His Pursuit Of You

How do you become a Christian? To be a citizen of the kingdom, you must be a child of the King. Conversion consists of turning from yourself and trusting in the Father. Be humble before the Lord.


Matt.18:3-4

3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus calls His disciples to humility of heart, not childishness of thought.

Loving the Church...
We protect one another from sin.
We are selflessly concerned about each others holiness.
We are radically committed to our own holiness.
We love one another. In light of the Father's angelic provision of His children. In light of the Father's individual pursuit of His children.


Ps.91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.


Ps.91:14-16 

14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Dan.6:22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."

We restore one another.
The process of church discipline and restoration...
Step 1 Private correction
Step 2 Small group clarification
Step 3 Church admonition
Step 4 Church excommunication


Matt.18:15-16 
15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.

God's promises a midst church discipline and restoration...
He has given us His authority
He has granted us His support.
He has guaranteed us His presence.


Matt.18:18-20 
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 
20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." 

We forgive one another.
In Christ, we have received extravagant grace.
As Christians, we now extend extravagant grace.


Matt.18:21-22,33,35 
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 
22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart." 

I and the Father are One...

John 10:24-30 

24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 

25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 

26 but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. 

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 

29 My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 

30 I and the Father are one."

Thanks Pastor!  

Holy God, may we ever be mindful of our wicked tongue. Help us to keep our eyes on You. May we only speak Your truth out of love and receive the truth of chastisement with a glad repentant heart. Teach us to stand for Your ways and to teach others Your commands. Amen

Utter Earthly Despair or Divine Joy Through Christ

Job 1:18-22 
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 
19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you." 
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORDgave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." 
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. 

Today, a year ago marks in history, a tragic day of utter despair for Alabama. A tornado ravaged and took lives, changed lives and devastated landscapes across our state. Against these things man has no mercy except for the Lord! I am reminded of the book of Job in God's Word, and how it appears a tornado took the lives of Job's children. They were living life just as the people of Alabama were doing that normal day, never expecting their souls would be required of them that day. Life is funny that way, you must always expect the unexpected!! I remember watching the tornado on TV and feeling utterly helpless, knowing that lives would be lost but praying to God for mercy for the ones in the path of the storm.

Lord, how can people trust in their selves and not You? Lord, forgive us when we think we can rely on our self. Help us to teach that our souls live eternally. Amen

Ecc.12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.


Dan.12:2-3 
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.


Matt25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." 

1 Cor.15:12-24

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 

15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 

16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 

18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 

19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

I "Was" On the Road Straight to Hell

I heard this story yesterday about a lost man paying a compliment to a saved man. The lost man said," I must tell you, you are one of the nicest men I have ever worked with." The saved man replied, " this may be true but I was on the road straight to Hell." What a conversation! The saved man could tell the lost man had great interest in the statement he had just made. The key word that got the lost man's attention, was! What a great opening to share the gospel! The saved man knew he was once lost, that he might be a "good man" but that he was still in sin. Salvation is for the lost man, regardless of whether he is good, moral, a killer, or a thief. That is the beauty of salvation, it is offered through Christ alone, to all because all have sinned! Come just as you are and you will be forgiven because Christ can and will! Christ came for this purpose, He lived a sinless life, He died, He has risen, and all authority has been given to Him by His Father, God! Salvation is not dependent on man but on what Christ has done! We received the news yesterday that the lost man had died. It is unknown whether he died in sin or was covered by the blood of Christ. Life is short but eternity is forever! Today is the day of salvation!
Lord God, giver of all life, help us to bold in our conversation! Let us share the gospel like there is no tomorrow!Amen


Heb.9:27-28

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. 

Romans 9:15-16


15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 

16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.


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." 

Behold Our God

John 1:1-5, 12-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Behold the divine glory of the Son.Moses(representative of the law) had reflected divine glory.Elijah(representative of the prophets) had proclaimed divine glory.Jesus (the fulfillment of the law and the prophets) now reveals divine glory.Jesus radiates the splendor of God.Jesus unveils the presence of God.Jesus embodies the pleasure of God.Jesus speaks the Word of God.Jesus is the prophet promised by Moses.Father God used Moses to deliver his people from slavery.Father God sent Jesus to deliver his people from sin.
Matt.17:1-1-7 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."
Jesus is the messenger preceded by Elijah.John the Baptist's ministry of restoration was accomplished through his suffering and death.Jesus' ministry of redemption would be accomplished through his suffering and death.The cross of Christ must come before the crown of Christ.Behold the patient power of the son.Jesus endures our unbelief.Jesus meets our need.Jesus enables our ministry.Behold the willing sacrifice of the Son.Behold the certain victory of the Son.Behold the humble authority of the Son.Matt. 17:1-231 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead." 10 And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" 11 He answered, "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him." 17 And Jesus answered, "O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." 22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day." And they were greatly distressed. Jesus is greater than the temple, yet He still pays the tax.Jesus is sovereign over the sea, yet He graciously stoops for our salvation.Matt. 17:24-27 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?" 25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?" 26 And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself." Our response!Let us look to His worth.Let us listen to His word.Let us live for His renown.Let's proclaim the One we praise.Let's embrace suffering as we follow our Savior.Let's live as responsible citizens of this kingdom for the eventual coming of His kingdom.Let us long for His return.Thank you Pastor!Lord, how blessed we are to have and teach Your Word. Open the eyes of the blind to see Your good news!! Amen 

For There Is None Like You

2 Sam.7:22
22 Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.


God speaks and it comes to pass.

2 Sam. 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, you are God, and your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

God sent His Son to save sinful man.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." 

Before all time and now and forever.

Jude 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Judging the nations.

Ps.110:6 He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth.

Psalm 96:13 they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Jesus, the judge.

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

We testify of who Christ is.

Acts 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

God given authority.

John 5:27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

God Be Merciful To Me A Sinner

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
Now this man was humble before the Lord. He would not even raise his eyes to heaven because he knew he was wicked. He beat his chest in absolute shame of his sin. He did not try to explain why he sinned or that he might not be as bad as some others! He just humbly begged for forgiveness. Have you been at that place? Have you come to the realization that only Christ can save the lost soul from eternal Hell? It is not what you have done or what you will do but what Christ did! You can be moral, you can do good things, you can be as good a person as you can be but you can not make atonement to God for sinful man!! Christ was the atonement provided by God. He was the only acceptable atonement. He was obedient to His call, from God, as a one time sacrifice for all eternity. He is waiting for those who seek Him!

Lord, I humbly ask for the souls of men. Awaken them to the good news of Your inspired Word. Amen

The Kingdom of God is in the Midst of You

Luke 17:21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Do you know what the implications of these words are? Our body is the residing place of the Spirit of God. When you received salvation from Christ, His Spirit came!

Oh Lord, this grips my soul! Create in me a clean heart, show me how to be like You. Amen

We must, at all cost, proclaim the redeeming gospel of Christ. Lord, give us tongues on fire with Your word. Let us show the lost world they are headed for eternity without You. Help me to hold my anger, my judging of others, my disobedience, and all things evil. Teach me to seek You with a whole heart.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

Only You Lord have the power to save through the blood of the cross. Teach me to speak Your Word so the lost may hear and repent. Amen

Don't be like the ones who are waiting for the promised Messiah, He has come!!

Blinded

2 Cor.4:4 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.

It is hard to know some people will not see the truth of who Christ is! They have hard hearts, so deeply have they entrusted their souls to Satan, they are blinded to the truth. They are completely wicked and follow Satan in his willful rebellion against the supreme God of all things. We all started out this way, being under the bondage of sin, but God in his mercy delivered us. We are the ones who fall before Christ for mercy and salvation, who believe He died and rose again and eagerly wait for His return. We heard the Holy Spirit as we were told the truth of who Christ is!

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.


Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'


2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.


2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.


2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.


Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father


Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.


Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven


Our call is to share the gospel!


Luke 24:47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.


Lord God, give us peace in You. Amen

Neither Will They Be Convinced

Luke 16:30-31 

30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 

31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

What would compel you to know that Christ is king, that He alone saves the souls of lost men?  This evil generation ask for a sign, when all around creation testifies of God Almighty! The bible gives knowledge to all who seek to know the Lord, but does this nation seek the Lord and His wisdom?



John 5:47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Acts 18:28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Romans 4:21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised

The One and Only Way

Today would have been my Mom's birthday! She and my Dad died in 1998, just a few months apart. I and my brothers had been blessed with a loving home. My parents taught us right from wrong and that the choices we would make would have good or bad consequences. I had the awesome privilege of seeing my Dad saved while he was in his sixties. My Mom and Dad took us to church where our foundations were laid for later decisions we would make about being Christ followers. I know that I caused my parents a lot of grief because of my stubbornness! I hope they forgave me when I grew up and changed. I was not saved until I was in my twenties. I had the privilege of  hearing fine preaching from my old pastors, Dr. Arendall and Brother Dean. I knew that I was lost and needed Christ when I would hear these two men of God preach. I began to read my bible and study. I really did not go deep enough into bible study until I started attending Brook Hills. We had a pastor who was very good at presenting the gospel but not living it. He left in disgrace because of unrepentant sin with a woman. God is good in that when man fails, He does not! All of us who put our trust in man will be disappointed. God alone is worthy of all our praise and honor. Our present pastor is the most humble man you will ever meet! He makes no excuses about the gospel! The bible is real, it is God's authority and there is only one way to be reconciled to holy God. Through His Son Jesus, is the one and only acceptable way! If I could tell you only one thing about Christ, it would be, He saves your soul from Hell! He will take the most self centered heart and turn it toward compassion for others! You will be a new creation in Christ! I did not say you would be perfect! You will surely fail. You will yield to sin. You will not remain in sin. You will suffer when you sin. Your bible knowledge will show you, your heart and mind will have no peace and you will repent!

Salvation and the new man:
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." 
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh
2 Cor.5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Lord, how can we ignore so great a salvation? Open hearts to Your salvation! Amen

Wisdom:

Proverbs 2:10-11  for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you

Fear of the Lord:

Proverbs 1:7  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Job 28:28  And he said to man,’Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,  and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Pray for wisdom:

James 1:5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Discernment:

Daniel 2:21  He changes times and seasons;  he removes kings and sets up kings;he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Psalm 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

Proverbs 16:22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly

Jesus - A Man Of Sorrows

Sin, in the heart of man, brings death and destruction. Jesus knew what sin in the heart meant for mankind and it grieved His heart. Every evil done by man is a result of sin. Hate sin with all your being!! The first sin committed in the garden by Adam and Eve were the beginnings of our walk in sin. They listened to the Satan and yielded to temptation and entered into rebellion against God.


Gen.3:1-6 

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 
2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 
3 but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'" 
4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.


Matt.23:37-39 
37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 
38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 
39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"


Is this not what the world is doing today? Are we not chief in rebellion against God? Look all around at the evil men do! Denying God's word, greed, crime, perverted assaults against children, all manner of lust, and tearing down the sanctity of marriage between man and woman. Lord, forgive us! How can we deny the sweet gift of salvation? Escape from the bondage of sin has been given to us, by Christ, through His death and resurrection. Our house is indeed left desolate, just as the people of Jerusalem. God is speaking to us about our impending destruction due to sinful rebellion. Look around to the signs of peril. No peace, destructive weather, illness, faintness of heart, an unstable economy, poor leadership in government, scandals of powerful men, and those who willingly pervert the truth of gospel to lead people in a direction contrary to God's teachings. Wake up before it is too late and you find yourself in eternity separated from God.

John 3:16-18 

16 "For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

God's word says who will not go into everlasting peace.
1 Cor.6:9-10 
9 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, 
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

God's plan!
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. 


Let us pray for forgiveness, use self control against sin, flee from temptation and obey the Lord!
Lord, You are mighty to save, an all consuming power against sin and our coming King. We fall at Your throne of grace to receive mercy and pardon. By Your power and for Your glory among the nations! Amen and Amen

Sinners As Sinners

Christ came for sinners! He was numbered with the transgressors! He intercedes for sinners! Spurgeon said" Consider the plan." It was a plan of salvation and of neccessity it was intended to bless the sinner. The plan was based on grace, meaning it was for persons who did not derserve it. So if you think you need to change yourself before you ask Christ for forgiveness, you are wrong. Christ is the one who changes every man into a new creation. He wants a sinner just like you! You are who salvation was for, while you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you! Christ bore your sins! He felt the weight of your sin and my sin. He removed them so they are no more! There are some that make light of sinning but it was Christ who took the weight of sin and He was innocent. Come as you are with the blackest of souls, Christ wants you. I can not make you believe in Christ. It is free to all who will believe. Don't think it too good to be true. Don't think it too simple to snatch you from Hell. It is what Christ has done on the cross, period!!!

1 Tim.1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment."

Heb.7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermostthose who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Ps.103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Eph.2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.2Cor.5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Lord, we ask for the nations for Your glory. Open eyes to Your words of life. Amen

Spiritual Beggars

Matt.5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What is poor in spirit? One who has a deep sense of being in spiritual poverty and knowing his wretchedness. It is a wise man who knows he has no chance to be reconciled to God because of sin. He knows that Christ is his redeemer, He lived a sinless life, He died, He rose again and His gift of salvation is free. I hope you are aware that you are a spiritual beggar. You are completely and utterly at the mercy of Christ, the King of all creation and Savior of all souls. Do you have a humble opinion of yourself ? It is only through humbleness that your heart can receive Christ.

Is.66:2 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.

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Psalm 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Lord, it is only by Your power and for Your glory that we have salvation. Remember us with mercy when we are stubborn and willfully do not obey You. Amen

The Ultimate Question

Did Jesus rise from the dead? Listen to the gospel and know the truth!
RADICAL

There Is Hope

What do you do when you see a person headed for eternal destruction? I pray, for my hope is in the Lord.  There are things we can say, if the person is willing to listen. We can present the gospel, if the person is willing to hear. But what do you do if the person is completely convinced that the gospel is a joke? If all their mannerisms tell you they want to be anywhere but here listening to this gospel. I pray, for my hope is in the Lord. Salvation is between you and the Lord. Each person will be held accountable, by God, as to whether he denies God or begs for mercy. We can live out the gospel before the lost but ultimately it is Christ who draws all men to Him. I do not know how many times God will offer salvation to a person. Today is the day of salvation!


Ps.39:7 "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
1Peter 1:21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

God's promise:
Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began


Through Christ
Heb.7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Heb.7:22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.


One time sacrifice:
Heb.7:27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.


Response to the lost:
1Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect


In the end:
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment


Lord, salvation is by Your power alone! Help us to be obedient to You in living out your gospel truth. I grieve for the lost and bow humbly before Your throne of grace. To serve You all my days, in love and respect, for You alone are worthy! Amen

Unless You Repent You Will All Likewise Perish

Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Repent means turning from sin! Turning from sin means going in another direction, one that is more pleasing to God. Another direction means seeking after the things of God. The things of God are loving the Lord with all your heart, obeying His commands, and loving your neighbor. You can only do these things if you are a new creation in Christ. God's changes are forever and He is Lord over all things. It does not matter what evil controls you, our God is mighty! You want peace? Read God's word and ask for Him to reveal to you the wonder of Who He is! He has revealed Himself to us in His word and in His creation.
Deut.29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
John 5:36-40
36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Lord, only You can change hearts! My heart grieves for the lost and the sweet relationship they will miss with you. Lord, You are over all things. Help us to reach the lost for Your glory in the whole Earth. Amen 

Do You Know Who I Am?

Who is He to you? I am speaking of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God! One day you will stand before Him and He will judge you, and it will be just for He is righteous. You want to know why?
He died, in obedience to His Father, on the cross when He took the wrath due you and me! All power in heaven and earth has been given to Him by the Father.


Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

We here on earth, put high importance on who we are. But that is not what is important. God's word says" It is appointed once for man to die and then judgement".


Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

Christ will not ask who you are but will ask do you obey Me, do you humbly bow before Me, and is your faith solely in me for salvation? There is salvation in no one else!


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." 

How can this fact be ignored by man? What will be the outcome if you ignore this precious gift?


Heb.2:2-4 
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.


Hell and Heaven are real. Your soul is eternal! It goes to one place or the other. God has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him through His Son. You can repent and ask for mercy or you can deny and face the harsh reality of Hell. Don't let people lead you down a path of destruction. Read God's word, pray for forgiveness, repent and discover the truth for yourself. Before you do these things, look to creation for clues God has set before all mankind.



Romans 1:18-20
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 
20 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.

Lord, open the eyes of wicked man to see the truth of Your glory revealed through out creation. Amen