Here’s My Heart Lord

Let’s praise Him and truly proclaim the message of this song.

Let God Speak

As I was praying one night before bed I stood in my usual spot looking up at the heavens and praising God, the moon was so bright, it bathed my entire kitchen in a soft glow and nearly took my breath as I looked up in wonder at the majesty of God’s handiwork.  The heavens really do declare God’s glory as David said.  But then how could they not, that’s why he made them.  As we study astronomy and are learning more about the universe I am astounded at just how glorious his work is.  It is all so breathtaking but I think I have enjoyed our study of Jupiter most – it truly looks as if God took his finger and swirled the colors, painting it for His glory!  It’s beautiful!  And Saturn’s rings, some of which are braided, show his sense of humor and playfulness.  I mean seriously he had to know one day man would figure out a way to see into the near heavens and we know he knew we would try to deny his hand in creation so he braided Saturn’s rings as if to say “Ha, explain that other than by my hand!”   I love it!  So I praise Him for it, I thank Him that I am able to look up in the sky and see proof of His existence all throughout the heavens.

Because I believe that God created the heavens though I take a lot of flack from some people.  See they buy into the whole evolution false religion.  That’s all it is you know, a religion, a faith based theory.  And frankly one that can’t stand up to scientific or logical scrutiny.  Allow me to explain why I say that but first, let me define what is meant by evolution according to those who worship at it’s altar (I know we all think we know what it means but trust me clarifying the definition now will save us some time.)  In science all terms must be clearly and precisely defined, evolution is anything but as you will see.

Evolution is random mutational changes over a long period of time that add some benefit and new information to an organism or cell producing a change from one species (kind) to completely different species (kind).  This mutational change must be viable and reproducible, it must improve the organism it is changing.  Another definition used refers to the supposed big bang and subsequent slow formation of the non-living universe, all the planets, comets, asteroids, sun, moon stars, etc., even chemicals, according to their evolutionary model.  In the case of chemical evolution the basic original chemical mutated, divided, and / or combined randomly to become the elements we have today.  So far we have 5 specific and very different types of evolution covered: Vertical, organic, cosmic, stellar, and chemical, all of which are types of macro evolution.  Bear with my little science lesson here for just a bit longer.  We have one more definition to cover.  Evolution also means the adaptation of an organism with in it’s kind through a non-mutational, beneficial change quickly.  This is micro evolution and it is a fact – it’s simply the adaptation of organisms within their specific species or kind.  For example the wolf, retrievers, poodles and Chihuahuas are all canines, different varieties of canines but all still canines.  Same for Darwin’s finches – they have different beak shapes because they eat different foods but they are all still finches!

Let me go ahead be clear on what is meant by science as well just so we are all on the same page.  For a theory, idea, or concept to be considered a scientific fact it needs to stand up to certain criteria.  It must be be observable, demonstrable, and repeatable for starters, in other words it must be provable to be considered FACT.  If an idea can not meet all these requirements it can not be considered a fact, facts must be proven by definition.

So we have 6 types of evolution taught in our schools today as scientific fact but are they facts?  Not hardly!  I propose they are nothing more than a bunch of elaborate stories that can not stand up against real scientific inquiry.  Take for instance the Big Bang has anyone ever observed it occurring however many billion years ago they say it happened this week?  Yet our children are taught that it is a cold hard provable fact that the big bang happened billions of years ago.  What about a change of kinds – say a reptile to a bird, a cattle to a whale, a monkey to a man?  Yet again no one has ever seen this occur, there is no real proof of it in the fossil layers either.  If someone tries to tell you otherwise as them to prove it in the Precambrian or Cambrian layers, those are the bottom layers so they should be littered with evidence of this if it is a fact.  They’re not, they have a few single cell simple organisms in the Precambrian layer then a huge explosion of basically every known structural form ever in existence in the Cambrian layer all at once.  How about we go real simple with it and talk about the fact that no one has ever observed a beneficial mutation, instead a mutation is a loss of information (not an addition) that results in some harm or destruction, never a benefit.

Think about it, when we observe mutations today they are not good.  Far from it they handicap, hinder and even kill what they are changing, not to mention that any mutation over the millions of years they say lay between each change would cause serious problems as necessary systems and features developed.  According to cosmic and stellar evolutionary theory the Earth can not have water, Jupiter can’t exist and Saturn shouldn’t have rings.  Stellar evolution says that over 6 billion new stars should be forming every minute; funny thing is no one has ever seen even one new star form.  We’ve observed 30 some dying but never being born.  I think you see where I am going with all this, right?

These five types of evolution are not provable, they are not fact! They can’t be observed, demonstrated or repeated.  No one can prove them without resorting to a statement that requires the hearer to have faith that what they are being told is true.  They are faith based statements, just as they accuse my belief in creation by God of being.  No matter which one they try to use against creationists they can’t prove it.  Not even when they claim fossils have been found tat show transitional stages.  If they try to claim this ask them how much of the fossil was actually found verses how much of what they claim as fact was drawn by the artist.  That shuts them down right there.  Take for example Nebraska man where they only found a tooth but someone with a very vivid imagination dreamed up what he and his entire clan looked like.  From a tooth.  Believe me when I say we own the fossil record, it cries out with God’s fingerprints!  As does all the rest of creation!  So let’s claim it folks, let’s stop letting people fill our children’s heads with cunning fables and myths that undermine their faith ultimately causing many of the to choose the world over Christ.  Some 70% of kids who are raised in church today walk away from it because they don’t know how to defend their faith against the faith of evolutionists.  We have to change this, today.  We need to lead our kids to love the Lord with all their hearts and souls, to trust in the truth of his word and to realize that science actually does a much better job at proving God’s creation than it does evolution, which it can’t begin to prove at all.  How so you ask, well consider the following:

 

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;  Isaiah 40:22

As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me.”  Jeremiah 33:22

When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure,  Job 28:25

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.  1 Corinthians 15:41

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?  Job 38:19-20

He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing.  Job 26:7

The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.  Ecclesiastes 1:6

Then the channels of the sea were seen; the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.  2 Samuel 22:16

at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.  Jonah 2:6

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.  Leviticus 17:11

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.  Hebrews 11:3

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?  Job 38:16

The next time someone questions or confronts you for believing that the word of God is true and that He did in fact create everything just as He says, smile then flip it on them.  Make them prove their belief in the forms of macro evolution to you, ask them some critical thinking questions about their faith in evolution.  Ask how they know it is true?  Has anyone ever observed it?  Are they making any assumptions in order to believe it?  And can they show you any evidence for it at all that doesn’t require you to use faith in order to accept it as truth.  They can’t.  Plain and simple so it isn’t fact, it’s a belief, it’s faith.

 

 

Then try to point them to the truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The only faith that is true and can be proven.  I gave you numerous examples of scientific facts that were stated in the bible hundreds of years before science proved them.  They may say the Bible just got lucky or you can’t observe it’s truth today.  I beg to differ, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” and  Ephesians 4:22-24 “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  I am a new person thanks to Jesus.  I’m not who I once was – no longer that scared, lonely, sinful, selfish person.  That me is dead, I am made new through the redeeming, transforming blood of my Lord and Savior.  Now I am filled with love, with hope, courage.  I can speak out boldly now to proclaim the joy that lives inside me.  I am changed and that is observable proof. That is my testimony.

Give them your testimony, defend why you place your faith in God and his son and all that they have created and done.  Do this in love, showing the light of Jesus and his love.  Then take them to the Gospels and show them how they can have this same love, hope, peace and joy.  Start with John 3:16-17:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17

Emphasis that he came to save the world, why would he need to do that?  Then take them back to Genesis chapters 1-3 and sum up the creation and the fall pointing out each place in creation where science backs it up, if you want more info on this comment or message me and I will be happy to share my proof, after that go walk them down the Roman’s Road.  Jesus gave us the great commission for a reason and we need to be actively working to fulfill that call.

 

I’m sorry this was such a long post tonight, but it’s a topic I feel a strong burden for.  It is not God’s will that any should be lost but that all should come to repentance and salvation through His son Jesus Christ.  I want to share the love and joy and peace I have in my sweet Lord with the world!  I want to bring honor and glory to Him by proclaiming His name with my every breath.  I pray you will all do the same.

Make ’em prove it and when they can’t let God speak!

As always may God bless and keep you my brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY

From Our Daily Walk by F. B. Myer:

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.  James 2:26

JAMES IS described as “the Lord’s brother” in Gal_1:19. He was surnamed “the Just,” and was much respected beyond the limits of the Christian Church for his saintly life. While St. Paul deals specially with doctrine, James is concerned with practice; Paul expounds the wonderful significance of Christ’s death and resurrection; James expounds the teaching of our Lord, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul insists on faith as the means of justification before God; James lays stress on the works to which faith must lead.
It seems likely that James had seen Paul’s Epistles, for he uses so many of the same phrases and examples, and probably set himself to combat those who abused the teaching of the great Apostle. There were plenty in his time who believed about Christ, and prided themselves in the orthodoxy and accuracy of their creed; and James maintains that this is not sufficient to save the soul.
As far as orthodoxy goes, no creed can be more absolutely orthodox than that held by evil spirits. Repeatedly, during our Lord’s life, they acknowledged that He was the Holy One of God, but their belief had no effect on their character; it only filled them with fear and dread.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.  James 2:19

“Faith without works is dead.” It is good to test ourselves. We must see to it that our heart is pure and our way absolutely transparent. In our dealings with those around us, we must always seek to realize our highest conceptions of love and duty. Even when our efforts of goodwill and affection are not reciprocated, we must never lower the high standard of our action, but always keep before us the conception of our Saviour’s life in the Home at Nazareth. Be merciless to yourself, but always merciful to others, always bearing the burdens of those around you, always moderating your pace to the weak and weary, as Greatheart did for the pilgrims. Even Rahab was justified by a faith which wrought itself out in beautiful and unselfish action (James 2:25; Hebrews 11:31). Remember our Lord’s words:

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 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.  Matthew 7:20-21

PRAYER
Help us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to add to our faith, brotherly kindness, and pardon the unkind word or impatient gesture; the hard and selfish deed, the failure to give kindly help where we had the opportunity. Enable us so to live that we may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow and need, and add to the sum of human happiness. AMEN.

THE RECEPTIVITY OF FAITH

Today’s study comes from Our Daily Walk by F. B. Myer:

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Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  Ephesians 3:17

FAITH IS our power of appropriation. The pity is that we are so slow to make use of our Lord s resources! He does not force Himself upon us. Though He brings with Him gold tried in the fire that we may be enriched, and white raiment for our clothing, and eye-salve for our blindness; and though He knows how urgently we need these things, He will not force them on our acceptance. Rather, He stands and knocks, as a travelling merchant knocks at the door, who has wares to dispose of, and we need to open the door and receive the gifts which are offered, without money and without price (Revelation 3:18-20; Isaiah 55:1-2).
Faith is our reception of the spiritual to make good the lack of the physical. It is a drawing on the Eternal for the deficiencies of our earthly pilgrimage. Probably when we look back on our present life, we shall find that our deficiencies were permitted, and even assigned, that we might be driven to avail ourselves of the fullness of the Lord Jesus (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:19). We were allowed to wander in the sultry heat, that we might know Him as the shadow of a great Rock in a weary land; we were exposed to wild tempests and storms, that we might make for alcoves and harbours in Him that we should otherwise have missed.
It has been truly observed that Job’s rebellious moods arose when he thought that God was afar off, but there was a difference when he realised that God was suffering with him. Remember that you are not divided from God by a deep chasm. He knows your sorrows. In all your afflictions He is afflicted. We have not a High Priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. When Jesus saw the sisters weeping, He not only succoured them, but entered into their distress, and wept with them.
Are you weary with burdens that are crushing you? Is your lot cast with them that hate peace? Is your heart oppressed with loneliness? Take Jesus into account. Don’t face your difficulties alone, but meet them in the fellowship of your Saviour. Have faith, i.e., reckon on God. Let the Lord Christ dwell in your heart, and He will be responsible for all, as you reckon on Him for all.

PRAYER
O Lord, I open my nature, and since my capacity is small, I pray that by love and faith, by patience and suffering, Thou wilt enlarge my heart, that it may be filled with all the fullness of God. AMEN.

Regret, Remorse, Repentance – HOPE

I want to talk about the different characters we learn about in the crucifixion story.  Judas, Peter, the thief, and the centurion they all have a story to tell.  Maybe one of these stories is similar to your own, I know I can relate to all of them in some way.  Like Judas I betrayed my Lord, like Peter I denied him, like the thief I broke God’s laws, and like the centurion I followed the world and it’s ways.  But one glorious day I found hope; my heart broke with regret and remorse, leading me to repentance and ultimately to the hope I have today in my Lord and Savior Christ.

Let’s start with Judas, the betrayer.  Here was a man who was a follower of  Jesus, he was a trusted friend, yet for 30 pieces of silver he sold our Lord and his soul.  30 pieces of silver, that’s like $600.  That’s what serving the Lord was worth to this man consumed with greed, with lust for money.  30 pieces of silver was all it took to allow the devil to have control of his life, to turn his heart and soul from the only one who could save them.  Jesus knew he what Judas would do and repeatedly we see him giving him the opportunity to repent of his deeds but alas Judas was consumed with the guilt for what he’d done, with remorse but he never sought repentance with the Lord, never sought forgiveness from the one he had betrayed.  Instead his story ends terribly with him taking his own life.  That’s what pride, vanity and greed get us.  Let’s read his story.

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.  Matthew 26:14-16

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he consented, and sought opportunity to deliver him unto them in the absence of the multitude.  Luke 22:3-6

And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,  John 13:2

Now when even was come, he was sitting at meat with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say unto him every one, Is it I, Lord? And he answered and said, He that dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth, even as it is written of him: but woe unto that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had not been born. And Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Is it I, Rabbi? He saith unto him, Thou hast said.  Matthew 26:20-25

And they began to question among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
Luke 22:21-23

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in the spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. The disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoneth to him, and saith unto him, Tell us who it is of whom he speaketh. He leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus therefore answereth, He it is, for whom I shall dip the sop, and give it him. So when he had dipped the sop, he taketh and giveth it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. And after the sop, then entered Satan into him. Jesus therefore saith unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.  John 13:21-27

Arise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that betrayeth me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: take him. And straightway he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, Rabbi; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, do that for which thou art come. Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.  Matthew 26:46-50

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?  Luke 22:47-48

Now Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: that the word might be fulfilled which he spake, Of those whom thou hast given me I lost not one.  John 18:2-9

Then Judas, which betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it. And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price; and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.  Matthew 27:3-10

Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take.  Acts 1:16-20

As we read the sad story of Judas we see that his end was, well it was bad.  Matthew simply tells us he hanged himself; driven to seek his own death by his regret and remorse.  But in Acts we learn the rest of the story we learn that after his death he hung in the hot Judean sun so long that when his robe broke or he was cut down that he fell headlong to the ground and his guts burst spilling out his innards.  Had he only repented then maybe his story would have had a better ending; one more like Peter’s perhaps.

See Peter denied Jesus 3 times the night of his trial and torture.  3 times he said he never knew the Lord.  Just as Jesus had said he would, all before the cock crowed in the morn.  Peter thought no way would he ever do this but fear is a powerful thing, makes us do things we often regret.  But in Peters case the regret turned to deep remorse which led to true repentance as we see in that beautiful beach seen around the fire after the Resurrection when Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him, once for every denial.  And we see the moment it finally sinks in that because of his repentance, his deep heart felt remorse that Jesus sees he is truly sorry and he let’s him know all is well, Feed my sheep he tells his friend.

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended in me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Matthew 26:31-35

Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus the Nazarene. And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.  Matthew 26:69-75

Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.  John 21:3-19

I just love that passage in John telling of how he forgave Peter, how all was made right through Jesus’ love and Peter’s repentance.   Through the stories of these 2 disciples, followers of Christ, we begin to see the world.  One chose it, following Satan where he led, even unto a brutal and gruesome final end alone.  The other however truly knew and loved the Lord, he realized his mistake, he repented of it and that made all the difference.  Peter wasn’t the only one forgiven through this story though.  No there was one more.  The thief that died beside our sweet Savior.

His story is short, but in so many ways it is just like ours.  We don’t know anything about him other than that he was a thief and he professes to deserve his punishment which leads me to think he wasn’t a good guy caught in a bad situation.  No, I think he was a bad guy who meets the good guy and knows the truth in the end.  His story is hard for me, I see a lot of myself in him.  But like that thief I came to know my Lord and Savior and through the regret. remorse and repentance that knowing brought I am forgiven.  I have hope that one day I will see my sweet Lord in paradise.  I’ll get to meet that thief too.  Let’s read his story.

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.  Luke 23:39-43

 

And finally we come to the centurion.  We don’t know his final fate, I like to belief I will meet him one day in heaven but we aren’t told that part of his story.  What we are told is that after what he witnessed in that long, painful, earth shattering, earth changing day was enough to begin to open his eyes.  For he sees the truth that truly Jesus is the Son of God.

Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27:54

And when the centurion, which stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.  Mark 15:39

And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.  Luke 23:47

Think about your own life?  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we are all guilty.  Just like Judas we betray God, just like Peter we deny him, just like the thief we break his laws, and just like the centurion we serve the world.

But we don’t have to.  Because Jesus was obedient unto the cross, because he died that day so long ago for the forgiveness of the sins of the world, all of them, mine, yours, the thief’s, Peter’s, we have hope today.  We can be forgiven just like Peter and the the thief.   Or we can continue to embrace our sin, allow it to control and rule us, and eventually collect the just wages of our choices.  Death. Just like Judas.  Maybe you’re the centurion.  You’re eyes are opened, you see the truth, you can’t deny it any longer – but your holding back, riding the fence, waiting.  Please do not wait too long.  You know the truth, accept it and the free gift of grace that Jesus offers with it.  Let Jesus know you regret your sins, all of them, and are sorry you sinned and that he had to die for those sins.  Then ask him to come into your heart and cleanse those sins away, ask him to wash you white as snow with his precious blood.  Repent and allow Jesus to make you into a new person, transformed, made whole.  Embrace the hope that Peter and that thief found, the hope that I found.  Call on Christ as your Lord and Savior, welcome him in, enter into the relationship he longs to have with you.  Enter grace, enter hope!

 

May God bless and keep you brothers and sisters.

Save

Choose You This Day…

Whom you will serve God, or Satan.

That’s a choice we must all make in our lives, who we will serve.  It sounds so simple and really it is simple but we make it so hard.  Serving God, placing our faith in His Son to save us is the only hope we have in this world, and for eternity.  See the choices we make today not only affect our lives here on earth but they determine what happens to our souls when this body dies.  We spend eternity with the one we serve in this life so choose carefully, eternity is a very long time!

See we are all born sinners, every single human ever born is a sinner from birth.  When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden they brought sin into the world, passing it on to their children like a genetic defect or disease almost, one that affects all offspring for all generations.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Corinthians 15:22

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:45

Because Adam sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil all mankind is affected; in fact all creation is but that’s another post.  Since we are all born sinners we have to decide what we’re gonna do about that fact.  Are we going to continue to live in our sinful nature, eventually to die in it, and suffer the just consequences of that choice?  God is a just and holy God and He never created us to live like this, in bondage to sin and to Satan.  He created us to be in relationship, fellowship with Him.  And we were, well actually it was just Adam and Eve who were, until sin entered the world and our lives forever separating us from our Creator.  That sin causes us all to rebel against God, to reject Him, to deny Him.  He could force us to love Him, accept Him but instead He created us with free will to choose whether or not we will follow Him.  Mankind made it a few hours or days before turning their backs on their Creator who loved them, we continue to do the same.

This grieves God’s heart for He loves each of us and truly desires that relationship for which we were created, but it’s up to us and sadly far to many of us choose our sin over God. See sin is fun while it’s happening, it feels good while we are doing it, it’s deceptive that way.  Because after it feels horrible, it wrecks lives, ours and those around us.  But sin is not God’s way it’s not of Him for He never wants us to do anything that will hurt us.  Instead sin is of Satan, the devil, that liar and deceiver who whispers in our ears to just do it, it’ll be ok, we won’t get hurt, God or our spouse won’t really care.  Those lies have been leading us straight to hell since that fateful day in the garden, since the forbidden fruit.  But it doesn’t have to be this way,we don’t have to die for our sins, we don’t have to sin.  God knew we would sin before He created us, knew Satan would find a way to get to us.  So God provide us another way, a better way.

Jesus, His only son is that way.  Because He lived a sinless life He was able to pay our debt for sin, he became our sin for us and took God’s wrath in our place.  The only thing is we have to do one thing.  When we repent of  our sins, turn from them and believe that Jesus is God’s son who died on the cross for us then rose on the third day the first fruits of the resurrection.  When we believe this in our hearts and confess it with our mouths he is faithful and good to forgive us for our sins.  We become new creatures no longer bound in chains by Satan and his deceptive ways.  We are set free by the Son, our Savior, we become His seed.  But when we choose to stay in our sin and reject God and the grace he offers through the shed blood of His precious Son then we become Satan’s seed.  I will have a post on these two seeds later but for now just know that being of Jesus’ seed means we spend eternity with Him, with God, at peace.  We receive glorified bodies, live in the new heaven and earth where there will be no more sickness, pain, dying, hunger or thirst; we will drink from the living water Christ offers.  It is eternity in paradise.  When we are of Satan’s seed, however, we share in His fate – we are forever separated from God and upon our deaths we are cast into Hell for all eternity.  Hell where the God we have rejected is not, He gives us what we want.   Hell isn’t a fun place despite what the devil would have us believe.  It’s a place of eternal torment, torture, pain, thirst, flames, fire, suffering, wailing and gnashing of teeth.  It’s your worst nightmare times a trillion times eternity!

So I close with one question, who will you serve?  As for me I like Joshua serve the Lord.

… choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15

 

 

 

 

Promises Based On the Will Of God

Today’s message comes from Day By Day By Grace by Bob Hoekstra.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

Promises based on the will of God is the additional category of acceptable promises that we will consider. People are frequently heard making predictive promises. “I will be a more faithful husband next year.” “I will get better grades in school this semester.” “I will not repeat my personal failures of last year.” “I will improve the profitability of my business this quarter.” Such promises are only acceptable in God’s sight, if they are made contingent upon the will of God. Instead, we ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
The will of God is to be the determining factor for all our days. God used James to reprimand the self-willed approach to living. “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit.” Such promises indicate the arrogance that people can embrace within their lives. “But now you boast in your arrogance” (Jas_4:16). Such arrogance prohibits us from living by grace, because grace is imparted to the humble heart. “Be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ ” (1Pe_5:5).
David was a notable example of one who humbly yielded to, and sought after, the will of God. “I delight to do Your will, O my God . . . Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God” (Psa_40:8; Psa_143:10). Paul’s comprehensive commitment to God’s will could be seen even in the way he stated predictive promises about his personal travel plans. As he left Ephesus, he stated, “I will return again to you, God willing” (Act_18:21). When writing to Corinth, he promised “I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills” (1Co_4:19).
Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ taught and lived in a manner that set the will of the Father as the absolute standard. Concerning how we should pray, He taught, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven . . . Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mat_6:9-10). He Himself prayed in this way. “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mat_26:39).

Dear Father, I seek You for a heart that is fully committed to Your will. May I delight in Your will each day. May I speak of future days only in terms of Your will— “If it is Your will, I shall live and do this or that.”

Cult Of Self

You all know that I believe we are in the last days, that soon the Lord will be coming back to for His church, His body, that means I spend a lot of time studying the end times prophecies and watching for the fulfillment of the signs we are called to watch for.  Tonight I was given a new perspective on a verse I have often studied.  I was watching a video talking about the social media, cell phone, selfie obsession running rampant in society today.  It is crazy, really.

Every where I go people either have their faces in their phones waiting for likes, scrolling endless newsfeeds, or posing for another selfie to share.  They are more concerned with being in cyber world than the real world and most seem to think that both worlds revolve around them.  I see people shopping that are too busy snapping pics of their hauls to even say hello to their cashiers, or driving and taking selfies at the same time, and being too busy scrolling their feeds in public to even look where they are walking, driving, etc, spending the entire sermon during church texting, scrolling, or you guessed it, taking selfies.  It’s not healthy, rational or safe and they certainly are missing out on real life and growing closer to the Lord in the last case, when they are continually attached to their devices, which my husband refers to as vices.  But it is the world we live in.  And I believe that Paul foretold us of it nearly 2,000 years ago.  So, rant over, let me get on with what I mean here.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.  2 Timothy 3:1-5

I will go ahead and say up front that if I step on some toes with this, I am not sorry, this needs to be said and understood before true freedom from these addictions through Jesus can be achieved.

In the last days there will come times of difficulty, yea you could say that.  Life is difficult, Christians are persecuted, nations are in turmoil, natural disasters have increased ten fold, terrorists groups like ISIS are growing in boldness and strength each day, people are starving, plagues are running rampant in many areas, need me to go on.  Times are bad, and they are going to get a whole lot worse according to scripture.  I believe we are still in the birth pangs stage and that means this is nothing compared to what’s coming.  I have said before that I believe in a pre-trib rapture or departing of the church but I am fully prepared to face the coming tribulation if my interpretation is wrong.  I am human and am not perfect so I could be mistaken and if I am then my faith will not be shaken, instead I am prepared to die for my faith if it comes to it, although if this is the scenario I will try to survive the 7 years of tribulation to see Jesus coming in triumph and glory at the end.  Ok, sorry got off track there, back to 1 Timothy.  Paul says that in the last days will come times of difficulty, then he begins to enumerate why this will happen.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Wow,  he couldn’t have described today’s society better.  People are obviously lovers of self – Facebook, Instagram, and selfies attest to that.  Along with that love of self comes pride and arrogance, conceit, etc.  And you’d think it was just the youngest generations but it isn’t, nope, it’s all generations.  At any given time I am as likely to see a teen, a young mom, a middle aged person and an older lady all taking selfies or scrolling at church.  Everyone has a phone in their hand all the time.  It has become an idol.  And it isn’t just older kids and adults.  Oh no!  A couple weeks ago I worked the nursery at the big church for a women’s circle meeting one evening.  I only had three kiddos so I spent the evening making some observations on the differences between them.  They were aged 4, 5, and 7 with the younger two being girls.  The younger girl and the boy are siblings and all three were pastors kids, actually both the 5 year girls parents are pastors.  Imagine my shock when said 5 year old whips out a toy cell phone and begins taking selfies that looked more like 25 than 5, “talking” to her boyfriends, Facebooking, etc.  She looked just like 90% of the adults I see when I come off our creek – lovers of self, proud, arrogant, conceited.

Paul also warns they will be lovers of money, ungrateful, unappeasable.  Yet again this sounds like a majority of people I see around me every day.  Always buying, spending, never taking time to enjoy what they already have, it’s all about more, more, more, spend, spend, spend.  My husband and I were just discussing this earlier as we noticed how certain people seem to blow money like mad buying anything and everything they want.  Only to throw it away or tear it up with in days or weeks.  They are never satisfied always looking for the perfect thing, never realizing that it doesn’t cost a dime.  Jesus fulfills us, satisfies us, in a way stuff and money never will.  When we accept him into our hearts, repent of our sinful ways (this includes the greed) we suddenly are freed to realize just how very blessed we are without all that junk.

 

 

 

 

 

People will also be abusive, disobedient to their parents, unholy, heartless, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Just look around you and I bet you can find examples of each of these traits.  I know I can, I used to be guilty of all of these characteristics Paul mentions, but once I gave my heart to the Lord and repented of these ways instead focusing on serving him I found out what it truly means to be free.  To be blessed.  To live!  No longer am I a slave to this world, now I serve a higher world, a higher purpose, a heavenly King.

If you are struggling with any of these signs of the times then I ask you to put your faith in Jesus and allow him to change you, free you from these tools of Satan that will ultimately destroy and condemn you.  Accept Jesus in your heart, confess your sins to him, repent and turn from them and embrace the grace the Lord offers.  Confess he is the Christ the Son of the living God who died for the repentance of sin then rose on the third day assuring us of the hope of eternal life with him.

Maybe you’ve already done that, if so praise the Lord brother or sister and rejoice that you are not numbered among this list that will perish in the lake of fire if they do not wake up and repent.  Then get busy about the Fathers work and get out there winning souls still caught in the condemning lies, a trap with eternal consequences, to the Lord.  Introduce them to our sweet Savior and show them there is a better way, a way filled with love, life, blessings and hope.  Time is running out and we must be about the Father’s work while we still can.

May the Lord bless and keep you brothers and sisters.

Hope

This post is going to take you through a lot of scripture tonight, brothers and sisters in Christ.  I want you to look at how The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.  Jesus, our only hope is in every page, paragraph, sentence word, and even letter of the Bible.  Just look and see.

Job_4:6  Is not thy fear of God thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
Psa_31:24  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psa_33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psa_38:15  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
Psa_39:7  And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psa_71:5  For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psa_71:14  But I will hope continually, and will praise thee yet more and more.
Psa_78:7  That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psa_119:81  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Psa_119:114  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
Psa_130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
Psa_147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Pro_10:28  The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Pro_11:7  When a wicked man dieth his expectation shall perish: and the hope of iniquity perisheth.
Pro_14:32  The wicked is thrust down in his evil-doing: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Jer_17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Jer_29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
Lam_3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lam_3:26  It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Mat_12:21  And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.
Act_2:26  Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
Act_24:15  having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Rom_5:2  through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom_5:4  and patience, probation; and probation, hope:
Rom_5:5  and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us.
Rom_8:20  For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope
Rom_8:24  For by hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth?
Rom_8:25  But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Rom_12:12  rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
Rom_15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Rom_15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Ghost.

1Co_13:13  But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
2Co_5:11  Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Eph_4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
Php_1:20  according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.
Col_1:5  because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
Col_1:23  if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
1Th_2:19  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

1Th_4:13  But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, which have no hope.
1Th_5:8  But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Ti_1:1  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope;
1Ti_4:10  For to this end we labour and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
Tit_1:2  in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
Tit_2:13  looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit_3:7  that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Heb_6:11  And we desire that each one of you may shew the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:
Heb_10:23  let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

1Pe_1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe_1:13  Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pe_1:21  who through him are believers in God, which raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe_3:15  but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:
1Jn_3:3  And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Hell Of Hell

If you’re unsaved this is for you, if you’re already saved then share this.

As always my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ may the Father bless, keep and strengthen you as you continue to:

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

knowing that you can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you. Philippians 4:13