Category Archives: Inspirational

Christian, Inspirational

You Already Know

While principalities of darkness and people work to obfuscate, change, and confuse the meaning of repentance, you already know the truth. You know in your heart what repentance means, because repentance is a matter of the heart.

Repentance means to be sorry for your sin, desiring to turn from evil behavior unto righteous living with a Holy God.

You know inherently that you need to be cleansed of past sins. Which is why after learning of the grace of God and good news of salvation, we seek out confession and water baptism.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV says, He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. And 1 Corinthians 11:31 KJV tells us, For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The heart convicts, while the mind and spirit can produce change. Call upon the Lord. God himself will help you walk in the light.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

In The Mix

Give me the Bible
Holy message shining,
Thy light shall guide me
In the narrow way.
Precept and promise,
Law and love combining,
‘Til night shall vanish
In eternal day.

So what does the Bible so beautifully reveal to us that the above song clearly commemorates? Jesus combined the law and love, teaching us by his example how to live out the law with love. Likewise, the promise of salvation carries with it certain precepts. Salvation is a mix of you and God. It’s not Jesus’s sacrifice alone. Philippians 2:12 KJV says, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. And James 1:22 KJV adds, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Jesus died teaching us how to follow the Father. Although he is the ultimate sacrifice for our sin, salvation does require effort on our part. We have to accept Jesus as Messiah. We have to repent and be baptized by immersion in water by another in Jesus name or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We have to strive to not sin. We have to confess future sins after baptism and forsake them. We have to confess Jesus and teach others the Gospel. We have to remain faithful until death. And finally, as we are blessed, do it all with love.

That may sound like a long list of works. Jesus never said we could do nothing and go to Heaven, he did promise us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

The Way You Know

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. – John 14:4 KJV

Jesus was about to be sacrificed and go to Heaven. Through example he had taught his disciples how to join him there.

So what did Jesus do that we are suppose to imitate and follow? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:48 KJV.

Many argue that perfection is impossible. But, would Jesus ask us to do the impossible?  . . . The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27

So by living with God’s guidance and God’s help we can live as Jesus, following the will of the Heavenly Father. Jesus said in Matthew 12:50 KJV, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus taught us the Father’s will by demonstrating obedience and walking in love. He being God said, If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

What are God’s Commandments?

Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

How do we begin to learn to love God and our neighbor? Visit Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5. With God’s help you can keep his word and step towards perfection.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

A Way of Escape

Despite the fact that many Christians hope to escape judgment day and some even claim that all that is left is a dispensation of rewards, the Bible says in Revelation 20:13 KJV … and they were judged every man according to their works.

Matt Crouch, owner of TBN has said several times, “It’s not about what I have or have not done, it’s what He did. ” I do not doubt he heard this in time of distress as he claims, I do doubt it was the voice of God. There will be a judgment day. And all mankind will be judged according to their works (how each man and woman lived their life, what they did or did not do).

There is no magic loophole to be found in the Bible to escape judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV tells us, 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.

If you hope to have a home in Heaven, Believe in Jesus Christ, Be Baptized, Confess your Wrongs, Don’t Sin, and if you are so blessed, live life with an abundance of Love.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Not One Day

A central theme of the Bible is the perfection of man through and with God.

Yet, Dr. David Jeremiah says, only Jesus was perfect. It is impossible to keep all of the law, it is impossible for one month, it can’t be done, not for one day, not for one hour. (Quoted by memory, not exact, but pretty close.)

My immediate thought, you can’t go an hour without sinning, what kind of horrible sinner are you. It is true that none have lived sin free but Jesus, but if you are truly born again you are on your way to perfection – walking in the light with Jesus.

Strive to not sin for an hour, strive for a day. Eventually with Jesus help you will sin less and yes even put aside your sinful past.

1 John 5:18 KJV We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself … .

God living inside you will help you overcome and teach you to walk perfectly before him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

To borrow loosely from a popular hymn, Not one day will I go without Jesus. No not one. No not one.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

The Greatest Thing

The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return. – Moulin Rouge

Perhaps you’ve heard many a modern preacher say, there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less and there is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore.

I think the above statement is truly perpetuated by people who don’t understand love. In John 14:15 God said, If you love me keep my commandments.

Love is most often reciprocated to those who have love. It’s a natural response. In fact, James 4:8 says, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV, God tells us how to become closer to him, 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.

If you want to be loved by God, love him. Be separate and touch not the unclean thing, sin not and he will literally accept you as his son or daughter.

Jesus added in Matthew 12:50 KJV, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

In Mark 12:29-30 KJV, Jesus said, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Jesus continues in Mark 12:31 KJV, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

God will love you more, if you do what he asks and continue in righteousness. He will even be your family. However, he will love you less, if you decide not to follow him.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Sin and Accountability

This morning on WayFM, Wally said God forgives you the moment you ask.

There is no direct verse that says this, so what does the Bible say concerning sin:

1 John 1:9 KJV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

You can certainly ask God for forgiveness, but can you truly confess to God, who already knows everything? I think confession is to another person, whether priest, spouse, friend, or acquaintance. In addiction programs they call this an accountability partner. If you’re embarrassed to confess your sins to another, maybe that embarrassment will keep you from being a habitual sinner. It may even save your soul.

The Bible also says charity covers a multitude of sins. In 1 Peter 4:8 KJV,
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

My own personal definition of charity is love in action.

The Bible also says in James 5:20 KJV.
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

This is high incentive to preach the Gospel and tell others about Christ the Messiah, who died on the cross for our sins.

Why does all this matter?  Hebrews 10:26 KJV says, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins… .

If we want forgiveness we need to apply all these things in our lives and strive against continuing in sin.

See Proverbs 28:13 KJV.
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

When Work is No Longer Work

There are many today that argue we cannot be saved by works. They profess our actions can neither save or damn us. Some of these even claim that you don’t have to follow the law. But,

Is it work for you to not murder?

Is it work to not steal?

Is it work to not lie?

Is it work to not commit adultery?

Go through the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Are any of them really work? For some people, one or more of them might be. I tell you, unless you write God’s Commandments on your heart and do them, you will find yourself facing eternal damnation. However, if you walk in the light and truly follow Jesus; what you once found to be work can become effortless. Doing the right thing will just come naturally. Indeed his (Jesus) yoke is easy and his burden light.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Standard
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.

Standard
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!

Standard