Naked and Exposed to the Eyes of Him Whom We Must Give Account

Heb.4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We are accountable to God for all our sin. This is a terrifying thing to think about, facing God's wrath without the blood of Jesus as your atonement.
Heb.4:14-16  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
He was tempted by the devil to sin also but He did not fail as we do.
1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
He will forgive us if we confess our sin and repent.
The defintion of repent: to turn from sin
There is no way to God but one, Jesus Christ. If someone says different, they are a liar and of satan's followers.
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, I pray for the ones who are spreading lies about salvation. Please open their eyes before it is too late.
Amen

Earthly Possessions

1 Tim.6:6-10 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. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Job 1:21 And he said,"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
Ps.49:17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Matt.6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Somewhere along the way, we have gotten the idea that more things will make us happy and content. There are many wealthy people who are not content. They have all sorts of things that just seem to add to the feeling of, there has got to be more to this life. If you follow the Lord, you will be content! Our pastor has just preached a sermon on this subject and I have not listened to yet. I know I will be blessed by God's truth in his sermon. This lesson that I am talking about came from my bible study today. I know that God blessed many people in the bible with material blessings because of their faithfulness to Him. These people were righteous, sought God's will and took care of others who were less fortunate than they were.
Matt.6:31-34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I guess what strikes my heart about God's word is that love is the key to being a Christ Follower. Be mindful of the poor, share what you have and be blessed. Clean out closets and give to your local food and clothes bank. May God bless you today.

Mystery of the Gospel

Ephesians 3:6-13 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.  So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
God's gospel word is not only for the Jews but the Gentiles. God, in His infinite mercy has allowed us know Him. He has taken away the burden of the law and given us a one time atonement for sin, the eternal blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:4-8 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.  Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."
Acts 4:11-12 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 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."
Rev. 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, continue to open the meaning of Your word to us. Help us to love with a humble spirit and Lord bless us to show Your love to the lost. Amen

Halloween: Trick or Treat

Do we Christians really need to take part in this pagan day? I think we have been tricked by a cunning devil!!
Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
You know, I grew up trick or treating and never gave it a second thought. It was not until after years of bible study that I began to question this thing called Halloween. I never did worship the devil or did I unwillingly and unknowingly do so by participating in this ritual?
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.
Romans 1:21-23  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools,  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Deut. 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer  or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you.
Eph.6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
After reading these verses, I think I need forgiveness. Lord God in Heaven, I repent of this wickedness and ask for forgiveness. I choose to be in Your light and to celebrate the good news of Your son Jesus. Amen

Asceticism Verses Being God Kept

The definition of asceticism: the doctrine that a person can attain a high spiritual and moral state by practicing self-denial, self-mortification, and the like.
Colossians 2:18-23  Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.  If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations-- "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch"  (referring to things that all perish as they are used)--according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Christ has delivered us from this way of thinking. We walk in His Spirit and only He can deliver us from sin.
Colossians 1:11-14  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:12-15 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.  And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.  He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Father, in all the universe, You are all we need. You have the power to change and keep us until You dwell among us. Amen

Week 18 of Charles Stanley's Intercession for America/Natural Disasters

Hebrews 12:25-29 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.
At Mount Sinai, God shook the earth but this is going to be more extensive. He will shake the entire universe and the heavens. Every physical thing will be destroyed and only eternal things will remain. Our God is a jealous God and He will punish those who reject His salvation made possible through His Son Jesus Christ.
Lord, we long for the new heaven and new earth, New Jerusalem. For we know from Your word that You will dwell with us. For this wait, Amen

Work Out Your Own Salvation With Fear and Trembling

Phil.2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
John MacArthur states in his commentary; The Greek verb rendered "work out" means "to continually work to bring something to fulfillment or completion". It cannot refer to salvation by works,
(Eph.2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.),
but it does refer to the believer's responsibility for active pursuit of obedience in the process of sanctification.
We are to be lights in a dark world, living holy, servant lives and teaching God's way through His word and having His Son Jesus as our example. For it is not if we will fail, but when! We are always subject to the adversaries' cunning exertion in our lives. So run, do not walk from all sin, lest you are lured into participation.
1 Peter 5:6-11 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
God has eternal dominion over the whole universe! He will judge and we will held accountable. Lord, help us to be a servant for You. Teach us how to be self-less in a selfish world. Amen