Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Power

Acts 2:32-33,36-39,41 - "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

There is television commercial by Energizer batteries that says "I've got the power." It came to mind as I was writing! More on that later.

The Apostle Peter spoke of the risen Savior whom these Jews he was addressing had seen...and killed. He talked of the promise Jesus gave of the power of the Holy Spirit that would come after He was gone. Now Peter preached to these Jews under this same newly acquired power. About 3,000 were baptized and saved after he spoke. They became believers in Jesus Christ all because this Holy Spirit pierced their hearts and brought conviction regarding their participation in killing Jesus. 

Like these Jews, we are also guilty of putting Jesus on the cross. If you remember, it was the Jews and the Romans who jointly killed Him...Jews and Gentiles. We are no better. Our sin has done it. My sin helped put Him on the cross. In order to be forgiven of that sin we must confess those sins to God alone. When we hear a word of conviction and sense that conviction, it is time to respond like these people did...Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...and you also shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This is all it really takes to convert anyone. Preaching through the power of the Holy Spirit to pierce hearts and bring conviction of sin. We shouldn't need anything more. The pure word of God. The simplicity of Christ. The conviction of sin. If it was good enough for Peter...

When we have received this Holy Spirit the Word opens up. We are able to almost see between the lines! The words are not just words anymore that we understand with our minds. They come alive within our own spirits. They remain alive through the power of the Holy Spirit and just like Energizer batteries need recharging...one also does so by immersing oneself in the Word so you too can say "I've got the power!" 

We don't need programs or entertainment in our churches. Three thousand were saved just because one man preached the truth through the power of the Holy Spirit. And if Acts shares his entire sermon, it wasn't even a lot of words. It was the power behind them.

A word, a conviction, a response, an act...a new life. God is good. Those who have received will attest to this. 

And he [Philippian jailer] brought them [Paul and Silas] out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (‭Acts‬ ‭16‬:‭30-31‬)

Jesus tells us plainly also:

...“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?" Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...[and] whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (‭John‬ ‭3‬:3-5,15)


Monday, April 27, 2015

Who Is This Man?

John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Most people have heard of Jesus. The name is familiar. He is the Son of God. Some say they know Him. Some say they know of Him. Who really is this Man who so many people have heard of and who has made a name for Himself? Whose name is still uttered 2,000 years later.

Let Him tell you for Himself.

John 8:58 - Before Abraham was, I am
John 8:12,9:5 - I am the light of the world
John 10:9 - I am the door
John 6:35,48 - I am the bread of life
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd
John 15:1 - I am the true vine 
John 11:25 - I am the resurrection and the life

Before Abraham was, I am...
Before the beginning of time, He was. He was in the beginning when this earth was created, who did the creating, when we were created...to have fellowship with Him. It was by His words... He was and still is the Word of God. John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. His words are spoken through His Word that all men might know Him and ultimately seek Him. Hallelujah!

I am the light of the world...
Just as He created light and dark to separate day from night or good from evil, He became the light that would allow mankind to see Him and take them from the darkness and into His marvelous light. But this is a choice. Some love the darkness and have no place for the light.

I am the door...
You get to the Father and Heaven through Him. He is the only access. No man on earth, no church, no denomination, but one Man. A man, church or denomination can point people to Him, but again it is the individual's responsibility to go through that door. I've said this before: There is a popular photo of Jesus knocking at a door. The funny thing about this picture is there is no doorknob on the outside where Jesus stands. He does not enter unless we open that door and let Him in.

I am the bread of life...
It is His Word searched, studied and meditated on that gives us our daily bread. If we do not choose to eat of that bread, we are not getting our daily life-giving manna. This is the true bread of life...the bread that truly sustains.

I am the good shepherd...
This Shepherd stands watch over those sheep who allow themselves to be guided by their Shepherd. If one wanders He is willing to leave the others to be sure that one is returned to the fold. He protects from predators of the world. He was willing to give His life for His sheep who follow Him.

I am the true vine...
When we come to Christ He is our lifeline. We draw sustenance from Him. We to abide in Him that we would produce the fruit which He gives. Without Him we can do nothing. We can be His disciples, sharing Him, His words of truth. We receive all we have from Him. 

I am the resurrection and the life...
From out of our spiritual darkness and into His light we are resurrected from our old selves, our sin, 
into the life that is in Christ, no longer bound to sin but now walking and living, resurrected, in the righteousness of Christ. 

I am the way, the truth, and the life...
The only way, the only truth, the only life. Period. Our ways don't cut it, truths not lined up with His won't work and our lives without Him won't do. Period.

This Man is here for all. That door can be opened, the light revealed, that bread eaten,   and the Shepherd available for protection, life received. Walk along His way, believe His truths and receive the best life you can imagine. The only life...

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.




Friday, April 24, 2015

The Sword...The Word

I decided to continue where I left off yesterday. I just wanted to show how the Word of God can also be known as the sword. The sword is the Word of God, is Jesus, the Word (from God). All represent one Person.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
        Psalm 107:20 - He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 
        Psalm 30:2 - O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.
Jesus is alive and His word has shown us how the sword of the Spirit, His Word, still strikes the innermost parts to reveal sin and the need of a Savior. When we receive Jesus (cry out to God) and receive the Word, that sword, has done its job of piercing our souls with the truth. If we receive this as the truth we are, therefore, spiritually healed and have eternal life. Either we believe this or we don't. 

Ephesians 6:17 - And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of GodThere you have it! The proof! There scripture tells us. The sword which is the Word of God. The sword that divides, kills or brings life depending on what you believe. The sword...the Word of God...Jesus...the truth. You believe or you do not.

Matthew 10:34 - Do not think that I come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Jesus was controversial as were these and other words He spoke. We either believe or we do not. 

Revelation 19:15 - Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
        Isaiah 11:4 - ...He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth...
Not only do His words bring life, they bring judgment and death. Out of His mouth came all the words of life or death. Though this speaks of nations, it speaks of us. He will rule and reign someday. Does He rule and reign in our hearts today? Do we want life or death? We either choose to believe or we don't. 

The sword of God, the Word of God, is the most powerful thing we have. It contains all truth. It gives us directions about finding this truth (Jesus). When we have this truth (Jesus) we are strengthened. This truth gives us discernment. This truth does our spiritual battles like having a sword in our hand when we recite, shout, declare or share it. This Word is the most powerful weapon we have against our enemies. It brings us life as we cling to it. Cling to the words and the Word, Jesus. The good words and the words of judgment are promises, for life or death, no matter whether we choose to believe or not. 

All we need to do is trust in these words. Trust in Jesus. The world may grow dark and ominous but we can cling to Him and His words for life. 

Isaiah 55:11-12 - So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Thursday, April 23, 2015

If You Are Willing

Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭19-20‬ - "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken. 

If, then.

If we are willing...
We must believe in God. Then we must believe that His Word is inerrant, all truth. We must believe Jesus is God's Son and all that has been prophesied and written are true because it is contained in the Word...and is also the Word made flesh. Not one thing can be disputed in His Word. Which means we must believe what is written above about if we are willing and obedient.

If we are willing and obedient...
It always starts with willingness. We must be willing to believe that Jesus meant what He said about being born again through Him. Eternal life is in Jesus Christ alone. Then if we are obedient to do as His Word states, receive Him, repent, become born again and be baptized as Jesus tells us we must be, then we shall eat of the good land...and partake in the Bread of life. 

If we are not willing...
If we are disobedient, rebellious, and not choose Christ, or walk away, we will obtain eternal death. There will be no good land. Those who refuse will be devoured by the sword. As I wrote this I was taken to Revelation where Christ returns to rule and reign. It is by His sword that those will be "devoured"...Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭15‬) Though this speaks of nations, I believe it means all those who have not been willing to believe in Him. His Word has declared it. His Word is also known as the sword. His Word has shown us what we must do. If we do not, He will execute judgment with the sword. We have been warned to submit to Him. Who did we follow? Who did we believe? 

The mouth of the LORD spoke this...many times in many ways. 

The truth is in His Word...and His Word became flesh and testified of Himself. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (‭1John‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’"(‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭3-5,7‬)


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

In Step With God

Psalm 51:1-4,7-8,10-13 - 
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 
Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight—that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. 
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 
Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

I've been deep cleaning our house...purging. Every nook and cranny. Getting rid of things we no longer need, use or even notice anymore. When I'm done with phase one I may go through again. I can't help think not only am I purging in the natural but purging spiritually. At least I hope so. So I've been praying about this, seeking God. Whatever you need me to purge.

In the midst of all this some other amazing things are transpiring. New friendships developing, where these people also are determined to go deeper with God; old friendships being renewed; a sense of acceptance for me taking place. I sat back today and thanked God for whatever He is doing. Has the purging begun in some small way within me?! If so, keep it up. If necessary, dig deeper.

This should be the cry of our hearts, that God be with us as we "go." Moses knew he could do nothing without God's presence. So should we. 

When we acknowledge our sin is ever before us and that we need His blood to cleanse us, we have started the process to salvation through Christ alone. He will show us what needs to go in our lives...and yet when it goes it's like a weight lifted...and what is gone is filled with things above.

A couple weeks ago a guest pastor left us with the words from scripture: Show me Your way, God.  Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. ...” And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here." (‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭13-15)

So I've searched purging scriptures. God shows us what happens when we purge ourselves of this earthly life. I looked up some definitions of purge in Strong's Concordance. Briefly: purify, cleanse, reconciliation; to purify from uncleanliness. But this one says it all: to lose oneself, wander from the way. This is what man does. We have all strayed from God, or better yet, wandered from the Way who is Jesus. 

If we give up the earthly treasures, not that we must do with nothing at all, but realize that things don't matter...it's just stuff...and realize He is all we need, He will give us what is good. He will work to purge us of all unrighteousness. When we can trust He is all we need we will walk in step with Him. When He says go, we go. When He says speak, we speak. When He says stop, we stop. This is doing His will. It is seeing and doing life God's way, which is good. For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother. (‭Mark‬ 3:35)


If we do things His way we are blessed with the things that matter, especially eternal life. In Numbers 9 it tells how the children of Israel would get up and go when God in the form of a cloud or fire moved. He was their covering and light to their path. They rested when God commanded it; they went when He commanded it. And they were taken care of. They did not have to worry about each day as long as they followed Him. Today we want to do our own thing. Some of those own things are fine. Some are not. Some God will honor. Some He will not.

We purge ourselves to see Him more clearly. To have hearts and minds able to hear from Him. To think on those things that are pure and just. To be able to be used by Him in any circumstance. I want that! This is what He would want from us. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

Total communion with Him. He wants all of us. Only good comes from that. The world's idea of what is good is not the same. It is self-motivated, not God-motivated. Psalm 51 tells us our sin is ever before us and we need His cleansing. We are to ask Him to search our hearts and purify them. 


One of the purging scriptures that hit hard was: Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭30‬) I think of the blows and stripes Jesus took to His body for our sins. They cleansed away evil. He asks us to purge ourselves as well. And this verse: 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. (1John 1:7) We start out by receiving Christ and let Him work throughout our lives to cleanse us. 

Purging is good, that only that which is really necessary remains. Anything more than what is necessary is just stuff. Will we have bare minimum? Probably not. My flesh still gets in the way. But my spiritual house, I pray, will be uncluttered, day by day, leaving room only for what is pure and just, true and noble, admirable and lovely in His eyes.

2Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭20-22 - But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 


Friday, April 17, 2015

Directly To The Father


Exodus 26:31,33 - “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy."

The hardest thing for me to explain is that Jesus didn't die that everyone would go to heaven. He died for those who would call upon His name to be saved. That means humbly going directly to the Father and admitting the wretched persons we are and asking for forgiveness of our sins. The message here is directly to the Father.

In the Old Testament the people were separated from the Holy of Holies where the presence of God dwelt. Only one man, the high priest, could access this room. The responsibility of high priest was one of great importance.  They shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they offer the Lord’s food offerings, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy. (Leviticus 21:6) 

Quite a responsibility. But he alone went directly to God. Like Moses went directly to God when the Ten Commandments were written...like all of Israel could have done except for their fear of God.

This role was exactly what Jesus would be. The Great High Priest. The One who would be the instrument that would allow this access to the Father at His death. Through Him. Once through Him we would experience that veil being torn between God and us. Hallelujah!

Mark 15:33-34 - Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

Luke 23:44-46 - Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last. 

Matthew 27:50-51 - And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split...

That precious veil that was so intricately made was torn from top to bottom, indicating God did it. He tore the veil. He opened the way again for anyone who desires to have communion with Him. It's a personal thing. We need only bow our head, our knee, our heart to Him, confess our sins, repent. We don't need to go to anyone but Him to confess our sins. He hears and knows our heart.

I think about the purging I've been doing in our house. Getting rid of stuff because I haven't used it, worn it, looked at it for a very long time. Sometimes it's hard to do. But I keep thinking, it's just stuff. We are asked by God to purge ourselves too. To rid ourselves of the stuff that gets between God and us. Didn't He remove that glorious veil for us? Maybe it is like just stuff to Him. He wants nothing between us. He wants us cleansed by the blood of Jesus that the way is open to Him.

We can have access to God the Father every day, any time. If we have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, there is nothing between us anymore. We can have access to God without fear like Israel. We can hear Him speak to us spiritually. He will have compassion on us.

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

No Matter What?

Psalm 34:1-3 - I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together.

I have a friend who is going through a real time of trusting (maybe testing too). It's not a time of trouble or illness but truly trusting in Him. She believes He has shown her something she has had to do. Through scripture and time spent alone with Him she believes that He has guided her she is to just trust Him implicitly. There were things she so questioned about her ability to do and yet He has shown her He would carry her and she felt His peace (that passes all understanding) because it would not be about her but Him.

The thought came to me as I prayed for her this morning that even if all she is going through brings about none of the things she has been imagining, what if...what if it was just the Lord testing to see how well she would do without the results she desires or hopes for. Would she still praise Him? He has to be her only source in all this. He has to set the stages.

This is what He calls us all to do. No matter what. In the midst of a situation like hers or in a real trial, will we still praise Him if the outcome is not as we would have imagined? How many of us can honestly say we would trust in Him alone? And how often does what we think might happen actually happen unless we do it ourselves? And if that's the case how long does that work? Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭1)

Our imaginations!
I was reminded of this scripture:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8-9,11-13‬)

I'm not saying she needed a bit more from God faith-wise. There might be more to this experience that may be revealed later. I have my thoughts...but even those imaginations!

If we just do what He has directed us to do, providing we are sure we have heard from Him, He will accomplish what He pleases. If that's only to see how well we will respond to His voice alone with absolutely no thought to ourselves, then what He has done has been accomplished. If our response is Praise God no matter what, that's what He's looking for. With that He will bless us. How even I long for truly being blessed like this, not the grandiose things of the world, but God's special treasures.

Even if we have no clue what anything is all about, will we still glorify God? To some who demand the accolades here and now, this may seem absolutely ridiculous. To those who don't understand that God gives and takes away in His own will and timing, this will be difficult. To those who know and understand that His ways are always greater than ours, this seems quite logical. No matter what, will we glorify God? Will we glorify Him in loss as well as prosperity? It's all about Him.

Psalm 103:17-18,22 - But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

REPENT!

Mark 1:14-15 -  Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 

Oh, how the word repent can throw up walls in people's hearts. The idea that God can tell me what is right or wrong! The audacity that I be told how I am to live my life. The nerve that I am told I'm never going to be good enough on my own to go to heaven...and that there really is a heaven...and hell...and that my eternal life will be in one place or the other. 

Repent! Oh, the tightening of the shoulders, the stiffening of the back, the rising of the blood pressure and attitude, the unspoken, or maybe spoken, "no one can tell me what to do" words of defiance against the living God. 

Here was Jesus preaching this 2,000 years ago. Look at how much time He has given us to do this. While we do not know the day or hour He will return, He is still calling us to repent. Signs in the world today certainly show His time is much nearer. And even if He doesn't return in our lifetime, our eternal life at our death is still an issue that repentance can take care of! We just do not know when our last day will be. We must be prepared.

Repent! That means I have to admit I'm wrong. It means changing my attitude, my beliefs, even my church. Well, that's what God requires. To think otherwise is going against God. You are not His friend. He is not your God, nor Lord, nor Savior if you do not repent. Oh......

Every once in awhile a really good article will pass by me. I rarely just post someone else's article. But the one I have linked here is honest and to the point. It will prick consciences. It might change someone, make another to think, even draw another back to the Lord. Maybe it will change the position of some churches. For sure it will go against the grain for some people and some churches. 

So I will leave you to read this intensive article. I would click on links within it also. It's an article about the reality of hell...a subject not spoken of too much in the Church for all the controversy, for the political correctness concerning sin, for the idea that a soft gospel will draw people just as well as those difficult words Jesus spoke and that soft gospel will not offend and keep people in the churches. Some will die in those churches for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)

I'm not trying to portray God as a tyrant. He truly is a loving God. But He has His standards. He always has. That's why He's God. He never changes...especially not for us or our society's thinking. We conform to Him. And when we do He does what any loving Father would do...provide for any occasion, protect for any trial, love unconditionally. But we must repent to receive! Then, love God first, obey Him, love others...including enough to tell them the truth about God, His Son Jesus and the truth of His Word which includes all about sin and eternal life or eternal death. 

We are living in some unusual times. If we know anything about the Bible we might recognize some of the signs...days of Noah, end times, last days, return of Christ, a remnant people and churches. (You can Google any of those phrases and get more info.) Please read the article. For once it is not from me!!





Monday, April 13, 2015

Yes!

Zechariah‬ ‭14‬:‭1-9 - Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. 
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, for the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. 
Thus the LORD my God will come, and all the saints with You. It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; the lights will diminish. It shall be one day which is known to the LORD — neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light. And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; in both summer and winter it shall occur. And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be—"The LORD is one,” and His name one.

Yes, there will come a day called the great day of the Lord. Yes, nations are forming against Israel. There will be a remnant whom the Lord will fight for. Jesus will return bringing all His saints, His followers, with Him...those who have called on the name of the Lord and have been saved. Yes, He will return! 
  • Those who have known the day when they called on the name of the Lord and were saved look forward to the day of His return. 
  • They look up during all that happens here on earth. 
  • They know He died and was raised again. 
  • They know their Redeemer is alive today. 
  • They look up knowing He will return to rule and reign on earth. 
  • They believe what the Bible says. 
  • They know that the things on this earth are nothing in comparison to what Jesus has offered through knowing Him and being in relationship with Him...not trusting man and the things of this earth. 
  • They know they have given their lives to Jesus Christ. 
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2-4‬)

Yes, He will return. It will happen just as stated above. He will stand on the Mount of Olives and it will split. The Bible speaks the truth. In the scripture above Zechariah prophesied about Israel. How God would return them to their nation (which has been happening) and one day those whom He had once hoped to redeem and who have rejected Jesus all these years, will see and believe. But it also refers to those in those last days who have called on His name for their salvation. This is not some namby pamby understanding of who God is but the real deal. These are the remnant. 

Yes, I watch for the signs of His return. I see the closeness in the news. While I'm not happy to see what is going on I know that it must be. We will be having a presidential election coming up. Yes, I will vote and I will vote for the candidate whose views are the closest to what God would desire. I'd love to see a godly man in the White House, one who is not afraid to state His trust in God. But we still cannot put all our trust in a man. We must continue ourselves to put our trust in God. It's a personal relationship first, then a 

His return will be in His timing. Would I like to see things change for the better in this world...this country...yes. It can only happen when one by one a person looks to God and trusts in Him. Living life for our own pleasures alone or not truly believing in God is like turning our backs on our Lord, like Israel did. How often is He given credit for the things we have? How often do we recognize Him in our daily lives? What will it take to recognize Him? It might be too late when He returns. The time to look to Him is now. Say yes to Jesus yourself. 

Philippians 3:18-21 - For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 



Friday, April 10, 2015

Endurance

Matthew 24:7,9-10,12-13 - For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 

How does one endure? It is only through the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ. We cannot save ourselves from the ugliness of this world or death. We cannot truly endure without Him. When push comes to shove I want to know that my strength comes from the Lord. Government can't save, my spouse can't save, friends can't save. In trials no one can endure without the Lord Jesus Christ by one's side. Only He has been through the most difficult of trials. Only He can save. 

War, illness, diseases, persecution. All these things can come upon us. But we do not need to fear these if we know the Lord. We can know how to endure because He tells us throughout His Word. We see bits and pieces of these things occurring and even though they may not be that severe in our lives doesn't mean it can't happen. Terrorism is enlarging, persecution of Christians abounding, pride, power and destruction happen daily, and many other issues that God deems as sin run rampant. 

I personally would not want to go through a severe illness without, no matter whether I live or die because of it, His being by my side strengthening me throughout. I know person after person who, in their last days, were able to worship God in the midst of illness because they knew He would either see them through or take them to be with Him. Hands raised in worship! I want that. I like the idea of having the One who created me greet me in the end. 

That's why I write these blogs. I hope that in some way I am able to show Christ to others or to use His Word as encouragement. His Word alone speaks volumes. It's the living Word. It's the truth, the living water. It's the bread that sustains. Taste and see that the Lord is good! His Word also endures forever. And he who grasps this enduring Word, who will learn the truth, will also endure to the end.

1Peter 1:24-25 - ...because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. 

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Whom Are You Seeking?

Matthew ‬ ‭28‬:‭5-6‬ - But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

The story of Jesus and His horrific, cruel death grips hearts every year. To think one Man would die for all mankind, even before most were not even born, might be incomprehensible. Yet, He opened not His mouth to do this. How many today can not want to defend themselves when wrongfully accused? This was no ordinary man. 

Jesus would say, Why are you weeping? He was risen...from the dead...just like it was told it would happen. This is proof enough for me because "the Bible tells me so." He IS risen.

Today is a day to rejoice. He is alive, His Spirit moves among us. He draws all men to Himself in whatever way is necessary. He calls us. As He was given new life so will He give to you. As He was risen from the dead, so can you. We are all dead to our sin until we come into this new life He offers. Do not harden your heart to His leading. Whom are you seeking?

John‬ ‭20‬:‭15-16‬ - Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 



Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Standing for Truth

Matthew 12:14 - Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

The Pharisees plotted against Jesus, that they might destroy Him. Pretty harsh word, destroy. His ways were not like theirs. I see vindictive men standing opposed to the words of One who loved and cared deeply for all people. And they wanted to destroy Him. 

We are either for Him or against Him. There's no middle ground. Either we heed His words or we ignore them. We either believe them or scoff them. 

As the Pharisees plotted to kill Him because what He spoke was so opposed to their religious traditions, Jesus continued to walk forward knowing He would die for all mankind. He stood His ground because it was truth. He stood for truth. But the Pharisees could not see it.

The Pharisees would much rather have condemned a man for doing something that by human nature was natural, good and far from sin. And so they condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They believed His miracles were of the devil.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in return and added that He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (Matthew 12:30)  And 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. (Matthew 12:32)

We are in the age to come. His words today are just as truthful as then. Do our words praise the Lord? Or are they idle words? All our words and thoughts will be accounted for some day. Will God find Himself anywhere there? 

The miracle of Jesus' resurrection was that we might recognize His power and all He holds for us when we seek and receive Him. How can we not think more highly of Him than we do? How can we not want to learn of Him apart from the entertainment value of the History Channel or some Hollywood movie? How can we not want the very truth of only His Word? 

Two thousand years ago Jesus began His last days. The plot to kill Him was in full force and all that had been prophesied would take place. He would pray in earnest to the Father that ...if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. (‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭39‬)

He has made Himself very known. There is no excuse for not knowing Him. The sun rises and sets, the seasons come and go, there are births and deaths...year after year. Who controls it all? 

Jesus preached the Parable of the Sower. There were four types of soil into which seed was sown. He likened it to man's ability to hear and understand His words. 
Seed tossed on ground without soil is like His words spoken to one who does not understand. Absolutely no rooting can take place.
Stony soil causes quick growth but no strong root. Stony hearts receive for only a short time because it also has not rooted firmly.
Seeds sown in thorny places get choked out by the thorns. This is like the Word that is received but the things of the world are just too important to carry on in the understanding and knowledge/wisdom of the Word.
Seeds planted in good soil, however, goes on to produce a crop and more seed. This is like those who hear, understand, rejoice in and share the Word that this Word would continue to produce.

Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. Do we stand for real truth? We either hear or we do not. We either believe or we do not. We either share or we do not. He has made it clear through His Word what is truth. While the Pharisees of long ago sought to kill Him, He lives on. He was victorious in death. 

John 17:17 - Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.