HEBREWS 10:37-38
"For IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE the Coming One will come and not delay. The righteous ones will live by faith, but I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away."
You and your family are on a trip to Grandpa and Grandma"s. The children are in the back seat of the car and they continually ask, "are we there yet", "when are we going to get there"? You understand because time to them is nebulous and uncertain. The children are a captive audience and can go no where until you arrive at your destination. Many times we are like the children in that we want to know when Jesus Christ is going to return. We ask, "Is the Lord returning soon" or "the signs tell us that this is the time for the Lords return". We are just as anxious as the kids and just as upset when the time seems to continue forever. The difference is we are not a captive audience.
Remember that God's timing is not the same as our own. He measures time in a much different way and a day to him may be like 10,000 years to us. In that we do not even live for 100 years it is not surprising that the truth for today is that Jesus Christ is coming IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE! Do not miss the most important part of the statement. Jesus Christ is Coming! He will return as He told us and He will bring the new earth with Him. Those who remain and are faithful will meet with Him in twinkling of an eye and so will we ever be with Him, IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE!
The righteous ones will live eternally as a result of their faith. The righteous and faithful will be with the Lord forever and ever. The other part of the scripture once again reminds those who have come to a saving grace and knowledge of God that they must hold out to the very end. That is why God Say's that He will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. Once you have tasted the sweetness of Jesus Christ, where can you go? Some do turn away from God and they commit the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit and the Lord. God did not make that choice and the consequences can be blamed on Him. If you turn from God of your free will you will suffer the consequences that are just and fair. Separation from God forever!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
IT IS A TERRIBLE THING!
HEBREWS 10:31
"IT IS A TERRIBLE THING to fall into the hands of the living God!"
Think back and remember what the beginning of wisdom is. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. So many people find it hard to understand why they should have to fear a loving God. In fact they say if God is good then He would never do anything to harm us. They are correct, if you love God and have opened the door to your heart and asked Him to come in then you will find Him to be a Loving and Good God. So what is the truth for today that this scripture is trying to teach us?
If you do not fear, love or know God and believe in Him then you are separated from Him and have chosen to reject or not accept Him. God wants everyone to be saved and to fall into His loving arms but He has given you free choice as to whether you accept Him or reject Him. By doing nothing you have not accepted Him and that is the same as rejecting Him. You are either for or against God. You can not remain neutral. If you reject God or continue on sinning after receiving Him into your heart, you are in peril of God's judgement and the raging fire. Now we come to the importance of this truth for today.
IT IS A TERRIBLE THING to fall into the hands of the Living God. Everyone will face judgement after the first death. If Jesus Christ is your advocate you will receive mercy and be found free of sin and guilt. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour then you will be rejected by God who will tell you that He never knew you. You will thus be separated from God for all eternity and you will be sent into utter darkness and the raging fires of Hell. Let me ask you a question, is this a terrible thing? If you do not fear the second death and Hell then you are not deserving of mercy and you have no wisdom. Your choice, your decision!
"IT IS A TERRIBLE THING to fall into the hands of the living God!"
Think back and remember what the beginning of wisdom is. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. So many people find it hard to understand why they should have to fear a loving God. In fact they say if God is good then He would never do anything to harm us. They are correct, if you love God and have opened the door to your heart and asked Him to come in then you will find Him to be a Loving and Good God. So what is the truth for today that this scripture is trying to teach us?
If you do not fear, love or know God and believe in Him then you are separated from Him and have chosen to reject or not accept Him. God wants everyone to be saved and to fall into His loving arms but He has given you free choice as to whether you accept Him or reject Him. By doing nothing you have not accepted Him and that is the same as rejecting Him. You are either for or against God. You can not remain neutral. If you reject God or continue on sinning after receiving Him into your heart, you are in peril of God's judgement and the raging fire. Now we come to the importance of this truth for today.
IT IS A TERRIBLE THING to fall into the hands of the Living God. Everyone will face judgement after the first death. If Jesus Christ is your advocate you will receive mercy and be found free of sin and guilt. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour then you will be rejected by God who will tell you that He never knew you. You will thus be separated from God for all eternity and you will be sent into utter darkness and the raging fires of Hell. Let me ask you a question, is this a terrible thing? If you do not fear the second death and Hell then you are not deserving of mercy and you have no wisdom. Your choice, your decision!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
THE WORST PUNISHMENT!
HEBREWS 10:29
"Just think how much WORSE THE PUNISHMENT will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us Holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have disdained the Holy Spirit, who brings God's mercy to us."
If we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that cover these sins! You can only expect one terrible thing, God's judgement and the raging fire. Moses law called for people to be stoned to death for their sins, after the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much WORSE THE PUNISHMENT will be for those who trample on the Son of God. When you deliberately continue sinning when you know the truth there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover your sin.
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin. When you treat the blood of the covenant that made us holy as if it were common and unholy, with complete disdain, you have insulted and blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings God's mercy to us and you have rejected Him. If you know that adultery is wrong but you continue in it you are guilty of committing continuing sin with knowledge and thus you are an enemy of God. It would have been better for you if you had never known God. You will get THE WORST PUNISHMENT!
God Say's "I will take revenge, I will pay them back", to those who deliberately continue sinning. God said, "I will judge my own people", in reference to those who trample on the the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. You have only one possible option to reverse this eternal position that you have chosen. You must first get on you knees and beg Jesus Christ for forgiveness and you must truly repent of your sins. That means you can no longer commit the sin. If it is adultery, you must terminate the relationship right now and stop sinning. The choice is yours, you control your actions one at a time and if you do not repent, and turn around you will receive THE WORST PUNISHMENT!
"Just think how much WORSE THE PUNISHMENT will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us Holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have disdained the Holy Spirit, who brings God's mercy to us."
If we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that cover these sins! You can only expect one terrible thing, God's judgement and the raging fire. Moses law called for people to be stoned to death for their sins, after the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much WORSE THE PUNISHMENT will be for those who trample on the Son of God. When you deliberately continue sinning when you know the truth there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover your sin.
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin. When you treat the blood of the covenant that made us holy as if it were common and unholy, with complete disdain, you have insulted and blasphemed the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings God's mercy to us and you have rejected Him. If you know that adultery is wrong but you continue in it you are guilty of committing continuing sin with knowledge and thus you are an enemy of God. It would have been better for you if you had never known God. You will get THE WORST PUNISHMENT!
God Say's "I will take revenge, I will pay them back", to those who deliberately continue sinning. God said, "I will judge my own people", in reference to those who trample on the the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. You have only one possible option to reverse this eternal position that you have chosen. You must first get on you knees and beg Jesus Christ for forgiveness and you must truly repent of your sins. That means you can no longer commit the sin. If it is adultery, you must terminate the relationship right now and stop sinning. The choice is yours, you control your actions one at a time and if you do not repent, and turn around you will receive THE WORST PUNISHMENT!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
WITH GOD'S HELP!
PSALM 108:13
"With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes."
Have you ever noticed how many times the winner of a contest gives all the glory to God? This thanks is offered up by individuals and teams. Think of how many participants offer up a prayer to God and ask for His help. By no means does this apply to everyone. How often the winners seem to involve God is not easy to count or determine, but, it would appear the frequency is high. The real issue is not whether you will win or lose with or without God's help, the real issue is do you put God first in everything? The first commandment of God is placed there because of its importance.
In our present day vernacular we say, "keep the first thing first". Translation of this comment would be that we should go to God before we do anything and always keep Him first in everything that we do. As believer's we can do many and mighty things but a precondition would be that we pray for God's help. Do you really believe that you can do mighty things on your own? With God's help we can do might things. Before we engage in battle or a contest or anything of consequence, we should seek the help of the Lord.
We all want to be valiant. If that is so then we should understand that it is with and through God that we can be valiant. It is God who will tread down our enemies and bring us victory, not ourselves. Before the big exam or test pray for God's help. Before popping the big question to that certain someone, or the boss, pray for God's help. Make it a habit of thinking and seeking God first before you do anything. Always remember that it will always be "God willing" for your answer. You do not have to stand alone, you are never alone if you have God as your Saviour. With God's help we can do anything.
"With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes."
Have you ever noticed how many times the winner of a contest gives all the glory to God? This thanks is offered up by individuals and teams. Think of how many participants offer up a prayer to God and ask for His help. By no means does this apply to everyone. How often the winners seem to involve God is not easy to count or determine, but, it would appear the frequency is high. The real issue is not whether you will win or lose with or without God's help, the real issue is do you put God first in everything? The first commandment of God is placed there because of its importance.
In our present day vernacular we say, "keep the first thing first". Translation of this comment would be that we should go to God before we do anything and always keep Him first in everything that we do. As believer's we can do many and mighty things but a precondition would be that we pray for God's help. Do you really believe that you can do mighty things on your own? With God's help we can do might things. Before we engage in battle or a contest or anything of consequence, we should seek the help of the Lord.
We all want to be valiant. If that is so then we should understand that it is with and through God that we can be valiant. It is God who will tread down our enemies and bring us victory, not ourselves. Before the big exam or test pray for God's help. Before popping the big question to that certain someone, or the boss, pray for God's help. Make it a habit of thinking and seeking God first before you do anything. Always remember that it will always be "God willing" for your answer. You do not have to stand alone, you are never alone if you have God as your Saviour. With God's help we can do anything.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
ONCE AND FOR ALL!
HEBREWS 10:12
"But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time."
What do you think of a system that you have to repeat day after day to be affective? The priests offered sacrifices to God every day to atone for the sins of the people. The sacrifices were not effective for all time and the proof is that they had to be repeated time after time. Thus we see that the old covenant was merely a shadow of things to come, a template of what must be done to save sinners from death. The priests sacrifices could never take away the sins of the people. The was only one way for sins to be forgiven, ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Whereas the old covenant sacrifices were never perfect and never satisfied God, the New Covenant Sacrifice of the perfect Jesus Christ was. Christ was our High Priest on the order of Melchizedek and He was the perfect sacrifice that was without sin. Jesus offered Himself up to God as a single sacrifice for sin. That one one sacrifice was good for all time. As you know Jesus never had to sacrifice Himself again. After Jesus Sacrificed Himself He was seated in the place of honor at God's right hand. He remains there waiting for His enemies to be humbled under His feet.
By that one offering we were made Holy and perfect in the sight of God. There are three witnesses. The Holy Spirit testifies that this is so. God testifies that this is His beloved Son and He placed Him at His right Hand. Jesus testified to His being the perfect offering many times. Once He said why do you call me good, only one is good and that is God. Jesus also said He came to do God's perfect will. When called the Messiah He never denied it. So the perfect sinless offering was made in the body of Jesus Christ and is was ONCE AND FOR ALL!
"But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time."
What do you think of a system that you have to repeat day after day to be affective? The priests offered sacrifices to God every day to atone for the sins of the people. The sacrifices were not effective for all time and the proof is that they had to be repeated time after time. Thus we see that the old covenant was merely a shadow of things to come, a template of what must be done to save sinners from death. The priests sacrifices could never take away the sins of the people. The was only one way for sins to be forgiven, ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Whereas the old covenant sacrifices were never perfect and never satisfied God, the New Covenant Sacrifice of the perfect Jesus Christ was. Christ was our High Priest on the order of Melchizedek and He was the perfect sacrifice that was without sin. Jesus offered Himself up to God as a single sacrifice for sin. That one one sacrifice was good for all time. As you know Jesus never had to sacrifice Himself again. After Jesus Sacrificed Himself He was seated in the place of honor at God's right hand. He remains there waiting for His enemies to be humbled under His feet.
By that one offering we were made Holy and perfect in the sight of God. There are three witnesses. The Holy Spirit testifies that this is so. God testifies that this is His beloved Son and He placed Him at His right Hand. Jesus testified to His being the perfect offering many times. Once He said why do you call me good, only one is good and that is God. Jesus also said He came to do God's perfect will. When called the Messiah He never denied it. So the perfect sinless offering was made in the body of Jesus Christ and is was ONCE AND FOR ALL!
TURN BACK AND LIVE!
EZEKIEL 18:31
"Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die. I do not want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord, TURN BACK AND LIVE."
Think of the most outrageous and immoral person you can think of. The one with all those things that point them out as rebellious. Drug users, homosexuals, drunkards, murderers and thieves. The ones who disfigure their bodies with tattoos and metal and bone accessories and disrespect authority. Atheists and Agnostics who cry out that God is dead and reject Jesus Christ as the Lord God. Do you have someone in mind? How about the liar and the adulterer and the seemingly sweet child of God that in reality is depraved of mind and deceives everyone.
God says that He will judge every person according to their actions. Sins will destroy the person who commits them, if they never repent of them. All the acts we discussed above are done by so many people and the question is what will become of them. They will die in their sins and be separated from God for eternity. They are dead and they do not even know it. When they pass away on earth, their soul will be judged and then sent to eternal Hell. This is not what God wants or intends, but it is the truth and if they can hear and then react there is Hope for them!
Listen to God and His Word and Repent. That means that you have to turn around and away from your sinning and turn toward God and His path to righteousness. Put your rebellion behind you. You can find a new heart and a new spirit if you open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ. Why should you die eternally. God does not want anyone to die and be separated from Him for eternity, but each individual makes their own choice about what to believe and what to do. You must repent and ask God for forgiveness if you want to live. Are you sinning today, TURN BACK AND LIVE!
"Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die. I do not want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord, TURN BACK AND LIVE."
Think of the most outrageous and immoral person you can think of. The one with all those things that point them out as rebellious. Drug users, homosexuals, drunkards, murderers and thieves. The ones who disfigure their bodies with tattoos and metal and bone accessories and disrespect authority. Atheists and Agnostics who cry out that God is dead and reject Jesus Christ as the Lord God. Do you have someone in mind? How about the liar and the adulterer and the seemingly sweet child of God that in reality is depraved of mind and deceives everyone.
God says that He will judge every person according to their actions. Sins will destroy the person who commits them, if they never repent of them. All the acts we discussed above are done by so many people and the question is what will become of them. They will die in their sins and be separated from God for eternity. They are dead and they do not even know it. When they pass away on earth, their soul will be judged and then sent to eternal Hell. This is not what God wants or intends, but it is the truth and if they can hear and then react there is Hope for them!
Listen to God and His Word and Repent. That means that you have to turn around and away from your sinning and turn toward God and His path to righteousness. Put your rebellion behind you. You can find a new heart and a new spirit if you open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ. Why should you die eternally. God does not want anyone to die and be separated from Him for eternity, but each individual makes their own choice about what to believe and what to do. You must repent and ask God for forgiveness if you want to live. Are you sinning today, TURN BACK AND LIVE!
Monday, November 10, 2008
HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU?
PSALM 107:2
"HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies."
Can you think of a more important question to ask anyone? If you were in an audience and the pastor asked you if you had been redeemed, would you raise your hand? Has the Lord redeemed you? If the answer is yes, then praise the Lord. If the answer is no, then you have a choice to make that will determine your eternal resting place. To all those who can answer yes to the question, here is the truth for today and the Word of the Lord.
We as the redeemed have a responsibility to speak out and tell others about our redemption. Do you speak out to others and tell them of the saving grace of God? We have been snatched away from the enemy and we have been purchased with a price by Jesus Christ. It is not too much to ask that we share our testimony with others and tell them of the Saving Grace of the Lord. This is the Good News that can save others from death and the enemy. Some are shy and reticent to speak out for fear that they are not eloquent enough. This does not require eloquence, it requires obedience.
Give thanks to God, for He is Good! His faithful love endures forever. His Word to you today is that you should speak out and tell others of His redemptive Love. Tell them they too can be saved and avoid eternal death. This gift of life is not for you alone, it is for everybody and faith comes from hearing and that can come from you. HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? Tell everyone you can that has happened to you. Snatch someone from the fires of Hell!
"HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies."
Can you think of a more important question to ask anyone? If you were in an audience and the pastor asked you if you had been redeemed, would you raise your hand? Has the Lord redeemed you? If the answer is yes, then praise the Lord. If the answer is no, then you have a choice to make that will determine your eternal resting place. To all those who can answer yes to the question, here is the truth for today and the Word of the Lord.
We as the redeemed have a responsibility to speak out and tell others about our redemption. Do you speak out to others and tell them of the saving grace of God? We have been snatched away from the enemy and we have been purchased with a price by Jesus Christ. It is not too much to ask that we share our testimony with others and tell them of the Saving Grace of the Lord. This is the Good News that can save others from death and the enemy. Some are shy and reticent to speak out for fear that they are not eloquent enough. This does not require eloquence, it requires obedience.
Give thanks to God, for He is Good! His faithful love endures forever. His Word to you today is that you should speak out and tell others of His redemptive Love. Tell them they too can be saved and avoid eternal death. This gift of life is not for you alone, it is for everybody and faith comes from hearing and that can come from you. HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? Tell everyone you can that has happened to you. Snatch someone from the fires of Hell!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)