Sunday, October 30, 2011

But Having Itching Ears

2 Tim.4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
When you exchange the truth of the bible for what seems good to you, unsound teaching follows. God's Word tells us that our hearts are not to be trusted.
Jer.17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
We are charged, before God and Jesus to preach the truth!
2 Tim. 4:1-2 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
We have this very thing happening today. When a  man who is lusting after other men stands in the pulpit as a teacher of God's holy Word, the truth has been exchanged for a lie. For God's word says plainly: 1 Cor.6:9-10  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
But, praise God, there is hope, in repentance for all sinners. So we can not judge but God will and does! 1Cor.6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
How can we serve a God we do not know? You must study His Word to know Him!
Lord, You are so good! Teach us Your word so we may teach others. Not our opinions but only Your truth. Let us love all and not judge but speak the truth. You are our hope and our life. Amen

Saturday, October 29, 2011

That Through the Scriptures We Might Have Hope

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
2 Tim.3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The bible was inspired by God's divine authority through the Holy Spirit. The bible was given to us as a guide to eternal life. There is no other book in the world that can show us the truth of Christ and His salvation! If you are an unbeliever, you will spend eternity forever separated from holy God without seeking to know His will for you. The bible has the truth for eternal life! Christ paid the price for your sin debt and He is calling you to repentance.
Sweet Jesus, how many will listen to Your Words today and find the truth? We have many brothers and sisters who are ready to receive the Word if You will but open their hearts. Let them see the hope that is found only in following and serving You. You are the way to eternal life and You will be found if we earnestly seek You. Help their lack of belief ! Amen

Friday, October 28, 2011

Your Grace Is Sufficient For Me

Satan pursues, he is every mindful of your sinful rebellion and he will not flee except by your stand on God's Word! Yes, we live in a fallen world. Yes, Satan is the king of this world. But Jesus has overcome the world and we are in His care. Satan is there, in your head, telling you lies, trying to make you fall into temptation. When things around you turn to chaotic, the devil is close. God is watching to see if you will stand on Him or fall.
Jer.17:7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
2 Cor.12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.God's Word on doctrine and power:1Tim.6:3-8 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.2Tim.1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.Not because of our works:Eph.2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of timeTitus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy SpiritMatthew Henry's Concise Commentary says "The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus."Father God, how rich are these words from the above commentary! Thank you is inadequate. We praise You for who You are! Amen

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

A Work of Delusion/Can Man Make for Himself gods?

Is not this world under delusions? Have we not forsaken God with the pursuit of worldly treasures? We may not have built idols of wood, stone or metals but we have definitely replaced God with things! Is this not idolatry? Check yourself today and make sure God is foremost in your heart.
Jer.10:15 They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
Jer.10:10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.
Jer.16:20 Can man make for himself gods? Such are not gods!"
Psalm 115:4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
He will bring judgement!
Jer.12:17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the LORD."
Still today, there are many who worship idols or false gods. Surely they have not considered who created all things! Stop, just for a moment, look around and see that God is good! He has given us many beautiful things in creation to be thankful for and to praise Him for. The sky and all it's beauty, stars, trees, grass, soil, animals of which we have dominion over, clouds, sun for warmth and to make things grow, rains to replenish our water and to help our crops grow, the wind to cool us that seems to come from nowhere, planets that capture our imagination, and of course the ever wonderful moon. God created all things! He has no beginning or end, He is and was!!
1 Cor.8:5-6 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
Lord, so many perish while believing a lie. They neither know You or praise You. I pray for Your Word to go out into the world today and to convict and change lives. In Jesus name and for Your glory, Amen

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sow Not Among Thorns

Jeremiah 4:3 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: "Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
Fallow ground is the heart of men who do not seek or desire the saving grace of Christ. God's word enters the heart of man and the miracle begins to take place. Man's vile heart is unrepentant. God's word is there to convict of sin! But sometimes the cares of this world, the pull of achieving more things etc, choke the power of the Word and make it unfruitful. Only by God's power will man have salvation. Only through Christ, by faith, will man be reconciled to God.
Father, wake this world from their sleep of death! Open hearts to Your Word! Amen

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Pray For All People

I do not know most of you, but you can rest assured that God does. Someday He will judge me and you. Ignorance will not be an excuse! Man will be without excuse! In nature you can surely see that the creation of the universe, all it's glory, and it's magnificence was created by someone other than man. There is only one God, Creator and King, who will judge all nations! He sent His own Son, Jesus, to redeem us from destruction.
1 Tim.2:1-6 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved , and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Romans 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.Acts 17:24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.We must pray for all people! We all are under condemnation because of sin! We all have one way for redemeption, through Christ alone! We all are equal at the foot of the cross!! Salvation is there for who so ever will humble themselves! Ask for forgiveness from the only One who can give it!Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Lord, people of every nation, tribe and tongue are searching for You. They may not have the biblical knowledge of who You are but they know that someone is Creator! Lord, by Your power and might, the world will know You!! As we spread the gospel near and far, in person and by every means available, we ask for Your spirit to convict hearts. May Your Word be in our hearts and minds as we learn and teach. Amen

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Here Am I

Is.65:1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that was not called by my name.
Are you seeking God? He is there waiting! His grace is open to all, He does not show partiality! Every nation, tribe and tongue is welcome to bow before His throne of grace! He is mighty to save through His Son, Jesus Christ.
He is coming:
Is.66:18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is comingto gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory
Is.66:23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD.
Be humble and tremble for the Lord is the most high God:
Is.66:1-2 Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Judgement at Christ's coming:
2 Thess.1:5-12  This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering-- since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Lord, we long for You to come but we also know that there are so many lost souls. We ask for Your wisdom and patience in this wicked world. Help us love the unlovable, embrace the lonely, show mercy to the sick and care for the wounded in spirit.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Behold, I Have Put My Words in your Mouth

Jer.1:9 Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
These words were spoken by the Lord to a young man named Jeremiah. God was calling Jeremiah to be a prophet. A conversation ensued between the two, with Jeremiah giving God excuses about why he could not follow God's command. He said he was but a youth and did not know how to speak to the nations. God answered:
Jer.1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Jer.1:7-8 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."
Jer.1:10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
Jer.2:11-13 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Lord, forgive us when we give excuses and do not trust in Your power and might. Amen
People, pray for the God of light to fill you with His knowledge! For the end will come soon, take care with your coming eternity, trust Christ today for salvation!
2 Thess.2:5-12  Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,  and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Satan Hindered Us

1 Thess.2:14-16 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved--so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last1 Thess.2:18 because we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, again and again--but Satan hindered usGod's Word is mighty!2 Cor.4:1-6 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Satan will do anything to hinder the spread of the gospel. It is the hindering of man's will toward the obedience of God's will that endangers souls. Lord, help us discern right from wrong. We know that the devil is cunning and we need Your Word in our souls. Burn Your Word deep inside our hearts and mind so we may draw wisdom and strength. Amen 

Saturday, October 15, 2011

No Peace for the Wicked

Is.48:22 "There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
Is.57:21 There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
The way of the wicked!
Is.57:20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.
Eph.4:18 NAS being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart
Romans 1:28-32 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Is.59:7-8 Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.
The righteous man, when he dies enters, into rest and peace!
Is.57:1-2 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.
What Christ wants:
Is.61:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
1Thess.4:7-8 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
From of old:
Is.64:4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.
Lord, there are so many people who do not understand who You really are! They have no idea of Your might and power. They do not know or except that You will judge all mankind. I believe You when You say, I will judge! Keep us from Your wrath as we fall at Your feet for the mercy You have prepared for us
through Christ. Let us be ever mindful that it is not because of anything we have done but because of Your mercy. Amen 

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Persecuted Christian

Do you know a persecuted Christian? Do we even give a thought to their plight? We are here in America with such freedom, we can not understand what religious persecution even means! This week I had the privilege of meeting a sweet young woman who told me of her religious persecution growing up as a Christian in a Muslim nation. She was slapped at school by her teachers, the other children were forbidden to play with her and she was repeatedly told she was going to hell. Her reaction was, that's ok, I'd rather have Jesus! She spent a lot of time playing alone and reading the bible. But, praise God, her family did not push her away. God's Word is very plain, we will be persecuted for our faith in Christ. I have had a slight taste of this treatment when I told the truth of God's Word about marriage being between a man and a woman. I was called un-christian for repeating God's Word exactly. I told them, good if they hated me for speaking the truth of God's Word, then I knew I had done the right thing! There are vast differences between America and other countries in our tolerance of all religions even though we feel all other religions are false. There is only one true and living God, I Am! We will tell you of the hope we have found in Christ but it is up to God to open your heart.
Matt.5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt.5:11-12 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15:18-20 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
2 Tim.3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
1 Peter 4:12-14,16  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
Lord, I am praying today for the persecuted church. I am asking for Your wisdom and protection of the ones who go in harms way to spread Your truth. I am asking for hearts to hear and know the truth. Lord, give us the nations! Lord, I ask for the one who is in turmoil over the truth of who You are and are tied in ignorance to a false religion through their culture and family ties. Only You Lord can change the eternity of the lost. There is someone that is waiting to hear You today. In Jesus name, Amen

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A god That Cannot Save

God speaks on Idols:
Is.45:20 "Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.
Is.46:7 They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble.
God's truth:

Is.45:21-23 21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'
Is.45:7 I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.
Jer.10:5 Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good."
Deut.4:28-29 And there you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.
God is not man made. He was, is and will be! He created the universe and all it contains!
In ignorance you have been kept! God's word is there, open it and learn the truth!
You are a new creation in Christ. God's Son can and will save! Seek Him today!
Col.3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Is.45:18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I Once Was Lost

Is.43:7-12 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and I am God.
Is.43:25 "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Is.44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.
Is.44:24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself
What Jesus did for you!
Col.2:14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Jesus in mercy, saves the lost! He willingly gave His life on the cross, in obedience to God the Father, to reconcile repentant sinners to a holy God. I can tell you over and over about the hope I have found in Christ but only He can save you. I have no power, only God is almighty powerful, but I can speak the truth of God's Word. I can plant the seed of His Word and He will reap the harvest!
Father God, There are so many who struggle with false gods. They are blinded by Satan and his wickedness. They will forever be separated from You without the truth of Your Word. Help us Lord. They do not understand because they do not believe when the miracle of You when it is right before their eyes in Your creation. Amen