Ezekiel 14:6 (KJV) – Thus saith the Lord God; REPENT, and turn yourselves from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
The word of the Lord had come unto Ezekiel to speak to the elders of Israel in this passage of scripture, but just think about how relevant this word is to each of us today. How many idols have you set up in your heart? Things you might have never considered as idols, yet upon careful examination could not be denied.
Many people have a false notion that an idol is just a statue that some worship, but in reality an idol is anything that you love or care about more than God. It can be a job, a spouse, your children, a hobby, etc. An idol can also be a false image God, yes like statues, but also false beliefs such as believing in a God that accepts your sin and would never judge you for it in order to indulge in your sinful vices. This is very prevalent in society today. I believe one of the reasons people have so many false ideas about God is because they do not immerse themselves in the word of God. They will go to a church service once a week, learn some Christian clichés and traditions of men and adopt them as the word of God. We must be like the Bereans in acts 17:11, who receive the word with all readiness of mind, but also search the scriptures daily to see if those things are so.
Exodus 20:3-5 is a command written directly by the finger of God, You are not to have any idols in your life. The truth is that we need to examine our lives against the word of God… Have you any idols in your heart? Repent and turn yourselves from your idols. Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.
Revelation 21:8 (KJV)- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The truth is God will judge sin… So turn from all your idols today!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Spurgeon's morning & evening- morning 12/18
"Rend your heart, and not your garments."
— Joel 2:13
Garment-rendering and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations--for such things are pleasing to the flesh--but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self- righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.
HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.
The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour's voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.
— Joel 2:13
Garment-rendering and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is far more difficult, and consequently far less common. Men will attend to the most multiplied and minute ceremonial regulations--for such things are pleasing to the flesh--but true religion is too humbling, too heart-searching, too thorough for the tastes of the carnal men; they prefer something more ostentatious, flimsy, and worldly. Outward observances are temporarily comfortable; eye and ear are pleased; self-conceit is fed, and self- righteousness is puffed up: but they are ultimately delusive, for in the article of death, and at the day of judgment, the soul needs something more substantial than ceremonies and rituals to lean upon. Apart from vital godliness all religion is utterly vain; offered without a sincere heart, every form of worship is a solemn sham and an impudent mockery of the majesty of heaven.
HEART-RENDING is divinely wrought and solemnly felt. It is a secret grief which is personally experienced, not in mere form, but as a deep, soul-moving work of the Holy Spirit upon the inmost heart of each believer. It is not a matter to be merely talked of and believed in, but keenly and sensitively felt in every living child of the living God. It is powerfully humiliating, and completely sin-purging; but then it is sweetly preparative for those gracious consolations which proud unhumbled spirits are unable to receive; and it is distinctly discriminating, for it belongs to the elect of God, and to them alone.
The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour's voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Let's Be witnesses
The mission of the church is, in reality, a continuation of Christ's earthly ministry…
John 14:12- Jesus states, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Jesus’ purpose for coming to the earth was for the redeeming of men's souls. As we see in Matt. 18:11 where Jesus states, "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost" and again in Luke 19:10, where he says, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
What we all need to realize is that as Christians, we are all called to share the gospel. Whether we think we have the gift of evangelism or not.
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fisher’s of men”. The truth is that if you are not fishing, you are not following. Some people don’t want to fish because they don’t want to get their hands dirty, they think, “If I catch this fish then I have to clean it.” But it is Jesus who cleans the fish, not man.
Acts 1:8 declares,
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Your Jerusalem can be considered as those people who are closest to you, your Judea and Samaria are those people who are near, but different from you, and to the ends of the earth should be taken literally, that means everyone! No exceptions, no preferences, no picking and choosing who you feel like witnessing to.
I tell you… It will be a fearful thing to stand before a Just and Holy God on the Day of Judgment and have to give an account for those times that you knew God was telling you to witness to someone and yet you willfully disobeyed and did not.
A lot of times we use the bible verse that says “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16), and we think that are deeds can be a witness all by themselves, Yes our deeds are a great witness, but a lot of times people see our deeds and give us glory instead of God. We need to not only witness with our deeds, but also with our speech. In the same way our gospel should not only come in words, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost. (1 thess 1:5). You see, the scripture says when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then you will be His witnesses. It is very difficult to be God's witness apart from the power of the Holy Spirit and when we do these deeds of love and mercy, we need to tell people where the power comes from. So deeds without words are kind of a half a witness, I believe God wants both."
We can share the gospel anywhere we go, we are not limited, we have freedom of speech here! There is a Christian optometrist, who is pretty wise. He uses Biblical verses as his eye chart. He will sit the patient down, covers one eye and says, "Now read that." The patient begins to read.. "There is none righteous, no not one”. Then he says, "Now read that second line." "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Line three “The wages of sin is death”. Now, there is a guy who is thinking. He is using his work to be a witness. We should all be that bold!
So, there are four possible responses to this call to be Christ's witnesses everywhere. We can say like Moses, who me? We can say like Jonah, not me. We can say like Jeremiah, why me? Or we can say like Isaiah, send me. Send me Lord. Let those who know, tell those who don't.
John 14:12- Jesus states, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Jesus’ purpose for coming to the earth was for the redeeming of men's souls. As we see in Matt. 18:11 where Jesus states, "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost" and again in Luke 19:10, where he says, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
What we all need to realize is that as Christians, we are all called to share the gospel. Whether we think we have the gift of evangelism or not.
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fisher’s of men”. The truth is that if you are not fishing, you are not following. Some people don’t want to fish because they don’t want to get their hands dirty, they think, “If I catch this fish then I have to clean it.” But it is Jesus who cleans the fish, not man.
Acts 1:8 declares,
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Your Jerusalem can be considered as those people who are closest to you, your Judea and Samaria are those people who are near, but different from you, and to the ends of the earth should be taken literally, that means everyone! No exceptions, no preferences, no picking and choosing who you feel like witnessing to.
I tell you… It will be a fearful thing to stand before a Just and Holy God on the Day of Judgment and have to give an account for those times that you knew God was telling you to witness to someone and yet you willfully disobeyed and did not.
A lot of times we use the bible verse that says “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16), and we think that are deeds can be a witness all by themselves, Yes our deeds are a great witness, but a lot of times people see our deeds and give us glory instead of God. We need to not only witness with our deeds, but also with our speech. In the same way our gospel should not only come in words, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost. (1 thess 1:5). You see, the scripture says when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then you will be His witnesses. It is very difficult to be God's witness apart from the power of the Holy Spirit and when we do these deeds of love and mercy, we need to tell people where the power comes from. So deeds without words are kind of a half a witness, I believe God wants both."
We can share the gospel anywhere we go, we are not limited, we have freedom of speech here! There is a Christian optometrist, who is pretty wise. He uses Biblical verses as his eye chart. He will sit the patient down, covers one eye and says, "Now read that." The patient begins to read.. "There is none righteous, no not one”. Then he says, "Now read that second line." "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Line three “The wages of sin is death”. Now, there is a guy who is thinking. He is using his work to be a witness. We should all be that bold!
So, there are four possible responses to this call to be Christ's witnesses everywhere. We can say like Moses, who me? We can say like Jonah, not me. We can say like Jeremiah, why me? Or we can say like Isaiah, send me. Send me Lord. Let those who know, tell those who don't.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Spurgeons morning & evening 11/10
"The eternal God is thy refuge."
— Deuteronomy 33:27
The word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding- place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the "secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," the secrets of them that fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord. Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labour. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task; and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labour in His cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father's heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons; we would fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!
— Deuteronomy 33:27
The word refuge may be translated "mansion," or "abiding- place," which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for dear to our hearts is our home, although it be the humblest cottage, or the scantiest garret; and dearer far is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being. It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we "fear no evil." He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the "secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him," the secrets of them that fear Him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord. Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labour. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task; and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love to Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labour in His cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father's heart to make glad by bringing home His wandering sons; we would fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Evangelizing the Nations @ Times Sq
On Friday, October 24, 2008. We will be meeting at 44thSt & Broadway for a night of Evangelism. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few so if you would be able to join us this night please call me or email me. We will meet at 8pm. Come join us to fulfill the great commission and preach the gospel to every creature. Love you all!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Walk For Breast Cancer
One of my friends will be walking next month in the breast cancer walk to help provide access to care for those that most need it, fund educational programs, and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures, check out her web page for information about the cause or to donate for the cause.
Copy & Paste
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/NewYork?px=4232630&pg=personal&fr_id=1660&et=LuAGrlHIPWUhYwEDI51x6g..&s_tafId=283182
God Bless!
Copy & Paste
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/NewYork?px=4232630&pg=personal&fr_id=1660&et=LuAGrlHIPWUhYwEDI51x6g..&s_tafId=283182
God Bless!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Liberal Christians
There are some people who profess to be "Liberal Christians". These Christians pray,
they read the word, they testify of God's goodness, but when it comes to certain
"sins" they feel no conviction, they see nothing wrong. When it comes down to truly
being doers of the word they find many excuses.
James 1:22- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves
James 2:17- Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone
Titus 1:16- They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him,
being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
These "Liberal Christians" take part in and participate in things of the world. They
feel no conviction and use the liberty which comes from Christ for an occasion to
sin.
1 John 2:15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Galations 5:13- For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
How can a true believer in Jesus Christ be so liberal as to allow sin to rule? The
Lord has delivered us from the power of sin and death and we must walk in that
victory! Do not allow yourself to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Galations 5:1)
Our Lord Jesus Christ was not liberal...
Matthew 5:28-30 (King James Version)
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 21:12-13 (King James Version)
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the
seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;
but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 10:21 (King James Version)
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:
go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus said "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
and follow me". -Matthew 16:24
Jesus commands us to follow him and that means that certain things are off limits,
certain entertainements, certain liberties that may have been ok before your
relationship with the Lord now have to be forsaken.
What happens with "liberal Christians" is that they want to bring in all those
things...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life into
their new lives. They use the excuse that God has given them liberty to try to
justify their acts. They profess a watered down, tweaked gospel that seems right
unto men but in the end thereof are the ways of death. They speak with their lips
good things, but their hearts are far from God.
Many 'liberal Christians' are sincerely deceived, but others know they are wrong
and chose to walk in the flesh rather than the spirit. They are lukewarm awaiting the
moment when the Lord will spew them out of His mouth.
All of us who profess to be Christians need to walk in the spirit so that we will not
fulfill the lust of the flesh. I exhort all to read Galations 5 and examine yourself
againest the word of God. Are you bearing good fruit?
This week I have been examining myself and God is always faithful in showing me where
I need Him to change and shape me. Regardless of the "Liberal Christians" around me
I am determined to remain "Narrow Minded" and on that narrow way. With the Grace of
God I will not only profess to know Him,but with my deeds and with my life I will
chose to Honor Him.
they read the word, they testify of God's goodness, but when it comes to certain
"sins" they feel no conviction, they see nothing wrong. When it comes down to truly
being doers of the word they find many excuses.
James 1:22- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves
James 2:17- Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone
Titus 1:16- They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him,
being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
These "Liberal Christians" take part in and participate in things of the world. They
feel no conviction and use the liberty which comes from Christ for an occasion to
sin.
1 John 2:15- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Galations 5:13- For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
How can a true believer in Jesus Christ be so liberal as to allow sin to rule? The
Lord has delivered us from the power of sin and death and we must walk in that
victory! Do not allow yourself to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Galations 5:1)
Our Lord Jesus Christ was not liberal...
Matthew 5:28-30 (King James Version)
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it
is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 21:12-13 (King James Version)
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and
bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the
seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;
but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 10:21 (King James Version)
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest:
go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus said "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
and follow me". -Matthew 16:24
Jesus commands us to follow him and that means that certain things are off limits,
certain entertainements, certain liberties that may have been ok before your
relationship with the Lord now have to be forsaken.
What happens with "liberal Christians" is that they want to bring in all those
things...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life into
their new lives. They use the excuse that God has given them liberty to try to
justify their acts. They profess a watered down, tweaked gospel that seems right
unto men but in the end thereof are the ways of death. They speak with their lips
good things, but their hearts are far from God.
Many 'liberal Christians' are sincerely deceived, but others know they are wrong
and chose to walk in the flesh rather than the spirit. They are lukewarm awaiting the
moment when the Lord will spew them out of His mouth.
All of us who profess to be Christians need to walk in the spirit so that we will not
fulfill the lust of the flesh. I exhort all to read Galations 5 and examine yourself
againest the word of God. Are you bearing good fruit?
This week I have been examining myself and God is always faithful in showing me where
I need Him to change and shape me. Regardless of the "Liberal Christians" around me
I am determined to remain "Narrow Minded" and on that narrow way. With the Grace of
God I will not only profess to know Him,but with my deeds and with my life I will
chose to Honor Him.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Willful Disobedience
Disobedience will lead to God’s Chastisement and repentance should always lead to change, but what happens when you continue to disobey? When you become a recurrent sinner? When the fear of God seems to lessen because the love of sin seems to grow. When God’s chastisement makes you bitter instead of bringing you to godly sorrow which brings repentance. What if you become immune to the conviction toward that sin? What if it seems like it’s not really sin at all? What to do then???
There is only one thing one you can do…and that is to cry out to the Lord for mercy. How can one whose been through the transformation of death by sin unto life in Christ allow sin to subtly come in and separate them from the very God who saved and cleansed them from that same sinful lifestyle? We often think “I would never go back to my old ways” but we fail to see that we have no power in and of ourselves to not go back, we can do nothing apart from the grace and mercy of God, apart from the power that comes from Him alone. If we think we’d never entertain a certain sin, if we think we stand we better take heed lest we fall! (1 Cor 10:2)
Sin can creep in unawares to us, it may seem like we compromise just a little over here and a little over there but it’s never ‘just a little’ it keeps growing and growing until it gives birth to death. We must learn to cry out to the Lord for mercy, we must learn that God’s grace is sufficient and that by the power of the almighty we can overcome every temptation that comes our way. (1 Cor 10:13)
Are you in sin? If so have you not noticed God calling you out of such a place? Have you not heard His rebuke? Has conviction not yet come knocking on your door? Have you not noticed a hindrance in your prayers? Has communion with God seemed to have waned? Can’t you hear?? God will not allow his children to live in willful disobedience, he will bring upon you the rod of chastisement and then who will save you? Who can save you from the punishment of God?
If we are unwilling to humble ourselves before Him, He will humble us Himself. If we refuse to admit our faults and confess our sins and truly repent and change our ways, what else can we expect but the judgment of God. Let’s not be so foolish as to allow what we may consider a tiny little molehill of sin to destroy our communion with the Almighty. Let not your heart take delight in worldly pleasures but take pleasure in the Lord. Seek not to fulfill the lust of your flesh but seek to fulfill the will of God. Keep your mind not on the temporal things of this world but on the eternal things which art in heaven.
Temptations are never going to stop coming yet sin is never going to fulfill us. God is all powerful, sovereign, and merciful and there is no temptation that He cannot see you through. It’s amazing how we are so quick to find fault in other people’s lives but we fail to look at how easily we too fall short. Let no one say “I will never fall” for in the very day you say such a thing sin crouches at your door ready to overtake you. Let’s rather say “He who began a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ and although I am weak, He is strong and will see me through every temptation that I might not sin against Him.”
Are you in sin?? Cry out to the Lord who is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins when we confess them, repent, trust in the power of His might. There is freedom in Christ! Call on Him today!
There is only one thing one you can do…and that is to cry out to the Lord for mercy. How can one whose been through the transformation of death by sin unto life in Christ allow sin to subtly come in and separate them from the very God who saved and cleansed them from that same sinful lifestyle? We often think “I would never go back to my old ways” but we fail to see that we have no power in and of ourselves to not go back, we can do nothing apart from the grace and mercy of God, apart from the power that comes from Him alone. If we think we’d never entertain a certain sin, if we think we stand we better take heed lest we fall! (1 Cor 10:2)
Sin can creep in unawares to us, it may seem like we compromise just a little over here and a little over there but it’s never ‘just a little’ it keeps growing and growing until it gives birth to death. We must learn to cry out to the Lord for mercy, we must learn that God’s grace is sufficient and that by the power of the almighty we can overcome every temptation that comes our way. (1 Cor 10:13)
Are you in sin? If so have you not noticed God calling you out of such a place? Have you not heard His rebuke? Has conviction not yet come knocking on your door? Have you not noticed a hindrance in your prayers? Has communion with God seemed to have waned? Can’t you hear?? God will not allow his children to live in willful disobedience, he will bring upon you the rod of chastisement and then who will save you? Who can save you from the punishment of God?
If we are unwilling to humble ourselves before Him, He will humble us Himself. If we refuse to admit our faults and confess our sins and truly repent and change our ways, what else can we expect but the judgment of God. Let’s not be so foolish as to allow what we may consider a tiny little molehill of sin to destroy our communion with the Almighty. Let not your heart take delight in worldly pleasures but take pleasure in the Lord. Seek not to fulfill the lust of your flesh but seek to fulfill the will of God. Keep your mind not on the temporal things of this world but on the eternal things which art in heaven.
Temptations are never going to stop coming yet sin is never going to fulfill us. God is all powerful, sovereign, and merciful and there is no temptation that He cannot see you through. It’s amazing how we are so quick to find fault in other people’s lives but we fail to look at how easily we too fall short. Let no one say “I will never fall” for in the very day you say such a thing sin crouches at your door ready to overtake you. Let’s rather say “He who began a good work in me will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ and although I am weak, He is strong and will see me through every temptation that I might not sin against Him.”
Are you in sin?? Cry out to the Lord who is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins when we confess them, repent, trust in the power of His might. There is freedom in Christ! Call on Him today!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Narrow Minded
Why am I sooo narrow minded? The world wants to know. Why do I always refer to scripture? Why can’t I just go with the flow, follow the crowd, maintain the status quo? I’ll tell you why…but first, of course let’s refer to scripture.
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)- “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
If this is true that there are ways that seem right but lead to death then it is wise to be cautious, it is wise not to go just any which way you please without first considering the cost. If you are thirsty and someone offers you a nice glass of refreshing water you would take it, but if they offered you a cup of poison I’m pretty sure that no matter how thirsty you are you would not accept the offer. Are you being narrow minded for not drinking the poison?
The same is true of many things…. If I want to live a holy, set apart life for God, I must reject any poison this world offers me. There may be times of thirst, but it is better to thirst than drink that poison that leads to death.
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)- “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Yes the crowd carouses around the broad way, they take no thought for the consequences, and the way they walk seems right unto them, there are many on the same path. They know not that they are heading for certain destruction and if you warn them they laugh, they mock and say that surly all roads lead to the same place. Ignorance is bliss to them on the broad way, they do not desire to know the truth. They see the narrow way as restricting, limited, and dull.
John 14:6 (KJV)- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There is only one way….His name is Jesus Christ! All roads do not lead to the same place!!!!!
There I go again…. Being narrow minded you say. Yes, I am narrow minded, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and I am not departing from it. The narrow way leads to life, it doesn’t limit me, but gives me freedom from the power of sin and death, it isn’t restrictive but liberating, it isn’t dull but amazing and there is nothing the broad way can offer that compares to what I’ve found walking along the narrow way.
Yes I am narrow minded, but that’s because I understand that being narrow minded means leaving behind all my worldly, foolish ways of thinking and turning to the truth revealed through God’s word. I don’t mind being narrow minded if it pleases my Father in heaven, I know what the broad way offers, I tasted of it, I had my part in those things that dishonored God and brought condemnation upon myself, but now this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. I say yes… I’m narrow minded!!!!
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)- “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
If this is true that there are ways that seem right but lead to death then it is wise to be cautious, it is wise not to go just any which way you please without first considering the cost. If you are thirsty and someone offers you a nice glass of refreshing water you would take it, but if they offered you a cup of poison I’m pretty sure that no matter how thirsty you are you would not accept the offer. Are you being narrow minded for not drinking the poison?
The same is true of many things…. If I want to live a holy, set apart life for God, I must reject any poison this world offers me. There may be times of thirst, but it is better to thirst than drink that poison that leads to death.
Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV)- “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Yes the crowd carouses around the broad way, they take no thought for the consequences, and the way they walk seems right unto them, there are many on the same path. They know not that they are heading for certain destruction and if you warn them they laugh, they mock and say that surly all roads lead to the same place. Ignorance is bliss to them on the broad way, they do not desire to know the truth. They see the narrow way as restricting, limited, and dull.
John 14:6 (KJV)- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There is only one way….His name is Jesus Christ! All roads do not lead to the same place!!!!!
There I go again…. Being narrow minded you say. Yes, I am narrow minded, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and I am not departing from it. The narrow way leads to life, it doesn’t limit me, but gives me freedom from the power of sin and death, it isn’t restrictive but liberating, it isn’t dull but amazing and there is nothing the broad way can offer that compares to what I’ve found walking along the narrow way.
Yes I am narrow minded, but that’s because I understand that being narrow minded means leaving behind all my worldly, foolish ways of thinking and turning to the truth revealed through God’s word. I don’t mind being narrow minded if it pleases my Father in heaven, I know what the broad way offers, I tasted of it, I had my part in those things that dishonored God and brought condemnation upon myself, but now this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ. I say yes… I’m narrow minded!!!!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
God is Good!
God is so good! I have been seeking the Lord and trusting in Him for everything these past few years of my life. I have been surrendering things, seeking holiness, and desiring to honor God in all things. There have been times I’ve worried and had to repent because the word of God tells us not to worry, but to trust God. There have been times I’ve seen God move on my behalf and have stood in awe of His awesome mercy and love. There have been times I’ve had to wage spiritual warfare, times I was exhausted and just wanted to give up, times I just praised the Lord through the storms, and times I just rested in Him. Today I just sit back and reflect, before I knew the Lord life had no meaning, no true significance… I sought after my own desires, my own lust and was never truly fulfilled. Every trial and storm I went through before I knew God… just felt so unbearable and hopeless. Relationships were so superficial and unstable. My moral system was based merely upon my own opinions and my own standards instead of the word of God. I was unstable in all of my ways, I blasphemed the Lord without even knowing it. I was an idolater, believing in a god that I made up in my mind… a god that didn’t care that I was living in willful sin and disobedience. I was a lost little girl…and so now that I have been experiencing the power of the true and living God, I can’t help but proclaim His goodness to all! “He has been Good”!
It more than a common phrase or some spiritual cliché, He has truly been so good to me. He opened my eyes, He showed me my exceeding sinfulness, He drew me unto Himself, He died for me, He showed me grace, He led me to repentance, He saved me from the wrath to come, He had extreme mercy upon me, He filled me with His Holy Spirit, He has provided all my needs, He has healed all my hurts, He has made me a new creation, He has delivered me from the bondage of sin and death, He has put a new heart within me, He has revealed the mysteries of His word unto me, He has lead me and strengthened me, He has ordered my steps and seen me through every moment…. God is good! I can go on and on and on about God’s goodness… yet now I rather go and pray and sincerely thank the Lord for all He is in my life!
It more than a common phrase or some spiritual cliché, He has truly been so good to me. He opened my eyes, He showed me my exceeding sinfulness, He drew me unto Himself, He died for me, He showed me grace, He led me to repentance, He saved me from the wrath to come, He had extreme mercy upon me, He filled me with His Holy Spirit, He has provided all my needs, He has healed all my hurts, He has made me a new creation, He has delivered me from the bondage of sin and death, He has put a new heart within me, He has revealed the mysteries of His word unto me, He has lead me and strengthened me, He has ordered my steps and seen me through every moment…. God is good! I can go on and on and on about God’s goodness… yet now I rather go and pray and sincerely thank the Lord for all He is in my life!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
On that day....
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Not everyone that says Lord, Lord…. There are so many professing Christians these days yet when we look at “so-called Christendom” today; it seems that many who are professing faith in the Lord are still living like the world (those who reject Christ)! Jesus warned us in this scripture that a profession (the act of professing; avowal; a declaration) of faith is not enough.
Many will say Lord, Lord…How many people have you met who claim to know Jesus yet live in open sin? 2 Timothy 3:5, Tells us to stay away from those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. It’s not enough to say you know Christ… for example if you go to the white house and try to get in by saying you know President Bush, will they let you in? No, but if President Bush comes forth and says he knows you, surly you will enter and so it is with the kingdom of God. We need to be sure we are known of the Lord Jesus Christ!
James 1:22(KJV) “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Remember not every one that saith unto Him, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in heaven. Faith produces action, a faith that hasn’t produced change in your life, has not produced true conversion. So many times people profess the Lord, but what they are truly having faith in is a God they have made up in their own minds, a God who does not punish disobedience and who does not judge sin. This is called idolatry and the word of God says that Idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We need to live holy, set apart lives for the Lord. Hebrews 12:14(KJV) “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. Whatever happened to holiness? How can “Christians” look like the word, talk like the world, and live like the world and still inherit the kingdom of God? We know that salvation comes by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) yet we also know that faith, if it hath not works, is dead (James 2:17).
Is your faith producing works? Are you producing good fruits? Matthew 7:18 (KJV) “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” What fruits are you producing? We need to examine ourselves! 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith.We who profess Lord, Lord…let’s examine ourselves, let’s look to the word of God as our standard. As Luke 6:42 says that one needs to pull out the beam in their own eye before beholding the mote in their brother’s eye, I write to you that I myself am examining my own life, I write not from my own judgments or of my own standards, but that from which I find in the word of God. I do not want to be told in that day … “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Do you?????
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Not everyone that says Lord, Lord…. There are so many professing Christians these days yet when we look at “so-called Christendom” today; it seems that many who are professing faith in the Lord are still living like the world (those who reject Christ)! Jesus warned us in this scripture that a profession (the act of professing; avowal; a declaration) of faith is not enough.
Many will say Lord, Lord…How many people have you met who claim to know Jesus yet live in open sin? 2 Timothy 3:5, Tells us to stay away from those who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. It’s not enough to say you know Christ… for example if you go to the white house and try to get in by saying you know President Bush, will they let you in? No, but if President Bush comes forth and says he knows you, surly you will enter and so it is with the kingdom of God. We need to be sure we are known of the Lord Jesus Christ!
James 1:22(KJV) “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Remember not every one that saith unto Him, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in heaven. Faith produces action, a faith that hasn’t produced change in your life, has not produced true conversion. So many times people profess the Lord, but what they are truly having faith in is a God they have made up in their own minds, a God who does not punish disobedience and who does not judge sin. This is called idolatry and the word of God says that Idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” We need to live holy, set apart lives for the Lord. Hebrews 12:14(KJV) “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord”. Whatever happened to holiness? How can “Christians” look like the word, talk like the world, and live like the world and still inherit the kingdom of God? We know that salvation comes by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) yet we also know that faith, if it hath not works, is dead (James 2:17).
Is your faith producing works? Are you producing good fruits? Matthew 7:18 (KJV) “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” What fruits are you producing? We need to examine ourselves! 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves, whether we be in the faith.We who profess Lord, Lord…let’s examine ourselves, let’s look to the word of God as our standard. As Luke 6:42 says that one needs to pull out the beam in their own eye before beholding the mote in their brother’s eye, I write to you that I myself am examining my own life, I write not from my own judgments or of my own standards, but that from which I find in the word of God. I do not want to be told in that day … “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Do you?????
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