Tag Archives: article

Man Vs. God’s Glory- 10/21/14

Posted on by
Reply

I almost forgot to post today something that has been on my heart to talk of for awhile  though I was planning it. I read a brief devotion from Max Lucado that basically said to do something for God now. That was enough nudge from the Holy Spirit, thank you God.

What do you think of when you hear of glory? Do you think of the Lord? Do you think of the glory after a win in a major football game? Do you think of a Lady Gaga song…?

Well, what is glory? I looked up the word a bit of a while ago and it described it as “exalted honor.” Hmm, interesting.

I used to think if it was God’s glory it was like a big and amazingly bright light that was always shining day after day and forever. Because through all things when they are done in God’s love or passion He glorifies Himself all the time.

It’s sad when people think they know what is good for others. I mean that as if some places have gone beyond the separation of church and state and lawmakers are now making the church do things that are violating the law, in their effect (though they claim they are in right and the church is being unlawful). What they are doing is wrong and is basically equivalent to me going to an atheist convention and preaching the word of God and if they bring on the cops I sue and automatically collect the damages. Because they just wronged my right to tell them that what they were saying in that congregation of people was against my belief.

Now I know that people think “what are you talking about?” Sound ridiculous? It seems in the USA a country that has been stated once as a Christian nation is being pulled out of being that because of people. It’s funny when ones say churches are wrong to say certain things. That opinion can be taken in and pondered about. Okay, sometimes there are people who have off beliefs and should be labeled as cults but the church should never be given restrictions for what they can and cannot say. Restrictions as in a law that is active in the huge state of New York stating what churches in that entire area are being forced to not say.

What happened to freedom of religion? It seems in left-wing politics they can say whatever they want against others and justify it but once you try to tell your freedoms they bring out the constitution (which they apparently don’t even follow themselves what with forcing medical care on the entire public or else people pay a fine) and say “You should follow the law! Unconstitutional.”

Now I did not try to start a flame war with people strong on politics because I wanted to talk about something actually important.

I want to go beyond all beliefs in the political field and pierce though it with God.

What does God really want for us? Extreme left-wing, right-wing who cares?!!

What does the god of the universe who could have focused on anywhere else in this world but wants a relationship with us here down on earth? Who wants us to choose to be more like Him who wants to dwell within us?

You know during times of the Old Testament people were given laws. Did these laws save the people? By no means!

It was God who would do the saving, they depended and focused directly to Him!

God spoke to the people, had the Word for the people because knowing what God wants for us by reading His word has no way in our heart if they are just laws or “rules.” What God’s word and the Gospel is are from His principles.

God wants what is best for us. His plans for all and each of us is not meant to harm us but to give us a future.

People think they are doing good by forcing churches, bodies of God who gather to directly know, be honoring of, and be blessed by Him to tell them what is “right.”

That may be right to the ways of the “man’s” perspective but that is not good for earthly purposes on what is right. What people think is convenient to man is not beneficial ultimately to the adding to God’s Kingdom.

People can struggle with sin and problems but they must know that there is love by Jesus that forgives it. God forgives all! His blood by Jesus. It paid for everything this world may think is both good and bad.

I’m still not ready to give my testimony on a subject but we must trust in God’s way. His way by the pure holiness that gave us the bridge to heaven is the only way.

We must give our exalted honor to Him not by what man’s perspective perceives as “right.”

If you are giving glory to man you are living for the wrong reason. Let’s say the Greeks in ancient times did that (don’t let me get into that one…!). Did the ancient games add up to much ultimately and spiritually? Well there was a lot of bloodshed for sport and those deaths were pretty much in vain as far as I am concerned (murder was pretty much the game, make them die or die!).

How does one add to God’s kingdom? Do you believe in Jesus? Have you told others about Him without using the “I am just a Christian” attitude where you either judge everyone around you and not share His love or you make your statements the gold; being a true believer in Christ is not to boast of your thoughts or what you think the bible says versus what is does say.

A believer in Christ boasts in what Christ has does solely on what God has done in their life. Do you think sharing Jesus is a burden or do you take it as a wonderful chance to love in God and be love by telling ones what goodness it is to know Him?

Do you think that you can get better in your works or do you know the truth that Christ work on the cross is complete? His death on the cross gave us freedom from our punishment from what we deserved. We are free from the powers of hell and your friends around you can be to so please…

-Let’s give for His glory!

Stand Firm Now-10/14/14

Posted on by
Reply

These celebrations are crazy though I am learning of an alternative to Halloween. Hope people besides me learn more or start to about Harvest Day. It’s funny how our desire towards evil and sinful themes gets our interest during this time.

Where do you stand for Christ? Do you proclaim Him in front of witnesses? Do you share him in little nice little doses of goodness? Do you hear people making fun of ones of the faith and you want to ease off and hide in the corner?

Do you even witness of Jesus at all?

Whether you like to write, direct anything, be a doer (or want to be) of the Lord I hope that I will encourage you. We must all know that it is never wrong to share the faith of the one who loves us all dearly (even the so-called “enemies” and people around you) as even little tiny moments of witness will never go void.

Do you have known atheists in your life? Ask them gently why they feel that way while on a regular discussion and he starts to talk about evolution. Do you think a person is not telling the right truth? Tell your say but pray when you do so (you yourself may be wrong. That’s happened to me before and I didn’t talk to God for wisdom first).

Have you ever felt that you misrepresented God? Know that in all things God forgives you if you mean that you want it from Him to move on.

I do not know your heart.

But God does. And while He only wants us to be part of His life we must in mutual adoration and love serve Him in return. People need Jesus now more than ever because people are dying in fires, terrorist attacks, there is a threat to the USA by a group and people are afraid, they don’t know what they should do. And they have you for comfort.

Don’t you want to be there for them?

Paul spoke to his group in Ephesus from a jail. He was preaching the word and imprisoned for doing such an “offensive” act. He spoke to a people that were imperfect just like you or me or the many people on this earth yet to know God and He encouraged them for love.

The Love by Christ’s sacrifice as He was an example of the fullness of love itself.

Just as Christ died for Paul, he wanted to do whatever he could to tell his people the great truths from God, the Holy Spirit.

He told them to give up lying and speak to others truthfully. He said to not be angry and also to not sin.

Don’t go to bed angry. That is kinda what he’s sayin’ here. He says in NKJV verse 26 chapter 4 of Ephesians: “…do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Ever been angry and had nothing to do with it? I have. We should not do that. We must in love if people are persecuting you or teasing your faith we should tell them sometimes that they are being cruel. But a bad thing to do would be to throw a book at the person or something!

It says we should not let Satan get a foothold on our “wrath.”

I say find something to do if you get mad at somebody’s statements so you don’t get discouraged. Write, read God’s Word and meditate on it, do something! Pray that God would take out the anger that was in your heart because we have to tell others about the Lord and flipping out or cursing at someone is not showing an example of a person with Jesus alive in their heart.

Paul told them they must not steal. Man, what was this church in Ephesus doing, on a side note?

Sorry back on track. They encouraged people to steal no longer but instead work for his hands and keep doing something good so that they might need to give in certain situations their hard-earned money.

What were you like before you knew Christ? Do you still do things in your heart to that effect and need to bring some unresolved sin to God? Jesus died for it. Let’s not sink in quick-sand by destroying the people around us in ways that are not right and don’t let people know we have light in our hearts.

And we should be slow in anger not retaliate! If people are consistent with teasing or picking on you over your faith just talk to them back. I don’t know what you are going through but these are just thoughts (hey- it’s a blog! ;P).

We should as people who make up churches be building each other up as well. Be kind to one another, treat each other with love and not sin against or with each other.

And back on track again, if you have ever been doing anything that is heart-breaking to God in public do the opposite. You are a follower of Christ! You love Him don’t you? We should all be kind and fervent examples but humble and serve like the Son of God.

We should not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. At first I misunderstood this but “grieving” is by the Holy Spirit’s perspective. It should not be grieving from something you are doing which is habitual sin, deliberate actions that are hurting God because you were made for something better.

Another reason to be refreshed by Christ’s mercy and example!

Do you stand on gardening soil, stuff that would sink in if you merely put your feet onto it? Is that why you can’t stand because you are only firmly on your own ideals and ideas?

Or maybe you stand on gold ground. Stuff that was man-made into seeming pure ore and makes you feel tough. You’ve got this! And there is no dern way you cannot survive. You made it, you got here on your own… but guess what?

It seems secure but it ain’t pure gold. It’s man-made.

It’s only temporary security that won’t add up to much when you stand on it on your own.

So stand on firm ground for Christ Jesus. May we share, love, give, and sacrifice minutes or hours, or sometimes days for His glory.

And don’t stand later. Stand now. His power in changing your life from the everyday into the day by day growth in Him can do amazing things beyond your or any of our comprehension.

On Christ alone wonders will happen. Trust in Him today and be a cause for Christ.

Weakness in God’s Strength-10/11/14

Posted on by
Reply

I felt blessed today going to a Bible Study and a man from a far off land came to tell the Gospel. Praise God in all He is doing… I wanted to post something like THIS for a while but now I really am going to since he shared it as part of the message.

I have always felt I am not a very strong man. Not used to labor I kept assuming that I don’t have much strength. That is not the kind that I am talking about though.

Close to what I mean I realize that without God in our lives we can do nothing.

If you are really “Broken” before God you know that you cannot live without Him. We are weak without His help, His guidance, His conversation with us through the Bible.

With all of my heart and with God’s help I hope I can deeply encourage you today. The Holy Spirit has laid some things on my heart and I want to share this with you.

Where do I start? I know; I could focus on the verse one of my favorites from the bible and see if this helps draw you toward a wonderful path.

“Ephesians 4:29 ‘Let no unwholesome talk come from your mouths but only what is helpful in building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Do you want to live for God? Do you want to be in Him in all that you do? Are you there yet to that realization that people need the Lord in their lives just as much as you need Him?

If so, that is wonderful! People need Him so much and sometimes all people will need is just a person who will help them or show a good example to ones when there are others who are not like that.

Do you know what your calling is? A pastor, just a preacher, do you just want to share the gospel with others? Do you write, draw, or want to do crafts or et cetera for the Lord? If so listen up.

First off if you are into serving I hope you see or get the idea of the film “The Second Chance.” (I hope to review this sometime soon). Know that all it takes is real heart for God and He can use you in all things and for whatever your calling could or is going to be.

Just a quick suggestion (and hopefully more than a plug for a future article, haha).

But if you want to be a doer of the word know that humility must come with it. Being humble is like a king who bows to a higher one, a husband saying to his wife “I don’t know why you ended up loving someone undeserving like me,” a wife who tells loved ones in public her married one is her “better half.” And they all sincerely mean it!

We also must realize that we can nothing apart from God. But the best part of this is that in Christ you can do anything!

The Lord will guide you and the father watches over you as you do His will and who knows what can happen? All of this is wonderful and amazing and worth it.

What I can hone in on is that we are weak if we think we can do it on our own strength. There were times I said “God keeps me strong” but there was more pride to that statement that I was so-called quote unquote “fine.”

Could I share the Gospel effectively with that? Not really.

I praise God for doing so much for me that I didn’t deserve, my heart wasn’t always into going to church. My dad was consistent with making sure I definitely went to church whether I wanted to cry, didn’t want people to know how I was feeling, didn’t realize that through anything God still loved me… once, even went while covered in bugs and felt like they were eating me alive! (Seriously, they went into places they shouldn’t have!!).

Slight kidding aside my dad showed God’s patience by knowing that I needed to hear His word when I wasn’t listening to His ways, didn’t think God had enough mercy to care about me, and realized best of all, Jesus’ heart through it all. My father still loved me.

And whether you believe it or are struggling in heavy guilt and just don’t feel like even going to a bible study instead of a church because of that believe me… He still does.

The father has always loved you. When you didn’t even know what love was, He first loved you.

With His redeeming power He can transform you too. He can do amazing things if you trust in Him and by His will lead you on a way that is not meant to harm you but help you.

But sometimes Satan leads you into thinking you won’t be able to do enough or that God doesn’t really love anyone that much. Or maybe you think that one day… just one day… you will be used by God. Guess what, shed that last belief because He has strength for you today. He may not love the sin you sometimes do but He cares for you and knows the way for your journey to go.

God does. In His strength there is no power from evil, nothing from anywhere that will separate you from the love of Christ. Amen?

Listen to this story of the power of Christ’s transforming power:

This was a man that believed he was doing God’s will by killing people who believed in Christ. He went to prisons that were kept in harsh ways, rats, all kind of lack in upkeep. Then as he went down the road to Damascus when he encountered a light that shone around him.

 

A voice then said “Why are you persecuting me?”

In his state he this man Saul probably had nothing to say but he had fallen to the ground after hearing this.

 

Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” The one he called Lord in that moment said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

 

He was trembling and astonished. “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Then the Lord said to Him “Arise and go into the city and you will be told what you must do…”

 

The men who journeyed with him heard a voice but saw no one. Saul arose from the ground and when he opened his eyes and saw no one. But they led him by the hand into Damascus.

 

Three days he had no physical sight, and did not eat or drink.

 

Ananais was then called by the Lord in a vision to see a person, one called “Saul of Tarsus” for behold he is praying.

 

And in a vision sees a man, you, coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he will receive his sight.

 

Ananais seemed troubled about Saul because of the deaths he caused in Jerusalem and there in Damascus had authority from chief priests to tie up ones who call on Him.

 

But the Lord wanted Him to go because he was a chosen vessel of the Lord’s to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

 

So after all of that Ananais did a wonderful thing by following the Lord’s orders. When that happened ‘scales’ fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again! He arose and was baptized.

Do you know what he changed as? He became a fully devoted believer in the Lord. More than that because of his weakness as being known as ‘that Sanhedrin’ who was leading people to murder, he was changed. The people who belonged to God and followed Him faithfully kept him protected because he was a light for the Lord though there were many Jewish people who as a twist, wanted him dead!

But the Lord through His people did not let that happen… and much later he was known as “Paul,” a disciple long after Christ’s death and resurrection but as real to him as you or me of Christ today!

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus wanted Him to live even though he didn’t deserve God’s mercy? That is just like us (or me anyway…). We do not deserve His mercy though we may go to church, have fellowship with people who are devoted to God… the Lord loves us though he has to show us new mercies every day. We must ask God for forgiveness from things going on from our old life, or that we might think we can do things in our own power, well guess what? We can’t!

We just can’t do it.

Maybe you already show His strength in your weakness or you see other examples and you want to be like that. Do you know of a blind man who has passionately memorized scripture? Do you have a heart for God but because you can “do it” on your own you don’t know where to start? Do you think that you don’t know what God’s love is?

Well you can once you just ask Him. Maybe He can reveal wisdom if you want to love Him but we must “die” first, let the old man pass by, maybe tell others of His great love about things you have struggled with in the past… something for God!

Just do something. The supposedly little thing you can do in His will can become great for His Kingdom. You just might have to realize you are “weak” first and by that moment He will shine the way.

 

 

 

Something to Share-Part 2

Posted on by
Reply

Blog note: I have been excited about some new projects lately that are of the writing kind. Thanks to a place that delivers encouragement and criticism alike I feel that there has been some shape-up in the skill that is the art and love of writing. And I might give a sneak peek or the whole story and debut it on this blog for the first time.

We were in Ephesians right? The book where Paul was addressing a church or a body of believers about Christ and how to live the life for God. This book is one of my favorites (I like Paul also so that makes this great as well).

He states from a prison he was kept in for sharing his faith how the people he can’t see or communicate with visually how to live for Christ

He says that they (but we should see that “we” must as well) speak the truth in love, grow spiritually mature in all things into Him who is the head.

It is so encouraging that God’s Word has been encouraging me about growth during a time things have been a little hard. Sometimes situations turn out in terrible ways not because we are bad or are being punished by Him but because of spiritual attack or that God is just trying to make us aware we should live for others and care for them.

Do you belong or used to go to a church? Now no church is perfect if you ever had a negative experience but that is part of the wonder of it. We all are not perfect but the Lord still loves us. We are being put through a process called “glorification” but we will never be complete until we are with the Lord in Heaven. For that reason I feel so blessed and humbled. I have sin and troubles but the Lord loves me and as long as I keep following His ways I can be more like Him everyday.

And this growth by the Holy Spirit is where we can learn to be more loving and tell of His wonders everyday. So encouraging that we have God’s Word and His love always by our side and we can lean on each other and help each other in the purest of the way by Jesus Christ. If you struggle with something, the church is there. If you are hurting and need spiritual council about a tough matter, a leader is there. If you feel you have lost your way, Jesus is there!

Jesus’ love is there. If it is not accessible to you at a church know that by Christ in me I know that His love is there for you. I hope that you will experience His love because it is wonderful. And if you are hurting, guess what? God is the god of all comfort!

He wants us to have a relationship with Him so that we cannot fall into the traps that we get ourselves into and be lead astray.

If you don’t know Christ know that God does not want you to be alone in your sin. He is there and that if you are seeking Jesus you will find Him because it says so in God’s Word.

If you are struggling with habitual sin (getting into situations again and again and don’t feel like there is a way out or your guilt is binding you) know that His way is great. His forgiveness from sin is available always and like a mutual relationship we should be doing things for Him because He has done so much for us.

God has unending mercy. Think about that.

From the moment you were born and wanted nothing but to fend or treat yourself to when you were a child to now, you were loved by God. Before we even knew about God’s love He first loved us.

I definitely heard of God’s love a lot but I just didn’t want to listen. Sure I was going to church a lot (my dad brought me and my brother to church when we were babies!) but that didn’t save me.

Sitting in a pew does not save anyone. It does not cause Jesus’ blood to come and wash away sin.

But guess what Christ did pay for your sin and He died on the cross as payment for it. Wow. Did he really?

Could he really know me but had to die for me? Yes.

And what He did when He was punished and hurt, bruised for iniquities and bled for our terrible sin he was paying for our sin.

Without the shedding of blood there was no forgiveness.

And then He took the ultimate sacrifice and died. Then three days later, he rose again! God had authority over death and when He gave His son He was able to rescue us all from sin.

We must believe this. And you will see how much he cares for you. You must know this and in faith you will be saved.

Now with Paul’s people in Ephesus, they had a lot of people that made up the church. They had Jewish and non-Jewish people (and the “Gentiles” in the text mean non-believers but I will get to that).

They had to tell others about the Lord testify in Him, making up the whole “body” of Christ and do what they should in His name in their individual walks. They should no longer walk as the rest of them would. That meant they were having troubles with sin that they knew was not right or honorable (it says in the text that apparently they were committing theft, lying, and being probably unreasonably angry about certain things). But then in Paul’s words for God he was telling them not to be like the world but be not like the rest of the Gentiles that walk apart from Him.

Being without God is useless. It may seem good and there is supposed “freedom” but where does it lead? If a person lived and died extremely rich and not knowing God did it matter what they had versus where they would end up? It would not be good, would it?

It talks of the world as people who walk in the “futility” of their mind. We should not be walking conformed or like the world. The understanding of the world is a dark place, blindness of the heart where people choose not to get what they are doing or what they say about the life is wrong.

Be there to tell the goodness of Christ; like a light stand out in love and shine His truth to all the world.

This text in Ephesians tells how the people should live guided by the Holy Spirit:

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind…

That is a great chunk of verses! From 20 to 23 of the book in chapter 4 it says great truth.

Did you know if you follow Him simply He reveals knowledge to you? Yes, you can easily find it in His word and it is so encouraging the supernatural power of His will and love. I will guarantee following Him is, while sometimes trying and a little tough, both great and a wonderful journey.

In that phrase of verses he is saying that they have not learned Christ, if they have heard Him and was taught by Him as they needed to know a part that was important we should know.

He said put off the former self. The “old man,” the one you don’t want others to know about, the sin you want to shrug off with your own power but it keeps coming back again.

Yes I am talking about that one! We must in order to live for him grow in His way fully in His Spirit because living with sinful influence can be bad (and will not lead to good things).

 

I have said once that living with sin on your heart can be like a flower that is growing out of a pot of soil with a stone on top of it. Will it grow right? Will it reach its height and full potential? Will it be able to grow at all…?

 

That is why we must depend on God to search our hearts and minds and make it surrendered fully to Him.

It is sad to think how prevalent sin can be once we let it come our way at times. Sometimes we invite it, want to encourage it, or provide no way to let God guard our hearts against it. I am talking about sin that we commit purposely. The “bad” stuff.

We must be refreshed in our hearts to Christ by giving up our sins, admitting them to Him and then confessing by wanting to not come back to it again.

That takes sacrifice, that takes Godly strength that can come if we ask Him for it.

The “old man” in your life may or will come back time and time again but that is where mercy comes in again. God has endless mercy on us. What does that show with how much mercy we should have on others?

We should be renewed in the spirit of the mind by His life and put on a new one that is because of His mercy and love He has shown to us. We must let go of the old self and sing a new song!

Such wonderment of the endless mercies of the God of our lives! Be all glory to Him in yours, may you shine in His countenance, your face be shining in His love. Amen.

(Wow, I might do a third part or just a new article altogether. Such wonders to explore in His Word!)

Something to Share

Posted on by
Reply

Hello. I hope to talk to you more about something great that I hope is happening or hopefully will happen in your life. God’s grace, love and mercy. May His glory shine all over!

Just wanted to share part of a devotion with you. This is from a book by apostle Paul. He was writing to a group of believers that were called Ephesians. That was people from Ephesus.

In Chapter 4 it says:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.

The word beseech means “ask urgently” which is telling the reader that what he is saying is of great importance! I will continue:

With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing one another in love, …

He was speaking to a group of people that make up a church. As a church or a people who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we must share each others’ burdens and in effect lift each other up in the Lord. Though there is pause it continues starting with verse three:

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

As our nature we always seem to not get along or maybe have differing beliefs. But if we believe in the same wonderful, holy God, set apart from us but loves and wants to be with us and part of us why should we? God loves us and we should not let Satan separate us not from fellowship, from sharing His Word to each other, from your immediate family, from doing what God has made you for (I am getting a little ahead from the lesson. Sorry. :))

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling’s one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

If you have become a believer in the wonderful Jesus Christ then you are baptized in the Holy spirit just like your brethren, your brothers and your sister. Amen? (I can’t hear you from your heart so I will say “Amen.” Thank you brother/sister). Here is now verse  six:

one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all,

What encouragement to the “church” of Ephesus! And it relates to us as well. He is above all in authority we should look to Him, obey Him (that word always brought me back and refreshed me during times I wasn’t), devote time to Him, and want to know Him more (our choosing though). He is “through” us all so if you know Him He can live and do amazing things through you! He is in you all.

But to each of us grace was given (forgiveness and what we did and do not deserve) according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Grace. Grace. God’s grace! Such wonderful grace that we did not deserve when Jesus died on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice to end all sacrifices that only before served people to believe in Him. God is amazing. His mercies are new every morning. Has he done amazing things for you? Did you deserve His grace? Well let others know that He loves them so much because His love is amazing, He loved us before we got to realize we needed to love Him and by the grace of Jesus we can all know the wonders of the life of Christ. The beauty of His love and the ways of showing His love to others are endless. We don’t know who will find out wants the Lord or is prepared by God by the Holy Spirit but we know we must share it. Tell it from the rooftops the heights, depths, and amazing grace of His love!

I will skip to part of 8. It says “He says:”

When He ascended on high He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.

Verse 11 &12:

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ.

Verse 13:

till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

The next verse says the church should no longer be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.

Wow the church really had some spiritual attacks, didn’t it during the biblical times? They must have had false prophets and other people just trying to deceive others. We still have them now. We must keep Christ in our lives, choose to be bound to His ways, live by His strength (even if we fall spiritually His amazing mercy keeps us going! Another reason we should tell of His love! People can learn His wonders of mercy and the reality of because of His blood He can free us all from the debt of sin, spiritual death!) we must love always, remember His joy and that it gives us strength.

Though we have false teachers, schools that want God explicitly taken out of schools (not just in America but now in other countries that never even had the issue arise before), lovers of adultery, fornication, false doctrine, people that want to mislead others from the truth, there is the love of God! We need to tell the world people because now there is heavy attacks from another side that is causing people to be murdered as well. Must we shine God’s light? If we didn’t before, is it now too late? It is not too late. God will bless us no matter and as long as we don’t stray from His word when we share His ministry which is SO important to others we can lead ones to Christ and tell others about the wonderful faith of Jesus.

The truth of Jesus is important. His word is complete! Must we be built up in His word and use knowledge and wisdom, apply what we know to what we do, be not just listeners of His word but doers too?

Must we be called to be like apostles, evangelists, and some be built up to be pastors and teachers for Him not because we want to make it up to God because we are guilty or that we are working our way to heaven, but that the truth is simply He first loved us? That we will do things for Him out of our gratefulness in all and all He has done and will do?

God, I pray so. Be to your wondrous glory in all we do. God, praise you and everything that you will do this day, this week, and onward, Amen.

(Bible citations all taken from NKJV)

The Best For You

Posted on by
Reply

I had to have a serious talk with someone today. I know that even Christians feel discouraged and they just want to have a real chat with people sometimes.

 

Did you know that it is good if God’s Word affects you whatever way it does? Sometimes it makes us realize our life is not honoring the One who loves us or encourages us to make decisions for Him. We have got to know that it is good to not be “comfortable” in this world.

If you know Christ and you know all He has done for you, you have to make your life and decide things to live for Him (sorry I am trying to think of a Chronicle of Narnia movie where Lucy said it was time for them to “prove themselves to Him” meaning Aslan. It is a fairly good example. Aslan is symbolic of Jesus).

Some people think to follow Jesus or to accept Him they may have a gigantic commitment as a result. They might think they right away have a burden or that they have to lose everything they like to follow Him.

Some might be saying “What? I can’t have fun?” You can always find happiness in things like friends and making relationships. But to really live you must realize the joy that Christ has given you and know that all He wants is for you to live for Him in His good ways.

There are many who disagree with the Gospel of Christ (I don’t want to give examples). And there are many who think “God shouldn’t care about whether I ______ or not!” We have got to know that we are in a world of sin. This is a world that has turned itself upside down. Whether we think what people do is wrong or not we should at least acknowledge that some acts are at least at some degree “wrong.”

There are struggles that we can experience every day. To give up doing sins and asking for forgiveness after confessing (admitting to God) sins is good. We can do that and know that God’s mercy is available always during those moments.

But in this world people will even say to talk about certain things within the church is wrong (the “hate” law is practiced in huge states like New York where they will not allow churches who were once free to talk about the Gospel to not talk at all about certain lifestyles. So much for the freedom of religion). What people in this world must realize that God wants the best for us.

God cares for us. God cares for all people. He only says in His word some things that some may think is surprising (I can’t think of a good word) is because His word will set us on a path we can only get on through His Son Jesus Christ.

It is good to follow the path of the straight and narrow which is walking with Jesus.

Sometimes to be stuck in sin you may feel that you do not want to come to the light or goodness that is God. You may think that “if I keep doing what I like to do than I am comfortable in not thinking of the truth.” God’s Word whether it hits us hard or makes us feel comforted is truth. God is the God of all Comfort and He is just in what He wants for us.

People in this world think that “God should not care about things in this life” that Christians think is “wrong” or against His Word which is the bible. Well if that is true then Jesus came into this world to do nothing. We all have sin! Whether you think what people say about the sin it is sin. People who live in relationships that are not appropriate (I am saying any kinds of sexuality. Including heterosexual) should at least know that there is more to this life than that. There is the love of God who wants us to just follow Him and seek His ways.

Okay. I lived in that type of world! The world is not a great place to be. I know that God would not want people to get into acts and things that could break His heart. There is no way that I can find a future in that and I want Jesus to guide the way in my life. God wants us to treat our bodies like temples to not hurt it in any physical way and to be ones who can have the One in our hearts. I have experienced a miracle in my life that only God can explain!

I seek the Lord Jesus to find a future to my life. Maybe even have a wife one day! I know that through Him there are amazing mysteries that Christ can reveal to people things that are impossible apart from Him that can let people know He is there for them.

 

He gives wisdom through His word when people need it (try it! It really happens). God gives grace and things that are good because He wants you to want to know Him more. He wants there to be a relationship with Him. One where you are free to tell Him all of your pains, take your burdens, and just love you and help you through things of life.

He wants the Best for You (for He knows the ways that He thinks toward your life. He has thoughts of peace and does not have plans of evil to give you a future and a hope). He loves you… Just because you feel that God is not true does not mean His love is not really there.

His love is there. You just have to believe it!

 

–(What Jesus did on the cross was not in vain. Jesus died and had all sin on Him laid so that we would not go to hell. He died and rose again because He has conquered death so that you may live forever in Heaven with Him!).–

 

If Jesus came into a world that did not have sin than He had no reason to do what had been planned.

 

Lover of Your Soul

Posted on by
Reply

((I am SO sorry I have been neglecting this blog lately. Some of the reasons are that I have been thinking of making a different SEPARATE blog that details stuff I have decided not to put for here on this one and also I have been insecure and thinking I won’t be able to post good stuff. I am sorry again))

Have you ever thought of God’s love for you? I know that this post is being written in time for Valentine’s Day (yeah, but I am not that sappy!) but have you ever thought of how vast and wide God’s love is for you?

If you measured its vastness to how much the Lord loves the world (the people in it I mean by “world”) could you be able to measure it?

One of my favorite hymns is called “The Love of God.” Strangely, the song doesn’t use much scripture in it (in fact the third part, my favorite verse, contains absolutely no quotes from God’s Word at all!) but what the hymn is though is a great image of what God’s love is which is for all of us in this world whether we love Him or want to ignore and reject Him. In the verse it reflects how enormous God’s love is. Can it be measured? Let’s read and find out:

Could we with ink the ocean fill /And were the skies of parchment made /Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill / And ev’ry man a scribe by trade / To write the love of God above /Would drain the ocean dry /Nor could the scroll contain the whole /Tho stretched from sky to sky.

That I feel is such a great way to explain the love of God. It says in God’s word “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3). God’s grace has no exceptions! There is no “Anyone here on earth can be saved, except….” because Jesus died for anyone and all of us in this world. When we all sinned we broke the perfect fellowship we had with our father. Because of the fall of man we fell further and further away from God’s love because we only would seek our own selfishness and pleasure. That was what caused God to wonder if He could ever deem us worthy to be His creation anymore. By that I mean that we were so sinful He wondered if He should wipe us all out in death so that we would never be on this earth again!

But after what God had done that was the Great Flood He still spared a few of us. He still wanted us to know Him again and He even had a small handful of people that He told to spread forth and multiply. But us as fallen humans what happened after that? The small some who were spared wanted to glorify themselves and live only in one place. The ones decided to show off how great they were by building a gigantic tower (the Tower of Babel) and show the world how great the ones are as a people. So God punished sin again and divided our speech, creating multiple languages. (Genesis Chapters 7-11).

Now I know there were a LOT more details to those sections of scripture but think about them for a moment to reflect of God’s love and mercy. To see how many chances God gave His people that He created is such a wonderful way to see His grace. We do not deserve at all what He gives us because God chooses to keep loving us and giving us time to know and get to know Him.

Jesus loves us!

I know that is a simple sentence but we have got to remember the one savior that is Jesus and the choice He made so that we may live. In that history God finally sent His son into the world so that He would be crucified as the sacrifice for our sins. That means that He took our place and died on the cross that was our punishment so that He would take it and die so we would not go to hell. Jesus died and rose again because He wanted us all to know Him.

Jesus knew the father wanted Him to die on the cross and He did so willingly. God the father loves our soul. He wants us to one day be with Him because He loves us so much.

Do you realize how much Jesus loves you? Do you realize the impact of how much His father gave by sending His son who was also God to die on the cross?

He did it because He loves you so much.

This final thing I want to tell you touched my heart when I realized I could tell people this and felt it was (another) way to tell people the huge vastness of God’s love.

Probably many know this verse. John 3:16. It is such a popular verse it is sometimes satirized and people may say it to the point they have lost the meaning of the words.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Jesus the son of God died so that you would live. God loved you in the world so much that He gave His ONLY son that you would not die and go to a place called hell but have eternal life.

Now look at this. What is your name? Take the words “the world” and replace it with your name. Repeat the verse with the two words with your name in it. Now see God’s love for you.

Hope you have a great week and meditate on God’s love this week and onwards.

The Bright Morning Star

Posted on by
Reply

(I wish I had a beautiful picture to put as the front for this article. I can just imagine the morning sun as it rises and gives life to the sky. Oh well . . .).

There is a popular song by a group called Linkin Park about the sun. It seems to be about the world but what I want to draw attention to is the lyric “The sun it sets for you.”

Now thinking about how the sun gives us life and helps things grow and is needed every moment of our lives (it even makes the moon glow!) is the sun “setting” a good image concerning God’s love for us?

I think ironically it is a good image of the world’s selfishness and what the world thinks is right. I feel it is symbolic of what the world thinks is good while the one we may know of rings true in light.

As a matter of fact, the sun rising is something that has always moved me. There is something so beautiful about being up in the morning and seeing the day “waking up” for the first time.

As Jesus comes closer, we must realize that the He, son of God is the bright and morning star. . .

In church I and the congregation have been exploring the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ (that is what my bible calls the book of “Revelations.”). We have been going over verses in chapter 19 and the things we learned struck a chord with me.

In this book John has future events revealed to Him through God. He is given the task of telling people the things to come like God’s wrath and the end of days including the great tribulation.

It says in Revelation Chapter 19, verse 11-13:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him WAS called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes WERE like a flame of fire, and on His head WERE many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

This section of verses is very intriguing. I liked how the pastor made a point about the last section (verse 13) and said the blood in this verse is NOT talking about redemptive blood. It is not in this case about the blood that Christ gave to forgive our sins, rather it is for God’s wrath. It is basically the opposite, in a way.

Jesus has always been the ruler of authority. This though is the case where He will come back to earth and rule earth for a long time. His power and majesty demonstrate His authority (it said in one of my pastor’s notes).

Jesus is right to judge this world. By this time it will be that Jesus will have sovereign judgment on a wicked world.

Now. . . one reason I felt to post these things on here is that I have seen God’s moving in my life. I kind of fear that the reason there is so much out pouring of God in my life with things He has shown me through His Word and by the Holy Spirit is because these really are the last days. I only fear this because there are so many people I want to share Jesus with and I hope they will know Him before this time comes.

If these are the final days (or minutes if He comes before I do anything after this post) I hope you, reader, come to know Him.

I hope that God will rule your life and that He will shine upon your face. It says in part of Revelation 22:16 that Jesus calls Himself the “Bright and Morning Star.”

May you, if you do not know of Him the knowledge of God, hear the word of God. I hope that you will not know too late of what Jesus has done for you.

Did you know that you have sin? I know that we all do. Even if you do not know that you sin I hope you realize what sin is and that you do have it. It says in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Sin is the things that we do, say, or think that do not please God. Thinking of examples of each action will make it clear for you.

Do you curse or have you ever cursed? Do you ever have thoughts about other people that you are ashamed of? They are examples of sin.

Well sin keeps us from being with God in Heaven and He does not like that we are separated from Him. That means that we are bound to go to hell if we do not know a crucial fact.

Well God, because He loved us and wants us to know Him, sent His Son Jesus who was the perfect sacrifice. He was perfect and that was why He died and bled on the cross so that we would have our sins forgiven. He took the punishment we deserved and died so that we would not have to go to hell. He died and rose again. That means that Jesus lives! He lives and He wants us to know Him so that we would trust in Him and be with His Father one day.

Now if you never did that you should turn your heart to Jesus. You must know that this world can never save you; only Jesus can and that if you confess to God you are a sinner, you believe what Jesus did on the cross, and if you choose to trust in His son Jesus Christ you might become saved. If you meant it with all your heart then you will be saved and the angels are celebrating in Heaven! Welcome to the Godly flock, brother or sister!

Know that this world is not good to depend on or live by its ways but that Christ wants you to live the righteous way. He wants us to live the only good way to live because He is love and He gave us life. Like the sun is to the trees we must nourish the Son’s ways like they are life itself.

We must know what is good because if we don’t . . . the world quickly tries to let us believe it itself is good.

Live like God and shine His light today!

 

Give more to God. You cannot “outgive” Him.

Posted on by
Reply

I have been seeing things in my life lately that I think are evidence of spiritual growth. I am amazed at what God has been doing in my life and it amazes me to know that He is doing this (and I don’t deserve it)!

But one thing has made me challenge my faith in God lately. . . and that is if I give enough of my life to Him.

I have been feeling like I have been unfair to God that when I go out and serve God in this special teaching thing with children (that is NOW over!) before I leave I read His Word. I have made it that it is the only chance that I read the Bible.  I noticed that during the other days of the week I would find it seemingly impossible to read His word or just merely have time set aside to do it!

But there is a twist to that! I CAN afford to make the time. . . it is just that I made myself believe that television shows and other activities get in the way.

I realized that and prayed to the Lord about it. I said that I know that the amount of time I do spend with Him He does appreciate. . . but I feel I haven’t appreciated Him to bring more of Him into my life.

I need to give God more time by reading His Word and praying more. Plus I need to have Him use me more. . . because these chances I got to serve Him were not going to last forever!

I still need to while I had that “territory” to proclaim the word of God to head to my own territory. . . to my own house, to my neighbors, and to others and shine God’s light to show them that He loves them so.

One saying that a church member said about serving God has stuck with me for a few years. She made a point about telling people about the Bible and said how much God uses it. She said how we are free to share as much as we want.

And she said: You can’t “outgive” God.

What did she mean about this?

That God’s faithfulness and love is available today and always! That He loves us so much and that He wants us who know Him to let other people know that.

It says in God’s Word: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Does that mean some of the world? Does that mean only church members? Yes right!!—–

Well maybe you have been unintentionally feeling that way but that is not true! We live in a world (especially us in America) that when things go well and it is up to us to tell people the Gospel we may think our way out of it. Or we think, “People will think I am silly if I tell them about Jesus.”

Well guess what? If we do not speak about the One to the world it is like we are in the world.

I think we should be thought of as “silly” in a way. Hey. Normal is not a good thing. 😛

But if we get rejected by the world and persecuted maybe it could bring people to see that “light” in your heart because you are not like everyone else. Maybe someone could see you as an example for someone who follows God.

Be an example tonight. Give out for God. Let Him know how much you appreciate Him. Tell your children a bible story before they go to bed. Pray to God and ask Him to be glorified in your life. Love the Lord!

And maybe God will one day thank you that you gave so much for Him. . .

 

Feelings that forsake us from the truth

Posted on by
Reply

We all know what feelings are whether we can explain what they are or not. I cannot think of a direct definition of what feelings are. . . besides they are things that we all get that make us think a certain way.

Sometimes we use them in strange ways. We can see a scary movie and wait for those feelings to see if we can get frightened. We can find a way in this world to date and see if we can find a future man/woman that would be our spouse (or just a boyfriend/girlfriend to “be with” if you do it that way. . .). We can use feelings when we stay up late at night on the internet. . .

But how should we deal with feelings? Can they be acted on always? Does something happen if they lead to sin that makes certain feelings bad?

How can we know what is right and what is wrong? I feel that we already have in our minds what is right and wrong. . . but yet we will make mistakes anyway.

I can think of times where I dwelt on a feeling of sin. . . I made it stay on my mind on purpose. . . and then that sin lead to acting on it in a way I knew was against God. Was that worth it? No.

Is giving in to all feelings worth it? We need to know that what we do in this world will echo through eternity. . . if we have lived on this earth for years (I have been here for 24 years. . .) we must know by now that to keep “giving in” is not worth it. But what can we do if we do not intentionally sin?

I think we build a strength if we know our strength comes from God. If you know Him He is our stronghold. . . we will always know His ways are perfect. When we falter. . . He is there to “pick us up” and through mercy leads us to live for righteousness.

His mercy is always there. This lesson scared me as a kid. I will admit it. . . I was not a “good” child though I grew up in church. When I came to a certain church a teacher said that if we know He gives mercy and forgives our sin, is that right to keep doing it on purpose again and again? What does that prove toward our love for God?

Do we love God if we want to honor Him and be like Jesus if we keep sinning on purpose in a habitual way?

What does that prove towards our love to God? How about as a representative of Jesus Christ?

We need to realize that when we give to God by surrendering to His ways it should change us. In some ways, living for Him can change us in a huge dramatic way.

I could give an example but that could come in a later article. I am not comfortable to give my testimony yet on that.

To truly live in Christ is to make choices that honor Him. Yes God gives us salvation and He shows us mercy but to give into your “old life” or to keep getting into deep habits that make God sad. . . should we keep doing them?

My pastor has said that will mess with our testimony to the ones around us. . . though they may not know our sin. . . we could still cause a problem being an effective servant of Him.

There is still a spiritual cleanse that is useful in serving Him. We must love Him but also keep our hearts pure from the world’s ways. . . (You guys know what I am talking about. I will be broad on whatever your mind may be thinking about now).

We do not always falter with sexual sin. But we must stay pure so that ones we want to reach or hope that Jesus can save will be His victory and He can use us in effective ways in leadership.

It is so much fun to do something for God! I hope each person who knows Him that is reading this will find that out!

And if you do not know but are interested feel free to leave a comment or better yet an email.

If we give into “feelings” that can mostly be our old habits we forsake the truth that we are shown. God tells us what is right. . . and if we keep going against Him there is a less chance to lead others toward ways you know honor Him.

We must pray that Jesus will be seen by others who just see our character. . . we have to not just let them “see” us for how we want them to see us but to live that way as well.

Do not merely listen to God’s Word but do what God says through His Word.

When we do nothing but sin and then try to tell others it may be like talking through a thin wall. . . there is no way of getting to others.

We must not forsake God’s purpose in us and live for His ways. . . His truth tells us a different story than what we may in the moment “feel is right.”

If you have a girlfriend do you honor God? Do you keep yourselves in situations where you do not have a huge amount of “alone” time (if you know what I mean. . .)?

Try to change situations and make them honorable to Him. Try it today if you haven’t been doing that lately.

God wants what is best for us. . . it is time to give our best to God.