus on ourselves instead of Jesus.

God can never love you more than He did when He sent Jesus to live amongst us, and take our punishment for our sins,

Romans 5:6-8 HCSB

For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment,  Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves  His own love for us  in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

Do not let the enemy confuse you with noise, listen for the voice of God, He loves you, He always has loved you, and if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth and call upon Him you shall be saved.

Start living today knowing you're already loved and cannot earn God's love you just need to accept it. Humble yourself and submit your life to Him.

1 Peter 5:6-11 HCSB

Humble  yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand  of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,   casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you. Be serious!  Be alert!  Your adversary the Devil  is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him  and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory  in Christ Jesus, will personally  restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.   The dominion  belongs to Him forever.  Amen.

Rejoice

Christmas is a great time of fellowship with family, anticipating Christmas morning is something the child in each of us that should never go away.

But it can be a time of loneliness and sadness for some, reflecting back over this year so many of our loved ones have passed from this body of death we live in, to an eternity of life everlasting.

Sadness is not for them, but each of us who still are here left with a void.

Let us not dwell on our losses,let us dwell on the moments of grace and goodness that the Lord gave each us together with those who have gone ahead.

Remember to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. And one day we will be reunited with them all in the presence of our Lord.

Now these promises I must tell you are only to those who call upon the name of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, for in Him alone is hope,joy,peace,love and salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 HCSB

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come? ” Foolish one! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And as for what you sow — you are not sowing the future body, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain.

But God gives it a body as He wants, and to each of the seeds its own body. Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones. There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star in splendor. So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory; sown in weakness, raised in power; sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth and made of dust; the second man is from heaven.

Like the man made of dust, so are those who are made of dust; like the heavenly man, so are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the man made of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man. Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility
, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.

When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.