Category Archives: Inspirational

Christian, Inspirational

The Journey

The Bible tells us to fear God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And indeed we should, but the Holy Journey presented to us, from God introducing himself in the Old Testament to Jesus’ sacrifice for us in the New, is to go from fear to friendship.

John 15:14 KJV
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

1 John 4:18 KJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

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Christian, Inspirational

Another Gospel

Below you will find erroneous doctrine that I have heard on TBN recently. Remember – an exaggerated truth is a lie.

Just one drop of Jesus blood cleanses the whole world. – If this were sufficient, Christ need not have died. Jesus blood was indeed precious, but do you know why? It’s the value you place on his sacrifice. It’s the value God the Father placed on it.

God loves you so much he would have sent Jesus to die on the cross for you if you were the only person that ever existed. I doubt it. I’m hesitant to say he would have come up with a better plan, but the Truth is God did have a better plan. He planned for many children, coming to Salvation through Jesus, not just one person.

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Christian, Inspirational

About

“The gospel is not about behavior modification.” – Joseph Prince

Matthew 9:12-13 KJV But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. [13] But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

So we see contrary to the opinion of Joseph Prince, Jesus came specifically for the behavior modification of sinners. This is inherent in the definition of repentance. Repentance is not only sorrow for wrong doing, but stopping the wrong or sinful behavior.

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Christian, Inspirational

Law and Love Combining

There are those that preach Grace and there are those that preach the Law, but there are few that grasp the Truth as well as Owens and Lorenz in the hymn Give Me the Bible.

Precept and Promise, Law and Love Combining!

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

How can we depart from iniquity without knowledge of the law.

Give me the Bible, Holy message shining; Thy light shall guide me in the narrow way; Precept and promise, law and love combining, Till night shall vanish in eternal day.

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Christian, Inspirational

Use My Name

I have been thinking on prayer. 100% of the time at the Church I attend “in Jesus name” is how prayer is ended. But must it always be so?

When we pray. We pray to the Heavenly Father. When we pray, we pray through or with Jesus his Son. Not just in his name, but actually with him. I believe that we should pray with Jesus as our attorney, our advocate, our mediator. In a courtroom today we don’t say to the Judge, in the name of my attorney. We go to the attorney ourselves, who then with us makes our wishes and pleas known to the Judge.

Certainly the Heavenly Father is a Great Judge. And when I pray I will try to end those prayers with … through you Jesus my Saviour I pray, rather than simply ending the prayer with in the name of Jesus. I think the former conveys a healthier and more active relationship with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father.

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Christian, Inspirational

At Hand

Whenever you hear someone say a scripture or Bible passage is no longer valid because the Kingdom of God has come, understand they are in error.

Ask yourself are we face to face with God? The answer is no. 

It is true Jesus has come. And it is true the Kingdom of God can live in us. It is also true, the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 should still be prayed. “Thy Kingdom come.” Some erroneously say it came with Jesus. I tell you, we will know when God’s Kingdom has come, because we will either be face to face with him or in Hell.

Let no one lead you astray. Why call him Lord, Lord and do not what he says? 

Matthew 6:9-13 KJV After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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Christian, Inspirational

Context is Key

When reading the Holy Bible it is important to be aware of context. It can affect correct interpretation of the scripture. Yet, I think context at times may be of minimal importance. 

For example: Malachi 3:10 KJV says,  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .

This verse is often used to encourage giving. I think by context, however, it is really a one time statement by God to the Israelites. Read Malachi 1:1 KJV The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. Can we take a verse like Malachi 3:10 and believe if we give we will receive? In my opinion, God can choose to honor a giver however he chooses. In fact, Jesus said something similar to Malachi 3:10 in Luke 6:38. 

Some guidelines and warnings I’d recommend for interpretation of scripture.  Just because something was written to the Church at Corinth or to Timothy, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t apply to you. All 66 books of the Bible are included for a reason.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV tells us All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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Christian, Inspirational

Choices

When reading the Holy Bible I’ve thought to myself where do I fit in? This is perhaps the wrong way to read the Holy Bible, considering the reader then has to pick and choose which verses may apply to themselves. Context can be key. Is the verse for me or was it a one time statement to Israel at a specific time in history? Maybe even context isn’t crucial if the verse brings encouragement or causes the reader to follow God’s word.

There are two choices for the New Testament follower: Be an Holy Ghost or be a son or daughter of perdition. If we allow the Holy Spirit to indwell in us we sin not and God is with us. 1 John 3:9.

We all have these two choices: continue in sin or be a holy spirit and a son or daughter of God. 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.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Special Place

I was thinking, half jokingly, wouldn’t it be justice if there were a special place in Hell for those that use this phrase and wish this sentiment upon others?

No one gets an air-conditioned apt. Seriously, the phrase devalues Hell. I cannot say whether there will be levels or various degrees of punishment as some denominations theorize, but I can say with certainty the greatest pain of Hell will be loss of Hope. 

Hell is eternal. There remains no hope of Salvation, no Hope in God, No Hope. The author who once penned that the sign over the entrance to Hell reads “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” could have formed no greater epitaph and warning.

Call upon the Lord and Keep Hope.

1 Chronicles 16:8 KJV Give thanks unto the Lord , call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

Psalm 20:9 KJV Save, Lord : let the king hear us when we call.

Psalm 55:16 KJV As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

Psalm 145:18 KJV The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Acts 2:21 KJV And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord , and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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Christian, Inspirational

Tell and Turn

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.

This is a promise.

Proper baptism covers past sins, but what do we do if we sin after baptism? First and foremost we should fear God and strive not to sin. We have to value Jesus’ sacrifice. 

There are those that preach a difference between public sin and private sin and intentional and unintentional sin. These preachers do great damage to the Kingdom of God. One preaches 1 John 1:9 doesn’t apply to private sin another says 1 John 1:9 is not for intentional sin. I know from past experience how hard it is to confess. These preachers make it harder. There is darkness and death in silence.

I once typed a page with my sins, printed about 30 copies, and handed it out at church because I could not find the courage to speak it publicly. I also called the police once and confessed to them for a past deed that troubled me greatly. It is both scary and difficult to confess, especially if you are denied a forum.

What are the requirements of confession? 

What is the purpose?

I believe confession is made to another, not just praying silently to God for forgiveness. James 5:16. He already knows them, so where is the act of confession, if this is all we do?

The purpose of confession is to tell and turn, to bring darkness to light, death to life. Repentance walks hand in hand with confession. We are sorry for our sin and we will quit the sinful activity. 

Don’t die in your sins. Tell and Turn.

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

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