Philippians 4:13 (KJV) Says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Isaiah 41:10 (KJV) Says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:13 (KJV) Says, "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Psalms 31:24 (KJV) Says, "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
As born again believers in Jesus Christ we can find great hope and strength in the above passages of scripture as we walk through the dark places in our lives. Most, if not all, Christians will tell you they believe in the Word of God, and that His Word is God breathed, and that it is one hundred percent truth in its entirety. Yet, when walking through storms in their lives some fail to stand firm on the promises of His Word, and instead experience a faith failure secondary to their lack of true trust in Him. God's Word is full of promises to us, and He has NEVER nor will He EVER break a single one of them. He is an unchanging trustworthy God who is there for us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. God's Word tells us that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that means He is still a God of miracles. Which further means there is no sickness or wound He can't heal, no disease He can't cure, and no situation He can't restore. There is nothing beyond the power of Almighty God, and as born again believers in Jesus Christ we have the power of God dwelling within us in the form of the Holy Spirit we only need remind ourselves of these things.
When you find yourself walking through a dark valley hold on and trust God. Remind yourself as it says in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Philippians that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Remind yourself that as Isaiah 41:10 says God instructs you not to be afraid because He is with you, and not to be dismayed for He is your God, and that He will strengthen you and uphold you with His the right hand of His righteousness. Remind yourself that He tells us in Isaiah 41:13 that He will hold our right hand, tell us not to be afraid, and that He will help us. Remind yourself also, that in Psalms 31:4 God tells us to be of good courage and He will strengthen our heart, if we will only put our trust in Him. Read the above verses of scripture slowly, and take in what they truly mean.
Life can be, and often times is very difficult. We all go through struggles, fall prey to temptation, and are hit by storms that we never saw coming. The Word of God tells us that it rains on the just and the unjust. The Word of God also tells us that we will face trials and tribulations in this life, and as Christians we are not exempt from those things. The good news is that no matter what life throws at us as born again believers in Jesus Christ, we can stand firm on the promises found in His Word, we can be certain that God will hold our hand and walk with us as we conquer the mountains we must climb. God promises us strength, comfort, divine peace, love, understanding, forgiveness, compassion and so much more. He provides us with everything we need to battle Satan and His wiles, and come out victorious.
If you are going through a storm in your life, I encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith, and to go to God in prayer crying out to Him in prayer. He is listening and He is more than able. I urge you to remind yourself of His promises, and to truly believe in your heart that you can trust what His Word tells us. It is of a certainty that we can rely on Him. With God by your side you can make it through whatever storm you're facing. He will be with you every step of the way, and He will provide you with the strength you need to make it. You are a child of the most High God, and He loves you tremendously right where you are. Stay strong in Christ and with His help, which He promises over and over in His word, you will make it through.
If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so immediately. Don't put off the greatest decision you will ever make. We are not promised tomorrow. Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) Says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." If you truly believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again, go to God in prayer, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, tell Him you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that He rose again, and ask Him to come into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. If you prayed to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior please leave me a message so that I can pray for you as you begin life anew.
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!
Monday, April 22, 2019
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Begin Again
Lamentations 3:22-23 (KJV) Says, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Jeremiah 3:22 (KJV) Says, "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God." Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) Says, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Micah 7:19 (KJV) Says, "He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and after doing so gotten off track finding yourself in a backsliding state? If so, you can turn things around, and you can do so immediately. God is not an unforgiving and condemning God. As the above verses of scripture taken from the book of Lamentations tell us, He does not consume us because He is merciful, and His compassions do not fail. These verses go on to tell us that His mercy and compassions are new every morning.
God is never going to force himself on you. If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ and you are in a state of backslide having thoughts such as "It's too late for me to turn back to God", "I have been living in sin for so long there's no way God will forgive me", "there's no hope for me", "I had my chance and I wasted it", and/or any other like thoughts recognize them for exactly what they are lies straight from Satan. Satan would love nothing more than for you to believe his lies, and continue living in sin. Don't give him that victory.
The above verse of scripture taken from the Book of Jeremiah tells us that all we have to do is return to God and He will heal our backslidings. God is a loving, kind, forgiving, merciful God. He is not a Condemning God. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Hebrews tells us to go boldly unto the throne of grace, and that God will give us mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Micah makes clear that if we will turn back to God, He will have compassion on us; and will throw all of our sins (not some, but all) into the depths of the sea.
There is no sin scale with God. Sin is sin so don't feel as though your sin is so great there's no hope for you, and that God would never forgive you. He will forgive you, if you will only go to Him in prayer, and ask Him to.
If Satan has led you astray step by step, and you're feeling hopeless, go to God in prayer immediately and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, tell Him you will turn away from them and back to Him. Remember it doesn't matter how terrible you think your sins are with God sin is sin, and He will forgive you. Lay the heavy weight of your sins down at the cross, and be rid of that weighty burden. God will forgive you immediately, and cast your sins into the depths of the sea. You are His child, created in His own image, and He loves you so very much. God will give you the strength you need to resist the temptations of Satan. It is never too late to begin again. Trust in and rely on God, and He will walk through life with you holding your hand every step of the way.
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.
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and after doing so gotten off track finding yourself in a backsliding state? If so, you can turn things around, and you can do so immediately. God is not an unforgiving and condemning God. As the above verses of scripture taken from the book of Lamentations tell us, He does not consume us because He is merciful, and His compassions do not fail. These verses go on to tell us that His mercy and compassions are new every morning.
God is never going to force himself on you. If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ and you are in a state of backslide having thoughts such as "It's too late for me to turn back to God", "I have been living in sin for so long there's no way God will forgive me", "there's no hope for me", "I had my chance and I wasted it", and/or any other like thoughts recognize them for exactly what they are lies straight from Satan. Satan would love nothing more than for you to believe his lies, and continue living in sin. Don't give him that victory.
The above verse of scripture taken from the Book of Jeremiah tells us that all we have to do is return to God and He will heal our backslidings. God is a loving, kind, forgiving, merciful God. He is not a Condemning God. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Hebrews tells us to go boldly unto the throne of grace, and that God will give us mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Micah makes clear that if we will turn back to God, He will have compassion on us; and will throw all of our sins (not some, but all) into the depths of the sea.
There is no sin scale with God. Sin is sin so don't feel as though your sin is so great there's no hope for you, and that God would never forgive you. He will forgive you, if you will only go to Him in prayer, and ask Him to.
If Satan has led you astray step by step, and you're feeling hopeless, go to God in prayer immediately and ask Him to forgive you of your sins, tell Him you will turn away from them and back to Him. Remember it doesn't matter how terrible you think your sins are with God sin is sin, and He will forgive you. Lay the heavy weight of your sins down at the cross, and be rid of that weighty burden. God will forgive you immediately, and cast your sins into the depths of the sea. You are His child, created in His own image, and He loves you so very much. God will give you the strength you need to resist the temptations of Satan. It is never too late to begin again. Trust in and rely on God, and He will walk through life with you holding your hand every step of the way.
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.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
A Gold Star
Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV) Says, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
In order to build and maintain a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is vital that we pray, read and study God's Word, and meditate on it. It is also vital that we ask Him to lead, guide, and direct our path, and that we sit quietly listening and watching for all that He desires to show us, and all that He desires to place on our hearts.
In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Jeremiah God tells us that if we will call on Him, He will answer us. He also tells us in this verse that He will show us great and mighty things that we know not. With that said, I want to share a personal story that without a doubt demonstrates the power, magnificence, and love of Almighty God.
This story begins with my youngest brother's best friend. He and my brother have been great friends since they were little children. I can remember them laying side by side on our den floor at home, watching movies, and laughing for hours. They remained close friends into adulthood. Not only did my brother love this friend, but our entire family did as well. This young man was always willing to help others. In fact, he helped many people, and groups of people in numerous ways. In short, because there are not enough words to describe all he did to bless others, he was an outstanding example of what a fine Christian man with a loving and compassionate heart looks like.
Without going into details, my brothers friend passed away last week, and his death came unexpectedly. My brother told me that his friend was taken by life flight to a nearby hospital, and that told me that whatever the problem was; it was serious. I began praying right away. I asked God to be with this young man, and his family, and to please heal him. In my prayer I told God that His Word tells us that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that this means He is still a God of miracles, and that I was asking for one. This young man had to have emergency surgery, and when I got that update I prayed for God to guide the surgeons hands, and I continued to ask God for a miracle. When I came home from Church Wednesday night, my brother was standing in the driveway, and I told him that I had been praying all day, and asked for another update. With a broken hearted look on his face, he said, "you haven't heard?" I said no what is it? He said "he passed away." I said, I'm so sorry, and we shared a hug, but no more words; as we were both speechless and too choked up for conversation. I entered the house through the garage and went immediately out the back door, and onto the deck. The deck is where I go daily to pray, read God's Word, watch and listen for God to show me anything he wants to show me, and to listen for anything he desires to place on my heart. That night, I needed to be alone, and talk to God.
As I sat in my usual chair I began talking to God, and I have to be honest being only human I was upset. I reminded God of what His Word says, and I asked Him why he took this young man. I told God he was a great Christian man doing wonderful work for His kingdom, that he was a husband, and the father of two children, that he was a brother, and that he had a mother who loves him tremendously. I told God that it hurt me to see my brother so broken, and to witness the sadness that this great loss had brought on my family and so many others. I said God I just don't understand.
Then I sat quietly gazing at the same stars that I gaze at nightly, and listening and watching for God to show me something or place something on my heart that made sense. He answered my prayers. The first thing that he placed on my heart was that His ways are not our ways, and that He knows best. He also reminded me that Heaven is amazing, and that my brother's friend is in a far greater place than we could ever imagine. Then God showed me something in a miraculous, amazing, and a divine way. He did so through one of the whitest and brightest stars in the sky. This is a star that stands alone, and one that I have stared at on clear nights for at least the past five years. I had been sitting with my face in my hands, and the moment I looked up at this star that I had so often studied, it turned as Gold as it could possibly turn. This once bright white star was now golden. Then God placed on my heart that he was aware that my brother's friend was a steadfast Christian soldier, and that he was gold star worthy for all the blessings he bestowed upon others while he was here on earth.
All that God promises in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Jeremiah, he demonstrated for me that night. I called upon Him, He answered me, and He showed me great and mighty things.
I encourage you to cry out to God when you need to, and to watch and listen for him to answer you. He loves us all tremendously and we are all of equal importance to Him. I pray strength and comfort for this young man's mother, his wife, his children, his sister, and his entire family, as well as for his friends. When God calls someone home who impacted so many lives here earth in such a positive way, a huge void is felt immediately. To this young man who meant a great deal to my brother and our entire family, I say with love go rest high, and I have no doubt that God was able to say when they stood face to face, well done my good and faithful servant.
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!
In order to build and maintain a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is vital that we pray, read and study God's Word, and meditate on it. It is also vital that we ask Him to lead, guide, and direct our path, and that we sit quietly listening and watching for all that He desires to show us, and all that He desires to place on our hearts.
In the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Jeremiah God tells us that if we will call on Him, He will answer us. He also tells us in this verse that He will show us great and mighty things that we know not. With that said, I want to share a personal story that without a doubt demonstrates the power, magnificence, and love of Almighty God.
This story begins with my youngest brother's best friend. He and my brother have been great friends since they were little children. I can remember them laying side by side on our den floor at home, watching movies, and laughing for hours. They remained close friends into adulthood. Not only did my brother love this friend, but our entire family did as well. This young man was always willing to help others. In fact, he helped many people, and groups of people in numerous ways. In short, because there are not enough words to describe all he did to bless others, he was an outstanding example of what a fine Christian man with a loving and compassionate heart looks like.
Without going into details, my brothers friend passed away last week, and his death came unexpectedly. My brother told me that his friend was taken by life flight to a nearby hospital, and that told me that whatever the problem was; it was serious. I began praying right away. I asked God to be with this young man, and his family, and to please heal him. In my prayer I told God that His Word tells us that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that this means He is still a God of miracles, and that I was asking for one. This young man had to have emergency surgery, and when I got that update I prayed for God to guide the surgeons hands, and I continued to ask God for a miracle. When I came home from Church Wednesday night, my brother was standing in the driveway, and I told him that I had been praying all day, and asked for another update. With a broken hearted look on his face, he said, "you haven't heard?" I said no what is it? He said "he passed away." I said, I'm so sorry, and we shared a hug, but no more words; as we were both speechless and too choked up for conversation. I entered the house through the garage and went immediately out the back door, and onto the deck. The deck is where I go daily to pray, read God's Word, watch and listen for God to show me anything he wants to show me, and to listen for anything he desires to place on my heart. That night, I needed to be alone, and talk to God.
As I sat in my usual chair I began talking to God, and I have to be honest being only human I was upset. I reminded God of what His Word says, and I asked Him why he took this young man. I told God he was a great Christian man doing wonderful work for His kingdom, that he was a husband, and the father of two children, that he was a brother, and that he had a mother who loves him tremendously. I told God that it hurt me to see my brother so broken, and to witness the sadness that this great loss had brought on my family and so many others. I said God I just don't understand.
Then I sat quietly gazing at the same stars that I gaze at nightly, and listening and watching for God to show me something or place something on my heart that made sense. He answered my prayers. The first thing that he placed on my heart was that His ways are not our ways, and that He knows best. He also reminded me that Heaven is amazing, and that my brother's friend is in a far greater place than we could ever imagine. Then God showed me something in a miraculous, amazing, and a divine way. He did so through one of the whitest and brightest stars in the sky. This is a star that stands alone, and one that I have stared at on clear nights for at least the past five years. I had been sitting with my face in my hands, and the moment I looked up at this star that I had so often studied, it turned as Gold as it could possibly turn. This once bright white star was now golden. Then God placed on my heart that he was aware that my brother's friend was a steadfast Christian soldier, and that he was gold star worthy for all the blessings he bestowed upon others while he was here on earth.
All that God promises in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Jeremiah, he demonstrated for me that night. I called upon Him, He answered me, and He showed me great and mighty things.
I encourage you to cry out to God when you need to, and to watch and listen for him to answer you. He loves us all tremendously and we are all of equal importance to Him. I pray strength and comfort for this young man's mother, his wife, his children, his sister, and his entire family, as well as for his friends. When God calls someone home who impacted so many lives here earth in such a positive way, a huge void is felt immediately. To this young man who meant a great deal to my brother and our entire family, I say with love go rest high, and I have no doubt that God was able to say when they stood face to face, well done my good and faithful servant.
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!
Monday, September 17, 2018
A Right Heart
Philippians 2:4 (KjV) Says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." 1 John 3:17 (KJV) Says, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Proverbs 19:17 (KJV) Says, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again." Proverbs 22:9 (KJV) Says, "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor." 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) Says, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Matthew 6:1-4 (KJV) Says, "Take heed that you do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in Heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have the glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: And thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly."
The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Philippians makes clear that God wants us to look out for one another. The verse taken from 1 John makes clear that if we have plenty, and we know of someone who is in need we should have compassion on them, and help them. This verse also makes clear that, if we know of one in need and we do nothing to help them then the love of God is not in us. As born again believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ who have the Holy Spirit living within us, we should have the desire in our hearts to help those in need when we are able to. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Galatians tells us that bearing one another's burdens is fulfilling the law of Christ. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Proverbs makes clear that those of us who have pity on the poor and lend to them are lending to the Lord. It also tells us that the Lord will repay us. The verse taken from chapter 22 of proverbs states that those who give to the poor will be blessed. The above verse taken from 2 Corinthians makes clear that we are to give with a right heart. We are not to give while begrudging, or because we have to do so, but because we have the love of Christ in our hearts and we desire to help others. Finally, the verses of scripture taken from the book of Matthew makes clear to us that if we give and make it known or do it for show in order to get the praise of men then their praise alone is our reward. If we give with a right heart and do not boast of our giving to others, but do it in private then we well be rewarded by God Himself.
By definition, God is love. When we opt to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior then the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and we become a new creature in Christ. As born again believers in Jesus Christ we should have the desire to help others and to do so with a right heart. The Word of God tells us that Christians are known by their fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is listed for us in Galatians 5:22-23 which says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." If a Christian is aware of someone in need and they do not have the desire in their heart to help them, when they are able to do so then not only is the love of Christ not in them, but they are also failing to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.
I encourage you to adhere to the Word of God, and to help the poor and needy whenever you are given the opportunity to do so. If you have difficulty helping others without begrudging the help, then go to God in prayer, and ask him to cleanse your heart. Giving to and or helping others and doing so begrudgingly or doing so in order to get the praise of men is in no way pleasing to God. If you have the desire to please God, give without begrudging it, and keep the fact that you helped someone to yourself. The Word of God tells us that we will always have the poor among us, and it warns us about treating them badly. Matthew 25:31-36 (KJV) tells us in the Words of Jesus about God separating the people standing before him on judgment day referring to them as goats and sheep. He places the goats on his left and the sheep on his right. He speaks to those standing on his right hand saying to them come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. He says to them that He was hungry and they gave Him meat, that He was thirsty and they gave Him drink, that He was a stranger and they took Him in, that He was naked and they clothed Him, that He was sick and they visited Him, that He was in prison and they came to see Him. The righteous then asked him when they did all of these things, and His reply was "Verily, I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the lease of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." He then addresses those standing on His left and says to them "Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away unto everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
I encourage to help those in need any time you are given the opportunity to do so. I urge you to remember that it is pleasing to God, and that you are doing it unto Him. God will bless and repay you for being a blessing to others, when you do it with a right heart. I also encourage you to remember to give because you truly desire to help, not begrudgingly, and not for the praise of men. Don't allow the devil to cause you to pass up an opportunity to be a blessing to someone by convincing you that they're being deceptive. If they are asking for help and do not truly need it then God will deal with them, and he will still bless you.
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, August 14, 2018
Abandon Ship
Philippians 2:1-2 (KJV) Says, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, , if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." Matthew 18:20 (KJV) Says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
There is a rapidly growing problem among Churches where the entire truth of God's Word is being preached. The problem is that people are leaving these Churches for Churches that preach only blessings omitting sermons on important topics such as what it looks like and takes to live a true Christian life in obedience to God. There are many reasons people give for leaving their Church. Some leave because they feel their Church isn't offering enough in the way of activities for them, and for their children. Some leave because they have a problem with a Church member, or a group of Church members, and have been offended. Some leave because they feel their Church lacks members that are close to them in age. Some leave because they dislike the music. Some leave because they are following others that have left. Some leave because they say they don't feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in their Church. In short, there are a number of reasons that individuals are giving as to why they chose to leave their Church.
In the above passage of scripture we see that God finds joy in Christians coming together, and being like minded, being of one accord, and of one mind. It is important to note that God's Word tells us in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Matthew that where two or three people are gathered in his name he is present. Therefore, if you attend a Church where the truth of God's Word is preached, where the core of the gospel, which is salvation, what it means, and how to accept Christ is shared then unless God calls you to another Church why abandon ship in lieu of remaining loyal to your Church, Church family, and your Pastor?
I understand that issues arise that need to be addressed, and that is true of all Churches. If you feel that your Church doesn't offer enough in the way of activities then maybe you could suggest something, and be a part in your idea coming to fruition instead of looking elsewhere for what you feel your Church is missing. If you have a problem with a Church member or group of Church members then go to them directly and address the issue in a Christ-like manner remembering that we are all fallible human beings. If your Church lacks members that are close to your age go out and invite some that do fall under your age. Inviting people your age will solve your issue, and it will help grow your Church. If you dislike the music then perhaps you could make a request to the person in charge of song selection asking them to incorporate a few of your favorite hymns/songs. Don't leave your Church following other members, or at the urging of people outside your Church. if you have an inkling to do so remind yourself you are following Christ, not people. If you begin to feel that the Holy Spirit is not present in your Church, remember the verse of scripture from Matthew that clearly states where any two people are gathered in my name, I am present.
I am in no way suggesting that if God called you away from your Church you should stay. If God calls you somewhere other than your Church, you should without a doubt do as He has directed you to do, and leave. If you are attending a Church where the Pastor is preaching sermons that do not line up with the truth of God's Word, you should leave. My point in this blog is to encourage people who are attending a Church where the truth is being preached to remain loyal to their Pastor, their Church, and their Church family, and to make suggestions as well as volunteer to help in areas they feel are their Church's weak points. I further encourage you to work out issues in a Christ-like manner with any individual or group of individuals that you are having problems with. Whatever issue or issues arise for you, first pray about them, and then ask yourself what you can do to assist in resolving them. Addressing with the Pastor what you feel is lacking in your Church may open a door to another area of service made available to you and other Church members. Pray and consider your true reasons for desiring to leave your Church, and if they are valid then leave, but if not don't be so quick to abandon ship.
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!
There is a rapidly growing problem among Churches where the entire truth of God's Word is being preached. The problem is that people are leaving these Churches for Churches that preach only blessings omitting sermons on important topics such as what it looks like and takes to live a true Christian life in obedience to God. There are many reasons people give for leaving their Church. Some leave because they feel their Church isn't offering enough in the way of activities for them, and for their children. Some leave because they have a problem with a Church member, or a group of Church members, and have been offended. Some leave because they feel their Church lacks members that are close to them in age. Some leave because they dislike the music. Some leave because they are following others that have left. Some leave because they say they don't feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in their Church. In short, there are a number of reasons that individuals are giving as to why they chose to leave their Church.
In the above passage of scripture we see that God finds joy in Christians coming together, and being like minded, being of one accord, and of one mind. It is important to note that God's Word tells us in the above verse of scripture taken from the book of Matthew that where two or three people are gathered in his name he is present. Therefore, if you attend a Church where the truth of God's Word is preached, where the core of the gospel, which is salvation, what it means, and how to accept Christ is shared then unless God calls you to another Church why abandon ship in lieu of remaining loyal to your Church, Church family, and your Pastor?
I understand that issues arise that need to be addressed, and that is true of all Churches. If you feel that your Church doesn't offer enough in the way of activities then maybe you could suggest something, and be a part in your idea coming to fruition instead of looking elsewhere for what you feel your Church is missing. If you have a problem with a Church member or group of Church members then go to them directly and address the issue in a Christ-like manner remembering that we are all fallible human beings. If your Church lacks members that are close to your age go out and invite some that do fall under your age. Inviting people your age will solve your issue, and it will help grow your Church. If you dislike the music then perhaps you could make a request to the person in charge of song selection asking them to incorporate a few of your favorite hymns/songs. Don't leave your Church following other members, or at the urging of people outside your Church. if you have an inkling to do so remind yourself you are following Christ, not people. If you begin to feel that the Holy Spirit is not present in your Church, remember the verse of scripture from Matthew that clearly states where any two people are gathered in my name, I am present.
I am in no way suggesting that if God called you away from your Church you should stay. If God calls you somewhere other than your Church, you should without a doubt do as He has directed you to do, and leave. If you are attending a Church where the Pastor is preaching sermons that do not line up with the truth of God's Word, you should leave. My point in this blog is to encourage people who are attending a Church where the truth is being preached to remain loyal to their Pastor, their Church, and their Church family, and to make suggestions as well as volunteer to help in areas they feel are their Church's weak points. I further encourage you to work out issues in a Christ-like manner with any individual or group of individuals that you are having problems with. Whatever issue or issues arise for you, first pray about them, and then ask yourself what you can do to assist in resolving them. Addressing with the Pastor what you feel is lacking in your Church may open a door to another area of service made available to you and other Church members. Pray and consider your true reasons for desiring to leave your Church, and if they are valid then leave, but if not don't be so quick to abandon ship.
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!
Thursday, July 12, 2018
False Teachings About Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) Says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus; and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." John 3:16 (KJV) Says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Romans 10:13 (KJV) Says, "For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." II Peter 3:9 (KJV) Says, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance." Ephesians 4:30 (KJV) Says, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
There are those in the world today who are of the opinion that salvation is only available to individuals who have been pre-selected or chosen by God to be saved. That opinion has be born from a misinterpretation of scripture. The Word of God makes very clear that salvation is available to anyone who invites Jesus Christ into their heart asking him to be their Lord and Savior. This is supported in scripture more than once, and I have listed above some of the verses that make clear salvation is available to all. For one, John 3:16 (KJV) which clearly states that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life. Another confirmation that salvation is available to all is found in Romans 10:13 (KJV) which states that WHOSOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Every single human being falls under the category of WHOSOEVER. It is also made clear in the above verse of scripture taken from II Peter that God doesn't want ANY to perish, but rather he desires for all to repent, and be saved. God's Word makes it cut and dry that salvation is available to everyone. Therefore, I warn you to trust in the truth of God's Word and stand firm on that not allowing yourselves to fall prey to false teachings secondary to the misinterpretation of scripture.
Yet another false teaching that is prevalent in the world today is that you can lose your salvation. This too is a misnomer. We can backslide and fall out of line with God, but if and when we do we will be under conviction by the Holy Spirit to get back in line with Him and live our lives in obedience. We do not lose our salvation once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and that is not my opinion; it is a scriptural based fact. Ephesians 4:30 (KJV) States that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. This makes clear that once we are saved our name is written in the Lamb's book of life, and it remains there. When God's Word tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, that means that we cannot lose our salvation and that seal is and will be in place until the day that the Lord calls us home.
The ever growing opinion that one, salvation is only available to a select few, and two, that we can lose our salvation is damaging to the growth of God's kingdom. Spreading the false idea that salvation is only available to certain individuals can and does cause some lost individuals to give up on accepting Christ, and giving up on accepting Christ means spending eternity in Hell. This is a horribly tragic result, and it is brought on by individuals who go about spreading false doctrine.
Spreading the misnomer that salvation can be lost is also damaging. It gives the impression that we must live our lives in perfection in order to hold onto our salvation, and the fact is that not one single human being can live their life in perfection no matter how hard they try. Salvation is not earned there is no work or works we can do to obtain it. Salvation is a free gift from God that is there for WHOSOEVER chooses to accept it. The only one who has ever, or will ever, walk this earth in perfection is Jesus Christ Himself. Romans 3:23 (KJV) clearly states "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." We cannot earn our salvation that would be taking credit for what Jesus suffering and dying on the cross did for us, and that was paying our sin debt in full. We had nothing to do with salvation being made available to us, and being human if we had, we would boast about it. This too is supported in scripture in Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) which says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
In short, remember, for one, that the Word of God makes clear that salvation is available to WHOSOEVER chooses to invite Jesus Christ into their heart making Him their Lord and Savior. Remember also that God's Word makes clear that we cannot lose our salvation, but rather that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day that God calls us home once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Base your beliefs on the truth of God's Word not on false doctrine which the Bible warns us to beware of.
Finally, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and you have the desire in your heart to do so, Go to God in prayer tell him you are a sinner, ask him to forgive you of all your sins, tell him you believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that he rose again. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and tell Him that you want Him to be your Lord and Savior. The decision to accept Christ is the greatest decision you will ever make. It is life changing, and it is free for the asking. It means that he will walk beside you in this life holding your hand, that he will never leave you nor forsake you, and that when you leave this world you will spend eternity with Him in Heaven, and those are just a few of the many blessings that come along with being a born again believer in Jesus Christ. If it is on your heart to accept Christ, don't put it off for one more second; as we are not promised the next second of life, and the result of procrastinating is that you are risking spending eternity in Hell. The importance of this message requires that I be blunt, and it is my prayer that all people would come to accept Christ, and to live their lives in obedience to him.
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. If you read this and chose to accept Christ I would love for you to leave me a message letting me know about your decision so that I can pray for you. Remember you are a Whosoever. May God bless you!
There are those in the world today who are of the opinion that salvation is only available to individuals who have been pre-selected or chosen by God to be saved. That opinion has be born from a misinterpretation of scripture. The Word of God makes very clear that salvation is available to anyone who invites Jesus Christ into their heart asking him to be their Lord and Savior. This is supported in scripture more than once, and I have listed above some of the verses that make clear salvation is available to all. For one, John 3:16 (KJV) which clearly states that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life. Another confirmation that salvation is available to all is found in Romans 10:13 (KJV) which states that WHOSOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Every single human being falls under the category of WHOSOEVER. It is also made clear in the above verse of scripture taken from II Peter that God doesn't want ANY to perish, but rather he desires for all to repent, and be saved. God's Word makes it cut and dry that salvation is available to everyone. Therefore, I warn you to trust in the truth of God's Word and stand firm on that not allowing yourselves to fall prey to false teachings secondary to the misinterpretation of scripture.
Yet another false teaching that is prevalent in the world today is that you can lose your salvation. This too is a misnomer. We can backslide and fall out of line with God, but if and when we do we will be under conviction by the Holy Spirit to get back in line with Him and live our lives in obedience. We do not lose our salvation once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior and that is not my opinion; it is a scriptural based fact. Ephesians 4:30 (KJV) States that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. This makes clear that once we are saved our name is written in the Lamb's book of life, and it remains there. When God's Word tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption, that means that we cannot lose our salvation and that seal is and will be in place until the day that the Lord calls us home.
The ever growing opinion that one, salvation is only available to a select few, and two, that we can lose our salvation is damaging to the growth of God's kingdom. Spreading the false idea that salvation is only available to certain individuals can and does cause some lost individuals to give up on accepting Christ, and giving up on accepting Christ means spending eternity in Hell. This is a horribly tragic result, and it is brought on by individuals who go about spreading false doctrine.
Spreading the misnomer that salvation can be lost is also damaging. It gives the impression that we must live our lives in perfection in order to hold onto our salvation, and the fact is that not one single human being can live their life in perfection no matter how hard they try. Salvation is not earned there is no work or works we can do to obtain it. Salvation is a free gift from God that is there for WHOSOEVER chooses to accept it. The only one who has ever, or will ever, walk this earth in perfection is Jesus Christ Himself. Romans 3:23 (KJV) clearly states "For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." We cannot earn our salvation that would be taking credit for what Jesus suffering and dying on the cross did for us, and that was paying our sin debt in full. We had nothing to do with salvation being made available to us, and being human if we had, we would boast about it. This too is supported in scripture in Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) which says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
In short, remember, for one, that the Word of God makes clear that salvation is available to WHOSOEVER chooses to invite Jesus Christ into their heart making Him their Lord and Savior. Remember also that God's Word makes clear that we cannot lose our salvation, but rather that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day that God calls us home once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Base your beliefs on the truth of God's Word not on false doctrine which the Bible warns us to beware of.
Finally, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and you have the desire in your heart to do so, Go to God in prayer tell him you are a sinner, ask him to forgive you of all your sins, tell him you believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that he rose again. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and tell Him that you want Him to be your Lord and Savior. The decision to accept Christ is the greatest decision you will ever make. It is life changing, and it is free for the asking. It means that he will walk beside you in this life holding your hand, that he will never leave you nor forsake you, and that when you leave this world you will spend eternity with Him in Heaven, and those are just a few of the many blessings that come along with being a born again believer in Jesus Christ. If it is on your heart to accept Christ, don't put it off for one more second; as we are not promised the next second of life, and the result of procrastinating is that you are risking spending eternity in Hell. The importance of this message requires that I be blunt, and it is my prayer that all people would come to accept Christ, and to live their lives in obedience to him.
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. If you read this and chose to accept Christ I would love for you to leave me a message letting me know about your decision so that I can pray for you. Remember you are a Whosoever. May God bless you!
Saturday, June 2, 2018
A Choice
Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (KJV) Says, "Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee."
In the above passage of scripture it is made clear that when we live in obedience to God and serve Him we will be blessed, and when we live in disobedience to God and opt not to serve Him; there are consequences. We are born with freewill, therefore it is up to us to choose how we will live our life. Choosing to live in obedience to God and in service to Him, as the above passage of scripture states, is to choose a life that brings joy and gladness to our hearts. It is to live a life filled with abundance in all things. On the other hand, when we choose to live in disobedience and opt not to serve Him, it is to choose to live in need, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and wanting in all things. In short, choosing to live in disobedience to God; opting not to serve Him is to choose an extremely difficult life; a life of misery.
Many people choose not to live a Christian life because they perceive it to be strict, and void of any and all fun and happiness, when nothing could be further from the truth. Living in obedience to God and opting to serve him is to live the greatest life anyone could ever possibly hope to live. It is to take all of your problems to the Lord in prayer, and leave them there knowing that there is no problem so great he can't solve it. It is to lay down the weight of all our worries and to live in the divine peace that He has given us. It is important to note here that "divine" peace given to us by Him is a peace that is so great, as His Word tells us, it surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7 (KJV) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"). Living in obedience to God and serving him, is to live a life knowing that you have Almighty God walking with you every second of each and every single day. It is to be able to rest knowing that he will never leave you nor forsake you. It is to relax knowing that God can make a way where we don't see one, and that if we will trust and believe in Him, He will meet our needs. It is knowing that we never walk through one single trial, tribulation, or storm in our life alone, but rather that God is walking with us; holding our hand.
Living our lives in disobedience to God, and opting not to serve him is choosing to live a life that is void of God, and all that he provides for us. It is to live our lives creating our on storms secondary to falling prey to the temptations of Satan, and allowing him to devour and destroy us. It is to live our lives carrying the weight of all our problems and the burdens that this life can bring, and that's a tremendous amount of weight; yet many choose to carry it in lieu of giving it all to God and living for Him. It is to live a life in want and need of even the most basic of things. It is to place ourselves in a vulnerable state where we easily fall prey to the temptations that Satan puts before us, and then suffer the consequences of that. Satan knows our weaknesses and he will lure us via those weaknesses attacking us every opportunity he gets to do so. Living in disobedience to God and opting not to serve him is to live a life filled with doubt, confusion, and misery buying into the lies of Satan, and falling prey to him. Remember God's Word tells us that Satan is the author of doubt and confusion, and that he is the father of lies.
There are far more blessings that come with living in obedience to God and choosing to serve Him, so many in fact that I could never possibly list them all here. There are also far more troubles, pain, and misery that come from living a life in disobedience to God, and opting not to serve Him, and it is not possible to list each of those here either. We are born with freewill, therefore, how we are going to live our lives is our choice. We must choose one or the other. We cannot live in partial disobedience and expect God to bless us. None of us will ever be perfect as there has only been one who walked this earth in perfection, and that is Jesus Christ. God knows our hearts, however, and he knows whether or not we are sincere in our efforts to live our lives in a Christ-like manner.
God will not force Himself on you or demand that you make the right choice. That is not who He is. In fact, there is a well-known painting that has Jesus standing at a door waiting and wanting to come in, and it is worth noting that the door he is standing at has no knob. The reason for this is that he is waiting on you to open the door, and ask him in. He will not force the door open. I urge you to open the door, and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. I urge you to make the right choice. I urge you to opt to live in obedience to God, and to serve him. I urge you to choose God's love, divine peace, joy, forgiveness, understanding, and all the other blessings that come with living for him over the doubt, confusion, lies, and misery that Satan has to offer. If you are honest with yourself this should be the easiest decision you've ever made.
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!
In the above passage of scripture it is made clear that when we live in obedience to God and serve Him we will be blessed, and when we live in disobedience to God and opt not to serve Him; there are consequences. We are born with freewill, therefore it is up to us to choose how we will live our life. Choosing to live in obedience to God and in service to Him, as the above passage of scripture states, is to choose a life that brings joy and gladness to our hearts. It is to live a life filled with abundance in all things. On the other hand, when we choose to live in disobedience and opt not to serve Him, it is to choose to live in need, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and wanting in all things. In short, choosing to live in disobedience to God; opting not to serve Him is to choose an extremely difficult life; a life of misery.
Many people choose not to live a Christian life because they perceive it to be strict, and void of any and all fun and happiness, when nothing could be further from the truth. Living in obedience to God and opting to serve him is to live the greatest life anyone could ever possibly hope to live. It is to take all of your problems to the Lord in prayer, and leave them there knowing that there is no problem so great he can't solve it. It is to lay down the weight of all our worries and to live in the divine peace that He has given us. It is important to note here that "divine" peace given to us by Him is a peace that is so great, as His Word tells us, it surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7 (KJV) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"). Living in obedience to God and serving him, is to live a life knowing that you have Almighty God walking with you every second of each and every single day. It is to be able to rest knowing that he will never leave you nor forsake you. It is to relax knowing that God can make a way where we don't see one, and that if we will trust and believe in Him, He will meet our needs. It is knowing that we never walk through one single trial, tribulation, or storm in our life alone, but rather that God is walking with us; holding our hand.
Living our lives in disobedience to God, and opting not to serve him is choosing to live a life that is void of God, and all that he provides for us. It is to live our lives creating our on storms secondary to falling prey to the temptations of Satan, and allowing him to devour and destroy us. It is to live our lives carrying the weight of all our problems and the burdens that this life can bring, and that's a tremendous amount of weight; yet many choose to carry it in lieu of giving it all to God and living for Him. It is to live a life in want and need of even the most basic of things. It is to place ourselves in a vulnerable state where we easily fall prey to the temptations that Satan puts before us, and then suffer the consequences of that. Satan knows our weaknesses and he will lure us via those weaknesses attacking us every opportunity he gets to do so. Living in disobedience to God and opting not to serve him is to live a life filled with doubt, confusion, and misery buying into the lies of Satan, and falling prey to him. Remember God's Word tells us that Satan is the author of doubt and confusion, and that he is the father of lies.
There are far more blessings that come with living in obedience to God and choosing to serve Him, so many in fact that I could never possibly list them all here. There are also far more troubles, pain, and misery that come from living a life in disobedience to God, and opting not to serve Him, and it is not possible to list each of those here either. We are born with freewill, therefore, how we are going to live our lives is our choice. We must choose one or the other. We cannot live in partial disobedience and expect God to bless us. None of us will ever be perfect as there has only been one who walked this earth in perfection, and that is Jesus Christ. God knows our hearts, however, and he knows whether or not we are sincere in our efforts to live our lives in a Christ-like manner.
God will not force Himself on you or demand that you make the right choice. That is not who He is. In fact, there is a well-known painting that has Jesus standing at a door waiting and wanting to come in, and it is worth noting that the door he is standing at has no knob. The reason for this is that he is waiting on you to open the door, and ask him in. He will not force the door open. I urge you to open the door, and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. I urge you to make the right choice. I urge you to opt to live in obedience to God, and to serve him. I urge you to choose God's love, divine peace, joy, forgiveness, understanding, and all the other blessings that come with living for him over the doubt, confusion, lies, and misery that Satan has to offer. If you are honest with yourself this should be the easiest decision you've ever made.
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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