Category Archives: Inspirational

Christian, Inspirational

Rebels

Star Wars and other movies have turned the words rebel and rebellion into something good. Meanwhile the words religion and legalism have been transformed by hip preachers into something uncool.

They say we are saved by grace and not by works (acts of religion and legalism) but let me ask you a few questions.

  • Is it work for you not to kill?
  • Is it work for you not to bear false witness?
  • Is it work for you not to commit adultery?
  • Is it work for you to respect the name of God?
  • Is it work for you not to make or worship idols?
  • Is it work to take a day off and not work at all?
  • Is it work to respect your mom and dad?
  • Is it work to not steal?
  • Is it work for you to not covet another’s property?

Is it really laborious to keep the law? I admit I’ve had issues with or broken all of these, but as I’ve given my life to Jesus they’ve become easier to keep. You would think not working or causing others to work would be easy, but I’m still not doing well with Sabbath keeping. However, since truly turning to Christ keeping most of the Ten Commandments has not been work at all.

In Romans in the New Testament we are told to love and that love fulfils the law. Romans 13:8, 13:10.

I guess that’s my final question.

  • Is love work?

Rebel against the mainstream. Make you religion Christianity and make part of your relationship with Jesus the keeping of his law.

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Christian, Inspirational

A Living Example

Jesus didn’t come to the Earth and live a perfect sinless life to be a dead sacrifice. He came to be a living example! He wants us to keep his law.

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

Certain men say you cannot be perfect. I don’t believe Jesus would have told us to do something that is impossible. Rather I believe with Jesus all things are possible. He can help us to walk perfectly and sinless before the Heavenly Father.

Remember in Ecclesiastes 12:13 Solomon said, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Therefore we strive for perfection with Jesus’ aid.

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Christian, Inspirational

Freedom of Religion

I have heard several times how blessed we are to have freedom of religion and assembly in the U.S. I think the sad, but more accurate truth is that we have freedom in the United States to be lukewarm.

Where is the persecution Jesus promised?

It could be freedom and grace granted by God or it could be Satan has you solidly in his grip.

Do you follow the Ten Commandments? Is the law even preached in your church?

Satan is content to let you be lukewarm.

Don’t be satisfied with it yourself.

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Christian, Inspirational

David and Goliath

What did David have that I’m not sure the Ukrainians have?

Jesus Christ.

I don’t know the percentage of Christians in the Ukraine, but I do know through God all things are possible.

Appeal to Jesus.

Glory be to our God. Salvation is his.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

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Christian, Inspirational

As a Practical Matter

There are some deep matters in the Holy Bible and this article is not intended to detract from any of them. It is intended to simplify, explain, and promote the sacrifice of Jesus.

Jesus died showing us how to walk before our LORD, the Heavenly Father. He walked in the truth and did not sin.

He was killed by those who would ask, what is truth and not care for the answer.

He was killed by those who could not or would not give up their sin.

He was killed by people who were afraid of judgment.

Jesus wanted us to walk in the light: Accept the truth, confess your sins one to another, be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and strive every day not to sin.

Simply put, Christianity and how you live it out depends on how much you value Jesus’ sacrifice.

Does it matter that Jesus was God? Does it matter he was the anointed one? Is there really something special about his blood? Should it matter he was resurrected? These are a few of the deeper matters this article will not cover.

He died showing us how to live!

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Christian, Inspirational

Tell of His Love

If you’re a reader of my blog, you might know I’m against certain interpretations of God’s love. I will say again, there is no such thing as unconditional love.

Preach and teach the truth. At it’s very heart is John 3:16. Jehovah gave his Son and Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. Hence when we speak of God’s love there’s no reason to exaggerate.

1 John 4:16 KJV …God is love…

Exodus 34:14 KJV For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Isaiah 49:15-16 KJV Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. [16] Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

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Christian, Inspirational

We Can’t Begin This Way

Can you build a healthy relationship starting with a lie?

Today’s teachers say it’s not about religion it’s all about relationship. But the honest truth is Christianity is a religion. It is your relationship with God. Do you keep his Commandments? Do you read the Bible, attend Church, sing praises unto him? These are all acts of a healthy relationship with Jesus that are parts of a healthy Christian faith.

Telling millenials and Gen Z it’s about relationship not religion and that God loves unconditionally may gain more followers. It’s what they like to hear. It’s what they need to hear. But can you build a solid, strong relationship with our God based on a lie?

Isn’t it enough to ask millennials or anyone to follow the Lord Jesus, be baptized for the remission of sins, and teach them how to walk in the light? Preach John 3:16 and teach the whole gospel. God’s love is incredible, but it’s not unconditional. Heaven and Hell are both real. They are eventualities to how you live your life, i.e. how strong was your relationship with Jesus.

Once you’ve introduced someone to the love of God tell them how you live out your religion. Tell them about your own relationship with Jehovah, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Let the foundation be truth and the fruit Holy.

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Christian, Inspirational

At What Cost

Christ did die on the cross for us. But a dangerous and misleading teaching is that Christ died on the cross so that we don’t have to.

It can be a bit confusing, but it’s important to get it right. Jesus died so that we will not have to die the second death as long as we believe, are baptized , and follow him. The second death is being found unworthy and cast into Hell forever. It is eternal separation from the Lord, where the Bible says our soul is destroyed.

Jesus did not promise us that we should never suffer or die. In fact the opposite is true. John 15:20 KJV says, … If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you… . Revelation 2:10 KJV says … be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

So why is this important. You may have been taught Jesus has already done everything necessary for your salvation or that he died on the cross in our place. The realistic version is that as a Christian you may suffer and you may even be called to give your life for Christ.

To those of you that are called and chosen. Be mindful that one thing yet remains:

Be faithful unto death!

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Christian, Inspirational

And Now You Know…

The Bible advises us to rightly divide the word in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Part of understanding a verse is context, but part is comprehending all of the words actually written.

There are many today that say God’s love is unconditional. I disagree and here’s why: they are misinformed. Perhaps it is innocent optimism, but I think it is a deceitful lie that causes much more harm than good.

Read John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Can you spot the condition? You have to believe to be saved.

Read 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.

Can you spot the condition? Touch not the unclean thing and then you will be received as a son or daughter.

Read Psalm 31:24 KJV Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Can you spot the condition? Trick question. I think there are two. With effort on your part be courageous and additionally hope in the Lord and the Lord will strengthen your heart.

Context is important, but in most cases the Gospel applies to us today, just as it did to those living thousands of years ago when it was first given. When you read the Bible don’t cherry pick. Examine the verse to see what it really says in it’s entirety. There’s a blessing of God. Awesome. But look and see if God expects something of you in return.

Don’t miss out cause you’ve heard or latched on to only half of the story.

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Christian, Inspirational

Healed

The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5 KJV, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Recently, I have heard many preachers saying that this means our physical healing of things such as diseases and ailments is already completed. They say Jesus bore them on the cross.

I don’t think this is what the verse means.

If we value the sacrifice and death of Jesus (his stripes) we will not continue in sin (we are healed) from iniquity.

In fact this is a theme of the Old and New Testament. Will we come to God and the truth to be healed?

Jesus said in Matthew 13:15 KJV For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Spiritual healing is critical to our salvation. In fact, it is more important than physical healing. Iniquity is an illness leading to the second death. Hear the truth, value Jesus and his acts, and you will be healed!

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