The question comes up a lot in the church of God: Can you lose your salvation? The question is not one that is clearly a yes or no answer, because of our brokeness and our inability to see people as they really are. How do you know that you are saved? What is the proof of your conversion?
Some people believe that a person is saved by becoming a member of a church, going to church services every sunday and doing some 'good' deeds, but my question for this scenario would be, has this person made a profession of faith, have they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? When they made their profession of faith, was there any evidence of a change in their lives, had they become kind and giving, selfless and humble?
Matthew 7:19-23 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”
We see evidence of what seems like salvation, but there are too many inside the church who are just 'playing church' - we all need to look deeper than the surface of a person's life to find the truth of what they believe in their hearts.
Matthew 24:9-13 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
The real church will be separated from the false church, and those who were 'playing' church will stop their playing, because there will come a time when living the life a christian will be too hard for those who do not have a sincere faith in Jesus Christ. You will know who is saved by their actions; they will endure until the end because of their love for Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:1 “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
A false doctrine is being preached and accepted into some people's hearts; it is a 'gospel' that they want and like to hear; to be called a true disciple of Jesus Christ is to love His word, and to be guided by its wisdom. Following in His footsteps means believing in His word, and living your life by His word.
Hebrews 6:4-6 “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
Hebrews 10:26-31 “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
These two scripture seem to indicate that, yes, you can lose your salvation, but it is for those who know the word of grace is true, but they decide they want to live outside the will of God. They are rebels, and not really interested in living their lives for God. Unfortunately, there are many people who pretend to believe and live their lives as christians; they talk a good talk, they can quote many bible verses, but they will never allow the Lord to change their hearts.
These are the people that curse God with their mouths, and they call good things, 'bad', and bad things, 'good'. They will declare to the world that God isn't real, and will do everything to discredit Jesus Christ and the word of God. Their conscience is seared, and they don't hear the Holy Spirit knocking on the door of their heart anymore, because the Holy Spirit has abandoned them like they have abandoned the Lord.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Did you profess faith in Him, and did you accept Him as your Lord and Savior? Do you love Him? Great, you are His forever and ever, and no man will be able to take you out of His hand, even though you are not perfect, even though you might have problems living the christian live from time to time, even though you may fail and fall into sin. The Lord knows your heart, you are His, and as long as you are willing to believe in Him and live for Him, He will believe in you, love you, and protect you. He will lift you up from your fall and give you the strength and the power to defeat that sin, so that you will have the victory, and He will get the Glory from your life.
If you love Him. you have nothing to fear; Praise God everyday in everything that you do, because He will never leave you or forsake you, and you will get to live with Him forever and ever, in peace, love, and joy!
Friday, June 30, 2017
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Favored
by PamFord Davis
Noah found favor.
“When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, ‘I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.’ Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord (Genesis 6:5-8 HCSB).”
Mary too was favored.
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her:
Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.
He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:26-33 HCSB).”
Faultless?
No.
Favored?
Yes.
Trouble free?
No.
Forsaken and alone?
Never!
Devotionals are her first love in writing. Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, With God Daily, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
http://www.pamforddavis.com
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Noah found favor.
“When the Lord saw that man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, ‘I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky—for I regret that I made them.’ Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord (Genesis 6:5-8 HCSB).”
Mary too was favored.
“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her:
Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Now listen:
You will conceive and give birth to a son,
and you will call His name Jesus.
He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David.
He will reign over the house of Jacob forever,
and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:26-33 HCSB).”
Faultless?
No.
Favored?
Yes.
Trouble free?
No.
Forsaken and alone?
Never!
Devotionals are her first love in writing. Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, With God Daily, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
http://www.pamforddavis.com
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Repentance - The Missing Link
by Mick Alexander
Many Christians say that leading a holy, repentant life is not necessary for salvation and others say that a person only has to believe. By this they mean that if someone just believes, just knows, that Jesus died for their sins then they are saved and that is that. In this article, I would like to look at what it means to believe and what Jesus meant when He said, "unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3).
Believing (Faith) James 2:19 shows that believing for salvation is more than just understanding or knowing about something. It says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." James tells us that the demons believe in God but their knowledge isn't doing them any good so believing for salvation is more than just having head knowledge like the demons.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." In this verse, the word believe has a deeper meaning than simply knowing about something. Strong's dictionary tells us that believing means to have faith in someone and to commit to and entrust our spiritual well being to them. In 2 Tim. 1:12 Paul said, "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." Paul was committed to and trusted in Jesus for his spiritual well being and he believed that Jesus was able to guard it until the judgment. Also, Jude 1:24 tells us that Jesus "is able to keep you from falling" so we can see that to believe in Jesus for our salvation is to commit our ways to Him and to trust that He is able to keep us spiritually strong so that we don't fall.
Confessing and repenting Repentance is described as a change of mind but if we say we have changed our mind about sin, yet haven't turned away from our sinful lifestyle, then we are hypocrites and have not truly repented. For example, if I slapped you in the face, said sorry, then slapped you again, said sorry again, slapped you again etc., it would not take long for you to see through my hypocrisy and refuse to accept my apology. In the same way, God will not forgive anyone who comes to Him without a truly repentant heart.
For a non-believer to receive forgiveness and be saved he must repent of his sins. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out ...." As already said, to repent means to change our mind about something so to be saved a person must change their mind about their sinful lifestyle and turn away from it. Many people say that once we are saved there is no need to repent any more, however, in Luke 13:3 the word repent is present tense so Jesus is really saying, "unless you repent [and continue to repent], you too will all perish." So, to be saved, we must turn from sin and continue that way otherwise Jesus said that we will perish.
The purpose of this article is to show that repentance is the missing link in the salvation of many believers. Many in the churches are not saved even though they know the Bible very well and believe in Jesus. They only believe like the demons believe and are not committed to living a holy life by following the Lord's commands. If a believer does not confess and repent of any sin he may commit then that sin will remain unforgiven. Whenever we sin, we must confess to receive forgiveness and this is made clear by the word 'if' in 1 John 1:9 which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If we don't confess then we won't be forgiven. In this verse, confessing our sins is more that just admitting we have sinned. When we confess a sin, if we have no intention of turning from that sin then the Lord, who sees our heart, will not forgive us. True confession of sin naturally includes repentance. If we simply admit our guilt without having the intention or desire to stop sinning then we are being hypocritical and God will not forgive us. God will only forgive if our heart is right - Isa 66:2 says, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite [remorseful and repentant] in spirit, and trembles at my word." God does not esteem hypocrites.
Is repentance the missing link in your walk with God? Does sin have power over you? It is God's promise that confession will bring more than just forgiveness. The promise in 1 John 1:9 is that God will not only forgive you but He will also purify you from all unrighteousness. Jesus verifies this truth in John 8:34-36 where He says, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." In these verses Jesus is saying that He can free you from slavery to sin so that you will no longer be a temporary slave in the family, but a son forever.
Finally, sin and repentance are rarely preached today; it is as though they have become dirty words. It seems that the vast majority of preachers avoid the subjects for fear of emptying their church and losing their income. However, this does not alter the fact that sin separates us from God as Isa. 59:2 tells us, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Repentance brings down the barrier of separation to link us back up with God and without it there can be no relationship with Jesus, hence no salvation.
This article can be downloaded from under Blog Articles at http://www.christianissues.biz/download.html
Mick Alexander leeandmick@gmail.com My website: Christian Issues
Mick Alexander likes to spread the gospel and encourage believers in their faith.
He has a website at http://www.christianissues.biz
His Christian blog is at http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/
His YouTube videos are http://www.youtube.com/user/christianissues
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Many Christians say that leading a holy, repentant life is not necessary for salvation and others say that a person only has to believe. By this they mean that if someone just believes, just knows, that Jesus died for their sins then they are saved and that is that. In this article, I would like to look at what it means to believe and what Jesus meant when He said, "unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3).
Believing (Faith) James 2:19 shows that believing for salvation is more than just understanding or knowing about something. It says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." James tells us that the demons believe in God but their knowledge isn't doing them any good so believing for salvation is more than just having head knowledge like the demons.
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." In this verse, the word believe has a deeper meaning than simply knowing about something. Strong's dictionary tells us that believing means to have faith in someone and to commit to and entrust our spiritual well being to them. In 2 Tim. 1:12 Paul said, "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." Paul was committed to and trusted in Jesus for his spiritual well being and he believed that Jesus was able to guard it until the judgment. Also, Jude 1:24 tells us that Jesus "is able to keep you from falling" so we can see that to believe in Jesus for our salvation is to commit our ways to Him and to trust that He is able to keep us spiritually strong so that we don't fall.
Confessing and repenting Repentance is described as a change of mind but if we say we have changed our mind about sin, yet haven't turned away from our sinful lifestyle, then we are hypocrites and have not truly repented. For example, if I slapped you in the face, said sorry, then slapped you again, said sorry again, slapped you again etc., it would not take long for you to see through my hypocrisy and refuse to accept my apology. In the same way, God will not forgive anyone who comes to Him without a truly repentant heart.
For a non-believer to receive forgiveness and be saved he must repent of his sins. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out ...." As already said, to repent means to change our mind about something so to be saved a person must change their mind about their sinful lifestyle and turn away from it. Many people say that once we are saved there is no need to repent any more, however, in Luke 13:3 the word repent is present tense so Jesus is really saying, "unless you repent [and continue to repent], you too will all perish." So, to be saved, we must turn from sin and continue that way otherwise Jesus said that we will perish.
The purpose of this article is to show that repentance is the missing link in the salvation of many believers. Many in the churches are not saved even though they know the Bible very well and believe in Jesus. They only believe like the demons believe and are not committed to living a holy life by following the Lord's commands. If a believer does not confess and repent of any sin he may commit then that sin will remain unforgiven. Whenever we sin, we must confess to receive forgiveness and this is made clear by the word 'if' in 1 John 1:9 which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If we don't confess then we won't be forgiven. In this verse, confessing our sins is more that just admitting we have sinned. When we confess a sin, if we have no intention of turning from that sin then the Lord, who sees our heart, will not forgive us. True confession of sin naturally includes repentance. If we simply admit our guilt without having the intention or desire to stop sinning then we are being hypocritical and God will not forgive us. God will only forgive if our heart is right - Isa 66:2 says, "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite [remorseful and repentant] in spirit, and trembles at my word." God does not esteem hypocrites.
Is repentance the missing link in your walk with God? Does sin have power over you? It is God's promise that confession will bring more than just forgiveness. The promise in 1 John 1:9 is that God will not only forgive you but He will also purify you from all unrighteousness. Jesus verifies this truth in John 8:34-36 where He says, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." In these verses Jesus is saying that He can free you from slavery to sin so that you will no longer be a temporary slave in the family, but a son forever.
Finally, sin and repentance are rarely preached today; it is as though they have become dirty words. It seems that the vast majority of preachers avoid the subjects for fear of emptying their church and losing their income. However, this does not alter the fact that sin separates us from God as Isa. 59:2 tells us, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." Repentance brings down the barrier of separation to link us back up with God and without it there can be no relationship with Jesus, hence no salvation.
This article can be downloaded from under Blog Articles at http://www.christianissues.biz/download.html
Mick Alexander leeandmick@gmail.com My website: Christian Issues
Mick Alexander likes to spread the gospel and encourage believers in their faith.
He has a website at http://www.christianissues.biz
His Christian blog is at http://www.christianissues.biz/blog/wordpress/
His YouTube videos are http://www.youtube.com/user/christianissues
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Peace In The Middle East
God says, "Will my words reach to the end of the earth, and who will declare my words of peace?
Pray for peace in the middle east."
"The time has come, my little ones, to pray for peace in the middle east, the trumpets have sounded in the midst of the preparations for war;
They have said, "We will take them out, we will have the victory against the people of God. No one can save them, we will remain victorious!"
Can the Lord save His Beloved? Why do the vultures sing in their caves, in the nooks and crannies of their nests, why do they sit in quiet anticipation of the coming feast? Bring righteousness into the Holy Land again, My Lord, show the enemies of our people who you really are, and bring justice again to the world!
Will you pray for the peace of the middle east? He is asking for His people to declare justice and peace in Jerusalem; "let those who praise my name now open their hearts to receive my words, my words of peace to be declared upon My Holy Land. We want you to declare our Love to the people of Israel." (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
"Pray for them, my people, for the world only means to bring war and destruction to My Holy Land; they believe they are right and I and my words are wrong! Bring peace and justice to this land by loving the people of God, the sons and daughters of Abraham, bring peace by declaring peace in the land of Israel!"
Pray for peace in the middle east."
"The time has come, my little ones, to pray for peace in the middle east, the trumpets have sounded in the midst of the preparations for war;
They have said, "We will take them out, we will have the victory against the people of God. No one can save them, we will remain victorious!"
Can the Lord save His Beloved? Why do the vultures sing in their caves, in the nooks and crannies of their nests, why do they sit in quiet anticipation of the coming feast? Bring righteousness into the Holy Land again, My Lord, show the enemies of our people who you really are, and bring justice again to the world!
Will you pray for the peace of the middle east? He is asking for His people to declare justice and peace in Jerusalem; "let those who praise my name now open their hearts to receive my words, my words of peace to be declared upon My Holy Land. We want you to declare our Love to the people of Israel." (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
"Pray for them, my people, for the world only means to bring war and destruction to My Holy Land; they believe they are right and I and my words are wrong! Bring peace and justice to this land by loving the people of God, the sons and daughters of Abraham, bring peace by declaring peace in the land of Israel!"
Monday, June 26, 2017
A Love Letter To The Church Of God
We need to have a talk, all of us. The Church of God is hurting. People are leaving churches because they are disillusioned by what is happening now in the world and in their neighborhoods, and what is worse, many churches are incapable of helping with their member's issues and circumstances. Many churches have forgotten who they are in Christ; they no longer have the power to change people's lives in a way that is meaningful for them or for the people in their lives. What could be the reason for this 'falling away of the church'?
Revelation Chapter 2 1-5
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the LOVE you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.".....
I have to consider all of the things that have happened in my life in the last 10 years, and I realise that the Lord was teaching me about Love. I had to learn who God was, and how He sees me, and I needed His Love and encouragement, so that I would know what true Love is like. After all, how could I demonstrate a ministry of Love to the whole world if I don't know what true Love is like?
And, what is even better, I learned about His sweet and encouraging Love, while being 'human'; that means I learned that He Loved me even when I had fears, anxieties and issues. He poured on the Love, into my heart and mind, to let me know that He approved of me, and that He found me valuable. The strength and depth of God's love is amazing and awesome, and that is why we worship Him, because His power and His might is in the strength of His Love!
He expects His people, the Church of God, to express that kind of love from their hearts to everyone in their lives, to family, to friends, to neighbors and coworkers, to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, to the people that they don't know but encounter everyday in the streets and the alleyways of life: my question to you now is, how well do you believe that your church expresses the Love of Jesus Christ?
Do you believe that the Church of God is operating from true Love, from deep compassion and kindness? How many times have you wondered about the mission of your church and if that mission is being fulfilled? Have you wondered if the Lord approves of what He is seeing happening in your own church? When you think about your church, does that thought fill you with pain or anxiety? It may be time to evaluate whether or not you are a member of a church that is focused upon expressing the pure Love of God, or if you are a member of a somewhat kind and considerate organization that happens to do 'good' deeds and enjoys participating in religious practices, but has no real connection to the God of heaven.
I have seen what it is like to deal with people in 'religious' organizations that are functioning from a place of doing what they think is right; they follow christian principles, and they do what they believe is right for their community by offering services they believe is necessary to help others, but I have also felt uncomfortable in the presence of these people because I did not feel any love or acceptance from them. I know what it is like to feel that someone who does not know you well has probably already measured you, and in their hearts you are lacking, you are not anywhere close to their standards.
What can be done to help the church of God in these last days? The Lord already has the answer: "Seek My face and look for your answers in My Word, look within your own heart and ask yourself if you really believe in the power of Love. Follow in the footsteps of My Son, Jesus Christ, and learn to love like He loves. How can you learn to love like Him? By surrendering your heart and mind to Me, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in your heart, so that you will see my people the way that I do."
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins, and He loves us with a Love that is beyond our comprehension. He was willing to give us eternal life, Love and peace forever and ever in His presence; No one in this world is beyond the Love of Jesus Christ, but they must choose to live for Him and His standards and not their own. You must choose to be bold in your love, be willing to be a friend to the lost and the broken, to the widow and the orphan, to the 'bad' people of the world; how else will they understand what true love is?
(Jesus says) "I Love you, I died for you on a cross on calvary; no one will ever love you more than I do, but you must know that I cannot continue to bless you, My Church, if you are unwilling to show my Love to the world."
Revelation Chapter 2 1-5
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the LOVE you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.".....
I have to consider all of the things that have happened in my life in the last 10 years, and I realise that the Lord was teaching me about Love. I had to learn who God was, and how He sees me, and I needed His Love and encouragement, so that I would know what true Love is like. After all, how could I demonstrate a ministry of Love to the whole world if I don't know what true Love is like?
And, what is even better, I learned about His sweet and encouraging Love, while being 'human'; that means I learned that He Loved me even when I had fears, anxieties and issues. He poured on the Love, into my heart and mind, to let me know that He approved of me, and that He found me valuable. The strength and depth of God's love is amazing and awesome, and that is why we worship Him, because His power and His might is in the strength of His Love!
He expects His people, the Church of God, to express that kind of love from their hearts to everyone in their lives, to family, to friends, to neighbors and coworkers, to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, to the people that they don't know but encounter everyday in the streets and the alleyways of life: my question to you now is, how well do you believe that your church expresses the Love of Jesus Christ?
Do you believe that the Church of God is operating from true Love, from deep compassion and kindness? How many times have you wondered about the mission of your church and if that mission is being fulfilled? Have you wondered if the Lord approves of what He is seeing happening in your own church? When you think about your church, does that thought fill you with pain or anxiety? It may be time to evaluate whether or not you are a member of a church that is focused upon expressing the pure Love of God, or if you are a member of a somewhat kind and considerate organization that happens to do 'good' deeds and enjoys participating in religious practices, but has no real connection to the God of heaven.
I have seen what it is like to deal with people in 'religious' organizations that are functioning from a place of doing what they think is right; they follow christian principles, and they do what they believe is right for their community by offering services they believe is necessary to help others, but I have also felt uncomfortable in the presence of these people because I did not feel any love or acceptance from them. I know what it is like to feel that someone who does not know you well has probably already measured you, and in their hearts you are lacking, you are not anywhere close to their standards.
What can be done to help the church of God in these last days? The Lord already has the answer: "Seek My face and look for your answers in My Word, look within your own heart and ask yourself if you really believe in the power of Love. Follow in the footsteps of My Son, Jesus Christ, and learn to love like He loves. How can you learn to love like Him? By surrendering your heart and mind to Me, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work in your heart, so that you will see my people the way that I do."
Jesus Christ died on the cross for all of our sins, and He loves us with a Love that is beyond our comprehension. He was willing to give us eternal life, Love and peace forever and ever in His presence; No one in this world is beyond the Love of Jesus Christ, but they must choose to live for Him and His standards and not their own. You must choose to be bold in your love, be willing to be a friend to the lost and the broken, to the widow and the orphan, to the 'bad' people of the world; how else will they understand what true love is?
(Jesus says) "I Love you, I died for you on a cross on calvary; no one will ever love you more than I do, but you must know that I cannot continue to bless you, My Church, if you are unwilling to show my Love to the world."
Sunday, June 25, 2017
How To Show Love For The Poor
1 Sam. 2:8 He lifts the poor from the dust-- Yes, from a pile of ashes-- And treats them as princes sitting in the seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord's And he has set the world in order.
Prov. 14:31 Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.
When you help the poor, the needy, the brokenhearted, you are pleasing God in so many ways. He knew what this world would be like, when adam and eve broke their covenant with Him and rebelled. When He sent them out of the garden of eden, He knew they would live a life of pain and suffering, toiling in the ground under a hot sun to produce their own food; hard work and sacrifice became their daily mantra and ours as well.
He knew that we would inherit a selfish nature, and that teamwork and cooperation would be difficult, if not impossible for some. The people who decided to work together formed villages, cities, and civilization. The people who refused to work with others formed gangs, armies, and war, and this is why chaos and order is built into the very fabric of our lives. Choas hates order; when your life is chaotic, there is no rest, and you cannot find peace. Order calls to the people living in chaos, "Come here, there is peace and rest for you here, you don't have to live in fear and confusion anymore, live for me and I will show you a better way."
This is why God responds to the meek and the humble of the world; He knows that they are very close to the essence of His heart. He loves people who are moved with tenderness and compassion, who are aware of the suffering and the chaos of this world, who are willing to give from their hearts and move into action to help other people.
God allows us to feel pain and suffering,to go through a certain amount of brokenness, so that we may feel what He feels when He sees His children suffering everyday. He wants us to be willing to do good things in the world on His behalf. As we give of ourselves, we become more and more like Jesus Christ, who gave the greatest gift to mankind, His body on the cross, as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He gave us His love and His compassion. He was willing to go through a season of brokeness for us, to experience living this life as a human; the Son of Man living among us, healing us with His words and His power, giving His life for us, and He was resurrected as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the only way to true salvation and peace - Glory Be To His Name Forever and Ever!
That is how we should see the poor, we need to speak to them tenderly, with compassion and respect. No one should be ignored and pushed away simply because they have little or no money. They are the ones that the Lord loves dearly, and He will bless anyone who is willing to call the homeless person sleeping in the street near the the gutter their friend!
There is so much going on the world that makes people fearful and full of anxiety; this will make them have a tendency to pull back into themselves for protection, but the Lord wants us to be open to everyone so that we may show God's love, so that we may offer God's amnesty to the world, Jesus Christ, who is the solution to all of their fears and anxieties. We cannot afford to hold back, we must press on and show the world who we are and who Jesus is.
You may not have a lot to give anyone else, except a hug, a word of encouragement, a smile......don't you know that those are the best gifts of all to someone who may have lost all hope! Don't worry about what you have to give, just give from what you already have, the Holy Spirit will prompt you from your heart, and He will guide you into a deeper understanding of what it means to truly love your neighbor - Be Of Good Courage, My Brother And Sisters In Christ, because He will not leave you alone, as an orphan in the streets, He will love you and guide you as you learn to love other people as He loves them, and the greatest gift that He will give you is to know what it means to be just like Him!
Prov. 14:31 Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God.
When you help the poor, the needy, the brokenhearted, you are pleasing God in so many ways. He knew what this world would be like, when adam and eve broke their covenant with Him and rebelled. When He sent them out of the garden of eden, He knew they would live a life of pain and suffering, toiling in the ground under a hot sun to produce their own food; hard work and sacrifice became their daily mantra and ours as well.
He knew that we would inherit a selfish nature, and that teamwork and cooperation would be difficult, if not impossible for some. The people who decided to work together formed villages, cities, and civilization. The people who refused to work with others formed gangs, armies, and war, and this is why chaos and order is built into the very fabric of our lives. Choas hates order; when your life is chaotic, there is no rest, and you cannot find peace. Order calls to the people living in chaos, "Come here, there is peace and rest for you here, you don't have to live in fear and confusion anymore, live for me and I will show you a better way."
This is why God responds to the meek and the humble of the world; He knows that they are very close to the essence of His heart. He loves people who are moved with tenderness and compassion, who are aware of the suffering and the chaos of this world, who are willing to give from their hearts and move into action to help other people.
God allows us to feel pain and suffering,to go through a certain amount of brokenness, so that we may feel what He feels when He sees His children suffering everyday. He wants us to be willing to do good things in the world on His behalf. As we give of ourselves, we become more and more like Jesus Christ, who gave the greatest gift to mankind, His body on the cross, as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He gave us His love and His compassion. He was willing to go through a season of brokeness for us, to experience living this life as a human; the Son of Man living among us, healing us with His words and His power, giving His life for us, and He was resurrected as the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, the only way to true salvation and peace - Glory Be To His Name Forever and Ever!
That is how we should see the poor, we need to speak to them tenderly, with compassion and respect. No one should be ignored and pushed away simply because they have little or no money. They are the ones that the Lord loves dearly, and He will bless anyone who is willing to call the homeless person sleeping in the street near the the gutter their friend!
There is so much going on the world that makes people fearful and full of anxiety; this will make them have a tendency to pull back into themselves for protection, but the Lord wants us to be open to everyone so that we may show God's love, so that we may offer God's amnesty to the world, Jesus Christ, who is the solution to all of their fears and anxieties. We cannot afford to hold back, we must press on and show the world who we are and who Jesus is.
You may not have a lot to give anyone else, except a hug, a word of encouragement, a smile......don't you know that those are the best gifts of all to someone who may have lost all hope! Don't worry about what you have to give, just give from what you already have, the Holy Spirit will prompt you from your heart, and He will guide you into a deeper understanding of what it means to truly love your neighbor - Be Of Good Courage, My Brother And Sisters In Christ, because He will not leave you alone, as an orphan in the streets, He will love you and guide you as you learn to love other people as He loves them, and the greatest gift that He will give you is to know what it means to be just like Him!
Saturday, June 24, 2017
My Favorite Psalm: Psalm 91 The Psalm Of Protection
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
I have learned to speak this psalm everyday over myself and my family. Over a year ago, I remember having many fears and anxieties about myself and about my life, where was I going and what should I be doing with my life. The Lord was working on me, dealing with issues I have had since my childhood, and l learned from other christians to say this psalm everyday. Sometimes I speak it out loud, and sometimes, lately, I sing it out loud in my devotion time to the Lord.
What I have learned is that you start with the profession of the word of truth, even it you have fears, doubts, or very little faith, and with time the words begin to seep into your subconscious and you begin to believe them. I am a work in progress, and I am definitely in a better place than where I was even 2 years ago!
The Lord speaks to us through His word, so I recommend speaking bible verses, psalms, and whole chapters of the word out loud to yourself, so that this word sinks deep into your heart; you will need it in those times when you are in trouble and God's words of comfort, hope, and power are the only things that will keep you trusting in Him, and leaning into His rest.
God Bless You And Keep You!
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
I have learned to speak this psalm everyday over myself and my family. Over a year ago, I remember having many fears and anxieties about myself and about my life, where was I going and what should I be doing with my life. The Lord was working on me, dealing with issues I have had since my childhood, and l learned from other christians to say this psalm everyday. Sometimes I speak it out loud, and sometimes, lately, I sing it out loud in my devotion time to the Lord.
What I have learned is that you start with the profession of the word of truth, even it you have fears, doubts, or very little faith, and with time the words begin to seep into your subconscious and you begin to believe them. I am a work in progress, and I am definitely in a better place than where I was even 2 years ago!
The Lord speaks to us through His word, so I recommend speaking bible verses, psalms, and whole chapters of the word out loud to yourself, so that this word sinks deep into your heart; you will need it in those times when you are in trouble and God's words of comfort, hope, and power are the only things that will keep you trusting in Him, and leaning into His rest.
God Bless You And Keep You!
Friday, June 23, 2017
Why it is best sometimes for the Lord to "break your heart" with compassion
It is very funny, but lately I have been reliving the past in a way. I spend a lot of time on you tube, watching videos about different things, and I came across this channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyKcAF-T_1veT0srqy3racg. It is a christian channel and they have videos of some physical tracts that used to be handed out to people in the streets, and I believe are still being handed out today.
I have to share this video of one of the tracts, because I remember reading this tract when I was a child. This tract always touched me, and yesterday I looked at it again on you tube, and my heart broke again. I became so emotional, because I know that there are so many children that face this type of thing everyday, and are being overlooked by everyone else in their communities.
There are too many children, going to school and trying to function in our society, pretending that everything is okay, but it is not okay. What truly gets me, is that at the end of the tract, the little boy finds out that someone really does care about him, that loves him, and that he goes to meet the One who died for his sins.
Please watch this video:
Do you know when are the best times to pray for yourself and for others? When your heart is filled with compassion, when it is "breaking" because of the issues and circumstances of life. The Lord sometimes has to let you know what is really going on in the world, so that you can be motivated to do something about it. After my emotional "breakdown", I prayed deep and sincere prayers in the spirit, asking for mercy and kindness for those who are being abused and who cannot help themselves. We all need reminders to pray urgently for others, especially living in America, it can be hard for us to understand the real trials and tribulations going on in the world everyday. We have a safety net system to help the poor, the orphans, and the abused; it is not perfect, but it does help. All over the world, there are many places that don't have any safety net systems at all. The hard part is seeing that so many people are left in "the gutter of life" and no one seems willing to help them.
But now that I have felt my heart "broken", I realize how hard it is for the Lord to reach people in their regular state of consciousness. Many times, problems exist right in our own neighborhoods and on our own streets, and we are not aware of it, because we all tend to be too focused on our own lives. Sometimes it takes a dramatic move of the Holy Spirit, piercing our hearts and minds to wake us up to the realities of life. when you feel the move of the Holy Spirit in your heart, do not ignore it, follow His lead, because He is trying to guide you into true fellowship with the Lord, and to show you what you need to do in your life to be more like Jesus Christ.
when you are "broken" with compassion for yourself, for other people, for hard issues that face everyone every single day, that is when revelations occur, and where wisdom begins!
I have to share this video of one of the tracts, because I remember reading this tract when I was a child. This tract always touched me, and yesterday I looked at it again on you tube, and my heart broke again. I became so emotional, because I know that there are so many children that face this type of thing everyday, and are being overlooked by everyone else in their communities.
There are too many children, going to school and trying to function in our society, pretending that everything is okay, but it is not okay. What truly gets me, is that at the end of the tract, the little boy finds out that someone really does care about him, that loves him, and that he goes to meet the One who died for his sins.
Please watch this video:
Do you know when are the best times to pray for yourself and for others? When your heart is filled with compassion, when it is "breaking" because of the issues and circumstances of life. The Lord sometimes has to let you know what is really going on in the world, so that you can be motivated to do something about it. After my emotional "breakdown", I prayed deep and sincere prayers in the spirit, asking for mercy and kindness for those who are being abused and who cannot help themselves. We all need reminders to pray urgently for others, especially living in America, it can be hard for us to understand the real trials and tribulations going on in the world everyday. We have a safety net system to help the poor, the orphans, and the abused; it is not perfect, but it does help. All over the world, there are many places that don't have any safety net systems at all. The hard part is seeing that so many people are left in "the gutter of life" and no one seems willing to help them.
But now that I have felt my heart "broken", I realize how hard it is for the Lord to reach people in their regular state of consciousness. Many times, problems exist right in our own neighborhoods and on our own streets, and we are not aware of it, because we all tend to be too focused on our own lives. Sometimes it takes a dramatic move of the Holy Spirit, piercing our hearts and minds to wake us up to the realities of life. when you feel the move of the Holy Spirit in your heart, do not ignore it, follow His lead, because He is trying to guide you into true fellowship with the Lord, and to show you what you need to do in your life to be more like Jesus Christ.
when you are "broken" with compassion for yourself, for other people, for hard issues that face everyone every single day, that is when revelations occur, and where wisdom begins!
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Hope
by Katy Curry
Hope, it is an interesting word; one that can be used as a noun or a verb. Hope has kept a people going when it seemed all was lost. Hope has allowed man or woman to laugh at impending death and face it without fear.
Miriam Webster defines hope as to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true. That kind of definition makes it sound like believing in Santa Claus. But, if that were the case why does it have such a remarkable effect on us? We need to explore this concept further.
Paulo Coelho stated: "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." So here is another concept of hope, it encompasses the concept of love and what loves inspires people to do.
It is true that for love of another, for love of a land, for love of a people, or an idea people strive and hope. Is that not why in the late eighteenth century hundreds of men and women fought and died so that this country, the United States of America, could gain its independence. It was that belief, that hope in a future free of the dictates of the King of England that made these people face the overwhelming odds they did and win. So perhaps love has something to do with hope.
Let's look at another viewpoint of hope. In the Bible, the writer of Hebrews in the New Testament states that faith is "the assurance of things hope for " (Hebrews 11:1). Hope, therefore, is the object upon which we direct our focus and energies.
As a Christian, hope is my trust in God's promises. It is a conviction that God can take this life that I have used so poorly and turn it around to accomplish something wonderful; something that will advance His will and His Kingdom. It is the trust that not only will I be in heaven because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but that those members of my family will come to accept Christ as their savior as well. In this is evidenced a natural trilogy of faith, love. and hope. Each one needs the other to exist in its whole.
Such was Jesus's message. It was and is given in love and invites each of us to take His words as truth and accept them in faith so that they can provide us with hope in our own future.
To accept Jesus as your personal savior truly gives you the beginning of hope. My faith and hope in Jesus's saving grace has born fruit. My husband has returned to Jesus. his faith deeper than ever. Hope? You can find true hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
Katy Curry kafrak.com Kathy is a retired teacher in SW Florida who enjoys writing about politics, faith in Jesus Christ, and other topics as they seem timely. www.kafrak.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Hope, it is an interesting word; one that can be used as a noun or a verb. Hope has kept a people going when it seemed all was lost. Hope has allowed man or woman to laugh at impending death and face it without fear.
Miriam Webster defines hope as to want something to happen or be true and think that it could happen or be true. That kind of definition makes it sound like believing in Santa Claus. But, if that were the case why does it have such a remarkable effect on us? We need to explore this concept further.
Paulo Coelho stated: "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." So here is another concept of hope, it encompasses the concept of love and what loves inspires people to do.
It is true that for love of another, for love of a land, for love of a people, or an idea people strive and hope. Is that not why in the late eighteenth century hundreds of men and women fought and died so that this country, the United States of America, could gain its independence. It was that belief, that hope in a future free of the dictates of the King of England that made these people face the overwhelming odds they did and win. So perhaps love has something to do with hope.
Let's look at another viewpoint of hope. In the Bible, the writer of Hebrews in the New Testament states that faith is "the assurance of things hope for " (Hebrews 11:1). Hope, therefore, is the object upon which we direct our focus and energies.
As a Christian, hope is my trust in God's promises. It is a conviction that God can take this life that I have used so poorly and turn it around to accomplish something wonderful; something that will advance His will and His Kingdom. It is the trust that not only will I be in heaven because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, but that those members of my family will come to accept Christ as their savior as well. In this is evidenced a natural trilogy of faith, love. and hope. Each one needs the other to exist in its whole.
Such was Jesus's message. It was and is given in love and invites each of us to take His words as truth and accept them in faith so that they can provide us with hope in our own future.
To accept Jesus as your personal savior truly gives you the beginning of hope. My faith and hope in Jesus's saving grace has born fruit. My husband has returned to Jesus. his faith deeper than ever. Hope? You can find true hope in the name of Jesus Christ.
Katy Curry kafrak.com Kathy is a retired teacher in SW Florida who enjoys writing about politics, faith in Jesus Christ, and other topics as they seem timely. www.kafrak.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Work Is A Ministry
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
Ephesians 6:5-8
Christians sometimes make the mistake of mentally separating their work life from their spiritual life. This mindset says, “Sunday is the Lord’s day, but the rest of the week belongs to me.” That is an unbiblical way to live. God’s Holy Spirit should be involved in everything we do, and we ought to recognize Him as our guide, comforter, and intercessor no matter where we are. Why would we want to exclude Him from something that takes up a large part of our week?
The apostle Paul clearly teaches that work is to be done as for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Other people may do a job better because of greater skill or experience, but believers should be known for doing quality work in a timely, wise, and respectful manner. And we can trust the Holy Spirit to equip us to do just that.
Serving the Lord on the job means that our workplace is also our ministry site. A job provides money to support the family, but when done faithfully, it becomes far more than simply a means to make a living. One’s work also develops character, builds a sense of self-worth, and develops skills. Moreover, while we are around coworkers for a number of hours each day, we have opportunity to build relationships, bear testimony, and glorify our heavenly Father.
Work shouldn’t be seen as drudgery; it is an opportunity to show love for the Lord. The reward for those who serve God and love others on the job is greater than a paycheck. They are blessed with a ministry—a harvest field for the kingdom, right inside the factory, office building, or construction site.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
Ephesians 6:5-8
Christians sometimes make the mistake of mentally separating their work life from their spiritual life. This mindset says, “Sunday is the Lord’s day, but the rest of the week belongs to me.” That is an unbiblical way to live. God’s Holy Spirit should be involved in everything we do, and we ought to recognize Him as our guide, comforter, and intercessor no matter where we are. Why would we want to exclude Him from something that takes up a large part of our week?
The apostle Paul clearly teaches that work is to be done as for the Lord (Col. 3:23). Other people may do a job better because of greater skill or experience, but believers should be known for doing quality work in a timely, wise, and respectful manner. And we can trust the Holy Spirit to equip us to do just that.
Serving the Lord on the job means that our workplace is also our ministry site. A job provides money to support the family, but when done faithfully, it becomes far more than simply a means to make a living. One’s work also develops character, builds a sense of self-worth, and develops skills. Moreover, while we are around coworkers for a number of hours each day, we have opportunity to build relationships, bear testimony, and glorify our heavenly Father.
Work shouldn’t be seen as drudgery; it is an opportunity to show love for the Lord. The reward for those who serve God and love others on the job is greater than a paycheck. They are blessed with a ministry—a harvest field for the kingdom, right inside the factory, office building, or construction site.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
You Are The Bride, I Am The King Of Kings
Psalm 45 A Love Song
v10 Daughter, listen (to me).
Hear (what I am saying) and think about it.
Forget your people and your father’s house.
v11 You are beautiful and so the king loves you.
He is your *lord, so *worship him, (v12) daughter from Tyre.
v12 Rich people will make you happy with gifts.
v13 The daughter of the king is beautiful inside.
They made what she wore out of cotton made from gold.
v14 They led her to the king in her beautiful clothes.}
The girls that were her friends followed her.
v15 They came in with *joy and were very happy
as they entered the king’s *palace.
(Words that the king says to the *queen; or the *psalmist says to the king:)
v16 You will have sons instead of fathers.
You will make them *princes over all the land.
v17 I will make sure that people always remember your name.
So, people will *praise you *for ever and ever.
(Jesus says) You are my Bride, the Church of God, And I love you, I am proud of you, and I am willing to claim you as my own, you are My children. You don't know how much I am looking forward to being with you, you are My little ones, the ones that love Me, believe in Me, and trust in Me.
Dont be afraid, be at peace in your heart, for I will protect you from the coming storm; no one can do anything to you without My permission, and as you go through some trials and tribulations in the days ahead, I am with you, every moment of pain or suffering, every tear you shed will not be wasted! Every moment that you live for Me will be counted.
I am coming for you; as certain as you are that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you can be certain that I will come for My Bride, I will call you from every corner of the earth, you must come to The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. We will dine in victory and in peace, for The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb is for those who choose to believe in Me, for those who put their trust in Me; an everlasting covenant between Me and My people, The King of Kings and His Bride.
If you are reading this and you are not sure of who I am or what you are to do with the knowledge of My coming, know this: I will save you if you will let Me, I will cleanse you of guilt and fear, pain and hopelessness, pride and hate. No one else can give you the peace and joy that your heart is longing for; choose Me, your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ask Me to come into your heart and I will do so, and then wait for Me, wait for the sign of the trumpet, and I will call you home!
v10 Daughter, listen (to me).
Hear (what I am saying) and think about it.
Forget your people and your father’s house.
v11 You are beautiful and so the king loves you.
He is your *lord, so *worship him, (v12) daughter from Tyre.
v12 Rich people will make you happy with gifts.
v13 The daughter of the king is beautiful inside.
They made what she wore out of cotton made from gold.
v14 They led her to the king in her beautiful clothes.}
The girls that were her friends followed her.
v15 They came in with *joy and were very happy
as they entered the king’s *palace.
(Words that the king says to the *queen; or the *psalmist says to the king:)
v16 You will have sons instead of fathers.
You will make them *princes over all the land.
v17 I will make sure that people always remember your name.
So, people will *praise you *for ever and ever.
(Jesus says) You are my Bride, the Church of God, And I love you, I am proud of you, and I am willing to claim you as my own, you are My children. You don't know how much I am looking forward to being with you, you are My little ones, the ones that love Me, believe in Me, and trust in Me.
Dont be afraid, be at peace in your heart, for I will protect you from the coming storm; no one can do anything to you without My permission, and as you go through some trials and tribulations in the days ahead, I am with you, every moment of pain or suffering, every tear you shed will not be wasted! Every moment that you live for Me will be counted.
I am coming for you; as certain as you are that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you can be certain that I will come for My Bride, I will call you from every corner of the earth, you must come to The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. We will dine in victory and in peace, for The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb is for those who choose to believe in Me, for those who put their trust in Me; an everlasting covenant between Me and My people, The King of Kings and His Bride.
If you are reading this and you are not sure of who I am or what you are to do with the knowledge of My coming, know this: I will save you if you will let Me, I will cleanse you of guilt and fear, pain and hopelessness, pride and hate. No one else can give you the peace and joy that your heart is longing for; choose Me, your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Ask Me to come into your heart and I will do so, and then wait for Me, wait for the sign of the trumpet, and I will call you home!
Monday, June 19, 2017
The Testing of Our Commitment
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
Hebrews 11:8-9
In situations when God is testing us, He will teach us new and deeper truths about Himself, His purposes, and His promises. Though we feel stretched in painful seasons, such difficulties are always designed to be beneficial.
From a human perspective, times of testing can be baffling because we don’t understand how anything good could result. Consider God’s command that Abraham sacrifice his long-awaited son Isaac. Abraham’s earthly viewpoint could have regarded this order as:
Unreasonable. “I cherish my son above all else. How could You ask this?”
Untimely. “Why now, Lord? My son is still young. He is the one through whom my descendants are to come.”
Unfair. “It’s not right that You ask this. Haven’t I left home to follow You?”
Unbearable. “This is too hard for me. I cannot take this pain.”
Abraham rejected that kind of thinking. Instead, he trusted God. The trial revealed Abraham’s unshakable commitment to the Lord’s plan.
Knowing which circumstances will help us grow, our Father asks us to exercise faith and choose His way. Recalling His unending love and wholehearted commitment to His children will help us do this. Be assured that God makes no mistakes in His dealings with us.
Imagine Abraham’s joy when the Lord provided a ram as a sacrifice in Isaac’s place. We will receive the same reward of spiritual joy when we remain steadfast. Won’t you respond to times of testing as Abraham did—by trusting and obeying God?
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
Hebrews 11:8-9
In situations when God is testing us, He will teach us new and deeper truths about Himself, His purposes, and His promises. Though we feel stretched in painful seasons, such difficulties are always designed to be beneficial.
From a human perspective, times of testing can be baffling because we don’t understand how anything good could result. Consider God’s command that Abraham sacrifice his long-awaited son Isaac. Abraham’s earthly viewpoint could have regarded this order as:
Unreasonable. “I cherish my son above all else. How could You ask this?”
Untimely. “Why now, Lord? My son is still young. He is the one through whom my descendants are to come.”
Unfair. “It’s not right that You ask this. Haven’t I left home to follow You?”
Unbearable. “This is too hard for me. I cannot take this pain.”
Abraham rejected that kind of thinking. Instead, he trusted God. The trial revealed Abraham’s unshakable commitment to the Lord’s plan.
Knowing which circumstances will help us grow, our Father asks us to exercise faith and choose His way. Recalling His unending love and wholehearted commitment to His children will help us do this. Be assured that God makes no mistakes in His dealings with us.
Imagine Abraham’s joy when the Lord provided a ram as a sacrifice in Isaac’s place. We will receive the same reward of spiritual joy when we remain steadfast. Won’t you respond to times of testing as Abraham did—by trusting and obeying God?
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Why God Loves Me
Why does God Love Me?
Is it because I love to sing songs about Him? Is it because I have fond thoughts of what He has done for me? Could it be that I have something special to give Him, to offer to the One who created the world and whole universe?
He tells me everyday He loves me when I tell Him that I love Him, He always answers me, whenever I tell Him so, a strong, gentle voice in the back of mind, and in my heart.
So, what is so special about the human race, that He should love us so much? Why did Jesus Christ volunteer to die on the cross for all of our sins?
Do you know anyone else who do such a thing as this? Who do you know that would suffer beatings and whippings, cursing and rejection, pain and torture for you?
O Lord, I am so happy and pleased that you would die for me, that you would care so much for me and for the whole world, how can I express my gratitude and my satisfaction for your Providence and your Love?
I don't have much to give Lord, expect for my heart and soul, and my sincere love and thanks for your mercy, and my willingness to believe in you and be guided by you, and I trust your love for me and in your wisdom, you gave me a heart to love you and to have faith in you.
Yes, my Lord Jesus, I will always be grateful to you, for what you have given to me: salvation, love, peace, joy, happiness, courage, boldness, and an everlasting inheritance to live, love and reign with you! That is what every child of God receives from you; You truly are Sweet Love and Compassion!
That's it! That is why God loves me, HE IS LOVE, and He can do no better than to give His whole heart and soul to us, to me, because that is who He is, He cannot do or be anything less than True Love!
What A Wonderful Revelation To Have on This Day - Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers in the world, and to you my Lord, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Hindrances to Accepting God’s Love
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
1 John 3:1
One of the most devastating failures a Christian can experience is the inability to embrace the pure love of God. What prevents a believer from accepting such a wonderful blessing?
Our own relationships. Ironically, the way we love each other can distort how we perceive the heavenly Father’s love. As imperfect people, we exhibit imperfect love. Conditional responses, wrong motives, and emotional highs and lows taint our understanding of God’s pure love.
Guilt. Our remorse over sinful behavior can subtly convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love. This is a trap of the devil. We have the assurance of Scripture that our Father loves us completely, regardless of our actions.
Legalism. Many people view the Bible as a simple rule book—a list of dos and don’ts. If you base your view of divine love on your ability to uphold every biblical precept, you are doomed to failure. God gave us His Word for instruction and inspiration, not as a measuring stick by which He distributes love.
Misinterpretation of divine discipline. Make no mistake—God definitely disciplines His children when they go astray. However, He is a trustworthy Father; His discipline and love are intimately connected (Heb. 12:5-6). He corrects our behavior when necessary for our benefit, not as a form of punishment. Jesus already paid the price for our sin; God will not make us pay a second time.
Is something in your life preventing you from experiencing the joy and exhilaration of God’s unconditional love? Lay it down before Him today, and receive the amazing grace He so freely offers.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
1 John 3:1
One of the most devastating failures a Christian can experience is the inability to embrace the pure love of God. What prevents a believer from accepting such a wonderful blessing?
Our own relationships. Ironically, the way we love each other can distort how we perceive the heavenly Father’s love. As imperfect people, we exhibit imperfect love. Conditional responses, wrong motives, and emotional highs and lows taint our understanding of God’s pure love.
Guilt. Our remorse over sinful behavior can subtly convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love. This is a trap of the devil. We have the assurance of Scripture that our Father loves us completely, regardless of our actions.
Legalism. Many people view the Bible as a simple rule book—a list of dos and don’ts. If you base your view of divine love on your ability to uphold every biblical precept, you are doomed to failure. God gave us His Word for instruction and inspiration, not as a measuring stick by which He distributes love.
Misinterpretation of divine discipline. Make no mistake—God definitely disciplines His children when they go astray. However, He is a trustworthy Father; His discipline and love are intimately connected (Heb. 12:5-6). He corrects our behavior when necessary for our benefit, not as a form of punishment. Jesus already paid the price for our sin; God will not make us pay a second time.
Is something in your life preventing you from experiencing the joy and exhilaration of God’s unconditional love? Lay it down before Him today, and receive the amazing grace He so freely offers.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Friday, June 16, 2017
It Is Not A Religious Act, It Is An Act Of Fellowship
What is Communion?
Communion began on the annual celebration of Passover when Jesus told his disciples to remember his sacrifice as they ate the bread and drank the wine. Just as Israel celebrated the sacrifice of the Passover lamb when the angel of death passed over their homes, so believers in Jesus celebrate and remember his sacrifice of our sins when he died on the cross.
The Lord Jesus Christ was a wonderful man, kind and generous, wise and full of compassion. He loved His family, His friends, and His people, Israel. He talked with them, He healed the sick and the brokenhearted, He gave hope to the hopeless, and He gave His people a true example of who God is and What God is like. He was the Son of God, perfect in nature and nurture, yet born into the world as one of us; He was God and Man in one person. His purpose for coming into the world the way that He came was to show how much God loved us, and how much God wishes to fellowship with us; He was asking us to come to Him for healing and restoration.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and His sacrifice enables us to come home, to live with the God of creation, to be healed and to be recreated in the image of His Son Jesus Christ, and that is why His act of love should always be a precious one in our hearts. Nothing that happened on the night before His death was for religious purposes, it was His way of demonstrating His love for His friends and disciples, both then and now. The passover was celebrated by Israel as a reminder of what the God of Israel did for them, the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, and how its blood covered every family and saved the firstborn of Israel from death.
Jesus became the Passover lamb, the one and true sacrifice for all of our sins, and He has become the only way to God; the shedding of His blood, an innocent man slain for the sins of the whole world, has become the only means by which any of us can be saved. What happened on that night between the Holy One of God and His disciples has great meaning, as the Lord Jesus was finally able to express the full extension of His love for them, and ultimately for us.
Every time we take communion, we should be aware of what this act of love truly means to Our Lord; He saw it as the confirmation of victory and reconciliation with all of His family, you and I, the future citizens of the kingdom of God. He asks us to participate in this love feast so that we would be reminded of how much He loves us, and as a guarantee of His convenant with all of us. When we participate in this love feast, our hearts should not be heavy with the burdens of guilt and unworthiness, our hearts should be filled with love, joy, and hope. That is why His word says that we should examine ourselves before we take part in the communion:
...For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves...
1 Corinthians ch 11 vs 23-29
When you take communion, what is your motive for doing so? Is it to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for your sins, it is because you have great gratitude towards the Son of God, for His immeasurable love and compassion for you? For many christians, it has become a religious practice, something they do because it is a required ritual of the church, but that was not the way the early church celebrated it. It was a true love feast, when they all came together in love and fellowship to honor the One Who Was Pierced for their sins and transgressions, but that doesn't mean that the early christians were perfect in their worship of Jesus Christ.
Paul had to write to the corinthians about the sloppy and careless way they had begun to celebrate communion amongst themselves. The love feast had befome a ritual; it had become an ordinary gathering of people eating an ordinary meal, and some actually drank too much wine and had become drunk! This type of behavior made the Lord's sacrifice seem valueless and pointless, and Paul had to warn them that there was a penalty for such disrepect.
The Lord's Supper should be considered a precious and wonderful time of celebration and fellowship between the Lord Jesus Christ and His people; He wants us to focus on Him with gratitude, happiness, and praise. When we celebrate communion, our hearts should be filled with love and joy. We should never be afraid to participate if we are doing so because we believe in Jesus Christ and the saving power of His Blood, and because we love Him. The Lord's Supper is His loving reminder of How much He has done for us, and a guarantee of His everlasting love and committment to us all, so when you eat the bread and drink the wine, remember how much He loves you, and the ceremony will become alive in your heart forever!
Thank You Lord Jesus, For All That You Have Done For Me, And I Will Always Appreciate Your Loving Sacrifice For Me - O How I Love The Bread And The Wine, For It Reminds Me Of You!!
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Trying Times
by PamFord Davis
When a dog is ‘man’s best friend’ he is loyal and obedient to the master. If the call to ‘stay’ is given, the dog remains still. He stays at rest.
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).”
Attention! Our Master is speaking.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).”
God speaks.
It is not a command by a tyrant.
The message reflects the character of the compassionate heavenly Father.
He knows our tendency to worry, how easily that we tense up in trying times.
As all knowing Father He says, “Be still.”
We receive confidence and comfort in knowing that the great I Am is God; that He is in control of our situations.
He will be exalted!
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalms 57:11 NKJV).”
Devotionals are her first love in writing. Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, With God Daily, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
http://www.pamforddavis.com
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
When a dog is ‘man’s best friend’ he is loyal and obedient to the master. If the call to ‘stay’ is given, the dog remains still. He stays at rest.
“You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).”
Attention! Our Master is speaking.
“Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).”
God speaks.
It is not a command by a tyrant.
The message reflects the character of the compassionate heavenly Father.
He knows our tendency to worry, how easily that we tense up in trying times.
As all knowing Father He says, “Be still.”
We receive confidence and comfort in knowing that the great I Am is God; that He is in control of our situations.
He will be exalted!
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth (Psalms 57:11 NKJV).”
Devotionals are her first love in writing. Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Light from the Word, Coosa Journal, With God Daily, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter.
http://www.pamforddavis.com
http://www.faithwriters.com/member-profile.php?id
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
GOD-TRACKING IS SEEING YOUR LIFE THROUGH HIS EYES
by Dudley Anderson
IF YOU ARE READING THIS ARTICLE TODAY, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. PLEASE SIMPLY EMAIL dudley@godtracker.co.uk WITH THE WORDS, “Reading GodTracker” IN THE SUBJECT LINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
My children and I were lying on our backs on the grass gazing up at the Milky Way on a night black canvas of clear sky. Myriad stars blinked and glistened, light years above us. “Spectacular, isn’t it?” I said. The mesmerised star gazers made no comment. “Do you know that we are on the edge of our galaxy looking back into it at about 200 billion stars spanning a distance of about 100,000 light years? This means the twinkle of that little star over there,” I said pointing to a speck of cosmic glitter far away, “is coming to us from tens of thousands of years in the past.”. “You’re gazing across space and time, beyond your wildest imagination.” God views our lives like that. He can see our beginning and our end in one picture. The Lord sees you for who you are and where you are in all of space and time. God said to John in his vison of the end times, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Notice the word “and”. God is and was and is to come, all at the same time. In other words, he is outside the bounds of space and time.
Whatever you’re facing today know that God knows all about it. He knows how you got into that mess and he knows how you will get out of it, with his help. In fact, he’s there already on the other side of that wall meeting your every need. God saw you in the womb and he can see you in the tomb. As you acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, he will hem you in, behind and before, and lay his hand upon you.
So, fix your eyes on Jesus, the founder of your faith. Allow him guide you by his Word and his Spirit, moment by moment. Though the Lord can see the whole picture of your life, he is as close to you as your own breath. Trust in God for his help and guidance; trust in him for his deliverance and provision and trust in him for his strength and healing, without leaning on your own understanding. Your God can see the whole picture if you.
God-tracking is seeing your life through his eyes.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Revelation 1:8
Psalm 139
Hebrews 12:1-2
Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear God, help me to see my life as you see it
“O Lord, forgive me for taking my life into my own hands. I often forget that you are eternal and immortal. You are the holy God who loves me and has saved me from eternal ruin, through Jesus Christ. I confess now that you have my life in your hands. I admit and confess that you know my beginning from my end and I acknowledge you in ALL my ways, trusting that you will heal me, guide me, provide for me and help me to serve you in every way. I commit to being a God-tracker, tracking your everlasting plans and purposes for my life. Dear God, help me to see my life as you see it. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer today, please let me know by email me at dudley@godtracker.co.uk
__________________________________________________
BECOME A MINISTRY PARTNER
COMING SOON: SURE REALITY MEDIA
This work is expanding under God's clear mandate!
You can be part of what God is doing worldwide through radio and print media.
Make regular or a one-off contribution to this work by following the PayPal link at:
http://www.godtracker.co.uk/index.html#PP
__________________________________________________
What is GodTracker?
GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His word calls us to seek his will by acknowledging him in all our ways and tracking this plans in faith.
GodTracker owes its origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, On Track. Although On Track went off-air in 2005, GodTracker has continued to help people track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003.
Listen to the 60 second GodTracker radio spots at…
http://www.godtracker.co.uk/index.html#Listen
Recommend GodTracker to a friend.
http://godtracker.co.uk/index.html#subscribe
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa Dudley Anderson began writing for radio in 1994. Dudley currently writes a weekly e-mail devotional called, GodTracker and complied 2 devotional books based on GodTracker. These are God-tracking Through the Year ï" year one & year two.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
IF YOU ARE READING THIS ARTICLE TODAY, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. PLEASE SIMPLY EMAIL dudley@godtracker.co.uk WITH THE WORDS, “Reading GodTracker” IN THE SUBJECT LINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
My children and I were lying on our backs on the grass gazing up at the Milky Way on a night black canvas of clear sky. Myriad stars blinked and glistened, light years above us. “Spectacular, isn’t it?” I said. The mesmerised star gazers made no comment. “Do you know that we are on the edge of our galaxy looking back into it at about 200 billion stars spanning a distance of about 100,000 light years? This means the twinkle of that little star over there,” I said pointing to a speck of cosmic glitter far away, “is coming to us from tens of thousands of years in the past.”. “You’re gazing across space and time, beyond your wildest imagination.” God views our lives like that. He can see our beginning and our end in one picture. The Lord sees you for who you are and where you are in all of space and time. God said to John in his vison of the end times, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Notice the word “and”. God is and was and is to come, all at the same time. In other words, he is outside the bounds of space and time.
Whatever you’re facing today know that God knows all about it. He knows how you got into that mess and he knows how you will get out of it, with his help. In fact, he’s there already on the other side of that wall meeting your every need. God saw you in the womb and he can see you in the tomb. As you acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, he will hem you in, behind and before, and lay his hand upon you.
So, fix your eyes on Jesus, the founder of your faith. Allow him guide you by his Word and his Spirit, moment by moment. Though the Lord can see the whole picture of your life, he is as close to you as your own breath. Trust in God for his help and guidance; trust in him for his deliverance and provision and trust in him for his strength and healing, without leaning on your own understanding. Your God can see the whole picture if you.
God-tracking is seeing your life through his eyes.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Revelation 1:8
Psalm 139
Hebrews 12:1-2
Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear God, help me to see my life as you see it
“O Lord, forgive me for taking my life into my own hands. I often forget that you are eternal and immortal. You are the holy God who loves me and has saved me from eternal ruin, through Jesus Christ. I confess now that you have my life in your hands. I admit and confess that you know my beginning from my end and I acknowledge you in ALL my ways, trusting that you will heal me, guide me, provide for me and help me to serve you in every way. I commit to being a God-tracker, tracking your everlasting plans and purposes for my life. Dear God, help me to see my life as you see it. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer today, please let me know by email me at dudley@godtracker.co.uk
__________________________________________________
BECOME A MINISTRY PARTNER
COMING SOON: SURE REALITY MEDIA
This work is expanding under God's clear mandate!
You can be part of what God is doing worldwide through radio and print media.
Make regular or a one-off contribution to this work by following the PayPal link at:
http://www.godtracker.co.uk/index.html#PP
__________________________________________________
What is GodTracker?
GodTracker is a weekly e-mail devotional based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His word calls us to seek his will by acknowledging him in all our ways and tracking this plans in faith.
GodTracker owes its origins to an international Christian radio programme produced by Dudley Anderson called, On Track. Although On Track went off-air in 2005, GodTracker has continued to help people track God's plans and purposes for their lives since July 2003.
Listen to the 60 second GodTracker radio spots at…
http://www.godtracker.co.uk/index.html#Listen
Recommend GodTracker to a friend.
http://godtracker.co.uk/index.html#subscribe
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa Dudley Anderson began writing for radio in 1994. Dudley currently writes a weekly e-mail devotional called, GodTracker and complied 2 devotional books based on GodTracker. These are God-tracking Through the Year ï" year one & year two.
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
The Hard-Hearted Believer
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
Hebrews 3:12-19
The believer’s path toward a hardened heart can start innocently enough—it’s easy for us to become preoccupied with things that have little or no spiritual value. Once our focus is diverted from God, it doesn’t take much for the preoccupation to take up greater amounts of time. The diversion can become so consuming that we end up ignoring matters of importance to the Lord.
As our spiritual life withers, we may give up private devotion and public worship. Anyone who is spending time with the Lord daily is going to have a pliable heart, but the person who lays Scripture aside gives Satan an opportunity. When allowed to function apart from God, the heart is deceitful and turns from Him.
If a believer’s mind is preoccupied and his heart is distant from God, he can easily be swayed by the deceitfulness of sin. As sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is dulled by a hard “shell” that’s been forming around his heart, the drifting Christian begins to find Satan’s false promises more tempting. He foolishly trusts in the deception and becomes ever more deeply enmeshed in sin. This, in turn, leads to even greater preoccupation with non-spiritual matters and further neglect of his spiritual life.
Believers are not immune to hardening of the heart. We can become as insensitive to God’s voice as an unbeliever, but we have a way to remove the spiritual callus that has been forming within us. By repenting and refocusing, we can again turn to devotion and worship in order to be soft-hearted before God.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
Hebrews 3:12-19
The believer’s path toward a hardened heart can start innocently enough—it’s easy for us to become preoccupied with things that have little or no spiritual value. Once our focus is diverted from God, it doesn’t take much for the preoccupation to take up greater amounts of time. The diversion can become so consuming that we end up ignoring matters of importance to the Lord.
As our spiritual life withers, we may give up private devotion and public worship. Anyone who is spending time with the Lord daily is going to have a pliable heart, but the person who lays Scripture aside gives Satan an opportunity. When allowed to function apart from God, the heart is deceitful and turns from Him.
If a believer’s mind is preoccupied and his heart is distant from God, he can easily be swayed by the deceitfulness of sin. As sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is dulled by a hard “shell” that’s been forming around his heart, the drifting Christian begins to find Satan’s false promises more tempting. He foolishly trusts in the deception and becomes ever more deeply enmeshed in sin. This, in turn, leads to even greater preoccupation with non-spiritual matters and further neglect of his spiritual life.
Believers are not immune to hardening of the heart. We can become as insensitive to God’s voice as an unbeliever, but we have a way to remove the spiritual callus that has been forming within us. By repenting and refocusing, we can again turn to devotion and worship in order to be soft-hearted before God.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Monday, June 12, 2017
Can You Hear Him Speaking To You Now?
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
Are you aware of how much the Lord loves you? He is watching you from above, not to condemn you for every wrong choice that you make, or for every careless word you say. He is watching you because He is pleased with you, you are His child and He wants to bless you and fellowship with you. If you are one of His children, a believer in Jesus Christ, He is no longer angry with you. If you are one of His, you will receive peace, love, joy, salvation and restoration from His Throne, and He is watching you closely because He wants to share in every good thing that you do.
He is enouraging your heart whenever you decide to live by His standards, when you obey His will for your life, and He smiles in joyous rapture when you reach higher levels of spiritual maturity, when you follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Nothing else gives Him as much pleasure as watching His little ones grow up to become powerful and strong citizens of the Kingdom of God. He chose to create you and me, and He was willing to love us, even when there wasn't much within us to love, because in His eyes we are all very valuable, the priceless vessels of God!
Did you know that God watches you tenderly, because you touch the softest parts of His heart? And He sings over you, because He is delighted that you are His. He knows that you will be with Him forever and ever, and the thought of having communion with you, of having you in His presence into eternity is one of His most favorite thoughts! My God loves us so much, and His Son Jesus Christ, our Elder Brother and Savior, Our Faithful Friend, is so happy because He knows that His sacrifice for you are me is very meaningful, that His pain and suffering were not in vain. We are a truly precious commodity in their eyes, and the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts to confirm that love, and to give us unique and comprehensive attention; no father or mother could ever give you and me the type of fostering and attention that He gives to us all.
Can you hear Him speaking to you now? He speaks to us through His word, so if you read bible verses everyday, then you are hearing His voice through His word. He speaks to you from your heart, as the Holy Spirit moves within you, to convict and correct you when you are wandering far from the path that God has laid out for you, to transform you heart and mind so that you think and act like a disciple of Jesus Christ, to encourage you, to express His love for you, and to heal you from your broken hearts.
He speaks to us through praise and worship, when we declare our love for Him, we are ushered into his presence and He comes into our lives by our humble cries of faith and dependence upon Him. He loves to hear us sing to Him, He gets pleasure in our simple acts of kindness and compassion that we express to the people in our lives, and when we are selfless, then He is able to bless us with unusual favor. All of the issues in our lives cannot stand against an all powerful and loving God who wants to give good things to His children so that they may overcome and get the victory over their enemies, satan and his demons, who are always seeking to destroy and devour His people.
Is there more to say? So much more, but my words cannot fully express the deep riches of His love for us; this is something that you must experience with your heart and mind. Are you willing to hear what God has to say about you? First, you must believe that God exists, and that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, and then you must repent and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Your life will begin a new chapter of peace, love, and understanding, and the Holy Spirit will come to live in your heart to confirm that you are His child, a new citizen of the Kingdom of God.
Your new life begins, and He leads you into fellowship with Him, and you will begin to hear His voice, by reading His Word, by prayer and meditation, praise and worship, by surrendering your heart and mind to Him; He will lead you into peacful pastures, and fill your heart with joy. You will never be loved by anyone else in the same way, and your heart will cry out to its Father, and your Father will answer with His love - do you desire to hear His voice right now? Ask Jesus Christ to come into you heart, and He will answer you, You Will Hear His Voice Right Now!
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Ode To An Awesome Father
My God, my sweet Father and Friend,
you give me hope to face another day,
your love is sweet and addictive,
that is why I praise you every chance that I get;
I lean into your strength, your power, your courage,
because I have none that will save me in the time of battle.
I can boldy say to any that care to listen, that you
are worth every effort I have made to get to know you;
when I think of you.
Your grace keeps me from falling,
and my path is bright and clear as long as I stay in your presence.
I wish that everyone understood how wonderful it is to be kept
by the God of Heaven!
Praise Him, Saints of God, For His mercy is everlasting;
give Him your heart and soul, and He will heal you and transform your heart.
Never leave Him, for I assure you He will never let go of you!
Tell Him that you love Him so that you may please Him, so that He may bless you.
BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!
you give me hope to face another day,
your love is sweet and addictive,
that is why I praise you every chance that I get;
I lean into your strength, your power, your courage,
because I have none that will save me in the time of battle.
I can boldy say to any that care to listen, that you
are worth every effort I have made to get to know you;
Your grace keeps me from falling,
and my path is bright and clear as long as I stay in your presence.
I wish that everyone understood how wonderful it is to be kept
by the God of Heaven!
Praise Him, Saints of God, For His mercy is everlasting;
give Him your heart and soul, and He will heal you and transform your heart.
Never leave Him, for I assure you He will never let go of you!
Tell Him that you love Him so that you may please Him, so that He may bless you.
BLESS HIS HOLY NAME!
Saturday, June 10, 2017
Will You Be Expecting Him When He Comes?
"...And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:3)
There is a lot of debate about the rapture, and it is hard for me understand, because everyone has the same scriptures and bible verses, yet everyone seems to have their own interpretation, and I believe that some christians are ignoring the signs of the times of His coming. There are wars and rumor of wars, there is famine and pestilence, and strange weather patterns. Every day comes reports of unexplained animal die offs, fish and sea creatures washing up on shore dead; strange algae blooms and the proliferation of toxic organisms in the water; We had the ebola scare, and the zika virus, and all sorts of retro viruses popping up here and there.
There is rampant violence, hatred, depravity, and terrorism; all of these things occurred in the past, but it has become a daily occurrence, and it has become a fact of life. If that were not enough, there have been strange signs in the heavens, blood moons, falling meteorites, eclipses and some strange alignments of the stars that are predicted to happen later this year. What about the sense of urgency in the air, the pervading fears, civil unrest in many countries because of failed economic policies and the overnight dictatorships that have arised, if not officially by name? If there was ever a time in history when we needed Jesus Christ to come back and fix all of our problems, it is certainly right now!
Jesus already said in His word that He will come back to get us, and that He will protect us from the coming storm that everyone in their hearts know is coming:
"...Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth..." (Revelation 3:10)
I am looking forward to His coming, because the human race has tried desperately for thousands of years to go its own way with very little positive results to claim before the throne of God. We have been tested over the years by own decisions to rebel and do our own thing, and the consequences have been heavy, but there is still a time of testing to come, for those who do not or will not believe in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and this is a test that man's society will not survive:
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (Thessalonians 4:16-18)
I believe that He will take His church out of harm's way when He comes, for He has to judge satan and his demons and the wicked ones, the ones who would not come to him for salvation and healing. My Lord is a loving and caring God, tender to His children, His little ones, but He will have no tolerance in that day for the wicked, for the ones who refused to believe in Him and in His Son, Jesus Christ, for those who cursed His name and for those who tried to destroy His Word and His people. He is a kind and giving God, but He is also a Just God; He believes in Justice, so He will judge those who have not lived by His word or by His standards.
The question remains, are you prepared for His coming? Are you aware that He coming back for His church, for the ones who have stood by Him through every trial and tribulation? He is coming back for those who chose to live for Him every day, who read the bible and pray, who do good works for His name sake, who praise and worship in His presence, for those who truly believe in Jesus Christ with all of their hearts and minds. These are the people who love Him and who would never walk away from their faith, no matter what situation they find themselves in, or because of the issues of life. It is not always easy, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to live for Him, but it is His love and mercy, His kindness and generosity, the tenderness of His Spirit touching our spirits, His healing touch, these things give us the courage to live for Him everyday. I want to be with the One who loved me so much that He gave His live for me on a old rugged cross.....
“But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." (Mark 13-24-27)
We need to be aware of all of the signs around us, and give God the benefit of the doubt. We all need to act as if He will be kind and generous to us all, to those who have believed in Him and loved Him, and that He will protect His own. I choose to believe that He will come and take His church away so that He can judge the rebels and the transgressors that believe that the earth is theirs, and that there is no penalty for the evil things that they have done. Please don't take this message for granted, trust in the Lord and in His ability to see you through every trial and circumstance, for He loves you and He cares about you!
..The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm... (Revelation 11:15-19)
Friday, June 9, 2017
How to Pass Down Our Faith
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
Deuteronomy 4:9
The most valuable “possession” believers can leave to family and friends is faith in Jesus Christ. While everyone must choose to trust in the Savior for him- or herself, Christians can and should share key biblical truths with loved ones.
These essentials of the faith should not be kept to ourselves:
Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). From an early age, children should be taught that the most important relationship they’ll ever have is with the Lord. Believing in Him and obeying Him is vital.
Everything that exists was created by the Lord, and He owns it all (Psalm 24:1). We’re managers of our resources, not owners. As stewards, we are to invest in God’s kingdom and not just spend on personal pleasures. His priorities are to become our own.
God has a purpose for each of us, and discovering it is very important (Eph. 2:10). We can look for opportunities to share what we are learning about God’s plan for our life. In the process, our loved ones might become curious about what His purpose is for them.
God will provide whatever we need to carry out His plan (Eph. 4:11-13). Our heavenly Father gives us talents and spiritual gifts to achieve His purposes and plans. He has promised that we will have what is necessary for us to live a life that’s pleasing to Him.
Why wait to start sharing your faith? Each day offers new opportunities to speak of our Savior. Think about the people to whom you could pass along this precious possession.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
Deuteronomy 4:9
The most valuable “possession” believers can leave to family and friends is faith in Jesus Christ. While everyone must choose to trust in the Savior for him- or herself, Christians can and should share key biblical truths with loved ones.
These essentials of the faith should not be kept to ourselves:
Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). From an early age, children should be taught that the most important relationship they’ll ever have is with the Lord. Believing in Him and obeying Him is vital.
Everything that exists was created by the Lord, and He owns it all (Psalm 24:1). We’re managers of our resources, not owners. As stewards, we are to invest in God’s kingdom and not just spend on personal pleasures. His priorities are to become our own.
God has a purpose for each of us, and discovering it is very important (Eph. 2:10). We can look for opportunities to share what we are learning about God’s plan for our life. In the process, our loved ones might become curious about what His purpose is for them.
God will provide whatever we need to carry out His plan (Eph. 4:11-13). Our heavenly Father gives us talents and spiritual gifts to achieve His purposes and plans. He has promised that we will have what is necessary for us to live a life that’s pleasing to Him.
Why wait to start sharing your faith? Each day offers new opportunities to speak of our Savior. Think about the people to whom you could pass along this precious possession.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Thursday, June 8, 2017
The Character of a Good Soldier
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
2 Timothy 2:1-3
In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul calls on believers to “fight the good fight of faith.” Like first-century Christians, believers today are in a three-front war against the flesh, the world system, and Satan. The military metaphor is a good reminder that believers must prepare for daily spiritual battle. A good soldier ...
Is strong in Christ. Paul knew that the Lord stood by his side and strengthened him during trials (2 Tim. 4:17). The Holy Spirit provides the courage and power to obey God’s commands, so we can rely upon His might to carry us to victory against any enemy.
Shares knowledge. The church possesses not only the good news about salvation; it has all the riches of God’s Word. Many people have listened to biblical teaching and experienced the Lord interceding in their lives. To keep those lessons to oneself can leave unbelievers in harm’s way and deprive fellow Christians of necessary wisdom.
Suffers willingly. Hardship is part of combat and, therefore, part of the Christian experience. Believers will endure adversity and be asked to make sacrifices. It is little wonder, then, that Paul reminds Timothy to stand strong in the Lord and to uphold others (2 Tim. 2:1-2).
A wise commanding officer gives his troops a war cry that encourages their hearts and emboldens their steps. Paul had one, too: “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:8). Keep in mind that you serve an omnipotent Lord. He stands beside you, takes part in your suffering, and holds you securely through the most formidable battles.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
2 Timothy 2:1-3
In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul calls on believers to “fight the good fight of faith.” Like first-century Christians, believers today are in a three-front war against the flesh, the world system, and Satan. The military metaphor is a good reminder that believers must prepare for daily spiritual battle. A good soldier ...
Is strong in Christ. Paul knew that the Lord stood by his side and strengthened him during trials (2 Tim. 4:17). The Holy Spirit provides the courage and power to obey God’s commands, so we can rely upon His might to carry us to victory against any enemy.
Shares knowledge. The church possesses not only the good news about salvation; it has all the riches of God’s Word. Many people have listened to biblical teaching and experienced the Lord interceding in their lives. To keep those lessons to oneself can leave unbelievers in harm’s way and deprive fellow Christians of necessary wisdom.
Suffers willingly. Hardship is part of combat and, therefore, part of the Christian experience. Believers will endure adversity and be asked to make sacrifices. It is little wonder, then, that Paul reminds Timothy to stand strong in the Lord and to uphold others (2 Tim. 2:1-2).
A wise commanding officer gives his troops a war cry that encourages their hearts and emboldens their steps. Paul had one, too: “Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:8). Keep in mind that you serve an omnipotent Lord. He stands beside you, takes part in your suffering, and holds you securely through the most formidable battles.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Graceful Maturity
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
When will the lessons I've learned be a sign for those seeking you, O Lord? "How about right now, my child".
It is never an easy thing for anyone to admit that they need help in certain areas of the their lives, and spiritual maturity only comes when you and I admit to ourselves and to God that we need His help. He is always there for us, waiting to bestow blessings upon those who are willing to go through the process of graceful maturity. We find grace when we are willing to follow His lead, read His word, and the apply what we have learned into our daily living. Once the Holy Spirit touches and transforms our heart, we find that we are willing to love others, to be kind and considerate to everyone we meet, and to give Him all the credit and the praise for the results.
The apostle Paul had a tremendous ministry; he helped to save countless people, was witness to signs and wonders, prayed for miraculous healings, and the Lord saved Him on several occasions from death and destruction. But, there were times that Paul had to go through pain and suffering to advance the Kingdom of God. He prayed to God to take away a tormentor from the enemy satan, who was causing a great deal of pain and distress in His life, but the Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. God allowed this into Paul's life to prevent Him for becoming prideful and conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7). There are times when we face circumstances not because we did anything wrong, but because the Lord is tempering our hearts and minds; when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He saves us for Himself and we become His children, and He becomes our Father and friend. He gives us the power to live peaceful and joyful lives, and the Holy Spirit is given to direct us into the path of righteousness, into the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
'Grace under pressure' - sometimes we may be in situations that seem hopeless or beyond our ability to overcome, but that is when God does His greatest work in our lives. He comes in an gives us the power to endure the situation, and His solution is always the best in every circumstance. When we are weak, then He is strong, and when we come out on the other side of the storm, whatever the issue may be, we can sing praises to our God and give Him all of the Glory, the Honor, and the Praise! He allows us to go through these things because He knows that we can handle it and that we will grow in deeper love, faith and maturity in Christ. So, when life seems painful or hopeless, that is when we need to go deeper into Jesus Christ, and declare His name over our situations, claim the promises of God written in the scriptures, and tell Him that we love Him and that we trust Him.
The Grace of God is our greatest weapon; God will be moved with compassion by your declarations of love and trust. He will move the mountains, the rivers, the oceans and the seas just because His little one needs His help. He will rebuke the devil, and make the demons of oppression flee from your life and from your circumstances. He will make a way out of no way. He will compel your enemies to do right by you, He will heal you, He will justify you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He knows that you are not perfect, He is aware that you cannot do this alone, He is just waiting for you to understand that as well, so that you will come to Him!
Come To Him Now, Ask For His Deliverance And For His Grace, Seek His Face And Declare Your Love And Trust In Him, And He Will Give YOU THE VICTORY!!
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Christian Teachers and Evangelists Should Speak Often about Hell
by Max Aplin
The subject of hell is not one that we are inclined to spend time thinking about. The concept of people suffering endlessly after death is certainly a deeply unpleasant one. And it is therefore perfectly natural for us not to want to dwell on it.
I think it would also be true to say that it is fairly uncommon to hear Christian teachers referring to this topic. Most pastors will refer to it briefly from time to time. But it is unusual for much emphasis to be given to it. And I think many pastors, even of Bible-believing churches, often go for months at a time, perhaps longer, without making any reference to it at all.
The big problem with this, however, is that the New Testament contains a lot of teaching about hell. Most NT books refer to it either explicitly or implicitly. And importantly too, the person who can be found teaching most often about it is Jesus Himself.
The Gospels
The Gospels include a great many references to hell.
In Matthew 5:22 Jesus says:
‘I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. And whoever says, ‘Raca’, to his brother will be liable to the council. And whoever says, ‘You fool’, will be liable to fiery hell.’
In Matthew 5:29-30 Jesus teaches:
‘If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.’
He can also be found making similar comments in Matthew 18:8-9 and Mark 9:43-48.
No fewer than seven times, in Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; and Luke 13:28, Jesus, referring to punishment after death, states:
‘In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’
In Matthew 10:28 Jesus teaches:
‘Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.’
He says something very similar in Luke 12:4-5.
In Matthew 25:31-46, in His teaching about the sheep and the goats which represent the saved and the unsaved, Jesus states:
‘Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” ’ (v. 41)
And:
‘These [evildoers] will go away into eternal punishment . . .’ (v. 46)
In Mark 9:48 Jesus refers to hell as a place ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished’.
In Luke 16:19-31, in His account of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus paints a graphic picture of torment in hell.
And in John 15:6 He says:
‘If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown out like and branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.’
There are numerous other direct or indirect references to hell in the Gospels, mainly from Jesus but also from John the Baptist. See Matthew 3:7, 10-12; 7:13-14, 17-19; 11:20-24; 12:32; 13:30, 40; 23:13, 15, 33; Mark 3:29; Luke 3:7, 9, 16-17; 10:10-15; 12:10, 42-48; John 3:16, 36; 5:29.
The letters of Paul
In the letters of Paul hell is also mentioned quite often.
In Romans 2:5 ,Paul refers to those who are not saved by faith in Christ, when he says:
‘Because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourselves on the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God.’
Then in v. 9 he says a little more about what this experience will involve:
‘There will be suffering and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.’
In Romans 5:9 Paul says:
‘Much more, then, since we have now been justified by His blood, we will be saved from wrath through Him.’
In Galatians 6:8 he states:
‘The one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.’
In Philippians 1:28 ,Paul refers to the ‘destruction’ of those who are hostile to the Philippian believers.
He also describes the end of evildoers as ‘destruction’ in Philippians 3:19.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul says that Jesus ‘rescues us from the wrath to come’.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, he states that when Jesus appears from heaven, He will ‘punish those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus’ and that they ‘will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power’.
See also Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
The rest of the New Testament
The theme of hell is found in other parts of the NT too.
In Hebrews 10:26-27 the author warns his readers:
‘If we go on sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire that will consume His enemies.’
And then in v. 31 he says:
‘It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’
In 2 Peter 2:9, Peter tells us that ‘the Lord knows how . . . to keep the wicked under punishment for the day of judgment’.
In Jude 13, Jude refers to certain people ‘for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever’.
In Revelation 14:9-11 John states:
‘Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God, which is mixed at full strength in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. And they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” ’
Later, in Revelation 19:20, John refers to the beast and the false prophet being thrown into the lake of fire which burns with sulphur.
Then in 20:10 he refers to the devil being thrown into this fire and says that the devil, beast and false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And then in 20:15 he asserts:
‘If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.’
Finally, in 21:8 John sees Jesus continue the theme by saying:
‘For the cowardly and unbelieving and detestable and murderers and the sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.’
A number of other NT passages referring to hell, mostly indirectly, also exist. See Acts 3:23; Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:39; James 4:12; 5:1-6; 2 Peter 2:1, 3-4, 17; Revelation 2:11; 18:5-6; 20:13-14.
The reality of hell should be taught often
The list of references that I have given is not exhaustive. There are others that could be added to it. My aim has simply been to show that in the NT there is a lot of teaching about hell, especially from Jesus.
It is therefore wrong for Christian leaders to ignore this topic or give minimal attention to it. Similarly it makes sense that it should feature in evangelism.
It is true that we should be sensitive about how we refer to hell. At times the Bible describes it quite graphically. But at other times it is much more subtle, for example when it refers to hell as ‘destruction’. Often when teachers or evangelists refer to it, there will be no need to paint a vivid portrait of the sufferings involved.
Nevertheless, the reality of this awful prospect after death for those who die without being saved from their sins by faith in Jesus Christ should be taught and taught frequently.
Hell does not conflict with God’s love
You will often hear people saying that belief in a loving God is incompatible with belief in hell. Some of those who say this see the supposed incompatibility as proof that the Christian faith is false. Others claim to be Christians who don’t believe that hell exists.
In fact, there is no need to see the love of God as conflicting with the existence of hell. Christian truth and biblical revelation contain much more tension and paradox than we are used to in the modern West. And the reality of both a God of love and eternal punishment in hell is an example of this.
We must remember that as well as being loving, God is just. And deeply ingrained within us all is a sense that justice is a good thing. We feel that it is right that an action that is morally wrong deserves to be followed by punishment, i.e., suffering of some sort as a consequence of that action. Hell simply has to do with the just nature of God being expressed.
It is certainly difficult for us to understand why God will punish people eternally rather than in some lesser way. However, because God is infinite, there is a sense in which any sin that a person commits is an infinitely serious offence against Him. And so perhaps it is not so strange for those who commit infinitely serious offences to be punished forever.
Warnings to avoid hell
Of course, there is an escape route from punishment in hell through faith in Christ and what He accomplished on the cross. As well as being just, God is also merciful. And the Bible reveals Him as having a preference for showing mercy over punishing.
Nevertheless, although God prefers to show mercy, Scripture makes it clear that only a minority of people actually choose to receive His mercy. For example, in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus can be found urging people to take the rarely-travelled, narrow road that leads to life instead of the well-populated, broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
So it is crucial that Christian leaders and evangelists warn people of the terrible danger of hell. Those who are unsaved should be warned that they need to be saved to avoid it. And those who are saved should be warned that they need to remain in the faith to avoid falling away from salvation and ending up there.
See also:
Church Leaders Should Warn of the Danger of Falling Away from the Faith
What Is the Christian Faith Really All About?
God’s Plan A and Plan B for Humanity
Can Anyone Who Has Not Heard the Gospel Be Saved?
I have been a Christian for over 30 years. I have a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Edinburgh. I am a UK national and I currently live in the south of Scotland. Check out my blog, The Orthotometist, at maxaplin.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
The subject of hell is not one that we are inclined to spend time thinking about. The concept of people suffering endlessly after death is certainly a deeply unpleasant one. And it is therefore perfectly natural for us not to want to dwell on it.
I think it would also be true to say that it is fairly uncommon to hear Christian teachers referring to this topic. Most pastors will refer to it briefly from time to time. But it is unusual for much emphasis to be given to it. And I think many pastors, even of Bible-believing churches, often go for months at a time, perhaps longer, without making any reference to it at all.
The big problem with this, however, is that the New Testament contains a lot of teaching about hell. Most NT books refer to it either explicitly or implicitly. And importantly too, the person who can be found teaching most often about it is Jesus Himself.
The Gospels
The Gospels include a great many references to hell.
In Matthew 5:22 Jesus says:
‘I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. And whoever says, ‘Raca’, to his brother will be liable to the council. And whoever says, ‘You fool’, will be liable to fiery hell.’
In Matthew 5:29-30 Jesus teaches:
‘If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.’
He can also be found making similar comments in Matthew 18:8-9 and Mark 9:43-48.
No fewer than seven times, in Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; and Luke 13:28, Jesus, referring to punishment after death, states:
‘In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’
In Matthew 10:28 Jesus teaches:
‘Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.’
He says something very similar in Luke 12:4-5.
In Matthew 25:31-46, in His teaching about the sheep and the goats which represent the saved and the unsaved, Jesus states:
‘Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels.” ’ (v. 41)
And:
‘These [evildoers] will go away into eternal punishment . . .’ (v. 46)
In Mark 9:48 Jesus refers to hell as a place ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished’.
In Luke 16:19-31, in His account of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus paints a graphic picture of torment in hell.
And in John 15:6 He says:
‘If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown out like and branch and dries up. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.’
There are numerous other direct or indirect references to hell in the Gospels, mainly from Jesus but also from John the Baptist. See Matthew 3:7, 10-12; 7:13-14, 17-19; 11:20-24; 12:32; 13:30, 40; 23:13, 15, 33; Mark 3:29; Luke 3:7, 9, 16-17; 10:10-15; 12:10, 42-48; John 3:16, 36; 5:29.
The letters of Paul
In the letters of Paul hell is also mentioned quite often.
In Romans 2:5 ,Paul refers to those who are not saved by faith in Christ, when he says:
‘Because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourselves on the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God.’
Then in v. 9 he says a little more about what this experience will involve:
‘There will be suffering and distress for every human being who does evil, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.’
In Romans 5:9 Paul says:
‘Much more, then, since we have now been justified by His blood, we will be saved from wrath through Him.’
In Galatians 6:8 he states:
‘The one who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.’
In Philippians 1:28 ,Paul refers to the ‘destruction’ of those who are hostile to the Philippian believers.
He also describes the end of evildoers as ‘destruction’ in Philippians 3:19.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul says that Jesus ‘rescues us from the wrath to come’.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, he states that when Jesus appears from heaven, He will ‘punish those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus’ and that they ‘will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power’.
See also Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
The rest of the New Testament
The theme of hell is found in other parts of the NT too.
In Hebrews 10:26-27 the author warns his readers:
‘If we go on sinning wilfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire that will consume His enemies.’
And then in v. 31 he says:
‘It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’
In 2 Peter 2:9, Peter tells us that ‘the Lord knows how . . . to keep the wicked under punishment for the day of judgment’.
In Jude 13, Jude refers to certain people ‘for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever’.
In Revelation 14:9-11 John states:
‘Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God, which is mixed at full strength in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. And they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” ’
Later, in Revelation 19:20, John refers to the beast and the false prophet being thrown into the lake of fire which burns with sulphur.
Then in 20:10 he refers to the devil being thrown into this fire and says that the devil, beast and false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And then in 20:15 he asserts:
‘If anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.’
Finally, in 21:8 John sees Jesus continue the theme by saying:
‘For the cowardly and unbelieving and detestable and murderers and the sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.’
A number of other NT passages referring to hell, mostly indirectly, also exist. See Acts 3:23; Hebrews 6:4-8; 10:39; James 4:12; 5:1-6; 2 Peter 2:1, 3-4, 17; Revelation 2:11; 18:5-6; 20:13-14.
The reality of hell should be taught often
The list of references that I have given is not exhaustive. There are others that could be added to it. My aim has simply been to show that in the NT there is a lot of teaching about hell, especially from Jesus.
It is therefore wrong for Christian leaders to ignore this topic or give minimal attention to it. Similarly it makes sense that it should feature in evangelism.
It is true that we should be sensitive about how we refer to hell. At times the Bible describes it quite graphically. But at other times it is much more subtle, for example when it refers to hell as ‘destruction’. Often when teachers or evangelists refer to it, there will be no need to paint a vivid portrait of the sufferings involved.
Nevertheless, the reality of this awful prospect after death for those who die without being saved from their sins by faith in Jesus Christ should be taught and taught frequently.
Hell does not conflict with God’s love
You will often hear people saying that belief in a loving God is incompatible with belief in hell. Some of those who say this see the supposed incompatibility as proof that the Christian faith is false. Others claim to be Christians who don’t believe that hell exists.
In fact, there is no need to see the love of God as conflicting with the existence of hell. Christian truth and biblical revelation contain much more tension and paradox than we are used to in the modern West. And the reality of both a God of love and eternal punishment in hell is an example of this.
We must remember that as well as being loving, God is just. And deeply ingrained within us all is a sense that justice is a good thing. We feel that it is right that an action that is morally wrong deserves to be followed by punishment, i.e., suffering of some sort as a consequence of that action. Hell simply has to do with the just nature of God being expressed.
It is certainly difficult for us to understand why God will punish people eternally rather than in some lesser way. However, because God is infinite, there is a sense in which any sin that a person commits is an infinitely serious offence against Him. And so perhaps it is not so strange for those who commit infinitely serious offences to be punished forever.
Warnings to avoid hell
Of course, there is an escape route from punishment in hell through faith in Christ and what He accomplished on the cross. As well as being just, God is also merciful. And the Bible reveals Him as having a preference for showing mercy over punishing.
Nevertheless, although God prefers to show mercy, Scripture makes it clear that only a minority of people actually choose to receive His mercy. For example, in Matthew’s Gospel Jesus can be found urging people to take the rarely-travelled, narrow road that leads to life instead of the well-populated, broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).
So it is crucial that Christian leaders and evangelists warn people of the terrible danger of hell. Those who are unsaved should be warned that they need to be saved to avoid it. And those who are saved should be warned that they need to remain in the faith to avoid falling away from salvation and ending up there.
See also:
Church Leaders Should Warn of the Danger of Falling Away from the Faith
What Is the Christian Faith Really All About?
God’s Plan A and Plan B for Humanity
Can Anyone Who Has Not Heard the Gospel Be Saved?
I have been a Christian for over 30 years. I have a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Edinburgh. I am a UK national and I currently live in the south of Scotland. Check out my blog, The Orthotometist, at maxaplin.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Monday, June 5, 2017
Don't Give Up!
Psalm 23:4 King James Version (KJV)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
You may be feeling like you have been going through a storm of issues and problems for a long time, and I am telling you right now - don't give up! The enemy wants you to believe that the Lord has forgotten about you, and that you will never see the light of the day. God will never leave you or forsake you, so He is there going through all of this with you. Your question to God should not be, "Why me?", but your inquiry to Him should be, "Lord, what is the lesson that I need to learn, could you show me what you want to see in myself through these circumstances?" It could be a stretching time that the Lord has designed just for you, to build your character and your faith. I do not know why the Lord is bringing you through this, but I know that He has a plan, and that everything that you are going through is for your benefit and for His Glory!
It is never easy to surrender your own wants and desires to His will and then to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit when He calls you from your heart, but you have made a commitment to the Lord, and your desires should be focused on what He wants for your life instead of your own. What He has for you is many times better than what we want for ourselves. Take care to listen to those sweet whispers of our Lord, for He knows better than we ever could about the path that we must walk to be successful in our lives.
Now, God's idea about success is very different than the world's definition of success; He wants you to live peacefully with joy in your heart and to give from your heart expressions of love, the God kind of love that gives without expecting anything in return. Your Lord will reward you everytime you choose to turn a fight into cooperation, and rejection into a love lesson you give to someone else. He wants to fight your battles for you to show the world that He is right and that they are wrong!
Now, go forward upon the road of your destiny knowing that everything that you are experiencing, every little thing that you go through the Lord sees and He is writing the record of your big and small victories as a memorial, to celebrate with you when this life is over and to show you how much you accomplished over the years. We don't really know the impact we have on other people and on ourselves, because we are so focused on trying to win, fighting the 'good' fight with our own efforts, and many times we feel as if we have not had any victories. Our power and authority does not come from within but from our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. When He comes to live in our hearts, we are gifted with peace and joy, we can enter into His rest, but we must be willing to do so. Too many christians are living the 'good' life without His power because they are unaware that they should be living their lives in Him; that is why they feel so defeated most of the time.
Treasure the good times and be faithful in the bad times, because the Lord will be faithful to you. He has never left any of His children to falter on their own; you must be willing to hear from Him, to read His word, to pray and praise Him every chance that you get and to be open to the new possibilities that you see over in the horizon of your life. He has shown you what you need to do, you are just afraid or uncertain of the consequences of obeying His will. Leave the consequences to the Lord, He can handle any issue that you may have while you live for Him, and just step out into your future, knowing that the Lord has you, He sees you, He's got your back!
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Put God First
It is never easy to surrender your will to someone else. We all have had to do it from time to time; we have to obey the leader, the person who has the most authority in any situation, and their authority was given to them by someone who determined that this person was capable to lead everyone else. This type of authority is temporary, and even the kings and the queens of the world will find that their authority is recognized as long as the people that they are ruling are willing to be ruled by them.
When God asks you to put Him first in your life, it is because He is an all knowing, all powerful God, who has your best interest at heart. He knows who you are and what you will need to survive in this world, and His wisdom is far superior than any 'wise' guru or counselor could ever be. You have to trust Him and give your heart to Him, and He will prove that you will never be disappointed that you made that decision.
Proverbs Chapter 3 vs 6
In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success
Why live in darkness and confusion when you can step into the light and find peace, joy, and victory? The path to love and happiness is a narrow one, and you will not be able to find it without consenting to live with His guidance and His providence. Is it easy to live for the Lord instead of for yourself? It can be tricky surrending your heart to Him while fighting your own selfish impulses; that is why the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We need His power and influence in or lives to help us to live righteously, according to God's standards of living.
If you believe in Jesus Christ and you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you have this power within your heart; if you are having trouble living the life that God requires of all of His children, you may have to review your own life and the choices that you have made since confessing your faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Come to Him by prayer with the intent to surrender your will to His; this is a conscious decision that must be made by you. The Lord will not force you to obey Him. He is looking for people who are willing to listen to him and trust His plans for their lives.
Ask the Lord to guide you through His word, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to lead you to people who are totally invested in Jesus Christ; their example will guide you into how to walk this life with God as your leader and your guide. when you live for Him and not for yourself, you will find freedom and rest at His altar, and joy and happiness is the result!
When God asks you to put Him first in your life, it is because He is an all knowing, all powerful God, who has your best interest at heart. He knows who you are and what you will need to survive in this world, and His wisdom is far superior than any 'wise' guru or counselor could ever be. You have to trust Him and give your heart to Him, and He will prove that you will never be disappointed that you made that decision.
Proverbs Chapter 3 vs 6
In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success
Why live in darkness and confusion when you can step into the light and find peace, joy, and victory? The path to love and happiness is a narrow one, and you will not be able to find it without consenting to live with His guidance and His providence. Is it easy to live for the Lord instead of for yourself? It can be tricky surrending your heart to Him while fighting your own selfish impulses; that is why the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We need His power and influence in or lives to help us to live righteously, according to God's standards of living.
If you believe in Jesus Christ and you have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, you have this power within your heart; if you are having trouble living the life that God requires of all of His children, you may have to review your own life and the choices that you have made since confessing your faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Come to Him by prayer with the intent to surrender your will to His; this is a conscious decision that must be made by you. The Lord will not force you to obey Him. He is looking for people who are willing to listen to him and trust His plans for their lives.
Ask the Lord to guide you through His word, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to lead you to people who are totally invested in Jesus Christ; their example will guide you into how to walk this life with God as your leader and your guide. when you live for Him and not for yourself, you will find freedom and rest at His altar, and joy and happiness is the result!
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Our Keeper
by Charles Stanley
Intouch Ministries
Psalm 121:3-8
Yesterday we learned that God is our protector. Today’s verses from Psalm 121 also portray Him as our keeper.
“He who keeps you will not slumber” (v. 3). Many young children are fearful in the dark. If they awaken when everyone else is sleeping, they might feel alone and scared. Our Caretaker needs no sleep; He is always alert and attentive to our cries, even when our feelings seem to tell us otherwise.
“The Lord is your keeper ... He will keep your soul” (vv. 5, 7). When parents have to leave their children for a while, they choose a trusted person to put in charge. We often say that this individual is “keeping” the kids. The babysitter is expected to protect and provide for the children. How much more invested and capable is our heavenly Father! Besides preserving us physically and spiritually, He restrains us from wrong thoughts, harmful words, and inappropriate actions. His Holy Spirit gives warnings to keep us from evil, and He also provides guidance so we’ll grow in godliness.
“The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (v. 8). God is sovereign. He is with us always—protecting, pointing the way, and teaching us. He accompanies and leads even in the small tasks that seem insignificant.
When we grow up, many of us feel sadness and a little fear as we leave the safety of our parents’ home. But we never leave the precious love and care of our heavenly Father. God is our keeper, and He cares for us better than any earthly mom or dad ever could.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Intouch Ministries
Psalm 121:3-8
Yesterday we learned that God is our protector. Today’s verses from Psalm 121 also portray Him as our keeper.
“He who keeps you will not slumber” (v. 3). Many young children are fearful in the dark. If they awaken when everyone else is sleeping, they might feel alone and scared. Our Caretaker needs no sleep; He is always alert and attentive to our cries, even when our feelings seem to tell us otherwise.
“The Lord is your keeper ... He will keep your soul” (vv. 5, 7). When parents have to leave their children for a while, they choose a trusted person to put in charge. We often say that this individual is “keeping” the kids. The babysitter is expected to protect and provide for the children. How much more invested and capable is our heavenly Father! Besides preserving us physically and spiritually, He restrains us from wrong thoughts, harmful words, and inappropriate actions. His Holy Spirit gives warnings to keep us from evil, and He also provides guidance so we’ll grow in godliness.
“The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever” (v. 8). God is sovereign. He is with us always—protecting, pointing the way, and teaching us. He accompanies and leads even in the small tasks that seem insignificant.
When we grow up, many of us feel sadness and a little fear as we leave the safety of our parents’ home. But we never leave the precious love and care of our heavenly Father. God is our keeper, and He cares for us better than any earthly mom or dad ever could.
Intouch Ministries Devotions
Friday, June 2, 2017
What God Sees In You!
...Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”...
Zechariah Chapter 3 vs 1-4
Have you ever wondered what God sees in you? Have you asked within yourself if you are worthy of His attention? Why would God send His son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth, a humble human being, to live with us, fellowship with us, to die for us on the cross? Crucifixion is a painful, shameful, terrible way for anyone to be punished for their 'crimes', but Jesus was innocent; He died on that cross to atone for our sins, to be a substitute, a sacrifice for any who would later come to believe in His Name. Why would He do that for you and me?
The easiest answer would be that God sees something very valuable in you and me. Of what value could we possibly be to the Lord of Hosts, so valuable that He would allow His Only Begotten Son to die a sinner's death on a cross? When God looks at us, He doesn't see who we are, He sees what we can become. He already knows who will answer His call for amnesty, He knows who will accept His gift of salvation. He is never concerned about what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future. He already has a plan, He already knows what is needed to woo you and me to Him, to HIs side. He knows what it will take to keep up at His side. He is never worried about the outcome.
The accusers in your life, whoever they may be, will tell you that you have no value, that your mistakes signify that you are a loser and that you will never win, so why try to do anything to make your life better? Patience and persistence is the key; you will never change until you decide that you want something better than what you have right now, and you will not succeed in your quest for change without accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
In the natural, anyone that works hard to achieve a goal will probably accomplish it, but will there be peace of mind and will you have a merry heart after your struggles have ended? Will you be able to say that you know for a fact where you will end up after this life is over?
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will have the best of both worlds, the power, the peace, the love, the joy, the glory that can only come when you are declared His child, a citizen of the Kingdom of God, destined for greater things into eternity, not because you are special or perfect, but because He loves you and is willing to give you everything that you need to survive and thrive in this world and in the world to come. And you will be counted among the righteous of God, destined to reign and rule with Jesus Christ, when He comes back to this world to conquer and destroy the devil and his demons, and to establish His rightful Kingdom upon the earth, to show us all how to live peacefully under a just and righteous government established by the Lord.
The Lord knows who we are, and He knows what He can make out of all our weaknesses and mistakes. He can make the best possible version of you and me; we will live with Him forever in love, peace, joy, and happiness. If you will not deny His power and authority in your life, He will not deny anything that is good to come to you!
He loves you, and He is delighted to give the Kingdom of God to all of those who would choose to be with Him forever and ever. Make the right decision, and accept His offer of amnesty, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you will never be disappointed that you did!
Zechariah Chapter 3 vs 1-4
Have you ever wondered what God sees in you? Have you asked within yourself if you are worthy of His attention? Why would God send His son, Jesus Christ, to be born on earth, a humble human being, to live with us, fellowship with us, to die for us on the cross? Crucifixion is a painful, shameful, terrible way for anyone to be punished for their 'crimes', but Jesus was innocent; He died on that cross to atone for our sins, to be a substitute, a sacrifice for any who would later come to believe in His Name. Why would He do that for you and me?
The easiest answer would be that God sees something very valuable in you and me. Of what value could we possibly be to the Lord of Hosts, so valuable that He would allow His Only Begotten Son to die a sinner's death on a cross? When God looks at us, He doesn't see who we are, He sees what we can become. He already knows who will answer His call for amnesty, He knows who will accept His gift of salvation. He is never concerned about what we have done in the past or what we will do in the future. He already has a plan, He already knows what is needed to woo you and me to Him, to HIs side. He knows what it will take to keep up at His side. He is never worried about the outcome.
The accusers in your life, whoever they may be, will tell you that you have no value, that your mistakes signify that you are a loser and that you will never win, so why try to do anything to make your life better? Patience and persistence is the key; you will never change until you decide that you want something better than what you have right now, and you will not succeed in your quest for change without accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
In the natural, anyone that works hard to achieve a goal will probably accomplish it, but will there be peace of mind and will you have a merry heart after your struggles have ended? Will you be able to say that you know for a fact where you will end up after this life is over?
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will have the best of both worlds, the power, the peace, the love, the joy, the glory that can only come when you are declared His child, a citizen of the Kingdom of God, destined for greater things into eternity, not because you are special or perfect, but because He loves you and is willing to give you everything that you need to survive and thrive in this world and in the world to come. And you will be counted among the righteous of God, destined to reign and rule with Jesus Christ, when He comes back to this world to conquer and destroy the devil and his demons, and to establish His rightful Kingdom upon the earth, to show us all how to live peacefully under a just and righteous government established by the Lord.
The Lord knows who we are, and He knows what He can make out of all our weaknesses and mistakes. He can make the best possible version of you and me; we will live with Him forever in love, peace, joy, and happiness. If you will not deny His power and authority in your life, He will not deny anything that is good to come to you!
He loves you, and He is delighted to give the Kingdom of God to all of those who would choose to be with Him forever and ever. Make the right decision, and accept His offer of amnesty, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you will never be disappointed that you did!
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