Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Price of Folly
There are many people in this world who are following their own way instead of living for the Lord. Such people are foolish and without wisdom. They are clueless as to what their end is going to be. Folly means making the wrong decisions rashly or without regards to consequences.
Solomon writes about the price of folly in the Book of Proverbs. It is interesting to note that folly is likened to a prostitute or an adulteress who leads her men to doom. She is loud, seductive, and lacks knowledge. She is not only stupid, but is arrogant and attracts those who are also simple for they lack wisdom. In other words, she advantage of those who are not watchful, for she is deceitful and the one being deceived does not realize that her way is the way to Hell for she has taken many down that road.
One who is foolish does not like rebuke nor have consider wisdom when they hear it. They do not think of the consequences of their actions. A wise person would consider his or action and realizes that for every action, there are consequences. They realize that they are not immune to the spiritual and natural laws. They know that one who sows corruption reaps corruption. They know that in scientific terms, there is an equal and opposite reaction to their actions. The end of the wise is good for they have lived life of wisdom. Even their names and memories will be blessings. The wise and righteous will be blessed going out and coming in. Those who engage in folly will come to ruin for their foolishness.
The foolish are known by their actions including their words. A foolish person speaks foolish words and therefore exposes himself or herself as foolish. Those who engage in folly are those who refuse rebuke, to do right, or to walk in integrity. Foolish people are not respected. They are often hated, scorned, or laughed at because of their ignorance. The ultimate end for a foolish person is death. In the Book of Proverbs, it is said that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fool does not fear God. They live according to the flesh. Their minds are carnal and love the evil that they do. They may know of the consequences but live their lives as if there are none just as long as they don't suffer.
They are selfish, lazy in doing good, and are unrepentant. Those who are unrepentant , the foolish, are those who shall have their part in the Lake of Fire as written in Revelation 20. They are outside of the great city because they were foolish enough to procrasitinate or to outright reject wisdom. All they had to do was repent, and seek God's face. All they had to do is to come to Jesus, the one true Vine, the only Way to God for salvation. He is the only One with the power to forgive sins, to save men. But because of folly, the foolish are amongst the wicked that will be outside the city as it is written in Revelation for they did not seek God. They did not ask for wisdom, which God gives liberally. They did not ask for wisdom for God guides us with His eye. But to a fool, his ways seem right, but the righteous know not to be conformed to this temporal world. Those who are foolish lack humility and when he looks for wisdom, he or she will not find it for their way is wrong. They lack prudence, grace, and are self righteous. They are annoyed easily at offence. They disgrace themselves and bring their own souls to damnation for their foolishness. Don't let this happen to you, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Verses to Read: 2 Chron 7:14, Psalm 38:5,Psalm 69:4-6,Psalm 85:7-9,Proverbs 6:1-3,Proverbs 7-8, Proverbs 9:13-18, Proverbs 10, Proverbs 11:12, 14, 29, Proverbs 12:8, 15-16, 23, Proverbs 13:1-3, 15-16, 18-21, Proverbs 14:3, 6-9, Proverbs 15:2, Ecclesiastes 7:26, Galatians 5:16-26, Revelation 20-22.
Encouragement
The Bible provides much encouragement for its believers. We are to be encouraged because of the blessings of being a child of God. We are to be encouraged because we worship a God that we have a relationship with. Our God is an omnipotent, omniscient God. He knows all of our suffering because when He was tried, beaten, mocked, and then crucified on that cross in Calvary. But we are to be encouraged all the more encouraged because He rose from the dead on the third day. He is our Lord and Savior and we are to worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. He is the one and only True God. We can have a personal relationship with Him for He is not a cold, lifeless, manmade diety that we have to appease. He heals, saves, and delivers. He forgives sins, no matter what how deep you are in your sins, for He is the God of hope. (The only sin He does not forgive is when blasphemes the Holy Spirit.)
We are joint-heirs with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have an inheritance that is eternal. We can have eternal life if we repent, confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that God raised Him from the dead, keep His commandments, and walk in His ways. We strive to be more Christ-like daily which means we walk the walk and walk the talk. We are to live holy lives in service to God. It means that despite our narrow walk, there will be troubles along the way. But despite all of our troubles, we are not alone in our suffering even though it does seem that way. We should be encouraged and give glory to our God because we can and are strengthened by our troubles. If we are sick, Jesus heals. If we have sinned, we can confess our sins and He cleanses us from our unrighteousness. If we are struggling, there is grace to help in time of need. If we are persecuted, we can stil have joy. If we are need of salvation, Jesus is the only One who can help.
We as believers have much to be thankful for. We should be thankful that our names are written in Heaven. We should not be troubled at the things of the world. If we are anxious we can cast our cares upon Him. If we are burdened by the troubles of this life, then we can ask for rest. We have the Holy Spirit, who not only convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgement, but He comforts us. We can have perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Jesus. We can be blessed in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.
The good news is that we shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye. We will no longer be sinful beings, but saints whose bodies will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible. We have walked the Christian race and have endured and those who have endured to the end will be saved and will receive an incorruptible reward. Rejoice for our end is a blessed and eternal ending.
Verses and Chapters to Read: Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 5:19-34, Matthew 12:31-33, John 14-15, Romans 8:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Galatians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:12-17, Philippians 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-16, 2 Timothy 1:3-18, Book of James, 1 John 1:8-10, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 21-22
We are joint-heirs with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have an inheritance that is eternal. We can have eternal life if we repent, confess that Jesus is Lord, believe that God raised Him from the dead, keep His commandments, and walk in His ways. We strive to be more Christ-like daily which means we walk the walk and walk the talk. We are to live holy lives in service to God. It means that despite our narrow walk, there will be troubles along the way. But despite all of our troubles, we are not alone in our suffering even though it does seem that way. We should be encouraged and give glory to our God because we can and are strengthened by our troubles. If we are sick, Jesus heals. If we have sinned, we can confess our sins and He cleanses us from our unrighteousness. If we are struggling, there is grace to help in time of need. If we are persecuted, we can stil have joy. If we are need of salvation, Jesus is the only One who can help.
We as believers have much to be thankful for. We should be thankful that our names are written in Heaven. We should not be troubled at the things of the world. If we are anxious we can cast our cares upon Him. If we are burdened by the troubles of this life, then we can ask for rest. We have the Holy Spirit, who not only convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgement, but He comforts us. We can have perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Jesus. We can be blessed in our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.
The good news is that we shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye. We will no longer be sinful beings, but saints whose bodies will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible. We have walked the Christian race and have endured and those who have endured to the end will be saved and will receive an incorruptible reward. Rejoice for our end is a blessed and eternal ending.
Verses and Chapters to Read: Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 5:19-34, Matthew 12:31-33, John 14-15, Romans 8:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Galatians 4:1-6, Colossians 3:12-17, Philippians 4:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-16, 2 Timothy 1:3-18, Book of James, 1 John 1:8-10, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 21-22
Christian Walk and the Narrow Road
The Christian walk isn't just a walk. It is a race, a race to eternal life. Sadly, very few people will find it. Why did Paul write of our walk with God as a race? Well in a race, the runners compete to cross the finish line first in as fast a time as possible. Runners have to train their bodies for the grueling race. In a race when the gun starts, they cannot have a false start. They have to begin to compete at the right time and endure through heat, pain, and tired, sore muscles in order to race to the finish. That is what the Christian goes through in our daily lives. Those who endure have to endure much. But we have to endure more than just heat, and aches and pains. Many Christians have endured persecution, trials, temptations, and illnesses. Throughout the centuries, Christians have endured slander, gossip, sickness and disease, even death. The Christian walk isn't a walk in the park. It in short is a grueling race to the end. But the end is worth it. (Acts 12, Acts 16:16-40, Hebrews 11:35-40, Hebrews 12:1-13, 2 Corinthians 4)
Sadly there won't be many racers who will endure to the end. Those who endure into the end shall be saved. There will be more racers who start but won't finish. Many will fall away. Some will be deceived. Others think that they have run the race, but have not been properly trained to even qualify, and that is incredibly sad. That is what Jesus was talking about when referring to the narrow road. The narrow road is the road that leads to life. On the other hand, the broad road is the road that will lead to destruction. Think about destruction for a minute. Destruction means the condition of being destroyed or annhilated. Something that is destroyed will be no more. Something that is annhilated cannot be fixed. There are no second chances. If something is destroyed, it can be replaced, in the world. But things of the world are enmity with God. We as Christians must not be conformed to this world. Being conformed to the world means thinking like the world, acting like the world, and having the desires of the world. (Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 13:1-30, Matthew 24:9-13, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 3:18-19, 1 John 2:15-17)
As Christians, we must be conform to God, our Creator. He created us in our image and in His likeness. He did not originally intend for us to choose one of two paths: the road to life or the road to death and destruction. But we are all sinners. We have all come short of God's glory. A true Christian is a repentant sinner who knows all of this and walks as a new creation. He or she knows that the Christian walk is not a walk or a sprint. He or she knows that they will have to endure insults, taunting, amongst other things. In America, Christians have been insulted and ridiculed about our faith. In other nations Christians have been beaten, raped, and murdered because of their faith. We as Christians need to comfort, pray for, and love one another, for we are the Church, representing the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Christians are few and far between in this world; they are holy, righteous, temperate, and live lives of integrity, honor, and show class and character. Many people in the world also walk that way, but they have never truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, have never admitted they were sinners, or have fallen away and have not returned to Him. Sadly they will be like the Foolish virgins who realized too late that they were not ready because they have not done all that God requires of them. Many have been deceived by false teaching, been religious and judgemental, have committed a variety of sins that they have not repented of. Sadly they have chosen to walk the broad road that leads to destruction instead of the road that leads to life. Many people have not treated or shown respect to others, witnessed their faith to others, have led lives of immorality and some are even quite blatant about it. Others are hateful, mean spirited, and unforgiving. They have their own views of morality, forgiveness, and about religion and spirituality. (Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 3:23, Luke 21:12-19, Matthew 24:4-6, Matthew 25:1-13, 2 Timothy 1-9)
My prayer is that who are walking the broad road that leads to destruction will realize that they too are sinners in need of a Savior. That they need to repent of their sins just as we all need to repent of our sins, for God loved us so much that He gave His Son to be executed on the cross so that we may all begin to walk the narrow road. Those who endured the race will be saved. Romans 10:9 says that if one confesses that Jesus Christ is the Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, they will be saved. For with our heart that we believe and are justified and it is with our mouths that we confess and are saved. Those who are believers have already confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord and believed with their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Our names are written in Heaven. We have truly repented of our sins and are running the race set before us. We know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that any other way to God is as a thief breaking into a house and the way to the broad road to destruction. Choose life. Who wants to be told, "too little, too late"? Because it will be for those who choose death and destruction over life and endurance. Don't let this be you. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-16, 1 John 1:9-10, 2 John 5:1-12, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:8, 27, Revelation 22:15)
Why Christians are Blessed.
In these days and times, we as the body of Christ have so many reasons to be blessed. There are so many people out there who are lost. We have every reason to be joyful. We need to rejoice. Our names are written in Heaven. Our Heavenly Father loves us. We are saved, blood-brought, born-again Christians. We didn't wait until it was too late to say "Yes!" to Jesus. We are so fortunate. We have so many other reasons to call ourselves blessed!
***We are God's Children and joint-heirs with Jesus.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
***Our Future Citizenship in Heaven
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
***The Choice to Walk The Narrow Way
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
***He paid the Ransom, but we believed. We have called upon His name. We believed that He died on the cross and rose on the third day. We have been delivered. We were bought with a price. Jesus risked His life for us! How many people do you know would risk their lives for you?
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
***Our God is a God of love, for He is Love. We have no condemnation, for we are in Christ Jesus. We are the sons of Light.
John 3:15-20
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
***We have come into and have accepted The Truth. The Truth is in us if we are truly His. But if we deceive ourselves and have hatred in our hearts, then the Truth is not in us.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
***We have no reason to worry or to fear.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
***A Heavenly Father who will vouch for us. He will fight for us. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Jesus died for us, rose on the third day, promised the Holy Spirit, and has the power to forgive sins. God's got all the bases covered. We can trust in Him for protection, safety, and deliverance from evil.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 25:8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
Psalms 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Psalm 91:1-6
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
God does answer our concerns.
Judges 20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
***He is our Comforter. Our Heavenly Father is our father of Comfort. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Joy and Peace are of God.
Ezra 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Psalms 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Psalms 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
1 Kings 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
Rejoice. Praise God, for we are blessed! Tell somebody about your blessings. Encourage somebody! Be a witness for Christ! Don't be ashamed. Be bold. Our Savior is a Risen Savior. Time is short. Now is the Time for salvation. Our Lord is an All-Mighty God. He is coming back soon. Tell the world who you are. Live like a blessed Christian. Let the world see Jesus in you.
***We are God's Children and joint-heirs with Jesus.
Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
***Our Future Citizenship in Heaven
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
***The Choice to Walk The Narrow Way
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
***He paid the Ransom, but we believed. We have called upon His name. We believed that He died on the cross and rose on the third day. We have been delivered. We were bought with a price. Jesus risked His life for us! How many people do you know would risk their lives for you?
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
***Our God is a God of love, for He is Love. We have no condemnation, for we are in Christ Jesus. We are the sons of Light.
John 3:15-20
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
***We have come into and have accepted The Truth. The Truth is in us if we are truly His. But if we deceive ourselves and have hatred in our hearts, then the Truth is not in us.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
***We have no reason to worry or to fear.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
***A Heavenly Father who will vouch for us. He will fight for us. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Jesus died for us, rose on the third day, promised the Holy Spirit, and has the power to forgive sins. God's got all the bases covered. We can trust in Him for protection, safety, and deliverance from evil.
2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
2 Chronicles 25:8 But if thou wilt go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
Psalms 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Psalm 91:1-6
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
God does answer our concerns.
Judges 20:18 And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God, and said, Which of us shall go up first to the battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
1 Chronicles 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
***He is our Comforter. Our Heavenly Father is our father of Comfort. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Joy and Peace are of God.
Ezra 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Psalms 9:14 That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.
Psalms 22:26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
1 Kings 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
Rejoice. Praise God, for we are blessed! Tell somebody about your blessings. Encourage somebody! Be a witness for Christ! Don't be ashamed. Be bold. Our Savior is a Risen Savior. Time is short. Now is the Time for salvation. Our Lord is an All-Mighty God. He is coming back soon. Tell the world who you are. Live like a blessed Christian. Let the world see Jesus in you.
God Has a Plan for all of us
Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God is our Creator. He is the One who created both man and woman in His Image and in His likeness. In fact, Genesis 1 writes that the Trinity created us. Throughout the Bible, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, provided men with strength and raised the dead of various women. They provided for, cared for, fed, forgave, and comforted many others. Jesus Christ died was betrayed, tried, beaten, mocked, and executed. He died on the cross just for us, for we are sinners. Jesus Christ throughout his ministry healed the sick, raised the dead, forgiven sins, and preached the gospel. You see, Jesus Christ was much more than a compassionate Teacher, He is God the Son. Through Him, all things were created. He was God in the Flesh.
Our God is the God of the underdog. King David was the youngest child of a poor man, named Jesse. David was not what one expected of a future king. Of course, God had a plan for David. David's life is an interesting one, to say the least. David was a young boy who slew a giant using five stones and a slingshot. (1 Samuel 21) He was a musician in King Saul's court. King Saul later tried to kill David. Later, David became King and wrote most of the Psalms. He had a son with a woman he had an affair with, who became a wise and extremely wealthy King, Solomon.
Other examples of underdogs in the Bible including Gideon, who was also one no one, if any, expected to lead an army of only 300 (or any number of) men against an enemy of huge numbers. Normally, an army of 300 men versus thousands would have little to no chance of succeeding. But God is a God of miracles, and "all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27) Gideon and his army defeated his enemies! (Judges 6-8) The nation was quieted for forty years in the days of Gideon. (Judges 8:28) After his death, the nation committed idolatry once again.
The point I am making is that no matter what the world says about you and no matter how bad things are going in your life, there is someone who can help. He is the one you need to call for guidance, for provision, for help. Life is too short and life is too important. God created life. It is up to you to live that life as he called you to live it. God has a plan for you. He really does love you. He really does care about you. He is not some cosmic being. He will help you when you are down. He is the truest Friend you will ever have. Turn your life over to Him. Call on His name. He is inviting you to hear His voice and "open the door, He will come in to Him, and will sup with Him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20).
Suffering: Why God, Why?
This is a question we all ask God, but not in so many words. Even the most devout Christians I'm sure ask this question. Why do you allow this to happen? Why are so many innocent people dying? Why are the good suffering and the bad are getting away with it? Why God Why?
Understandably, we all ask these questions, but it's not God's fault. God allows bad things to happen for a number of reasons. God could be testing us, strengthening us, or even helping us to face our fears. I don't have all the answers, and I'm certainly not him. Consider Job, a devout man who lost all his children, his servants, his health, and his wealth. The Book of Job better explains why God allow bad things to happen. Unlike so many of us, Job never turned his back on God, nor did he blaspheme Him. But He did have questions for God, which the Father answered.
Some of you reading this may be asking, then who is to blame for all of our problems. The best way I can answer this is this. In that very same book, God allowed Satan to afflict Job, who wants to destroy us. Satan is "like a walking lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5). Have you ever noticed that no one ever questioned whether or not Satan exists or that he may be the very one who is causing all of this. However, we as humans are not totally innocent. God has given us choices; we can choose to be either part of the problem or part of the solution.
Being a part of the solution is knowing that there is hope out there and His name is Jesus. Jesus is not some Man who taught us God's word, though He did do that. Jesus is God Himself. He is God the Son and God in the Flesh, but most of all, He is God the Savior. With Him, all things are possible. Romans 8 says, that trials of this world is nothing compared to the "glory that shall be revealed in us." There is so much hatred and bitterness and unforgiveness. Consider the fact that there are some much less fortunate than you and many of them actually believe in God or are Christians. I'm sure many of them questioned God or wanted to, but in the end, they did not. They had hope. They knew things would be better.
If you want to know about the Hope, the Risesn Lord and Savior, or are not sure, I ask that you pray this prayer:
"Lord Jesus, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe that you are the Hope for our world. I have often questioned you and I want to know the truth about you and your world. I want to know that you are there for me and that you will always be there for me. Save me.. I confess that you are my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me, in Jesus' name, Amen."
The Ten Commandments
Exodus 20: 3-17
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:
11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
These are not Suggestions, but Commandments. God expects us to take these Commandments seriously. If we do, then we will be blessed because of our obedience. Otherwise, we will be cursed because we have not obeyed him. It is painfully obvious that many of us have not taken this law too seriously. All of us whether it is schoolchildren, doctors, nurses, firefighters, prostitutes, strippers, pimps, and the CEO take these seriously-AND follow them.
If we have no other gods before us and lift up His name, then we would not be guilty of committing idolatry. What is your god? What or whom do you serve? Whom or what do you worship? Is it sex, money, other poeple, or fashion? Repent, for God is the only True God. He is not an object, nor is he a man nor women or another of His Creations. He is the Creator. God is merciful. The angels rejoice if we repent. Make Jesus the Lord of your life.
Our Creator's name is to be taken seriously. How would you feel if someone uses your name in vain? God does not take it lightly when you take His name in vain. One's name means a lot in this world. To God, His name means so much more. Respect the One who created us.
This is a message to all of the Evolutionists: God did create the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Man was made higher than all other beings. He gave man dominion over the fowl of the air and the beasts of the field. (Genesis 2:19) It is not only a matter of faith, it is the matter of the truth. The Commandment of the Sabbath is about following God's example. That day was created for us. The Sabbath is a hallowed day. Take the time this Sabbath to worship the Lord, to bless Him, and to thank Him. Do good on the Sabbath, for it is lawful. (Matthew 12:12)
We have heard many stories of parents or other caretakers abuse children. Well the same goes the other way around. To all children, the person or person taking care of you are the only ones you have. Whether they gave birth to you or whether you were adopted, they are still your parents. Respect them. You are a gift from God. (Psalm 127). But parents are your elders and your example. Don't call them names or disrespect them, for you are only hurting yourself. Be thankful that you have good parents. There are a lot of children who don't have good parents. In fact, many children don't have anyone to love them at all.
Killing, unless it is self-defense is wrong. Whether it is abortion, serial killers, or killing your parents, it is WRONG, period. There is no defense for that crime. Though killing affects the victim, it shatters families and whole communities. Those who kill usually have no conscience. Life is of no value to them. Life is of value to God. All life is of value to God.
Plain and simple, adultery is a sin. It is wrong. Adultery is going outside the marriage covenant. Let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:19) Adultery is one of the major causes of the high divorce rate here in America. Adultery also has a detrimental affect on entire families. Adultery is not good for marriage. It is bad for marriage. In Leviticus, both the man and the woman were put to death. That is how serious God takes the marriage covenant. Man and his wife are one flesh--that is the definition of marriage. Linked with adultery is also lying, covetous, lust, and betrayal.
Stealing is taking from someone else. Stealing has caused millions of dollars of loss, and has caused much detrimental harm to shopkeepers, and entire families. Many families don't feel safe anymore in their own homes partially because of stealing--and murders. To those who steal, how woud you feel if someone would take something from you that is valuble? The roots of stealing are often greed and selfishness.
We need to respect our neighbors. We need to have our own space, to love one another, and to honor one another. Treat the other person the way you want to be treated. Be a friend to one another. Be kind to one another. If we follow these commandments, then all of us would be better off.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:
11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
These are not Suggestions, but Commandments. God expects us to take these Commandments seriously. If we do, then we will be blessed because of our obedience. Otherwise, we will be cursed because we have not obeyed him. It is painfully obvious that many of us have not taken this law too seriously. All of us whether it is schoolchildren, doctors, nurses, firefighters, prostitutes, strippers, pimps, and the CEO take these seriously-AND follow them.
If we have no other gods before us and lift up His name, then we would not be guilty of committing idolatry. What is your god? What or whom do you serve? Whom or what do you worship? Is it sex, money, other poeple, or fashion? Repent, for God is the only True God. He is not an object, nor is he a man nor women or another of His Creations. He is the Creator. God is merciful. The angels rejoice if we repent. Make Jesus the Lord of your life.
Our Creator's name is to be taken seriously. How would you feel if someone uses your name in vain? God does not take it lightly when you take His name in vain. One's name means a lot in this world. To God, His name means so much more. Respect the One who created us.
This is a message to all of the Evolutionists: God did create the world in six days and rested on the seventh. Man was made higher than all other beings. He gave man dominion over the fowl of the air and the beasts of the field. (Genesis 2:19) It is not only a matter of faith, it is the matter of the truth. The Commandment of the Sabbath is about following God's example. That day was created for us. The Sabbath is a hallowed day. Take the time this Sabbath to worship the Lord, to bless Him, and to thank Him. Do good on the Sabbath, for it is lawful. (Matthew 12:12)
We have heard many stories of parents or other caretakers abuse children. Well the same goes the other way around. To all children, the person or person taking care of you are the only ones you have. Whether they gave birth to you or whether you were adopted, they are still your parents. Respect them. You are a gift from God. (Psalm 127). But parents are your elders and your example. Don't call them names or disrespect them, for you are only hurting yourself. Be thankful that you have good parents. There are a lot of children who don't have good parents. In fact, many children don't have anyone to love them at all.
Killing, unless it is self-defense is wrong. Whether it is abortion, serial killers, or killing your parents, it is WRONG, period. There is no defense for that crime. Though killing affects the victim, it shatters families and whole communities. Those who kill usually have no conscience. Life is of no value to them. Life is of value to God. All life is of value to God.
Plain and simple, adultery is a sin. It is wrong. Adultery is going outside the marriage covenant. Let not man put asunder. (Mark 10:19) Adultery is one of the major causes of the high divorce rate here in America. Adultery also has a detrimental affect on entire families. Adultery is not good for marriage. It is bad for marriage. In Leviticus, both the man and the woman were put to death. That is how serious God takes the marriage covenant. Man and his wife are one flesh--that is the definition of marriage. Linked with adultery is also lying, covetous, lust, and betrayal.
Stealing is taking from someone else. Stealing has caused millions of dollars of loss, and has caused much detrimental harm to shopkeepers, and entire families. Many families don't feel safe anymore in their own homes partially because of stealing--and murders. To those who steal, how woud you feel if someone would take something from you that is valuble? The roots of stealing are often greed and selfishness.
We need to respect our neighbors. We need to have our own space, to love one another, and to honor one another. Treat the other person the way you want to be treated. Be a friend to one another. Be kind to one another. If we follow these commandments, then all of us would be better off.
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