Saturday, May 24, 2008

ALIVE!

HEBREWS 4:12

"For the Word of God is ALIVE and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts ans desires."

Agnostics and atheists proclaim that God is dead. Do you believe that God and His Word are dead? Believer's prove that God is alive every time they read the Bible and study the Word of God. The Word of God speaks to us and is full of power and life. It has an energizing and activating effect that helps us in our every day lives. It answers questions about life and gives us peace and contentment no matter what the circumstances may be in our lives. It is enlightening and shows us the depth and endless knowledge that can be found if we examine the Word closely. It penetrates to the dividing line of our very breath of life and our soul. The Words immortal spirit is in the deepest part of our nature. It sifts, analyzes and judges our very thoughts and the purposes of our heart.

If something is dead it has no value and is buried and put away. The Bible, the Word of God, is the most printed and used book in the history of man. It has proved to be trustworthy and true and has the answer to any question a man could ask. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and lived among us, and the Word was God. So you see the Word was and is alive, just as Jesus Christ is alive. Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive and is God and He is the Word and the Truth. Only fools say in their heart there is no God. Agnostics and atheists are fools and they do not have even the beginning of wisdom. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. The only spirits that will be dead eternally are those that say and believe that God is dead. They refuse to accept that God is alive and they refuse to accept His Son and His Word. The truth for today is that THE WORD OF GOD IS ALIVE!

Friday, May 23, 2008

BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY

TITUS 3:5

"God saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but, BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit."

It is part of human nature to want to take credit for things, sometimes even if we are not the one responsible. Most people think they have the power and ability to control their life and destiny. Do you believe you can save yourself from this world of flesh and give yourself eternal life? Most of us know that we have been foolish and disobedient, thoughtless and obstinate in our lives and would agree that we have been deluded into all kinds of cravings and pleasures. Many times we have wasted our lives in malice, envy and jealousy and even hatred. How do you suppose you can overcome these deficiencies and make things right for eternity?

When the loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared as the man Jesus Christ, we had the answer. Jesus saved us, not because of anything we have done, such as works or righteousness, but because of His own pity and mercy. With His baptism of the Holy Spirit we were cleansed of all past sins and we were born again. It is not by works, but by His mercy that we have been saved. No man can boast that they have brought about their salvation. We are never saved by any deed we have done.

We did not deserve this free gift of life as the result of how we lived. New life was poured out so richly and generously by Jesus Christ and His mercy. Now the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives promises a new eternal life free from sin. So as believer's we should all stop and bask in the wonder and glory of this Good News and eternal plan of God. We are saved BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

THIS EVIL WORLD

TITUS 2:12

"We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in THIS EVIL WORLD with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God."

Have you been saved by the Grace of God? Are you looking forward to the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ? Have you learned that respect and fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? Did you turn from ungodliness and worldly lusts? Have you learned self control and devotion to God? Is there any question in your mind this is an evil world?

When the grace of God appeared in your life you received His unmerited favor and blessing. You have been delivered from sin now have eternal salvation that will change your life on earth and for eternity. This salvation trains us to reject and renounce evil and worldly lusts. Grace allows us to live discrete lives with self control and spiritual morality. We can remain upright and devoted to God and not of this world. Have you experienced this change in your life?

We wait anxiously for the fulfillment of the glorious returning of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the Messiah, the anointed one and He will save us from this world and death. Is Jesus on your heart and mind and are you devoted to Him? You should have rejected the old self and all your evil and ungodly and lustful ways. You should be living a temperate, self controlled and spiritually devoted life. We must never forget God has saved us from death and THIS EVIL WORLD!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A PURE HEART

TITUS 1:15

"Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. Nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their mind and hearts are corrupted."

Did you ever wonder why one person sees the glass half full and another sees the glass half empty? Could it be the condition of their heart? Why is it that out of the mouths of babes and young children come pure thoughts, statements and ideas? Why is it that many adults are so pessimistic and only see the bad in everyone and everything. Is it a matter of the heart and the mind? Believer's tend to be optimistic because of their inherent belief and acceptance of God's Word and His Good News. Unbeliever's tend to be corrupt and defiled and find nothing pure.
Unbeliever's minds and consciences are polluted and defiled and thus they are corrupt!

With such a clear distinction between the pure in heart and the corrupted heart you can only wonder why the choice to accept the Lord is so difficult for some. The only way you can clean up your heart and mind is to believe the Word of God and accept Him into your heart. God will make you into a new person with a new, pure heart. It is not sufficient to say you are acquainted with God and then disown and deny Him, or renounce Him by what you do.

If you are tired of being negative and pessimistic and you feel you are never at peace, you can make a choice that will change your life and give you a new heart. If you want to find peace here on earth, and for the eternity to come, there is only one answer. You must accept the Word of God and ask Him into your life. God will change your heart and your mind and make you a new person. If you accept Jesus Christ and open the door to your heart He will come in and have a relationship with you. Old things will pass away and new things will take there place. Do it today, the Lord will give you A PURE HEART!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

THE INSPIRATION OF GOD

2 TIMOTHY 3:16

"All scripture is INSPIRED BY GOD and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."

True Christian's believe every scripture and word of God is given by His inspiration. The authors were breathed on by God and although they were the instrument, God was the true author. His words are profitable for instruction, reproof, and conviction of our sins. His Word is meant to correct errors in our lives and to teach us discipline and obedience. This is how we are trained for righteous and Holy living that is in conformity with God's will. The inspiration applies to ALL SCRIPTURE.

Without the scriptures how could any believer be complete, proficient or adequate to do God's work? We are certain anyone can find inspiration and life changing correction from the Word. Some only read the red letter portions of the word, while others rely on the new testament. Some just pick and choose their own favorite scriptures that substantiate their ideas, while abandoning the rest of God's Word. It is our position that this is done at a great loss to any individual. Real gain is when each person comes to a knowledge that every scripture is useful and inspirational.

Do you read the Bible on a regular basis? Do you read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation? Do you do it once a year as we recommend? Have you placed God's Word in your heart and mind? It takes more than a cursory look to digest all that God has to offer us and teach us. We have found that teaching others what you have learned from God's Word is the best method of learning. Be inspired by God. Study His Word. Teach others about the Lord. You will find THE INSPIRATION OF GOD!

Monday, May 19, 2008

TURN AWAY FROM EVIL

2 TIMOTHY 2:19

"God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone, with this inscription: The Lord knows who are His, and All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil."

Does the Lord know you? Do you know the Lord? Do you have His seal upon you? There is a sure way to know if you belong to the Lord or not. Have you turned away from evil? If you were in an adulterous relationship before coming to Christ, have you stopped committing adultery? If you were an alcoholic before you came to Christ, have you given up hard liquor and drunkenness? If you used pornography and R rated materials before you came to Christ, have you stopped doing this and turned from your evil behavior?

Now that you know the commandments and expectations of God, have you changed and become a new person? If you must answer no, then you have not turned away from evil and you are not standing on the firm foundation of the Lord. Do you really believe you belong to God if you do not follow Him? God's firm foundation stands sure and unshaken, it bears His seal and inscription.

The way the Lord knows if you are His and are hearing His voice is simple. Have you given up your former wicked ways? Have you become a new person, and turned your back on the old self? You must stand aloof from and evil and flee from it. Either you have, or you have not! If you have turned away from your evil ways, you are listening to the voice of Jesus Christ! Saying you will do it in the future is not sufficient. If you are not listening, you are not sealed and God knows it! TURN AWAY FROM EVIL!