1 PETER 1:2
"God the Father knew you and CHOSE YOU long ago, and His Spirit has made you Holy."
God is omnipotent. That means that He knows all things and everything. It is not surprising that God knew you, in fact He knew you before you were in your mother's womb. God even knows your name and everything about you personally. After all He is your Father and you are His child. God had foreknowledge of your accepting Him as your Lord and Saviour. God knew that you would be obedient to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and you would be sprinkled with His blood. You were consecrated, sanctified and made Holy by His Spirit. You were chosen and foreknown.
Now you will be spiritually blessed with His grace. He will give you His grace and peace in increasing abundance. You can be free from fears, agitations, and moral conflicts as a result of your being in Christ Jesus. You are one of the elect, or chosen and now God's Spirit has made you Holy. Your desire will be to obey Jesus Christ. Your reason for living is now clear. It is to worship, praise, know and love Jesus Christ the Lord God. We will continually Praise the Lord!
God knows everyone and so the question is why have some been saved and some lost? This truth for today is important to differentiate and distinguish between the saved and the unsaved. Everyone is given the same opportunity to "come to the Lord". You are given a free will and free choice by God the Father. You choose whether or not you will believe in Him and open the door to your heart and ask Jesus to come in and dwell with you. Some choose to do so and some choose not to do so. God is Omnipotent and He knows in advance and even before you are born whether or not you will accept or reject Him. That is how He knows who the chosen are! They are the ones who have CHOSEN Him. What is your choice?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
BROUGHT BACK
JAMES 5:19-20
"If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is BROUGHT BACK, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins."
We all know someone who professed to love the Lord at some time in their lives and then they wandered away from the truth. In fact when this happens it can be very confusing and unsettling to our faith. We tend to believe that once you have tasted how sweet Jesus Christ is, where can you go? There are horrific examples of peers in the Christian community who have brought many souls to the alter of Christ, and then fallen off the path and separated themselves from God. Pastors and church leaders are not immune to wandering away from the truth. What happens to them?
I think of a very close boyhood friend who tried to bring the "Good News" to me in high school. I rejected him and his message and failed to understand, the beginning of Wisdom is the fear of God. As life would have it, I came to the Lord and my entire family has been wonderfully changed by the Lord. I have been saved and redeemed and have eternal life. I can not even imagine what my life would be like with out the Lord being first in everything I think or do. I saw my friend recently and assumed he was still a believer. He was not, he even proudly professed to be agnostic. What a reversal of belief. I love the Lord, he does not, what happened?
This is a classic example of someone among us that wanders away from the truth. He made a choice and it was to separate himself from the Lord. I tried to explain that he was dead in his sin and did not even know or understand it. I urged him to consider his position, that if incorrect, would lead to his death and eternal damnation. I reminded him that as young boys he had used that argument on me and I too had refused to believe it. Still, it is ironic that we had changed positions and now if I am wrong, no harm is done. If he is wrong the consequences are death! I pray today that he may be brought back and that he will be saved from death and that he will be forgiven of his many sins. The Lord answers prayers and I believe this one will be heard!
"If someone among you wanders away from the truth and is BROUGHT BACK, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins."
We all know someone who professed to love the Lord at some time in their lives and then they wandered away from the truth. In fact when this happens it can be very confusing and unsettling to our faith. We tend to believe that once you have tasted how sweet Jesus Christ is, where can you go? There are horrific examples of peers in the Christian community who have brought many souls to the alter of Christ, and then fallen off the path and separated themselves from God. Pastors and church leaders are not immune to wandering away from the truth. What happens to them?
I think of a very close boyhood friend who tried to bring the "Good News" to me in high school. I rejected him and his message and failed to understand, the beginning of Wisdom is the fear of God. As life would have it, I came to the Lord and my entire family has been wonderfully changed by the Lord. I have been saved and redeemed and have eternal life. I can not even imagine what my life would be like with out the Lord being first in everything I think or do. I saw my friend recently and assumed he was still a believer. He was not, he even proudly professed to be agnostic. What a reversal of belief. I love the Lord, he does not, what happened?
This is a classic example of someone among us that wanders away from the truth. He made a choice and it was to separate himself from the Lord. I tried to explain that he was dead in his sin and did not even know or understand it. I urged him to consider his position, that if incorrect, would lead to his death and eternal damnation. I reminded him that as young boys he had used that argument on me and I too had refused to believe it. Still, it is ironic that we had changed positions and now if I am wrong, no harm is done. If he is wrong the consequences are death! I pray today that he may be brought back and that he will be saved from death and that he will be forgiven of his many sins. The Lord answers prayers and I believe this one will be heard!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
JUST DO IT!
JAMES 4:17
"Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it!"
There is a legal concept that can help to illustrate today's truth. In law there are two kinds of errors, or what we call sins. There is an error of commission. That means that the party commits an act of breaking the law. He commits sin. Then there is an error or sin that is one of OMISSION. That means that the party failed to act and by doing so broke the law or as we say sinned. Essentially is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. You are breaking God's law and in certain cases you are breaking man's laws also. You need to remember this!
The best example that we can think of has to do with your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everyone has had an opportunity to hear the Good News and the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Everyone has written on their hearts and minds the fact that there is a God and He has expectations of you. Your purpose in being here on earth is to worship the Lord God. You are to believe in Him and His resurrection. Jesus is the only one who can save you from death and eternal damnation. If you accept the Lord you will be saved. If you reject the Lord you will be lost and separated eternally. Most importantly, you know what you ought to do, but you have not done it. This is the unpardonable sin.
Those who reject God do it with full knowledge of their desire to reject God and His laws. They do not want to be burdened by bending their knee and confessing with their tongue that Jesus Christ is the Lord God. They do not want to give up control of their lives and their ability to conduct themselves in any way they see fit. They do not believe in sin or hell or the devil or any consequences for their actions. Remember it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. It is an unforgivable sin to know what you have to do in your relationship with the God of this universe and then not do it. It is appointed unto man to die once, and then the judgement. You will be judged by your actions. There will be consequences to your sin of OMISSION. Get right with God now, JUST DO IT!
"Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it!"
There is a legal concept that can help to illustrate today's truth. In law there are two kinds of errors, or what we call sins. There is an error of commission. That means that the party commits an act of breaking the law. He commits sin. Then there is an error or sin that is one of OMISSION. That means that the party failed to act and by doing so broke the law or as we say sinned. Essentially is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. You are breaking God's law and in certain cases you are breaking man's laws also. You need to remember this!
The best example that we can think of has to do with your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Everyone has had an opportunity to hear the Good News and the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ. Everyone has written on their hearts and minds the fact that there is a God and He has expectations of you. Your purpose in being here on earth is to worship the Lord God. You are to believe in Him and His resurrection. Jesus is the only one who can save you from death and eternal damnation. If you accept the Lord you will be saved. If you reject the Lord you will be lost and separated eternally. Most importantly, you know what you ought to do, but you have not done it. This is the unpardonable sin.
Those who reject God do it with full knowledge of their desire to reject God and His laws. They do not want to be burdened by bending their knee and confessing with their tongue that Jesus Christ is the Lord God. They do not want to give up control of their lives and their ability to conduct themselves in any way they see fit. They do not believe in sin or hell or the devil or any consequences for their actions. Remember it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. It is an unforgivable sin to know what you have to do in your relationship with the God of this universe and then not do it. It is appointed unto man to die once, and then the judgement. You will be judged by your actions. There will be consequences to your sin of OMISSION. Get right with God now, JUST DO IT!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
HUMBLE YOURSELVES!
JAMES 4:7-8
"So HUMBLE YOURSELVES before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you! Come close to God, and God will come close to you."
How do you humble yourself before God? There will be tears for what you have done. There will be sorrow and deep grief in your spirit for how you had rejected God and committed so many sins against Him. There will be sadness instead of laughter and gloom in place of joy for all the harm you have done to others in your life. There will be a recognition of the harmful words and deeds you committed before you found the beginning of wisdom, the fear of God! When you know God and Love Him you will understand that without Jesus Christ there is no Saviour. You could not have your sins forgiven and received God's mercy without Jesus precious blood. That is a humbling experience.
Prior to your being born again and opening the door of your heart to the Lord, you were being controlled by the devil. He tempted you in so many ways and you never understood his power. The biggest lie is that you would not die in your sins. The devil does not want you to believe in the Lord, in His existence, or His Power over life and death. You were dead in your sin and you did not even know or understand it. Now you have wisdom and understanding and the devil can no longer deceive you. That is what is meant by resisting the devil. You do not want to listen to him or believe all of his lies and temptations. Once you have proven your belief and faithfulness to the Lord, the devil will tire of trying to influence you and he will move on, or flee from you.
Repentance means turning from your sinful path and walking toward the Lord. Once you walked right into sinning and death and you did not even know what the consequences would be. Now you know that you must become more Christ like in all your thoughts and deeds. You must come closer to God. Guess what will happen when you do this? God will come closer to you. As you learn His commandments, laws and about the prophets you will increase in faithfulness and obedience to God and you will become more like Him. What a contrast to that of being separated from God and the consequences of the second death and eternal damnation! The first thing you must do is HUMBLE YOURSELF!
"So HUMBLE YOURSELVES before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you! Come close to God, and God will come close to you."
How do you humble yourself before God? There will be tears for what you have done. There will be sorrow and deep grief in your spirit for how you had rejected God and committed so many sins against Him. There will be sadness instead of laughter and gloom in place of joy for all the harm you have done to others in your life. There will be a recognition of the harmful words and deeds you committed before you found the beginning of wisdom, the fear of God! When you know God and Love Him you will understand that without Jesus Christ there is no Saviour. You could not have your sins forgiven and received God's mercy without Jesus precious blood. That is a humbling experience.
Prior to your being born again and opening the door of your heart to the Lord, you were being controlled by the devil. He tempted you in so many ways and you never understood his power. The biggest lie is that you would not die in your sins. The devil does not want you to believe in the Lord, in His existence, or His Power over life and death. You were dead in your sin and you did not even know or understand it. Now you have wisdom and understanding and the devil can no longer deceive you. That is what is meant by resisting the devil. You do not want to listen to him or believe all of his lies and temptations. Once you have proven your belief and faithfulness to the Lord, the devil will tire of trying to influence you and he will move on, or flee from you.
Repentance means turning from your sinful path and walking toward the Lord. Once you walked right into sinning and death and you did not even know what the consequences would be. Now you know that you must become more Christ like in all your thoughts and deeds. You must come closer to God. Guess what will happen when you do this? God will come closer to you. As you learn His commandments, laws and about the prophets you will increase in faithfulness and obedience to God and you will become more like Him. What a contrast to that of being separated from God and the consequences of the second death and eternal damnation! The first thing you must do is HUMBLE YOURSELF!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
PROVE IT!
JAMES 3:13
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, PROVE IT by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."
We have all heard the expression that talk is cheap. It costs nothing for a person to say he will do something and then never do it. It can cost a lot to keep your word. You must do what you say you will do and the price can be obedience and faithfulness to your word, without compromise. In order for us to not only hear the Word of God but to do the Word of God requires a whole different level of commitment. Being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer of the Word takes wisdom and honor and humility and a purity of belief in God's expectations!
The premise is that to do this you are wise. The beginning of wisdom is the fear, knowledge and love of God, that as a true believer you must already have. Understanding comes from knowing His commandments and listening to His prophets and learning His Word. Let us assume that you have attained that level of faithfulness and trust in Jesus Christ the Lord God. Now and only now can you PROVE IT. How can we prove our wisdom and understanding of the Lord?
The way to prove that you wise and understanding of the Lord God is to show the following traits. You must live an honorable life. You must avoid dishonoring God or yourself. You must do good works. You can not just say you love God, you must demonstrate that by your treatment of others. Do you give of yourself and your treasures to others? If someone comes to you and cries out for help do you listen and answer, or do you turn them away? When you do your good deeds do you make sure to let everyone know? It is important that you be honorable and do good deeds with humility. Let others tell of your actions, do not brag. The only way you can accomplish all this if to have the Lord in your heart and His wisdom in your mind. PROVE IT!
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, PROVE IT by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."
We have all heard the expression that talk is cheap. It costs nothing for a person to say he will do something and then never do it. It can cost a lot to keep your word. You must do what you say you will do and the price can be obedience and faithfulness to your word, without compromise. In order for us to not only hear the Word of God but to do the Word of God requires a whole different level of commitment. Being a doer of the Word and not just a hearer of the Word takes wisdom and honor and humility and a purity of belief in God's expectations!
The premise is that to do this you are wise. The beginning of wisdom is the fear, knowledge and love of God, that as a true believer you must already have. Understanding comes from knowing His commandments and listening to His prophets and learning His Word. Let us assume that you have attained that level of faithfulness and trust in Jesus Christ the Lord God. Now and only now can you PROVE IT. How can we prove our wisdom and understanding of the Lord?
The way to prove that you wise and understanding of the Lord God is to show the following traits. You must live an honorable life. You must avoid dishonoring God or yourself. You must do good works. You can not just say you love God, you must demonstrate that by your treatment of others. Do you give of yourself and your treasures to others? If someone comes to you and cries out for help do you listen and answer, or do you turn them away? When you do your good deeds do you make sure to let everyone know? It is important that you be honorable and do good deeds with humility. Let others tell of your actions, do not brag. The only way you can accomplish all this if to have the Lord in your heart and His wisdom in your mind. PROVE IT!
Monday, December 1, 2008
AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH!
PSALM 116:1-2
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH."
What a beautiful scripture that is filled with the truth for today. First of all, I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and He knows my name! Jesus Christ the Lord God will have mercy on me even though I am a sinner and have missed the target so many time. I have prayed for mercy and He has heard me and granted it to me. Can you imagine that God bends down to listen to us and our prayers? He reaches down to touch us if we will just reach up to touch Him. Knowing all this is more than the mind and heart can comprehend, but, AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH I will pray to the Lord.
The Lord hears my voice now, just as He has heard it all along. He listened to my prayers and supplications because He loves me. God has inclined His ear to me and turned to hear my prayers for mercy. Because of this I will call upon Him for my entire life. I will keep praying to Jesus Christ until I draw my last breath. His name will be on my lips as my life ends.
Have you reached the point were you put the Lord first in your life? Do you call upon Him for anything and everything? Can you say with a certainty that Jesus Christ is my Shepard and therefore I have all that I need? What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing that you do each night? The correct answer is to pray to the Lord and seek Him and His will. That is why we love the Lord, because He listens to us and our prayers. He bends down from heaven to listen to us. I will pray to God AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH!
"I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH."
What a beautiful scripture that is filled with the truth for today. First of all, I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and He knows my name! Jesus Christ the Lord God will have mercy on me even though I am a sinner and have missed the target so many time. I have prayed for mercy and He has heard me and granted it to me. Can you imagine that God bends down to listen to us and our prayers? He reaches down to touch us if we will just reach up to touch Him. Knowing all this is more than the mind and heart can comprehend, but, AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH I will pray to the Lord.
The Lord hears my voice now, just as He has heard it all along. He listened to my prayers and supplications because He loves me. God has inclined His ear to me and turned to hear my prayers for mercy. Because of this I will call upon Him for my entire life. I will keep praying to Jesus Christ until I draw my last breath. His name will be on my lips as my life ends.
Have you reached the point were you put the Lord first in your life? Do you call upon Him for anything and everything? Can you say with a certainty that Jesus Christ is my Shepard and therefore I have all that I need? What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing that you do each night? The correct answer is to pray to the Lord and seek Him and His will. That is why we love the Lord, because He listens to us and our prayers. He bends down from heaven to listen to us. I will pray to God AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH!
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