Tag Archives: son

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.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Conditions Too

Some claim the love of God is unconditional. They do not know God nor the scriptures.

In an earlier post we discovered the first condition of Christianity in John 3:16. It is belief.

What are some other conditions? Mark 16:16 tells us that in addition to belief in Christ we must be baptized to be saved!

Let’s look at some other verses to see if we can spot the condition:

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.

If we want to be a son or daughter of God Almighty, what must we do? The condition is clear. Be separate and touch not the unclean thing.

John 14:21 KJV He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

If we want the Father and son’s love we keep his commandments.

Learning to spot conditions in scripture will help teach you proper discernment and help you in rightly dividing the Word of God.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Let Me Be Your Midwife

In 2 Kings 19:3 KJV … Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.

I am convinced that many people do not know how to be born again. Jesus said in John 3:3 KJV … Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

What must I do?

Believe in Jesus, that he is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins, that he is the promised Christ and our Messiah. John 3:16-18.

Acknowledge and repent of your sins. Matthew 3:2,6.

Be baptized by immersion in water by another in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost for the forgivess of your sins. Mark 16:16, Acts 22:16.

Knowledge, belief, and strength are all required for salvation. A prayer of salvation is insufficient to save you if you don’t continue in faith to be born again. Persevere, believe, and be baptized.

Baptism is not only a public declaration of faith it is the birthing process. Arise from the water a new man or woman in Christ, Born Again!

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV says, 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.

I have heard that some have found difficulty in finding someone to baptize them. This has been done by errant preachers placing restrictions on baptism, such as requiring membership at their specific congregation or making you wait a certain period of time. I am a strong believer that being a member of the Church of Christ begins in the heart. You don’t have to join a local congregation. That being said, I am an advocate of attending a church for learning, fellowship, and communion, but membership in the Church of Christ is not given by men, but by God.

If you can make it to the Dover, TN area I am willing to baptize you, if you’re willing to meet the three steps listed after “what must I do”. I live near Kentucky lake and there are also some nearby swimming pools.

Feel free to contact me, Dean at (931)305-8834. I don’t generally answer the phone if it isn’t someone I know, so please send me a text first. Introduce yourself, let me know what you would like to discuss and I will return your text or call you back.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

At the Cross

You’ve read stories to your children. You’ve watched Disney movies with them. You may have even killed a few thousand bad guys together on Xbox. But have you talked to them yet about Jesus?

You do well if you have and if you’ve told them he died on the cross for our sins. It might be easier for them to understand if you told them Jesus died on the cross to show us how to live. Jesus walked perfectly before his Heavenly Father, our Father. During his walk he shed blood, sweat, and tears to teach us not to sin, to teach us the difference between right and wrong, and to do his Father’s will. He gave his life for us. He died for his teaching and for the truth, so we will strive to always do the good and avoid the bad.

May your children never be as Pontius Pilate asking what is truth. May they know it and live it. Please understand that depends largely on you, their parent and their guide.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

The Talk

Long before a parent needs to have “the talk” with their child they need to discuss God with them.

A father should tell his son(s) and daughter(s), we have one Father, even God in Heaven, and ask the children to call himself by his first name, rather than father or dad. Matthew 23:9 KJV.

As soon as a child can comprehend who God is, tell him or her about Jesus, the only begotten Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and lived to show us how to live by following his Holy Father, our Father.

Conversations with children should include informing them of the Ten Commandments and the statutes and precepts of the Lord. I don’t necessarily think you need to go into detail about what adultery is, but a careful conversation on adultery might make “the talk” easier at a later date.

Keep in mind “the talk” probably needs to take place earlier than you think. Kids pick up a lot from what’s on television and at school.

When your child is ready, let them repent of their sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Mark 16:16

Only by frequent conversations with your children will they be able to make it to Heaven. Remember that children key off what they see. If you live righteously you can teach your children to live likewise!

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Identity

I have quoted Matthew 23:9 KJV a few times in my blog; And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

What does this look like in application? I don’t have any children, but when I do I’d like to think I will ask them to call me by my first name, Dean. I can imagine an appropriate time, early in their childhood, when I will explain to them how I am their biological dad, but we all have one Heavenly Father, the Lord God Almighty, Jehovah.

So when is this done? My dad never asked me to call him by his first name and I don’t know of anyone where this has been the case. But if this little known command were put into practice – teaching our children early that they are sons or daughters of God, would it solve problems of gender identity?

I believe identity found in God is truly a strong foundation. 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.

Standard
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.

Standard