Tag Archives: God

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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No Respector of Persons

We are all familiar with the verse that says God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34

You may have heard a preacher say God is no respecter of persons, what he has done for me he will do for you. He provided me with a jet and million dollar homes, he will do the same for you. He healed me of cancer he will do the same for you. Or you may have heard God loves you exactly as much as he loves Jesus Christ.

These are inaccurate interpretations of the phrase God is no respecter of persons. Does he not love Abraham and his descendants especially? Does he not love Jesus most of all?

The correct interpretation is seen in James 2:2-3 KJV For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; [3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

It is this partiality that Paul refers too. God is no respecter of persons. In that day, whether Jew or Gentile, president, king, senator, factory worker, McDonald’s employee, prince or pauper he will judge all fairly based upon their faith and works.

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A Gift

Salvation is a gift of God.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Like any other gift it matters how you receive it and if you decide to keep it.

When a gift is offered you have to receive it. This is known as acceptance. Do you accept Jesus as the Son of God? Do you accept his sacrifice on the cross as an offering for your salvation? John 3:16, John 3:18, Hebrews 7:26-27, Hebrews 9:14

Have you been baptized in water for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ?

Acts 22:16 KJV
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. See also Acts 2:38.

Have you decided to keep your salvation?

1 John 1:7-9 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. [8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Pesky Details

Once again I recently heard a preacher saying that fear of the Lord doesn’t actually mean fear. He added that you can’t have an intimate relationship with the Lord if you fear him, you can’t have a healthy relationship with someone you fear.

God chooses love for us and even prefers it to our fear, but for love to replace fear we have to get past one pesky detail. Malachi 1:6 KJV says, A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? . . ..

Do you love the Lord enough to separate yourself and not touch the unclean thing? 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Do you honor the Lord enough to do what he asks and not sin? John 14:15

If you let love and honor of God lead you, then there is no need to fear. You have found the more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31

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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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