Matthew 5:16 (KJV) Says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Ephesians 5:8 (KJV) Says, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"
When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and we become new creatures in Christ. As the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Matthew tells us, we are to let the light of the Holy Spirit within us shine through in all we do so others can see our good works, and glorify God for them. As the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Ephesians tells us we are to walk as children of light. In short, we are called to be a light in a dark world.
As Christians we should be easily identified by our words, and actions. People should be able to identify us by the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit as follows: love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. I encourage you to ask yourself, if others see these things in you. Are others able to recognize that there is something different about you? Can they clearly tell by your words and actions that you are a born again believer, and follower of Jesus Christ? Or, do you dim the light of Christ within you via your words and actions? It is vital that we live our lives in a manner that reflects who we are in Christ. The manner in which we live our personal lives is our greatest witness for Him. When others see us live our lives in a Godly manner and the divine peace and joy it brings us, they will want what we have.
Far too many self-proclaimed Christians attend Sunday morning worship services, and allow that to be the only way someone could recognize them as being of the Christian faith. Attending worship services on Sunday mornings, and then going out into the world displaying behavior that in no way reflects the light of Christ within us does more damage than good. Proclaiming to be a Christian and living like lost souls does more harm than good to the reputation of Christians, and Christianity overall. This type behavior has earned Christians labels such as "hypocrites." Clearly when the lost see negative behavior in Christians they may decide they want no part in becoming a Christian or in Christianity overall. The vital point here is this type behavior can result in lost souls dying without having accepted Christ.
I urge Christians everywhere to make sure your words and actions line up with who you say you are as a born again believer, and follower of Jesus Christ. Live you life in a manner that makes clear you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Conduct yourself in a manner that allows others to see the fruit of the Spirit. Stand firm in your faith and on God's Word even if it means standing alone. I encourage you to remember that you are called to be a light in this dark world.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Feel Good Preaching
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) Says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
Take note that the above passage of scripture uses the phrase "All scripture" recognizing that all scripture means that each and every Word of the Bible is important, necessary, and has a purpose. This verse goes on to tell us God's Word is profitable for doctrine which means a belief or set of beliefs taught by a Church. It further instructs that it is profitable for reproof which means an expression of blame or disapproval. It goes on to inform us that scripture is profitable for correction and for instruction in righteousness which means that it is profitable in correcting us, and in instructing us on how to live our lives in obedience to God. All of the profitable elements listed in this verse of scripture are of vital importance as is each and every single Word of God.
We live in a world where many people are adding words, changing words, and taking words away from the Bible in order for it to fit the lifestyle they are choosing to live. The Bible tells us in the book of revelation not to add or take away one word from scripture yet that is going on. There are pastors who opt only to preach on God's promises, and the blessings that He is prepared to rain down upon us while omitting sermons that touch on the importance of living in obedience to God, and the curses that come with failing to do so.
I am by no means saying that preachers should not preach sermons that lift up and encourage. Sermons that uplift and encourage, sermons that include the fact that God desires to bless us, and sermons that include all the wonderful promises He has made to us are very important. What I am saying is that sermons that include how important it is to live in obedience to God and the trouble it causes us when we don't are equally important.
Preachers who preach only what I call "feel good preaching" are not doing their hearers justice as they are limiting scripture by omitting vital sermons on obedience and disobedience. If a child misbehaves their parents are more than likely not going to bless them with a new toy. Just as this is true congregation members should not be led to believe God is eager to rain blessings down upon them while they are living in disobedience to Him.
It seems that more and more sermons are aimed at keeping congregation members coming back. Many sermons have the purpose of ensuring congregation members are reminded and encouraged often to tithe. In short, many are about money. Many pastors seem to avoid preaching the whole truth for fear they may run some people away from the Church, but this should never be a reason to sugar coat the Word of God. The truth does in fact upset some, but that's okay. If the truth offends some people, then they needed to hear it. I encourage you to recognize that God does indeed have the desire to rain blessings down on us, and that He has made us wonderful promises that He will keep. I encourage you also to recognize the importance of living in obedience to God because you have the desire in your heart to do so. Live in obedience to God, and you will be living the best life you could ever possibly hope to live.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Take note that the above passage of scripture uses the phrase "All scripture" recognizing that all scripture means that each and every Word of the Bible is important, necessary, and has a purpose. This verse goes on to tell us God's Word is profitable for doctrine which means a belief or set of beliefs taught by a Church. It further instructs that it is profitable for reproof which means an expression of blame or disapproval. It goes on to inform us that scripture is profitable for correction and for instruction in righteousness which means that it is profitable in correcting us, and in instructing us on how to live our lives in obedience to God. All of the profitable elements listed in this verse of scripture are of vital importance as is each and every single Word of God.
We live in a world where many people are adding words, changing words, and taking words away from the Bible in order for it to fit the lifestyle they are choosing to live. The Bible tells us in the book of revelation not to add or take away one word from scripture yet that is going on. There are pastors who opt only to preach on God's promises, and the blessings that He is prepared to rain down upon us while omitting sermons that touch on the importance of living in obedience to God, and the curses that come with failing to do so.
I am by no means saying that preachers should not preach sermons that lift up and encourage. Sermons that uplift and encourage, sermons that include the fact that God desires to bless us, and sermons that include all the wonderful promises He has made to us are very important. What I am saying is that sermons that include how important it is to live in obedience to God and the trouble it causes us when we don't are equally important.
Preachers who preach only what I call "feel good preaching" are not doing their hearers justice as they are limiting scripture by omitting vital sermons on obedience and disobedience. If a child misbehaves their parents are more than likely not going to bless them with a new toy. Just as this is true congregation members should not be led to believe God is eager to rain blessings down upon them while they are living in disobedience to Him.
It seems that more and more sermons are aimed at keeping congregation members coming back. Many sermons have the purpose of ensuring congregation members are reminded and encouraged often to tithe. In short, many are about money. Many pastors seem to avoid preaching the whole truth for fear they may run some people away from the Church, but this should never be a reason to sugar coat the Word of God. The truth does in fact upset some, but that's okay. If the truth offends some people, then they needed to hear it. I encourage you to recognize that God does indeed have the desire to rain blessings down on us, and that He has made us wonderful promises that He will keep. I encourage you also to recognize the importance of living in obedience to God because you have the desire in your heart to do so. Live in obedience to God, and you will be living the best life you could ever possibly hope to live.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Equally Yoked
II Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) Says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
I Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Says, "Be not deceived: evil communcations corrupt good manners."
In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of II Corinthians Christians are warned about surrounding ourselves socially with unbelievers. While Christians are to mingle among the lost spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ we are not to spend idle time with them involving ourselves in activities that do not fit who we are as born again believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ. Christians are human beings, and as such we can fall into temptation. If we surround ourselves with people who tell dirty jokes, get drunk, partake in sexual promiscuity, lie, cheat, are unkind to others, abuse the people in their life, and other like behaviors we are headed for trouble. First and foremost as Christians we should be uncomfortable with these behaviors secondary to the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Secondly, Satan is a master manipulator. He is a liar, deceiver, and the author of confusion. He would love nothing better than to cause you to turn your back on God, stop spreading the gospel, and live your life in a manner that matches that of a person who is lost. When you surround yourself with lost souls, slowly but surely Satan will draw you into the secular world, and you will appear no different than one that is lost. You will no longer be a light in a dark world. As my twin sister says, "It's a short trip from standing outside the fire to being in the middle of it."
As the above passage of scripture taken from I Corinthians warns us evil communication can corrupt us. We must be vigilant recognizing that interacting with evil communication is a snare of Satan. For example, if someone tells a dirty joke, and we listen to it and join in the laughter it brought on we are behaving no differently than the lost. Being surrounded by the wrong people makes us vulnerable to falling prey to those Satan has sent to tempt us with phrases such as "just try it." If we agree to go to a movie that we know has content that God would not approve of just to be accepted socially then we are hiding the light of Christ in us. If we listen to or join in on gossip then we are partaking in a behavior that does not fit the Christian we claim to be. In short, when we as Christians live our lives in a manner no different from those that are lost while proclaiming to be Christians, we are damaging the reputation of Christians and Christianity overall. It is behavior such as this among self-proclaimed Christians that has earned Christians the reputation among non-believers of being a bunch of hypocrites. Worst of all, we are missing opportunity after opportunity to lead lost people to Christ.
I cannot stress enough the importance of being equally yoked in all of our relationships. This means we marry someone who is Godly, and that we surround ourselves with friends who are born again believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ. It is so important that we stress this lesson to our children in hopes that they heed the lesson, and avoid inviting chaos into their lives. I've witnessed married couples who are unequally yoked and the struggles they face with some ending in divorce. I've witnessed Christians who have gotten off track because they chose to spend idle time with friends that are unequally yoked for purposes other than witnessing to them in an attempt to lead them to Christ. I've seen firsthand born again believers in Jesus Christ, who were serving the Lord in many ways, turn their back on God, and fall prey to the temptations of the world after allowing Satan to lure them away with his wiles.
I encourage you to stand firm in your faith, if it means standing alone. I encourage you also to live your life in a manner that fits who you say you are as a born again believer, and follower of Jesus Christ. Don't fall prey to Satan's wiles, and participate in things that you know do not fit who you claim to be. I urge you to be the Godly witness, through your words and your actions, that God has called you to be.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
I Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Says, "Be not deceived: evil communcations corrupt good manners."
In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of II Corinthians Christians are warned about surrounding ourselves socially with unbelievers. While Christians are to mingle among the lost spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ we are not to spend idle time with them involving ourselves in activities that do not fit who we are as born again believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ. Christians are human beings, and as such we can fall into temptation. If we surround ourselves with people who tell dirty jokes, get drunk, partake in sexual promiscuity, lie, cheat, are unkind to others, abuse the people in their life, and other like behaviors we are headed for trouble. First and foremost as Christians we should be uncomfortable with these behaviors secondary to the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Secondly, Satan is a master manipulator. He is a liar, deceiver, and the author of confusion. He would love nothing better than to cause you to turn your back on God, stop spreading the gospel, and live your life in a manner that matches that of a person who is lost. When you surround yourself with lost souls, slowly but surely Satan will draw you into the secular world, and you will appear no different than one that is lost. You will no longer be a light in a dark world. As my twin sister says, "It's a short trip from standing outside the fire to being in the middle of it."
As the above passage of scripture taken from I Corinthians warns us evil communication can corrupt us. We must be vigilant recognizing that interacting with evil communication is a snare of Satan. For example, if someone tells a dirty joke, and we listen to it and join in the laughter it brought on we are behaving no differently than the lost. Being surrounded by the wrong people makes us vulnerable to falling prey to those Satan has sent to tempt us with phrases such as "just try it." If we agree to go to a movie that we know has content that God would not approve of just to be accepted socially then we are hiding the light of Christ in us. If we listen to or join in on gossip then we are partaking in a behavior that does not fit the Christian we claim to be. In short, when we as Christians live our lives in a manner no different from those that are lost while proclaiming to be Christians, we are damaging the reputation of Christians and Christianity overall. It is behavior such as this among self-proclaimed Christians that has earned Christians the reputation among non-believers of being a bunch of hypocrites. Worst of all, we are missing opportunity after opportunity to lead lost people to Christ.
I cannot stress enough the importance of being equally yoked in all of our relationships. This means we marry someone who is Godly, and that we surround ourselves with friends who are born again believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ. It is so important that we stress this lesson to our children in hopes that they heed the lesson, and avoid inviting chaos into their lives. I've witnessed married couples who are unequally yoked and the struggles they face with some ending in divorce. I've witnessed Christians who have gotten off track because they chose to spend idle time with friends that are unequally yoked for purposes other than witnessing to them in an attempt to lead them to Christ. I've seen firsthand born again believers in Jesus Christ, who were serving the Lord in many ways, turn their back on God, and fall prey to the temptations of the world after allowing Satan to lure them away with his wiles.
I encourage you to stand firm in your faith, if it means standing alone. I encourage you also to live your life in a manner that fits who you say you are as a born again believer, and follower of Jesus Christ. Don't fall prey to Satan's wiles, and participate in things that you know do not fit who you claim to be. I urge you to be the Godly witness, through your words and your actions, that God has called you to be.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
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