The Fruits of Faith

God is our eternal judge! He will judge you on your deeds, good and bad. Your salvation does not depend on your deeds. Your salvation depends on your faith in Christ for the grace of salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace. You can not earn salvation for your best deed is not acceptable to God. Christs' death and Resurrection are the only acceptable payment for sin.

Faith in Christ...
Col.2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

12 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. 

13 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, 

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

At the cross, Satan was defeated....

Heb.2:14-18

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 

16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. 

What we are sure of...
God is sovereign!
Satan is subordinate!
He is limited and bound.
He is doomed to be defeated.
The gospel will advance through the church.
Jesus will return for the church.
At the end of history, every single one of us will be judged by God!!

Fruits of faith...
Did we put our faith in Christ's work?
Was there evidence of faith in our work?
Were we faithful in our worship?
Were we faithful in our witness?
Did we fight against sin?
Did we trust amidst suffering?

Lord God, forgive us when we think we have done something good. For You alone are good! Our faith in Christ is our only hope! Amen
Blessings on pastor David for this message of hope.

The Final Say

Is.66:1-2

1 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? 

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.

Is.66:16

16 For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the LORD shall be many.

Is.66:18

18 "For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory

Is.65:12

12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in." 

While it is true that God is merciful, there will come a time for judgement. Judgement will come to those sinners who do not repent and turn and follow Jesus. The choice must be made while Christ is calling you to repent! God has always had the final say! When the doctor tells you that you have a few months to live, they are basing it on science, but God the creator has the final say.

Ps.139:13-17

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 

15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

2 Timothy 1:9 
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 time

Father in heaven, You have sent Your Son with the power to save mankind! You do indeed have the final say! We prayerfully wait for Christs' return to fulfill Your holy purpose! Amen

A Strong Delusion

2 Thess.2:11-12
11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

No one has the power to forgive sin! God alone, through Christ gives forgiveness and mercy, not the pope, not your pastor, not your confidant, not your endless and dead statues. The world believes a lie! You pray to dead saints when you should fall on your knees, through Christ the eternal Priest, before a holy God! You reject the truth of the gospel and have eyes that can't see and ears that are deaf! The bread and the wine of the Lord's supper is remembering Christ death and resurrection and the power it holds through faith! There is no penance you can do for forgiveness, it is through the blood of Christ alone!


2 Timothy 4:4 
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Jer.5:21 21 

"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. 

Mark 4:12

12 so that "they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven." 

How my heart aches for foolish man! Christ is offering eternal hope and man is rebellious, sinful, all for a moment of pleasure, power, or pride!

Oh Lord, forgive man for he truly knows not what he does! Only You Lord can open eyes to see and ears to hear. Forgive us for chasing after worthless things of this world. Help me to teach your gospel truth and to live it and when I fail, have mercy. Amen

Here Am I

By God's mercy...

Is.65:1
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.

God speaks to rebellious man. Rebellious man is sinful. Every sin, every secret thought of his heart are known and will be judged by God! So we can conclude that God is merciful as He has given an open invitation to all without exception, to those who seek Him. That open invitation is found in the preaching of the gospel. Therefore, this precious covenant not believed by the Jewish nation, that was once only for the Jews, is now open to all nations through Christ, the cornerstone.

1 Peter 2:10
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians: 2:20 
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone

1 Corinthians 3:11 
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ

Through Jesus...

1 Tim.3:16
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Mark 16:19
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

John 1:14
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.

1 Peter 1:18-21

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 

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.

Lord, Your word is good! It hold the keys to eternal life to all who will seek You and obey. You are the only way, there is no other. By God's mercy, You have been sacrificed for man's sin and by this sacrifice, we are raised from death to eternal life. Amen

The Rider on the White Horse

Yes, Christ is love...
Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
Yes, Christ is an avenging warrior...
Romans 12:19

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Yes, Christ shows mercy to those who seek Him...

Titus 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 Spirit,
Yes, Christ will conquer His enemies...
John 12:31 
Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out

1 Corinthians 15:24 

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power 

1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Man-centered worldliness will ultimately be overcome by God-centered worship!!


Rev.19:1-5

1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 

2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants." 

3 Once more they cried out, "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever." 

4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" 

5 And from the throne came a voice saying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great." 

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 

7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 

8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

9 And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." 

10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 

14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 

15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 

16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. 

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, 

18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." 

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 

20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 

21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 

God orchestrates all of history to display His glory!

God ordains all of His people to enjoy His glory!

So bow before the splendor of God the Father!

God the Father is victorious, glorious, omnipotent, just, eternal, mighty, and He is sovereign!!

Behold the supremacy of Christ the Son...

He is faithful and true, righteous judge, and Messianic warrior.

He sees all, knows all and judges all.

There are many crowns on His head.

There is much mystery to His name.

He conquers God's enemies.

He reveals God's Word.

He ends the history of the world.

He rules the nations of this world.

He brings God wrath upon this world.

Upon sinful men and women.

Upon Satanic agents and ambassadors.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords!

Let us revere Him, rejoice in Him, and be ready for His coming!

Let's walk by faith in Him.

Let's work by grace from Him.

For we will reign with Him forever!!!

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Pastor David and the gift of sharing the gospel which You have given him. He is a blessing to all who seek You and Your truth! Amen

Praying To A god Who Can Not Save

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.44:18
They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.

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." 

Is.44:17
And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!"

Is.45:22
"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 

Is.45:23
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.46:8-10
8 "Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 
9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 
10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' 

Do you understand? There is but one true God! He is the maker of all things! He has given me an opportunity to teach His gospel to all who will listen. He will open your eyes and heart if you seek Him and want His eternal salvation. Satan is here to distract all of us from the truth! But Satan is defeated by the cross and he knows it! Some of our teams went to a remote village to love on the people there. They were very receptive to the gospel. One man said" this place was like hell before you came with the gospel". We do not live in a remote place where the gospel is not shared but still people are blinded because they do not seek God!

Romans 1:20 

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.

A Christian friend recently told me that she had a dull heart and that she did not know who she was in Christ anymore. This is an attack by Satan on Christ and His church. We are the church, Christ is the head, Satan wants to destroy the church but knows he can not. So, what does he do? He puts doubt in the heart of a Christian! What does the Christian do? Pray, assemble ourselves together and go to the Word! We remember that the word is sharper than a two edged sword!!!

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God's Word convicts us! Christ is our living priest, He died for our sin, He intercedes for us before God, He offers mercy and grace, and when we are drawing our last breath, He will comfort us with the knowledge that we have been forgiven! He has given us a new heart!

Ephesians 5:26 

to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

1 Thessalonians 2:13 

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe

1 Peter 1:23 

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Lord, this is my prayer;

Ps.51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Amen

See To It That No One Takes You Captive

Col.2:8-158 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.9For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,10and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.11In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,12having 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.13And 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,14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
We are under great debt to Christ! There is no way for that debt to be paid by any human being now or ever! Christ has given His life as a propitiation for our sin, in a way that the Father has deemed as wholly acceptable! God wanted a holy, one time sacrifice! Christ, being obedient to God, willingly went to the cross. Satan knows that he is defeated! However, his demons of deception are always devising schemes of wickedness. These schemes do involve people who are teaching false doctrine. How do we know? By the study of God's holy word, the bible. We must study! We must pray! We must share the gospel in truth and love! These attacks on God's word can be so subtle that if you do not study and know, you will be taken captive! Let us receive God's truth, mercies and wisdom with thanksgiving  and gratitude!
Lord. I pray for wisdom in presenting the whole truth of the gospel. Let hearts be prepared to receive Your truth. In Jesus name, Amen
Phil.2:6-116who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross.9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Heb.2:1717Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Heb.10:11-1211And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.12But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,