Author Archives: Dean N. Hoff

Christian, Inspirational

Let’s Begin

There’s are those that say keeping the law is impossible.

The Bible says:

Mark 9:23 KJV Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Philippians 4:13 KJV
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Matthew 5:48 KJV
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

In the movie, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda said, do or do not, there is no try.

I say don’t let naysayers (Matthew 23:13) keep you from your home in Heaven. Learn the law and try to keep it. With God’s help you can and will succeed.

A great place to begin is by learning the Ten Commandments. They can be found in Exodus 20.

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Confusing Duty with Works

Many proclaim we are not saved by works, but by grace alone. They cite these verses found in Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Does this mean we have no duty to our Master and Saviour? Absolutely not.

We have a duty to respect his sacrifice.

We have a duty to keep the law.

We have a duty to love and act in charity.

Jesus said in Luke 17:10 KJV … when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

My faith tells me duty and works should not be confused with one another. It also makes me wonder; how may I be a profitable servant of Christ.

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Christian, Inspirational

There’s Nothing To Forgive

A few days ago I was watching DayStar television. Joni Lamb made the statement that in the New Testament we are no longer under the law. In her very next breath she talks about asking God for forgiveness.

The spirit bears witness to the truth. If there is no law, there is no sin and hence no need for forgiveness.

Live above the law – know it and keep it and you will never need forgiveness!

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Above the Law

I’ve heard sin defined as falling short or missing the mark. In my opinion the definition of sin is simple and straightforward. Sin is breaking the law. Romans 7:7, 1 John 3:4.

You’ve probably heard that someone is above the law when the law does not seem to apply to them. I believe someone is above the law as long as they don’t break it. You no longer want to be under the law in the New Testament, fine – don’t break it.

Hebrews 10:16-17 KJV This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

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Do You Know Him?

You may know who Jesus is. He is the only begotten Son of Jehovah, our Heavenly Father. He is God himself who died on the cross for our sins. He is our Savior, the promised Messiah.

But do you know him? Are you his follower?

Jesus is our example. Jesus died showing us how to live. He kept the law. He never sinned. He always did the Father’s will. Knowing this and that the wages of sin is Death, we should strive to not sin. Be perfect even as he was perfect. Matthew 5:48, Hebrews 4:15.

Believing in Jesus we must repent and be baptized. Acts 2:38. While it is true that love can cover a multitude of sin, the only sure forgiveness after baptism is confession. 1 John 1:9. Followers of Jesus do not continue in sin. Hebrews 10:26-27. Rather we strive to be as our Master, Jesus, who lived perfectly before the LORD.

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Christian, Inspirational

Without Condition

Why do people seek unconditional love? Why do they look for it from others and even expect it from God? Is the answer as simple as what can I get away with in this relationship?

I want love with honesty and trust. I want friends and family that care about me. If they love me, they care what I do. They care how I treat them and others.

Love without condition is either pure desperation or lust without any real emotional connection. It’s not something to hope for or desire.

God places conditions on his love, if you hope to be with him forever. The first condition is John 3:16 – believe. The second condition is John 14:15 – behave.

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Heart of Stone

One view of reading the Holy Bible is to focus on context. Rather than applying it to self, the focus is on who wrote it, who was the audience and why was it written to them (or what was the purpose).

There’s nothing inherently wrong with examining and understanding context. The problem is this. The Bible was written for you. If you look at a clear New Testament commandment in Corinthians and say that only applied to female Corinthians you are in error. If you look at Exodus 20 and say that only applied to the Jews in the Old Testament you are in error.

Let the Lord write his laws on your heart and don’t seek ways to say that doesn’t apply to me.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

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Things That Make You Go Hmmm

A while ago on the Jim Bakker show, Jim said God has shown me that great and terrible things are about to take place on the Earth, but I have prayed to the Lord that these things don’t come to pass. It’s a no lose comment. Essentially, either I’m a great prophet or God listens closely to my prayers. I don’t see the downside unless it was a lie (my personal guess).

Another pastor on a different show was saying God’s love is unconditional, all you have to do is … . Now I personally believe God’s love is not unconditional. If he doesn’t care what you do, his love is really worthless. However, the comment shows the hypocrisy of the people who profess God’s love as unconditional. They don’t want rules, and religion has become a dirty word. Yet,  all you have to do is say this simple prayer. His love is unconditional, but oh here’s a condition.

Between us the first condition of God’s love is believe. John 3:16.

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In That Day

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

This isn’t referring to some special judgment where saved Christians receive different eternal rewards based on works. It is referring to the ONE Judgment Day. Are you saved or will you be damned?

1 Peter 4:17-18 KJV For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? [18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Grace, mercy, and belief are all needed for salvation, but our actions(deeds and/or works) matter.

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Christian, Inspirational

Proud To Be

As an American I don’t really know what it’s like to have a King. I say Jesus is my Lord and my King, but honestly it feels a little like empty words. I do know what it’s like to have had a Father. I also know what it’s like to have a brother.

Jesus is my Lord. He is the King of Kings. I hope that will sink into my soul, but in the meantime it’s nice to know that God considers me family if I keep his word and walk in the light.

Jehovah is my Father and Jesus is my brother.

They can be your family too.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Mark 3:35 KJV
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

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