Straight From God's Corner
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God continues to draw me back to writing Straight from God's Corner. This has been a constant battle as things of the world tend to draw me away from the purpose God has called me to. This is exactly what the enemy wants to do with all of God's children. It is so easy to get sucked in to world thinking but we need to focus all of our attention on what is beyond life here on earth.
Francis Chan has an incredible illustration of this and I want to try and put a video clip in words for you to understand. Francis had a rope stretched across the stage and he said, "Imagine this rope as our complete existence here on earth and beyond for eternity. We all will spend eternity somewhere and this was the point he was trying to portray. He walks over to the end of the rope and picks it up to display six inches of red tape wrapped around the rope.
Francis holds the six inches or rope in his hand and says, "This red tape represents our existence here on earth." He was illustrating our time here on earth is very short yet most people tend to focus on the red part of the rope instead of the rest of the rope that represents eternity. He made a few comments on how people do so much planning in the red that really does not matter and tend to forget what really does matter. Francis Chan illustrates how life is like a small, red piece of tape at the end of a long rope of eternity. What we do in life will effect how we spend eternity.
James 4:14
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
We all will spend eternity somewhere. The question is where? A simple choice to follow Jesus Christ will change our destiny and focus on life. As we focus more on Jesus eternity becomes more important to us. The enemy will work hard to change our thinking but we must prioritize things that are eternal over worldly things. Most people are focused on this short span of life here on earth living and planning for what is now. Instead, daily we need to live today to impact eternity.
Matthew 6:20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
God desires we use our talents and gifts to build treasure in heaven. Francis was simply telling us to take our minds off the world and put them on eternity. We need to work on building this heavenly treasure the word talks about. How? Each day we can make it a point to do something that impacts the kingdom of God. Like what? Do something for others, share the good free news of Jesus Christ, or maybe be the hands and feet of Jesus through the gifts and talents we were blessed with? Just ask God each day, "Lord help me to build treasures in heaven and not treasures on earth."
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for never giving up on us and continually drawing us back into your arms. Thank you for using people like Francis to minister to our hearts with a simple illustration that can help us refocus our priorities while here on earth. Help use to use our time, gifts and talents wisely to impact what is eternal and for your glory. Give us the wisdom to accomplish your perfect plan for our lives.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
THE BEST NEWS WE HAVE
Straight From God's Corner
Acts 8:35
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
We constantly see bad things happening in our news. Why? We live in a world controlled by our enemy the devil. The devil is hard at work destroying lives just look what happened in Boston. This is happening throughout the world and only getting worse. Just turn on the news for a few minutes and we will be hit with the latest tragic news on a local and national level. Not all news is bad news and there is the best news of all.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We have to understand the enemy is out to kill us. The devil wants us to be in constant fear, worry, and strife. There are those who have not trusted Jesus Christ who are blind to the best news we can ever have. Jesus came to this earth for one reason, US. From the beginning, the world has been corrupted with sin and it only continues today. There will be a day when we can go to a place with no more sin. Can we imagine no bad news ever again? Matter of fact, nothing evil will ever be let into heaven.
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
How can we stand on the promises of the best news in these days? First, we must believe in the best news who came here, lived, died, and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ came to defeat the plans of the devil and accomplished this through His death on the cross. Second, we must not allow the enemy to use fear, worry, strife, or anything else to detour us from God's plan for our life. We constantly need to saturate our minds, hearts, and souls with Godly things. Finally, we need to daily prepare for battle by asking for the armour of God and focusing on the best news we have Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving us the best news we could ever need. If it were not for you dying for our sins we would have no good news to stand on. We know by doing this, you have defeated the devil and his plans. One day there will never be bad news again and boy do we look forward to that day. We pray for strength in these times especially when faced with tragedies. Help us to stand on the greatest news, suited in the armour of God, with our swords drawn for battle.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Acts 8:35
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
We constantly see bad things happening in our news. Why? We live in a world controlled by our enemy the devil. The devil is hard at work destroying lives just look what happened in Boston. This is happening throughout the world and only getting worse. Just turn on the news for a few minutes and we will be hit with the latest tragic news on a local and national level. Not all news is bad news and there is the best news of all.
1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
We have to understand the enemy is out to kill us. The devil wants us to be in constant fear, worry, and strife. There are those who have not trusted Jesus Christ who are blind to the best news we can ever have. Jesus came to this earth for one reason, US. From the beginning, the world has been corrupted with sin and it only continues today. There will be a day when we can go to a place with no more sin. Can we imagine no bad news ever again? Matter of fact, nothing evil will ever be let into heaven.
Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
How can we stand on the promises of the best news in these days? First, we must believe in the best news who came here, lived, died, and rose from the dead. Jesus Christ came to defeat the plans of the devil and accomplished this through His death on the cross. Second, we must not allow the enemy to use fear, worry, strife, or anything else to detour us from God's plan for our life. We constantly need to saturate our minds, hearts, and souls with Godly things. Finally, we need to daily prepare for battle by asking for the armour of God and focusing on the best news we have Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving us the best news we could ever need. If it were not for you dying for our sins we would have no good news to stand on. We know by doing this, you have defeated the devil and his plans. One day there will never be bad news again and boy do we look forward to that day. We pray for strength in these times especially when faced with tragedies. Help us to stand on the greatest news, suited in the armour of God, with our swords drawn for battle.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Monday, April 15, 2013
BOUND OR FREE?
Straight From God's Corner
Mark 8:36
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
We have one life to live while here on earth so we must make the very best of it. How are we living our lives? Can we relate to the above scripture and does it apply to us? What does it mean to gain the whole world? Just look at how materialistic our world has become from generation to generation. Everyday we are being bombarded by the things of the world causing us to envy things like a larger house, newer cars, or the latest technologies. More people are falling in debt to get things they really do not need.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
God desires we be free to be used for His glory and when we are bound it can prevent us from having the freedom to do God's will. When we are slaves it prevents us to answer the call of God to go on a mission trip, donate, or even tithe on a regular basis. The US is the richest Nation and we rule over other Nations just look at the third world countries. However that is shifting due to greed, envy, lust, and bad decisions. There are people in the US who could feed an entire Country but prefer to have several homes, a fleet of cars, every new electronic toy, power, and status. How do we break out of this mold and find true freedom?
Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
There is a simple solution found in this verse of scripture. First, we must follow Jesus Christ. When we make that decision our hearts, minds, and actions begin to change. The closer we draw to Jesus Christ the further we become to the things of the world. We begin to desire to break the chains that have us enslaved and focus on the second thing. Seeking the kingdom of God, building treasures in heaven. How do we build treasures in heaven? By investing our time, talents, and money toward the things of God and not the world. When we do this, our hearts take on a new challenge, wanting to be Jesus Christ to others and this is where the final point comes in. When we love Jesus Christ first it becomes easier to reach out to those in need. Understanding everything we have is God's and at times He wants us to give what we have to those in need. This is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your promises in your word. It was your death that gives us true freedom. Lord help us to break away from the things of the world, transform our minds, and find freedom in you. Lord give us the wisdom to make wise decisions. Help us to take the necessary actions to break away and have nothing holding us back from doing what you call us to do as we have one life to live for your glory.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Mark 8:36
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
We have one life to live while here on earth so we must make the very best of it. How are we living our lives? Can we relate to the above scripture and does it apply to us? What does it mean to gain the whole world? Just look at how materialistic our world has become from generation to generation. Everyday we are being bombarded by the things of the world causing us to envy things like a larger house, newer cars, or the latest technologies. More people are falling in debt to get things they really do not need.
Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
God desires we be free to be used for His glory and when we are bound it can prevent us from having the freedom to do God's will. When we are slaves it prevents us to answer the call of God to go on a mission trip, donate, or even tithe on a regular basis. The US is the richest Nation and we rule over other Nations just look at the third world countries. However that is shifting due to greed, envy, lust, and bad decisions. There are people in the US who could feed an entire Country but prefer to have several homes, a fleet of cars, every new electronic toy, power, and status. How do we break out of this mold and find true freedom?
Luke 18:22
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
There is a simple solution found in this verse of scripture. First, we must follow Jesus Christ. When we make that decision our hearts, minds, and actions begin to change. The closer we draw to Jesus Christ the further we become to the things of the world. We begin to desire to break the chains that have us enslaved and focus on the second thing. Seeking the kingdom of God, building treasures in heaven. How do we build treasures in heaven? By investing our time, talents, and money toward the things of God and not the world. When we do this, our hearts take on a new challenge, wanting to be Jesus Christ to others and this is where the final point comes in. When we love Jesus Christ first it becomes easier to reach out to those in need. Understanding everything we have is God's and at times He wants us to give what we have to those in need. This is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your promises in your word. It was your death that gives us true freedom. Lord help us to break away from the things of the world, transform our minds, and find freedom in you. Lord give us the wisdom to make wise decisions. Help us to take the necessary actions to break away and have nothing holding us back from doing what you call us to do as we have one life to live for your glory.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Thursday, April 11, 2013
ONE DAY WITH JESUS
Straight from God's Corner
Psalms 84:10
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Believers and non-believers as we read the above verse, can we say that is a true fact? What if we could spend one day with Jesus Christ? Let that question sink into our hearts then close our eyes and imagine standing in the presence of God. What would be the first thing we do? Think about Christ looking deep into our eyes, what would He see? They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Jesus Christ looks at the heart so what would He see in our hearts?
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
As a believer of Jesus, what would be revealed in our hearts? Would Jesus see the things of the kingdom or things of the world? The word of God says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What is in our hearts? A more important question. What do we need to remove from our hearts that does not honor God? In a blink of an eye we could find ourselves in the presence of Jesus Christ so we need to continue to monitor what our treasure is and make sure it lines up with God's word.
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As non-believers, those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. One day we all will stand in the presence of Jesus Christ and make an account for our lives. There will be no exceptions or excuses. Either we will know Him as our Lord and Savior or be a stranger/enemy in His eyes. On that day we imagine His eyes will be filled with tears as He says, "I do not know you." He will look at those hearts and see everything but the kingdom. Those who do not know Him will see wrath in His eyes as they are departed from His presence forever.
Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
One day we all will be in the presence of Jesus and either we will be His beloved or evildoer. There still is time, but time is short, so we can not wait. We can change how Jesus Christ will see us by making a simple decision. To accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior right now because we have no idea when we will be in His presence. It will happen in a blink of an eye the Bible says. Just take a moment and think about standing in the presence of Jesus Christ as His beloved? How does that make our heart feel? Better is one day with Jesus than a thousand elsewhere.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for making the only way to spend eternity with our creator God. We know you long for all of your children to accept you as Lord so on the day we stand in your presence we would be seen as your beloved and not an evildoer. We can't imagine what it will be like standing in your presence, but we can take measures to make sure our hearts are right before we get there. Help us to prioritize what is in our hearts knowing what you desire. Thinking about being in your presence either brings joy or fear to our hearts so help us to choose joy.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Psalms 84:10
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Believers and non-believers as we read the above verse, can we say that is a true fact? What if we could spend one day with Jesus Christ? Let that question sink into our hearts then close our eyes and imagine standing in the presence of God. What would be the first thing we do? Think about Christ looking deep into our eyes, what would He see? They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Jesus Christ looks at the heart so what would He see in our hearts?
1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
As a believer of Jesus, what would be revealed in our hearts? Would Jesus see the things of the kingdom or things of the world? The word of God says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." What is in our hearts? A more important question. What do we need to remove from our hearts that does not honor God? In a blink of an eye we could find ourselves in the presence of Jesus Christ so we need to continue to monitor what our treasure is and make sure it lines up with God's word.
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
As non-believers, those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. One day we all will stand in the presence of Jesus Christ and make an account for our lives. There will be no exceptions or excuses. Either we will know Him as our Lord and Savior or be a stranger/enemy in His eyes. On that day we imagine His eyes will be filled with tears as He says, "I do not know you." He will look at those hearts and see everything but the kingdom. Those who do not know Him will see wrath in His eyes as they are departed from His presence forever.
Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
One day we all will be in the presence of Jesus and either we will be His beloved or evildoer. There still is time, but time is short, so we can not wait. We can change how Jesus Christ will see us by making a simple decision. To accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior right now because we have no idea when we will be in His presence. It will happen in a blink of an eye the Bible says. Just take a moment and think about standing in the presence of Jesus Christ as His beloved? How does that make our heart feel? Better is one day with Jesus than a thousand elsewhere.
Acts 16:31
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for making the only way to spend eternity with our creator God. We know you long for all of your children to accept you as Lord so on the day we stand in your presence we would be seen as your beloved and not an evildoer. We can't imagine what it will be like standing in your presence, but we can take measures to make sure our hearts are right before we get there. Help us to prioritize what is in our hearts knowing what you desire. Thinking about being in your presence either brings joy or fear to our hearts so help us to choose joy.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
NO GREATER LOVE
Straight From God's Corner
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We are human and humans will fail because we tend to put conditions on love. It is so easy to become selfish and self centered failing to love others before ourselves. Why do we struggle with this? From birth we become dependent on someone to take care of our every need. At two, we tend to think everything is ours and think the world circles around us. As a teenager, we feel we know everything and become firm in our ways. As a young adult, we are exposed to the world that reflects greed, envy, lust, power, materialism, and free choice.
There is no greater love and we will never come close due to our natures. No matter how hard we try our nature will take over at times and find ourselves struggling to to love others before ourselves. How can we work on loving others to include our enemies? The only way we can do this is through the love of Christ. First, we have to accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and allow him to give us the free gift of his Spirit. Through his Spirit we can have the power to love.
1 John 4:9-12
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
Please understand even with Christ in our lives it can be difficult to love others. Why? The devil is hard at working taking our focus off of others and putting it on ourselves. Everything hinges on love just look at the first and second commandments from God. If we have no love then everything else is meaningless famous words of the Apostle Paul. God has never changed and He is crazy in love with all His children so crazy He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. There is no greater love.
Galatians 5:14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for loving us beyond anything we can imagine. It is hard to wrap our minds around the fact you willingly went to the cross and died for us. There is no greater love than that. Help us Lord with your Spirit to love others the way you do. May we use your power to put other before ourselves. Help us with your Spirit to fight the lies from the devil used to take our eyes off you and may we never forget there is no greater love than the love of our Father God.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Ephesians 3:14-21
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We are human and humans will fail because we tend to put conditions on love. It is so easy to become selfish and self centered failing to love others before ourselves. Why do we struggle with this? From birth we become dependent on someone to take care of our every need. At two, we tend to think everything is ours and think the world circles around us. As a teenager, we feel we know everything and become firm in our ways. As a young adult, we are exposed to the world that reflects greed, envy, lust, power, materialism, and free choice.
There is no greater love and we will never come close due to our natures. No matter how hard we try our nature will take over at times and find ourselves struggling to to love others before ourselves. How can we work on loving others to include our enemies? The only way we can do this is through the love of Christ. First, we have to accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and allow him to give us the free gift of his Spirit. Through his Spirit we can have the power to love.
1 John 4:9-12
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
Please understand even with Christ in our lives it can be difficult to love others. Why? The devil is hard at working taking our focus off of others and putting it on ourselves. Everything hinges on love just look at the first and second commandments from God. If we have no love then everything else is meaningless famous words of the Apostle Paul. God has never changed and He is crazy in love with all His children so crazy He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. There is no greater love.
Galatians 5:14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for loving us beyond anything we can imagine. It is hard to wrap our minds around the fact you willingly went to the cross and died for us. There is no greater love than that. Help us Lord with your Spirit to love others the way you do. May we use your power to put other before ourselves. Help us with your Spirit to fight the lies from the devil used to take our eyes off you and may we never forget there is no greater love than the love of our Father God.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
EXACTLY WHERE WE NEED TO BE
Straight From God's Corner
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
We are exactly where we need to be. What does this really mean? We all have wondered at one time or another if we are where we need to be in life. What if? may surface in our minds but be encouraged because that is just the enemy trying to get us to believe God made a mistake. God does not make mistakes and knows every little detail of our lives before we were ever born. Let's try and wrap our minds around that fact.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
God has us exactly where we need to be for a reason we may not understand but God asks us to trust Him with our lives as He works everything for our good. God desires to mold us and shape us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. What? Be like Jesus Christ? That is a hard order to fill and God knows that but in His hand He has a hammer and chisel to chip away what does not belong to reveal something hidden and beautiful. It may take years of chipping but we must trust God and understand He knows what He is doing.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
So we can take courage and know in our hearts we are exactly where God wants us. We all are at a different point in our journey but those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ do have one major thing in common. The end of our journey will reside in the same place. No matter what we are going through here on earth we can find peace, joy, and hope in the fact we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. Just think about that for a moment and know we are somewhere in that journey destined for heaven. That should bring a smile to our face and warm our hearts.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for knowing us before we were ever born and having a perfect plan for each of our lives. A plan to prosper us and not harm us. Help us to trust your plan for our lives and know we are exactly where we need to be in life for your glory. Help us to stay focused on the end of our journey knowing we are destined to spend eternity with you forever. Help us to trust you to take us through the storms of life knowing we have to go through the storms to reach our final destination.
Fighting For God,
Brian
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
We are exactly where we need to be. What does this really mean? We all have wondered at one time or another if we are where we need to be in life. What if? may surface in our minds but be encouraged because that is just the enemy trying to get us to believe God made a mistake. God does not make mistakes and knows every little detail of our lives before we were ever born. Let's try and wrap our minds around that fact.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
God has us exactly where we need to be for a reason we may not understand but God asks us to trust Him with our lives as He works everything for our good. God desires to mold us and shape us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. What? Be like Jesus Christ? That is a hard order to fill and God knows that but in His hand He has a hammer and chisel to chip away what does not belong to reveal something hidden and beautiful. It may take years of chipping but we must trust God and understand He knows what He is doing.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
So we can take courage and know in our hearts we are exactly where God wants us. We all are at a different point in our journey but those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ do have one major thing in common. The end of our journey will reside in the same place. No matter what we are going through here on earth we can find peace, joy, and hope in the fact we will spend eternity with Jesus Christ. Just think about that for a moment and know we are somewhere in that journey destined for heaven. That should bring a smile to our face and warm our hearts.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for knowing us before we were ever born and having a perfect plan for each of our lives. A plan to prosper us and not harm us. Help us to trust your plan for our lives and know we are exactly where we need to be in life for your glory. Help us to stay focused on the end of our journey knowing we are destined to spend eternity with you forever. Help us to trust you to take us through the storms of life knowing we have to go through the storms to reach our final destination.
Fighting For God,
Brian
Monday, April 8, 2013
EMERGENCY 911
Straight From God's Corner
The last part of this posting was found on the Internet but felt Scripture references make a strong case for the glory of Christ.
Fighting For God,
Brian
2 Peter 3:10-13
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Emergency 911! We need to open our eyes and see what is happening in our world. Persecution of Christians is at its highest to include USA, North Korea is in nuclear range of the US, our government is funding other military powers, moral decline of our Country, our leaders calling for new world order, more than a million Americans unemployed, more natural disasters, gun owners seeing ammunition shortage, explosive growth of poverty in America, and the list goes on. What does God's Word say about this?
False Prophets
Matthew 24:5 "For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many."
Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many."
Matthew 24:5 "For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many."
Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many."
Wars
Matthew 24:6 "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end."
Famines and Earthquakes
Matthew 24:7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes."
Tribulation
Matthew 24:8-9 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name."
The Gospel will be preached throughout the world
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."
Godlessness
lI Timothy 3:1-5,7 "But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
There is no time to waste. Jesus Christ is coming soon and we do not desire to leave anyone behind. The Word says Jesus will come like a thief in the night as a blink of the eye. Anyone we know who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are in trouble. We can see time is short so we must be dedicated to reach the lost for Christ. People in our neighborhoods, cities, Nation, and World. This is an emergency.
The good news is we can find peace in all this turmoil. The moment we accepted Christ our destiny was changed forever. We are not of this world and destined for a better place. Our number one priority in life should be saving lives. There are millions who are lost and will spend eternity separated from God if they do not hear the good news and receive Jesus Christ into their lives. It is time to take action and respond to this emergency.
Matthew 24:36-44
But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
1. All men are sinners:
- (Romans 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
- (Ecclesiastes 7:20) "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
- (Isaiah 64:6) " ¶But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
- (Romans 3:10) "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"
- (James 2:10) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
- (1John.1:8) "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
2. Salvation by grace (undeserved mercy), not works:
- (Ephesians 2:8,9 ) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast."
- (Mark 10:25-27) " It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. {26} And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? {27} And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
- (Romans 3:20) "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
- (Romans 11:6) "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
- (Galatians 2:16) "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
- (2 Timothy 1:9) "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
- (Titus 3:5) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
3. Salvation only through Jesus:
- (Acts 4:12) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
- (1 Timothy 2:5) "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
- (John 3:16) "¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- (John 3:36) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
- (John 8:24) " I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
- (John 10:1) " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."
- (John 10:9) " I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
- (John 14:6) "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
- (1 Corinthians 3:11) "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
- (1 John 5:12) "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
4. Believe on Jesus:
- (John 3:16) "¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- (John 11:25-26) "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: {26} And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
- (Acts 16:31) "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."
- (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
- (1 John 5:1) "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
5. Receive Jesus:
- (Revelation 3:20) " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."
- (John 1:12) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
- (Galatians 4:6) "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
- (Ephesians 3:17) "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"
6. Eternal salvation:
A. You can never lose it, even if you make mistakes and fall:
- (Psalms 37:24) "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand."
- (John 3:36a) "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life"
- (John 6:37) " All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
- (John 10:28) " And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
- (Romans 8:38-39) "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; {13} Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. {14} If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. {15} If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
- (1 Corinthians 5:5) "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
- (Hebrews 13:5) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
- (2 Timothy 2:13) "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."
- (1 John 5:13) "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
B. But the Lord will chasten you for wrongdoing:
- (Psalms 89:30-34) "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; {31} If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; {32} Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. {33} Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. {34} My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips."
- (Hebrews 12:5-8) "And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: {6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. {7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? {8} But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."
- (Revelation 3:19) " As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
7. Receiving Jesus guarantees eternal life in Heaven:
- (Romans 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- (John 11:26) " And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
- (John 14:2-3) " In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
- (1 Peter 1:3-4) "¶Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {4} To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,"
- (1 John 5:11) "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." (See Rev.21:1-27 and 22:1-5 for a description of Heaven)
8. The results of being born again:
A. Spiritual rebirth makes you a new creature:
- (John 3:3) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
- (Matthew 18:3) "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
- (John 1:13) "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
- (Romans 12:2) "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."
- (2 Corinthians 5:17) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
- (1 Peter 1:23) "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
B. You will desire to work for Jesus:
- (Ephesians 2:10) "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
- (Titus 2:14) "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (See also Eph.4:21-24; Col.3:8-10; Tit.3:8; Jam.2:18.)
9. Sin brings about spiritual death; but Jesus died in our place, taking our punishment:
- (Isaiah 59:2) "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."
- (Romans 6:23) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- (Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
- (2 Corinthians 5:21) "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
- (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- (1 John 2:1-2) "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: {2} And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
10. In the Mosaic law, blood is payment for sin; Jesus' death paid that price in full:
- (Leviticus 17:11) "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
- (Hebrews 9:22) "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin)."
- (Matthew 26:28) " For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
- (1 John 1:7) "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
- (John 1:29) "¶The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
- (Ephesians 1:7) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" (See also 1Jn.2:12)
- (1 Peter 1:18-19) "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; {19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
11. All men are not saved sons of God in their natural state:
- (Ephesians 2:2-3) "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: {3} Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." (Ephesians 2:12) "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:"
- (Matthew 7:13) "¶ 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:"
- (John 3:19) " And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
- (John 8:44) " Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
- (John 8:47) " He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."
12. The self-righteous refuse Jesus' salvation:
(See Mat.5:20; 9:10-13; 21:31b; Lk.18:9-14; Jn.5:39-44; Rom.10:3; 1Jn.1:9,10.)
13. New Testament examples of salvation:
- Luke 19:1-10 [Conversion of the corrupt tax-collector, Zaccheus]
- Acts 9:1-22 [Conversion of apostle Paul] (See also Acts 6:8-14; 7:57-60; 8:1-4; 26:9-11.)
- Acts 10:1-8 [Conversion of Roman centurion Cornelius]
- Acts 13:1-12 [Conversion of governor of Cyprus, Sergius Paulus]
- Acts 16:13-34 [Conversion of the merchant Lydia and Roman jailor]
The last part of this posting was found on the Internet but felt Scripture references make a strong case for the glory of Christ.
Fighting For God,
Brian
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