JEREMIAH 16:20
"Can people make their own gods? Yes, but these are not real gods at all!"
Believer's know that Jesus Christ is the Lord God. They know that Jesus is the only true God. We also know that there is but one God and He is the only one who can Save us and give us new and eternal life. That being said, what does everyone else believe? Who is their God? People can make their own gods, but they are not real gods at all. None of their gods can save them and give them eternal life! Many have worshiped worthless idols. What a foolish heritage they leave.
The fact that man could make a god is preposterous on its face. If a man can make god then it is not god at all. Therefore any idol of stone or wood or any other earthly material by definition can not be a true god. The earth itself or the sun, moon or stars or even the universe can not be god because they can not make a man. Animals of any type, such as monkeys or cows or any other creature can not be a god because they were made by God and they can not make anything! The most popular false god of today is man himself. Humanism is when men think they are god and absolute. Men can not make themselves or save themselves, nor do they have absolute power, in fact they can not even make dirt!
Do you think you can make a god for yourself? Do you think that you can make a star or moon or universe? Do you think that you or a collection of men can bring something out of nothing? Do you think that you have the power to save yourself from death? Can you name any man who has risen from the dead and exists at this moment. Only if you believe in Jesus Christ. You are so vulnerable and mortal that you can not do anything in or of yourself. One day you will die and when you do you will be judged by the Living God, Jesus Christ and you will bend your knee and bow to Him and you will confess with your tongue that He is God! You can not MAKE YOUR OWN GOD!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
LORD YOU ARE MY REFUGE!
JEREMIAH 16:19
"LORD YOU ARE MY STRENGTH AND FORTRESS, MY REFUGE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE"
What kind of trouble have you had or are you having? Have you seen a time of financial difficulty, such as the wall street meltdown and loss of your retirement income? Have you been diagnosed with a terminal or serious illness? Has your family suffered a serious blow that has repercussions on you all? Have you seen the disolution of a marital relationship that once was thought to be impenetrable? Have you succumed to an addiction of alcohol, sex or drugs? Have you lost the love and respect of your children? You will have your "day of trouble", the question is where and when. What will you do?
There are two obvious answers to the same question and the difference will depend on your beliefs! If you do not believe in God then you will seek refuge in a variety of ways which unfortunetly will not bring you satisfaction. Man is not the answer, nor any or his religious idols or beliefs. There is no refuge in what has a beginning and an end. There is no power on earth that can save you or make you whole with one exception. So if you find yourself in depression and at a loss for the answer to your dilema, then you have focused your sights on the wrong solution. There is and always will be only one real refuge filled with strength and the answer!
Oh Lord you are my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in a time of trouble. You are my fortress and refuge in the day of affliction. You are the only answer to my problems. Lord because I believe in you, I can come to you whenever the world comes crashing down on me. You are like a rock or a tower that I can run to and find peace and strength every time I need help. Where else could I go but to you? There is no other solution or answer to my problems. So even if I lose everything material, or if I come down with a serious or terminal illness, or if my family or marital relationships are in peril, or if I am addicted or guilty of a serious crime, there is only one place to go where I can be Saved. LORD YOU ARE MY REFUGE!
"LORD YOU ARE MY STRENGTH AND FORTRESS, MY REFUGE IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE"
What kind of trouble have you had or are you having? Have you seen a time of financial difficulty, such as the wall street meltdown and loss of your retirement income? Have you been diagnosed with a terminal or serious illness? Has your family suffered a serious blow that has repercussions on you all? Have you seen the disolution of a marital relationship that once was thought to be impenetrable? Have you succumed to an addiction of alcohol, sex or drugs? Have you lost the love and respect of your children? You will have your "day of trouble", the question is where and when. What will you do?
There are two obvious answers to the same question and the difference will depend on your beliefs! If you do not believe in God then you will seek refuge in a variety of ways which unfortunetly will not bring you satisfaction. Man is not the answer, nor any or his religious idols or beliefs. There is no refuge in what has a beginning and an end. There is no power on earth that can save you or make you whole with one exception. So if you find yourself in depression and at a loss for the answer to your dilema, then you have focused your sights on the wrong solution. There is and always will be only one real refuge filled with strength and the answer!
Oh Lord you are my strength and my stronghold, and my refuge in a time of trouble. You are my fortress and refuge in the day of affliction. You are the only answer to my problems. Lord because I believe in you, I can come to you whenever the world comes crashing down on me. You are like a rock or a tower that I can run to and find peace and strength every time I need help. Where else could I go but to you? There is no other solution or answer to my problems. So even if I lose everything material, or if I come down with a serious or terminal illness, or if my family or marital relationships are in peril, or if I am addicted or guilty of a serious crime, there is only one place to go where I can be Saved. LORD YOU ARE MY REFUGE!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RETURN?
1 THESSALONIANS 1:10
"They speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven- Jesus, whom God raised from the dead . He is the one who has rescued us from terrors of the coming judgement."
Just think, the Thessalonians alive at the time of Jesus had already started to look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ, their Messiah. How about you, are you looking forward to the second coming? We as believer's know that Jesus Christ is going to come again. He will descend from Heaven and this time not as an innocent child but as our rescuer, who will save us from the terrors of the judgement that comes with Him. Jesus can return at any time, and no man knows the hour or the day. He has tarried so that all who care to, can come to Him and be saved from eternal death unto life. I for one and all who read this truth for the day should be very happy!
Even now we look forward to and await the coming of God's Son from Heaven. God raised Jesus from the dead so that He could rescue us personally and deliver us from the wrath and punishment that is coming on the non repentant. Jesus will draw us to Himself and give us all the privileges and rewards that come with our new life in Him. He was not only the Messiah to the Thessalonians but He is the Saviour to us all. We have a new life in Christ.
Are you so rapped up in this life that you have forgotten about the second coming? Do you know and take it literally that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth to save us and give us eternal life. Do you know that those who have not repented will suffer at the time of judgement, and the price they will pay is eternal damnation? God does not want anyone to perish and to suffer and that is the reason He has not returned as of this date. To all who have not accepted Jesus into their heart, look up your redemption draws nigh and today is the day of your salvation, if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRIST'S RETURN?
"They speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven- Jesus, whom God raised from the dead . He is the one who has rescued us from terrors of the coming judgement."
Just think, the Thessalonians alive at the time of Jesus had already started to look forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ, their Messiah. How about you, are you looking forward to the second coming? We as believer's know that Jesus Christ is going to come again. He will descend from Heaven and this time not as an innocent child but as our rescuer, who will save us from the terrors of the judgement that comes with Him. Jesus can return at any time, and no man knows the hour or the day. He has tarried so that all who care to, can come to Him and be saved from eternal death unto life. I for one and all who read this truth for the day should be very happy!
Even now we look forward to and await the coming of God's Son from Heaven. God raised Jesus from the dead so that He could rescue us personally and deliver us from the wrath and punishment that is coming on the non repentant. Jesus will draw us to Himself and give us all the privileges and rewards that come with our new life in Him. He was not only the Messiah to the Thessalonians but He is the Saviour to us all. We have a new life in Christ.
Are you so rapped up in this life that you have forgotten about the second coming? Do you know and take it literally that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth to save us and give us eternal life. Do you know that those who have not repented will suffer at the time of judgement, and the price they will pay is eternal damnation? God does not want anyone to perish and to suffer and that is the reason He has not returned as of this date. To all who have not accepted Jesus into their heart, look up your redemption draws nigh and today is the day of your salvation, if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRIST'S RETURN?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
REMEMBER MY CHAINS!
COLOSSIANS 4:18
"Remember my chains. May God's grace be with you. Paul."
How is life going for you today? Most believer's have never experienced being jailed for their beliefs. We live in a time and a place where persecution is not practiced to any great extent. We have freedom of religion and a right to practice it without interference. We often take this for granted and fail to remember that the founders of this country came here because they had experienced persecution for their beliefs in other countries. Many had suffered indignation's and imprisonment and even death for their beliefs. Being chained in a prison is something that the average American just can not identify with. How about you, have you ever been scared to express you beliefs to others for the fear of retribution and reprisals?
Paul was imprisoned and beaten and suffered other indignities as a result of spreading the Good News. He never wavered in his beliefs or the mission the Lord had given him. What would you do under the same circumstances? If you thought that you would be physically abused or placed in a jail in chains for spreading the Gospel, what would you do? That is why we repeat this one truth for today. Paul is praying that those who benefit from his degradation and imprisonment will in the future REMEMBER MY CHAINS! Today for just a moment, stop and remember that the Lord laid down His life for you and shed His blood on the cross to save you from death. Also remember that others, like Paul suffered and gave their lives to bring you the Good News.
Even though Paul was made to suffer and be in chains, in the same breath he prayed to God that God's grace could be with you. His prayer was for others and even future generations. He was unselfish and his concern was for all of us. That is the kind of faith and belief we need for today. There may come a time when discrimination and persecution could return to believer's. Thank God that we have examples to follow and emulate. In case you forget what to do Paul's advice is to REMEMBER MY CHAINS!
"Remember my chains. May God's grace be with you. Paul."
How is life going for you today? Most believer's have never experienced being jailed for their beliefs. We live in a time and a place where persecution is not practiced to any great extent. We have freedom of religion and a right to practice it without interference. We often take this for granted and fail to remember that the founders of this country came here because they had experienced persecution for their beliefs in other countries. Many had suffered indignation's and imprisonment and even death for their beliefs. Being chained in a prison is something that the average American just can not identify with. How about you, have you ever been scared to express you beliefs to others for the fear of retribution and reprisals?
Paul was imprisoned and beaten and suffered other indignities as a result of spreading the Good News. He never wavered in his beliefs or the mission the Lord had given him. What would you do under the same circumstances? If you thought that you would be physically abused or placed in a jail in chains for spreading the Gospel, what would you do? That is why we repeat this one truth for today. Paul is praying that those who benefit from his degradation and imprisonment will in the future REMEMBER MY CHAINS! Today for just a moment, stop and remember that the Lord laid down His life for you and shed His blood on the cross to save you from death. Also remember that others, like Paul suffered and gave their lives to bring you the Good News.
Even though Paul was made to suffer and be in chains, in the same breath he prayed to God that God's grace could be with you. His prayer was for others and even future generations. He was unselfish and his concern was for all of us. That is the kind of faith and belief we need for today. There may come a time when discrimination and persecution could return to believer's. Thank God that we have examples to follow and emulate. In case you forget what to do Paul's advice is to REMEMBER MY CHAINS!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS
COLOSSIANS 3:17
"And whatever you do or say, do it as A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Who do you represent? You are a member of a family and in part you represent them. You are a citizen of a city, state and country and you are a representative of them. You may be a member of a political party, fraternity or other organization that you identify with and represent. As a Christian have you ever thought or believed that in everything that you say or do you are a REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS? That is a heavy duty and an huge task. Those around you see and hear you, what do they see and hear?
Whatever you do, no matter what word or deed, you must do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You must depend on Him and rely on His Word. You are no longer your own and you can not just speak for yourself. Others will be watching and listening to you and you now are a representative of the Lord. If you involve yourself in actions that are immoral and sinful they will be known to those around you and they will not just hurt you but they will embarrass the Lord. You belong to the Lord and you are responsible to avoid sinning against Him.
The way that we can give thanks to the Lord for His saving grace is to honor Him and His Word. The best way to show your love and faith is to demonstrate the new person you have become. With the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us we can do the job. We are now in the Kingdom of the Lord and one of His children. Our duty is to honor the name of Jesus Christ and to avoid any actions that can diminish His name. That is why we avoid immorality and sinfulness. We want to Honor the Lord, after all we are A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD!
"And whatever you do or say, do it as A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
Who do you represent? You are a member of a family and in part you represent them. You are a citizen of a city, state and country and you are a representative of them. You may be a member of a political party, fraternity or other organization that you identify with and represent. As a Christian have you ever thought or believed that in everything that you say or do you are a REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS? That is a heavy duty and an huge task. Those around you see and hear you, what do they see and hear?
Whatever you do, no matter what word or deed, you must do it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You must depend on Him and rely on His Word. You are no longer your own and you can not just speak for yourself. Others will be watching and listening to you and you now are a representative of the Lord. If you involve yourself in actions that are immoral and sinful they will be known to those around you and they will not just hurt you but they will embarrass the Lord. You belong to the Lord and you are responsible to avoid sinning against Him.
The way that we can give thanks to the Lord for His saving grace is to honor Him and His Word. The best way to show your love and faith is to demonstrate the new person you have become. With the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us we can do the job. We are now in the Kingdom of the Lord and one of His children. Our duty is to honor the name of Jesus Christ and to avoid any actions that can diminish His name. That is why we avoid immorality and sinfulness. We want to Honor the Lord, after all we are A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD!
Monday, October 6, 2008
LET YOUR ROOTS GROW
COLOSSIANS 2:6-7
"Now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. LET YOUR ROOTS GROW down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness."
Have you ever planted anything? Remember how small and fragile the little plants are in the beginning? They require greater care and tending and they must be watered if they are to survive. Remember how anxious you were that they pass that critical initial growth stage? Remember the pride and satisfaction as they started to bloom and give fruit? The Lord must feel the same way about each of us. Jesus is the water of life. Your growth in Jesus will be in proportion to how deep your roots grown into Him. God wants you to blossom and bloom!
As you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord, He now wants you to regulate your lives and conduct yourselves in conformity with His Word and plan for your life. Jesus wants your roots to be firmly and deeply planted in Him. He wants you fixed in place growing ever upward and with your roots expanding in Him. Your job is to become more confirmed and increasingly established in the faith. You will increase in faith the more you are taught by the Spirit of God.
The best part of being rooted in Jesus Christ is the flowering of your life. You will be like a prize flower in the Lord's garden. You will be so beautiful that you will attract others to your beauty. You will be filled with thanksgiving in your heart that you are part of the Lord's garden. As you continue to follow Jesus you will continue to grow and flourish. Then year after year you will continue and become stronger and more pleasing to God. The important thing for you is to LET YOUR ROOTS GROW.
"Now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. LET YOUR ROOTS GROW down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught and you will overflow with thankfulness."
Have you ever planted anything? Remember how small and fragile the little plants are in the beginning? They require greater care and tending and they must be watered if they are to survive. Remember how anxious you were that they pass that critical initial growth stage? Remember the pride and satisfaction as they started to bloom and give fruit? The Lord must feel the same way about each of us. Jesus is the water of life. Your growth in Jesus will be in proportion to how deep your roots grown into Him. God wants you to blossom and bloom!
As you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord, He now wants you to regulate your lives and conduct yourselves in conformity with His Word and plan for your life. Jesus wants your roots to be firmly and deeply planted in Him. He wants you fixed in place growing ever upward and with your roots expanding in Him. Your job is to become more confirmed and increasingly established in the faith. You will increase in faith the more you are taught by the Spirit of God.
The best part of being rooted in Jesus Christ is the flowering of your life. You will be like a prize flower in the Lord's garden. You will be so beautiful that you will attract others to your beauty. You will be filled with thanksgiving in your heart that you are part of the Lord's garden. As you continue to follow Jesus you will continue to grow and flourish. Then year after year you will continue and become stronger and more pleasing to God. The important thing for you is to LET YOUR ROOTS GROW.
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