The broad and narrow way.
Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward men; not only toward those of our party and persuasion, but toward men in general, all with whom we have to do. We must do that to our neighbour which we ourselves acknowledge to be fit and reasonable. We must, in our dealings with men, suppose ourselves in the same case and circumstances with those we have to do with, and act accordingly. There are but two ways
right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell; in the one or other of these all are walking: there is no middle place hereafter, no middle way now. All the children of men are saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. See concerning the way of sin and sinners, that the gate is wide, and stands open. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions. It is a broad way; there are many paths in it; there is choice of sinful
ways. There is a large company in this way. But what profit is there in being willing to go to hell with others, because they will not go to heaven with us? The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we are got through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done. We must watch in all things, and walk with care; and we must go through much tribulation. And yet this way should
invite us all; it leads to life: to present comfort in the favour of God, which is the life of the soul; to eternal bliss, the hope of which at the end of our way, should make all the difficulties of the road easy to us. This plain declaration of Christ has been disregarded by many who have taken pains to explain it away; but in all ages the real disciple of Christ has been looked on as a singular, unfashionable character; and all that have sided with the greater number, have gone on in the
broad road to destruction. If we would serve God, we must be firm in our religion. Can we often hear of the strait gate and the narrow way, and how few there are that find it, without being in pain for ourselves, or considering whether we are entered on the narrow way, and what progress we are making in it? (Mt 7:15-20)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
testimonial
The bible says not to judge. So I will leave the judging to him. If you were to meet a young charismatic christian man would you date him. If he was loving, honest, compassionate and ready for a committment. I know that some men are not wanting to committ. I also believe that is what is wrong in America. People are to worried about their next piece. That they have forgotten what the lord says about That subject. That it is to suppose be a sacred act inside of marriage. I used to think that way until I asked Jesus into my life in November of 2003. As a profession of Faith I was baptized by immersion on April 10th, 2005 and baptized in the spirit on March 31st of this year. I have done what Psalm 103 says do take all your sin and put in it in the deepest part of the sea and put a no fishing sign.
Friday, December 08, 2006
How I was lead back to christ
How I was lead back to Christ. I was born in Abilene, Texas on March 17,1982, I graduated from Paint Creek High school in 2001. I was brought up in a Christian home. But I don't know what happened. When I was just twelve years old my parents got a divorce and never have been the same. I was devastated. My mom would make me go to church. Then during my sophomore and junior years I started going back. I have tried everything to make my mom go back to church. But she wont go. After my girlfriend at time and I broke up and again I quit going. God called me back in October 2003 and I have been consistently going to church ever since. Then on November 11th, 2003 I accepted Jesus has the lord and savior of my life. After I was listening to a FFH cd and I was reading there book that came in the CD jacket and I prayed that prayer and was saved I know through Romans 10:9-10 that I was saved. Then on April 10th, 2005 after careful prayer I was led by the spirit of God to be obedient to the lord and I was baptized. Then on Friday March 31st, 2006 I was filled with the Holy Ghost during Prosperity Explosion which was a men's advance or retreat to Ruidoso, New Mexico to The Bonita Park Nazarene Camp. I was an usher at Family Harvest Church, Lubbock. I was out of church from June of 2006 through October then on October 6th I got the most devastating Phone call of my entire life to this point. Then two weeks later I knew that I needed to go back to church. So I went back to the church I was a member of in Stamford, Texas. Then I felt God calling to Beltway Park. Where I have been ever since. I joined Beltway Park on Sunday November 11th after going to beltway for three weeks. I have fallen in Love with Beltway Park. The people in my life group are awesome.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Ten Principles for new and growing Christians.
Ten Principles for new and growing Christians.
1. Feeding on the Word -- DAILY NutritionA healthy baby has a healthy appetite. If you have truly been "born" of the Spirit of God, you will have a healthy appetite. The Bible says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," (1 Peter 2:2). Feed yourself every day without fail. Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food," (Job 23:12). The more you eat, the quicker you will grow, and the less bruising you will have. Speed up the process and save yourself some pain -- vow to read God's Word every day, without fail. Say to yourself, "No Bible, no breakfast. No read, no feed." Be like Job, and put your Bible before your belly. If you do that, God promises that you will be like a fruitful, strong and healthy tree (see Psalm 1). Each day, find somewhere quiet, and thoroughly soak your soul in the Word of God.
There may be times when you read through its pages with great enthusiasm, and there may be other times when it seems dry and even boring. But food profits your body whether you enjoy it or not. As a child, you no doubt ate desserts with great enthusiasm. Perhaps vegetables weren't so exciting. If you were a normal child, you probably had to be encouraged to eat them at first. Then, as you matured in life you were taught to discipline yourself to eat vegetables. This is because they would physically benefit you, even though they may not have at the time, brought pleasure to your taste buds.
The next section is: Faith -- Elevators Can Let You
2. Faith -- Elevators Can Let You DownWhen a young man once looked at me and said, "I find it hard to believe some of the things in the Bible," I smiled and asked, "What's your name?" When he said, "Paul," I casually answered, "I don't believe you." He looked at me questioningly. I repeated, "What's your name?" Again he said, "Paul," and again I answered, "I don't believe you." Then I asked, "Where do you live?" When he told me, I said, "I don't believe that either." You should have seen his reaction. He was angry. I said, "You look a little upset. Do you know why? You're upset because I didn't believe what you told me. If you tell me that your name is Paul, and I say, 'I don't believe you,' it means that I think you are a liar. You are trying to deceive me by telling me your name is Paul, when it's not." Then I told him that if he, a mere man, felt insulted by my lack of faith in his word, how much more does he insult Almighty God by refusing to believe His Word. In doing so, he was saying that God isn't worth trusting -- that He is a liar and a deceiver. The Bible says, "He who does not believe God has made Him a liar," (1 John 5:10). It also says, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief. . ." (Hebrews 3:12). Martin Luther said, "What greater insult . . . can there be to God, than not to believe His promises."
I have heard people say, "But I just find it hard to have faith in God," not realizing the implications of their words. These are the same people who often believe the weather forecast, believe the newspapers, and trust their lives to a pilot they have never seen whenever they fly in a plane. We exercise faith every day. We trust our car's brakes. We trust our history books, our medical books, and we trust elevators. Yet elevators can let us down. History books can be wrong. Planes can crash. How much more then should we trust the sure and true promises of Almighty God. He will never let us down . . . if we trust Him.
I have often heard cynics say, "The Bible is full of mistakes." It is. The first mistake was when man rejected God, and the Scriptures show men and women making the same tragic mistake again and again. It's also full of what seem to be contradictions. For example, the Scriptures tell us "with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). We are told that there is nothing Almighty God can't do. Yet we are also told that it is "impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18). So there is something God cannot do! There's an obvious "mistake" in the Bible. The answer to this dilemma is to be found in the lowly worm.
Do you know that it would be impossible for me to eat worms, although I have seen it done. I once saw a man on TV butter his toast, then pour on a can of live, fat, wriggling, blood-filled worms. He carefully took a knife and fork, cut into his moving meal, and ate it. It made me feel sick. It was disgusting. The thought of chewing cold, live worms is so repulsive, so distasteful, I can candidly say it would be impossible for me to eat them, even though I have seen it done. It is so abhorrent, I draw on the strength of the word "impossible" to substantiate my claim.
Lying, deception, bearing false witness, etc., is so repulsive to God, so disgusting to Him, so against His holy character, that the Scriptures draw on the strength of the word "impossible" to substantiate the claim. He cannot, could not, and would not lie.
That means that in a world where we are continually let down, we can totally rely on, trust in, and count on His promises. They are sure, certain, indisputable, true, trustworthy, reliable, faithful, unfailing, dependable, steadfast, and an anchor for the soul. In other words, you can truly believe them, and because of that, you can throw yourself blindfolded and without reserve, into His mighty hands. He will never, ever, let you down. Do you believe that?
The next section is: Evangelism -- Our Most Sobering Task
3. Evangelism -- Our Most Sobering Task It was late in December, 1996. A large family gathered in Los Angeles for the joyous occasion of wrapping Christmas presents. It was a big family because it was the product of two marriages. There were so many gathered that night, five of the children slept in the garage. It was a converted structure, kept warm during the cold night by an electric heater which sat by the door.
During the early hours of the morning, the heater suddenly burst into flames, blocking the doorway. In seconds the room became a blazing inferno. The frantic 911 call revealed the unspeakable terror of the moment. One of the children could be heard screaming, "I'm on fire!" The distraught father vainly rushed into the flames to try and save his beloved children. He received burns to 50% of his body. Tragically, all five of the children burned to death. They died because steel bars on the windows of the garage thwarted their escape. There was only one door, and that was stopped by the flames.
You are back in time. It's minutes before the heater burst into flames. You peer through the darkness at the peaceful sight of five sleeping youngsters. You know that at any moment the room is going to erupt into an inferno and burn the flesh of horrified children. Can you in good conscience walk away? No! You must awaken them, and warn them to run from that death trap!
The world sleeps peacefully in the darkness of ignorance. There is only one Door by which they may escape death. The steel bars of sin prevent their salvation, and at the same time call for the flames of Eternal Justice. What a fearful thing Judgment Day will be! The fires of the wrath of Almighty God will burn for eternity. The Church has been entrusted with the task of awakening them before it's too late. We cannot turn our backs and walk away in complacency. Think of how the father ran into the flames. His love knew no bounds, and our devotion to the sober task that God has given us will be in direct proportion to our love for the lost. There are only a few who run headlong into the flames to warn them to flee (Luke 10:2). Please be one of them. We really have no choice. The Apostle Paul said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).
It was the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, who said the words, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." A Christian cannot be apathetic about the salvation of the world. The love of God in him will motivate him to seek and save that which is lost.
You probably have a limited amount of time after your conversion to impact your unsaved friends and family with the Gospel. After the initial shock of your conversion, they will put you in a neat little ribbon-tied box, and keep you at arm's length. So it's important that you take advantage of the short time you have while you still have their ears.
Here's some advice that will save you a great deal of grief. As a new Christian, a friend of mine did almost irreparable damage by acting like a wild bull in a crystal showroom. He bullied his mom, his dad, and many of his friends into making a "decision for Christ". He was sincere, zealous, loving, kind, and stupid. He didn't understand that salvation doesn't come through making a "decision," but through repentance, and repentance is God-given (see 2 Timothy 2:25). The Bible teaches that no one can come to the Son unless God "draws" him. If you are able to get a decision but they have no conviction of sin, you will almost certainly end up with a still-born on your hands.
In his"zeal without knowledge" he actually inoculated the very ones he was so desperately trying to reach. There is nothing more important to you than the salvation of your loved ones, and you don't want to blow it. If you do, you may find that you don't have a second chance. Fervently pray for them, thanking God for their salvation. Let them see your faith. Let them feel your kindness, your genuine love, and your gentleness. Buy gifts for no reason. Do chores when you are not asked to. Go the extra mile. Put yourself in their position. You know that you have found everlasting life. Death has lost its sting! Your joy is unspeakable -- but as far as they are concerned, you have been brain-washed. You have become part of a weird sect. So your loving actions will speak more loudly than ten thousand eloquent sermons.
It is because of these thoughts that you should hold back from verbal confrontation until you have knowledge that will guide your zeal. Pray for wisdom and for a sensitivity to God's timing. You may have only one shot, so make it count. Keep your cool. If you don't, you may end up with a lifetime of regret. Believe me. It is better to hear a loved one or a close friend say, "Tell me about your faith in Jesus Christ," rather than you saying, "Sit down. I want to talk to you."
It is important to realize that we should share our faith with others whenever we can. The Bible says that there are only two times we should do this -- "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). The Apostle Paul pleaded for prayer for his own personal witness. He said, ". . . that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak," (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Remember that you have the sobering responsibility of speaking to other peoples' loved ones. Many times when you open your mouth for the Gospel, you may be the answer to the earnest prayer of another Christian. Perhaps he has cried out to God that He would use a faithful witness to speak to his beloved mom or dad, and you are that answer to prayer. You are that true and faithful witness that God wants to use.
Never lose sight of the world and all its pains. Keep the fate of the ungodly before your eyes. Too many of us settle down on a padded pew and become introverted. Our world becomes a monastery without walls. Our friends are confined solely to those within the Church, when Jesus was the "friend of sinners." So take the time to deliberately befriend them for the sake of their salvation. Remember that each and every person who dies in their sins has an appointment with the Judge of the Universe. Hell opens wide its terrible jaws. There is no more sobering task than to be entrusted with the Gospel of Salvation -- working with God for the eternal well-being of dying humanity.
The next section is: Prayer -- "Wait for a Minute"4. Prayer -- "Wait For A Minute."It has been well said that God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes." sometimes He says, "NO." Sometimes He says, "Wait for a minute," and a day to the Lord is a thousand years to us (2 Peter 3:8). That means that a ten year wait for us, is 14 minutes and 24 seconds to God, so ask in faith, but rest in peace-filled patience.
Surveys show that more than 90% of America prays daily. No doubt they pray for health, wealth, happiness, etc. They also pray when grandma gets sick, and when grandma doesn't get better (or dies), many end up disillusioned, and some end up bitter. This is because they don't understand what the Bible says about prayer. It teaches that sin will stop God even hearing your prayer (Psalm 66:18). It teaches, among other things, that if we pray with doubt, we will not get an answer (James 1:6-7).
Here's how to be heard.... 1.) Pray with faith (Hebrews 11:6).2.) Pray with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4).3.) Pray genuine heart-felt prayers, rather than vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7).4.) Make sure that you are praying to the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 20:3-6).
How do you "pray with faith?" If someone says to you, "You're a man of great faith in God," they may think that they are paying you a compliment. But they aren't -- the compliment is to God. For example if I said to you, "I'm a man of great faith in my doctor," it's actually the doctor I'm complimenting. If I have great faith in him, it means that I see him as being a man of integrity, a man of great ability -- that he is trustworthy. I give "glory" to the man through my faith in him. The Bible says that Abraham "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21). Abraham was a man of great faith in God. Remember, that is not a compliment to Abraham. He merely caught a glimpse of God's incredible ability, His impeccable integrity, and His wonderful faithfulness to keep every promise He makes. His faith gave "glory" to a faithful God.
As far as God is concerned, if you belong to Jesus, you are a VIP. You can boldly come before the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16). You have access to the king, because you are the son or daughter of the king. When you were a child, did you have to grovel to get your needs met by your mom or dad? I hope not.
So, when you pray, don't say, "Oh God, I hope you will supply my needs." Instead say something like, "Father, thank you that you keep every promise You make. Your Word says that you will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory, by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, I thank you that you will do this thing for my family. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen"
It was the great missionary, Hudson Taylor, who said, "The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see Divine power wrought in the place of weakness, failure, and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things of which thou knowest not of.'"
How do you get "clean hands and a pure heart?" Simply by confessing your sins to God, through Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7-9). When you confess them to God through Jesus, God will not only forgive your every sin, He promises to forget that sin (Hebrew 8:12). He will even justify you, on the grounds of the sacrifice of the Savior. That means He will count it as though you have never sinned in the first place. He will make you pure in His sight -- sinless. He will even "purge" your conscience, so that you will no longer have that sense of guilt that you sinned in the first place. That's what I mean "to be justified by faith." That's why you need to soak yourself in Holy Scripture -- to read the letters to the churches and see the wonderful things that God has done for us through the Cross of Calvary. If you don't bother to read the will, you won't have any idea of what has been left for you.
How do you pray "genuine heart-felt prayers?" Simply by keeping yourself in the love of God. If the love of God is in you, you will never pray hypocritical, or selfish prayers. In fact, you won't have to pray selfish prayers, if you have a heart of love. When your prayer-life is pleasing to God, the Bible says that He will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6).
How do you know that you are praying to "the God revealed in Holy Scripture?" Study the Word. Don't accept the image of God portrayed by the world, even though it appeals to the natural mind. The world sees God as a loving, kind fatherly-figure, with no sense of justice or truth which appeals to guilty sinners. Look to the thunderings and lightnings of Mount Sinai. Gaze at Jesus on the cross of Calvary -- hanging in unspeakable agony because of the Justice of a holy God. Such thoughts tend to banish idolatry.
The next section is: Warfare -- Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition
5. Warfare -- Praise The Lord and Pass the AmmunitionWhen you became a Christian, you stepped right into the heat of an age-old battle. You have a three-fold enemy--the world, the flesh, and the devil. Before you became a Christian, you floated down stream with the other dead fish. But now, God has put His life within you, and you will find yourself swimming against a three-fold current. Let's look at these three resistant enemies.
First, the world. When the Bible speaks of the "world" in this context, it is referring to the sinful, rebellious, world system. This is the world that loves the darkness and hates the light (John 3:20), governed by the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4)( -- the "prince power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). The Bible says the Christian has escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. "Lust" is unlawful desire, and is the life's blood of the world --whether it be the lust for sexual sin, for power, for money, for material things. Lust is a monster that will never be gratified, so don't feed it. It will grow bigger and bigger, until it weighs heavy upon your back, and will be the death of you -- see James 1:15.
There is nothing wrong with sex, power, money, or material things, but when these become predominant in God's sight, the Bible calls this "inordinate affection" (Colossians 3:5). We are told, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (1 John 2:15, James 4:4).
The second enemy is the devil. As we have seen, he is known as the "god of this world." He was your spiritual father before you joined the family of God (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2. Jesus called the devil a thief, who came to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).
The way to overcome him and his demons is to make sure you are outfitted with the spiritual armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:10-20. Become intimately familiar with it. Sleep in it. Never take it off. Bind the two-edged sword to your hand so that you never lose its grip. The reason for this brings us to the third enemy.
The third enemy is what the Bible calls the "flesh." This is your sinful nature. The domain for the battle, is your mind.
If you have a mind to, you will be attracted to the world and all its sin. The mind is the data-processing control panel for the eyes and the ears. It is the center of your appetites. All sin begins in the "heart" (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:19). We think before we sin. This happens because we don't think before we sin. The Bible warns that lust brings forth sin, and sin when it's conceived brings forth death. Every day we have life, we have a choice. To sin or not to sin -- that is the question. The answer to the question of sin, is the fear of God. If you don't fear God, you will sin to your sinful heart's delight.
Did you know that God kills people? He killed a man because he didn't like what he did sexually (Genesis 38:10). He killed a husband and wife because they told just one lie (Acts 5:1-11). Knowledge of God's goodness -- His righteous judgments against evil, should put the fear of God in us, and help us not to indulge in sin.
If we know that the eye of the Lord is in every place beholding the evil and the good, and that He will bring every work to judgment, we will live accordingly. Such weighty thoughts are valuable, for "by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil" (Proverbs 16:6). Jesus said,
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4-5).
The next section is: Fellowship -- Flutterby Butterfly
6. Fellowship -- Flutter by Butterfly Pray about where you should fellowship. Make sure the place you are going to call your church home calls sin what it is -- sin. Do they believe the promises of God? Are they loving? Does the pastor treat his wife with respect? Is he a man of the Word? Does he have a humble heart, and a gentle spirit? Listen closely to his teaching. It should glorify God, magnify Jesus, and edify the believer. One evidence that you have been truly saved is that you will have a love for other Christians (1 John 3:14). You will want to fellowship with them. The old saying that "birds of a feather flock together" is true of Christians. You gather together for the breaking of bread (communion), for teaching from the Word, and for fellowship. You share the same inspirations, illuminations, inclinations, temptations, aspirations, motivations, and perspirations -- you are working together for the same thing, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God on earth. This is why you attend church -- not because you have to, but because you want to.
Don't become a "spiritual butterfly." Send your roots down. If you are moving from church to church, how will your pastor know what type of food you are digesting? The Bible says that your shepherd will have to give an account to Him that has entrusted you to him (Hebrews 13:17), so make yourself known to your pastor. Pray for him regularly. Pray also for his wife, his family, and the elders. Being a pastor is no easy task. Most people don't realize how many hours it takes to gather a fresh sermon each week. They don't appreciate the time spent in prayer and in the study of the Word. If the pastor makes the same joke twice, or shares something he has shared before, remember, he's human. So give him a great deal of grace, and double honor. Never murmur about him. If you don't like something he has said, pray about it, then leave the issue with God. If that doesn't satisfy you, leave the church, rather than divide it through murmuring and complaining.
A woman once spread some hot gossip about a local pastor. What he had supposedly done became common knowledge around town. Then she found that what she had heard wasn't true. She gallantly went to the pastor, and asked for his forgiveness. The pastor forgave her, but then told her to take a pillow full of tiny feathers to a corner of the town, and in high winds, shake the feather out. Then he told her to try and pick up every feather. He explained that the damage had already been done. She had destroyed his good reputation, and trying to repair the damage was like trying to pick up feathers in high winds.
The Bible says that there is life and death in the power of the tongue. We can kill or make something alive with our words. The Scriptures also reveal that God hates those who cause division among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16). Pray with the psalmist, "Set a guard O Lord, over my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
Remember the old saying, "He that gossips to you, will gossip about you."
The next section is: Thanksgiving -- Do the right thing.
7. Thanksgiving -- Do the Right Thing For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving Day. We should even be thankful in the midst of problems. The Apostle Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4). He knew that God was working all things together for his good, even though he was going through trials (Romans 8:28).
Problems will come your way. God will see to it personally that you grow as a Christian. He will allow the storms, to send your roots deep into the soil of His Word. We pray more in the midst of problems, but it's been well said that you will see more from your knees, than you will on your tip toes.
A man once watched a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon. In an effort to help it, he took a razor blade, and carefully slit the edge of the cocoon. The butterfly escaped from its problem . . . and immediately died.
It is God's way to have the butterfly struggle. It is the struggle that causes its tiny heart to beat fast, and send the life's blood into its wings.
Trials have their purpose. They make us struggle -- they bring us to our knees. They are the cocoon in which we often find ourselves. It is there that the life's blood of faith in God helps us spread our wings.
Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. If you have faith in God, you will be thankful because you know His loving hand is upon you, even though you are in a lion's den. That will give you a deep sense of joy, and joy is the barometer of the depth of faith you have in God. Let me give you an example. Imagine if I said I would give you one million dollars if you sent me an email. Of course, you don't believe that I would do that. But imagine if you did. Imagine if you had knowledge of more than 1,000 people who had sent me an email, and every one received their million dollars -- no strings attached. More than that. You had actually called me, and I had assured you personally that I would keep my word. If you believed me, wouldn't you have joy? If you didn't believe me -- no joy. The amount of joy you have would be a barometer as to how much you believed my promise.
We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us "exceeding great and precious promises" that are "more to be desired than gold." Do yourself a big favor -- believe those promises, thank God continually for them, and "let your joy be full."
An old farmer once had an ungodly relative visit him. After the farmer had bowed his head and thanked God for the food they were about to eat, the relative rudely said, "What did you do that for? There's no God. We live in an age of enlightenment." The old farmer smiled and said, "There is one on the farm who doesn't thank God before he eats." The relative sat up and said, "Who is this enlightened one?" To which the farmer quietly replied, "My pig."
The next section is: Baptism: Sprinkle or Immerse?
8. Water Baptism -- Sprinkle or Immerse?The Bible Says , "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . ." (Acts 2:38). There is therefore no question as to whether or not you should be baptized. The questions are how, when, and by whom?
It would also seem clear from scripture that those who were baptized, were fully immersed in water. Here's one reason why:
"And John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there. . ."
(John 3:23).
If John was merely sprinkling believers, he would have only needed a cup full of water.
The Philippian jailer and his family were baptized at midnight, as soon as they believed. So what are you waiting for?
Who should baptize you? It is clear from Scripture that other believers had the privilege, but check with your pastor, he may want the honor himself.
The next section is: Tithing, the Last Frontier9. Tithing -- The Last Frontier. It was once said that the wallet is the "last frontier." It is the final area to be conquered -- the last thing that comes to God in surrender. Jesus spoke much about money. He said that we cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). The word "mammon" was the common Aramaic word for riches, which is akin to a Hebrew word signifying "that which is to be trusted." In other words, we cannot trust God and money. Either money is our source of life, our great love, our joy, our sense of security, the supplier of our needs -- or God is.
When you open your purse or wallet, give generously and regularly to your local church. A guide as to how much you should give can be found in the "tithe" of the Old Testament -- 10 of your income. Whether you give this amount or not, make sure you do give something to the work of God (see Malachi 3:8-10). Give because you want to, not because you have to. God loves a cheerful giver (2Corinthians 9:7), so learn to hold your money with a loose hand.
The next section is: Troubleshooting Cults, Atheists, Skeptics10. Troubleshooting -- Cults, Atheists, SkepticsIf you know the Lord, nothing will shake your faith. It is true that the man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. Take for example a little boy who is looking at a heater. His father warns him that it's hot. The child says, "O.K. I believe it's hot." At that point, he has an intellectual belief that the heater is hot. When his Dad leaves the room, he says, "I wonder if it really is hot?" He then reaches out his little hand and grabs the heater bar with his fingers. The second his flesh burns he stops believing the heater is hot. He now knows it's hot! He has moved out of the realm of "faith" into the realm of "experience."
In comes a heater expert and says, "Son, I have a B.A. in the study of heat. The heater is definitely not hot. I can prove it to you." The child would probably say, "Mr Expert, I don't care how many B.A.'s you have. I know that heater is hot -- I touched it! I'm not in the realm of belief, I'm in the realm of experience. Goodbye."
If you have touched the heater bar of God's love and forgiveness, if the Holy Spirit has "born witness" that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16), if you have received the Gospel with "power, the Holy Ghost and much assurance" (1 Thessalonians 1:5), you will never be shaken by a skeptic.
When cults tell you that you must acknowledge God's name to be saved, that you must worship on a certain day that you must be baptized by an elder of their church, don't panic. Merely go back to the Instruction Manual. The Bible has all the answers, and searching them out, will make you grow.
If you feel intimidated by atheists -- if you think they are "intellectuals," read the book, God Doesn't Believe in Atheists. It will show you that they are the opposite. It will also instruct you on how you can prove God's existence, and also prove that the "atheist" doesn't exist.
Finally, the way to prevent sporting injury and pain, is to keep yourself fit. Exercise. The Apostle Paul kept fit through exercise. He said, "Herein do I exercise myself, to always have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16). Do the same. Listen to the voice of conscience. It's your friend, not your enemy. Remember the words of Solomon:
"Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Keep the Day of Judgment before your eyes. On that Day, you will be glad for the cultivations of a tender conscience.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope the principles expounded have been helpful, and that any knowledge you have gained from it, will some day save you some pain.
1. Feeding on the Word -- DAILY NutritionA healthy baby has a healthy appetite. If you have truly been "born" of the Spirit of God, you will have a healthy appetite. The Bible says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby," (1 Peter 2:2). Feed yourself every day without fail. Job said, "I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food," (Job 23:12). The more you eat, the quicker you will grow, and the less bruising you will have. Speed up the process and save yourself some pain -- vow to read God's Word every day, without fail. Say to yourself, "No Bible, no breakfast. No read, no feed." Be like Job, and put your Bible before your belly. If you do that, God promises that you will be like a fruitful, strong and healthy tree (see Psalm 1). Each day, find somewhere quiet, and thoroughly soak your soul in the Word of God.
There may be times when you read through its pages with great enthusiasm, and there may be other times when it seems dry and even boring. But food profits your body whether you enjoy it or not. As a child, you no doubt ate desserts with great enthusiasm. Perhaps vegetables weren't so exciting. If you were a normal child, you probably had to be encouraged to eat them at first. Then, as you matured in life you were taught to discipline yourself to eat vegetables. This is because they would physically benefit you, even though they may not have at the time, brought pleasure to your taste buds.
The next section is: Faith -- Elevators Can Let You
2. Faith -- Elevators Can Let You DownWhen a young man once looked at me and said, "I find it hard to believe some of the things in the Bible," I smiled and asked, "What's your name?" When he said, "Paul," I casually answered, "I don't believe you." He looked at me questioningly. I repeated, "What's your name?" Again he said, "Paul," and again I answered, "I don't believe you." Then I asked, "Where do you live?" When he told me, I said, "I don't believe that either." You should have seen his reaction. He was angry. I said, "You look a little upset. Do you know why? You're upset because I didn't believe what you told me. If you tell me that your name is Paul, and I say, 'I don't believe you,' it means that I think you are a liar. You are trying to deceive me by telling me your name is Paul, when it's not." Then I told him that if he, a mere man, felt insulted by my lack of faith in his word, how much more does he insult Almighty God by refusing to believe His Word. In doing so, he was saying that God isn't worth trusting -- that He is a liar and a deceiver. The Bible says, "He who does not believe God has made Him a liar," (1 John 5:10). It also says, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief. . ." (Hebrews 3:12). Martin Luther said, "What greater insult . . . can there be to God, than not to believe His promises."
I have heard people say, "But I just find it hard to have faith in God," not realizing the implications of their words. These are the same people who often believe the weather forecast, believe the newspapers, and trust their lives to a pilot they have never seen whenever they fly in a plane. We exercise faith every day. We trust our car's brakes. We trust our history books, our medical books, and we trust elevators. Yet elevators can let us down. History books can be wrong. Planes can crash. How much more then should we trust the sure and true promises of Almighty God. He will never let us down . . . if we trust Him.
I have often heard cynics say, "The Bible is full of mistakes." It is. The first mistake was when man rejected God, and the Scriptures show men and women making the same tragic mistake again and again. It's also full of what seem to be contradictions. For example, the Scriptures tell us "with God, nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). We are told that there is nothing Almighty God can't do. Yet we are also told that it is "impossible for God to lie" (Hebrews 6:18). So there is something God cannot do! There's an obvious "mistake" in the Bible. The answer to this dilemma is to be found in the lowly worm.
Do you know that it would be impossible for me to eat worms, although I have seen it done. I once saw a man on TV butter his toast, then pour on a can of live, fat, wriggling, blood-filled worms. He carefully took a knife and fork, cut into his moving meal, and ate it. It made me feel sick. It was disgusting. The thought of chewing cold, live worms is so repulsive, so distasteful, I can candidly say it would be impossible for me to eat them, even though I have seen it done. It is so abhorrent, I draw on the strength of the word "impossible" to substantiate my claim.
Lying, deception, bearing false witness, etc., is so repulsive to God, so disgusting to Him, so against His holy character, that the Scriptures draw on the strength of the word "impossible" to substantiate the claim. He cannot, could not, and would not lie.
That means that in a world where we are continually let down, we can totally rely on, trust in, and count on His promises. They are sure, certain, indisputable, true, trustworthy, reliable, faithful, unfailing, dependable, steadfast, and an anchor for the soul. In other words, you can truly believe them, and because of that, you can throw yourself blindfolded and without reserve, into His mighty hands. He will never, ever, let you down. Do you believe that?
The next section is: Evangelism -- Our Most Sobering Task
3. Evangelism -- Our Most Sobering Task It was late in December, 1996. A large family gathered in Los Angeles for the joyous occasion of wrapping Christmas presents. It was a big family because it was the product of two marriages. There were so many gathered that night, five of the children slept in the garage. It was a converted structure, kept warm during the cold night by an electric heater which sat by the door.
During the early hours of the morning, the heater suddenly burst into flames, blocking the doorway. In seconds the room became a blazing inferno. The frantic 911 call revealed the unspeakable terror of the moment. One of the children could be heard screaming, "I'm on fire!" The distraught father vainly rushed into the flames to try and save his beloved children. He received burns to 50% of his body. Tragically, all five of the children burned to death. They died because steel bars on the windows of the garage thwarted their escape. There was only one door, and that was stopped by the flames.
You are back in time. It's minutes before the heater burst into flames. You peer through the darkness at the peaceful sight of five sleeping youngsters. You know that at any moment the room is going to erupt into an inferno and burn the flesh of horrified children. Can you in good conscience walk away? No! You must awaken them, and warn them to run from that death trap!
The world sleeps peacefully in the darkness of ignorance. There is only one Door by which they may escape death. The steel bars of sin prevent their salvation, and at the same time call for the flames of Eternal Justice. What a fearful thing Judgment Day will be! The fires of the wrath of Almighty God will burn for eternity. The Church has been entrusted with the task of awakening them before it's too late. We cannot turn our backs and walk away in complacency. Think of how the father ran into the flames. His love knew no bounds, and our devotion to the sober task that God has given us will be in direct proportion to our love for the lost. There are only a few who run headlong into the flames to warn them to flee (Luke 10:2). Please be one of them. We really have no choice. The Apostle Paul said, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Corinthians 9:16).
It was the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon, who said the words, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that." A Christian cannot be apathetic about the salvation of the world. The love of God in him will motivate him to seek and save that which is lost.
You probably have a limited amount of time after your conversion to impact your unsaved friends and family with the Gospel. After the initial shock of your conversion, they will put you in a neat little ribbon-tied box, and keep you at arm's length. So it's important that you take advantage of the short time you have while you still have their ears.
Here's some advice that will save you a great deal of grief. As a new Christian, a friend of mine did almost irreparable damage by acting like a wild bull in a crystal showroom. He bullied his mom, his dad, and many of his friends into making a "decision for Christ". He was sincere, zealous, loving, kind, and stupid. He didn't understand that salvation doesn't come through making a "decision," but through repentance, and repentance is God-given (see 2 Timothy 2:25). The Bible teaches that no one can come to the Son unless God "draws" him. If you are able to get a decision but they have no conviction of sin, you will almost certainly end up with a still-born on your hands.
In his"zeal without knowledge" he actually inoculated the very ones he was so desperately trying to reach. There is nothing more important to you than the salvation of your loved ones, and you don't want to blow it. If you do, you may find that you don't have a second chance. Fervently pray for them, thanking God for their salvation. Let them see your faith. Let them feel your kindness, your genuine love, and your gentleness. Buy gifts for no reason. Do chores when you are not asked to. Go the extra mile. Put yourself in their position. You know that you have found everlasting life. Death has lost its sting! Your joy is unspeakable -- but as far as they are concerned, you have been brain-washed. You have become part of a weird sect. So your loving actions will speak more loudly than ten thousand eloquent sermons.
It is because of these thoughts that you should hold back from verbal confrontation until you have knowledge that will guide your zeal. Pray for wisdom and for a sensitivity to God's timing. You may have only one shot, so make it count. Keep your cool. If you don't, you may end up with a lifetime of regret. Believe me. It is better to hear a loved one or a close friend say, "Tell me about your faith in Jesus Christ," rather than you saying, "Sit down. I want to talk to you."
It is important to realize that we should share our faith with others whenever we can. The Bible says that there are only two times we should do this -- "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). The Apostle Paul pleaded for prayer for his own personal witness. He said, ". . . that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak," (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Remember that you have the sobering responsibility of speaking to other peoples' loved ones. Many times when you open your mouth for the Gospel, you may be the answer to the earnest prayer of another Christian. Perhaps he has cried out to God that He would use a faithful witness to speak to his beloved mom or dad, and you are that answer to prayer. You are that true and faithful witness that God wants to use.
Never lose sight of the world and all its pains. Keep the fate of the ungodly before your eyes. Too many of us settle down on a padded pew and become introverted. Our world becomes a monastery without walls. Our friends are confined solely to those within the Church, when Jesus was the "friend of sinners." So take the time to deliberately befriend them for the sake of their salvation. Remember that each and every person who dies in their sins has an appointment with the Judge of the Universe. Hell opens wide its terrible jaws. There is no more sobering task than to be entrusted with the Gospel of Salvation -- working with God for the eternal well-being of dying humanity.
The next section is: Prayer -- "Wait for a Minute"4. Prayer -- "Wait For A Minute."It has been well said that God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes." sometimes He says, "NO." Sometimes He says, "Wait for a minute," and a day to the Lord is a thousand years to us (2 Peter 3:8). That means that a ten year wait for us, is 14 minutes and 24 seconds to God, so ask in faith, but rest in peace-filled patience.
Surveys show that more than 90% of America prays daily. No doubt they pray for health, wealth, happiness, etc. They also pray when grandma gets sick, and when grandma doesn't get better (or dies), many end up disillusioned, and some end up bitter. This is because they don't understand what the Bible says about prayer. It teaches that sin will stop God even hearing your prayer (Psalm 66:18). It teaches, among other things, that if we pray with doubt, we will not get an answer (James 1:6-7).
Here's how to be heard.... 1.) Pray with faith (Hebrews 11:6).2.) Pray with clean hands and a pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4).3.) Pray genuine heart-felt prayers, rather than vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7).4.) Make sure that you are praying to the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures (Exodus 20:3-6).
How do you "pray with faith?" If someone says to you, "You're a man of great faith in God," they may think that they are paying you a compliment. But they aren't -- the compliment is to God. For example if I said to you, "I'm a man of great faith in my doctor," it's actually the doctor I'm complimenting. If I have great faith in him, it means that I see him as being a man of integrity, a man of great ability -- that he is trustworthy. I give "glory" to the man through my faith in him. The Bible says that Abraham "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21). Abraham was a man of great faith in God. Remember, that is not a compliment to Abraham. He merely caught a glimpse of God's incredible ability, His impeccable integrity, and His wonderful faithfulness to keep every promise He makes. His faith gave "glory" to a faithful God.
As far as God is concerned, if you belong to Jesus, you are a VIP. You can boldly come before the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16). You have access to the king, because you are the son or daughter of the king. When you were a child, did you have to grovel to get your needs met by your mom or dad? I hope not.
So, when you pray, don't say, "Oh God, I hope you will supply my needs." Instead say something like, "Father, thank you that you keep every promise You make. Your Word says that you will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory, by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Therefore, I thank you that you will do this thing for my family. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen"
It was the great missionary, Hudson Taylor, who said, "The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see Divine power wrought in the place of weakness, failure, and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, 'Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things of which thou knowest not of.'"
How do you get "clean hands and a pure heart?" Simply by confessing your sins to God, through Jesus Christ. His blood cleanses from all sin (1 John 1:7-9). When you confess them to God through Jesus, God will not only forgive your every sin, He promises to forget that sin (Hebrew 8:12). He will even justify you, on the grounds of the sacrifice of the Savior. That means He will count it as though you have never sinned in the first place. He will make you pure in His sight -- sinless. He will even "purge" your conscience, so that you will no longer have that sense of guilt that you sinned in the first place. That's what I mean "to be justified by faith." That's why you need to soak yourself in Holy Scripture -- to read the letters to the churches and see the wonderful things that God has done for us through the Cross of Calvary. If you don't bother to read the will, you won't have any idea of what has been left for you.
How do you pray "genuine heart-felt prayers?" Simply by keeping yourself in the love of God. If the love of God is in you, you will never pray hypocritical, or selfish prayers. In fact, you won't have to pray selfish prayers, if you have a heart of love. When your prayer-life is pleasing to God, the Bible says that He will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6).
How do you know that you are praying to "the God revealed in Holy Scripture?" Study the Word. Don't accept the image of God portrayed by the world, even though it appeals to the natural mind. The world sees God as a loving, kind fatherly-figure, with no sense of justice or truth which appeals to guilty sinners. Look to the thunderings and lightnings of Mount Sinai. Gaze at Jesus on the cross of Calvary -- hanging in unspeakable agony because of the Justice of a holy God. Such thoughts tend to banish idolatry.
The next section is: Warfare -- Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition
5. Warfare -- Praise The Lord and Pass the AmmunitionWhen you became a Christian, you stepped right into the heat of an age-old battle. You have a three-fold enemy--the world, the flesh, and the devil. Before you became a Christian, you floated down stream with the other dead fish. But now, God has put His life within you, and you will find yourself swimming against a three-fold current. Let's look at these three resistant enemies.
First, the world. When the Bible speaks of the "world" in this context, it is referring to the sinful, rebellious, world system. This is the world that loves the darkness and hates the light (John 3:20), governed by the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4)( -- the "prince power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). The Bible says the Christian has escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. "Lust" is unlawful desire, and is the life's blood of the world --whether it be the lust for sexual sin, for power, for money, for material things. Lust is a monster that will never be gratified, so don't feed it. It will grow bigger and bigger, until it weighs heavy upon your back, and will be the death of you -- see James 1:15.
There is nothing wrong with sex, power, money, or material things, but when these become predominant in God's sight, the Bible calls this "inordinate affection" (Colossians 3:5). We are told, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (1 John 2:15, James 4:4).
The second enemy is the devil. As we have seen, he is known as the "god of this world." He was your spiritual father before you joined the family of God (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2. Jesus called the devil a thief, who came to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).
The way to overcome him and his demons is to make sure you are outfitted with the spiritual armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:10-20. Become intimately familiar with it. Sleep in it. Never take it off. Bind the two-edged sword to your hand so that you never lose its grip. The reason for this brings us to the third enemy.
The third enemy is what the Bible calls the "flesh." This is your sinful nature. The domain for the battle, is your mind.
If you have a mind to, you will be attracted to the world and all its sin. The mind is the data-processing control panel for the eyes and the ears. It is the center of your appetites. All sin begins in the "heart" (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:19). We think before we sin. This happens because we don't think before we sin. The Bible warns that lust brings forth sin, and sin when it's conceived brings forth death. Every day we have life, we have a choice. To sin or not to sin -- that is the question. The answer to the question of sin, is the fear of God. If you don't fear God, you will sin to your sinful heart's delight.
Did you know that God kills people? He killed a man because he didn't like what he did sexually (Genesis 38:10). He killed a husband and wife because they told just one lie (Acts 5:1-11). Knowledge of God's goodness -- His righteous judgments against evil, should put the fear of God in us, and help us not to indulge in sin.
If we know that the eye of the Lord is in every place beholding the evil and the good, and that He will bring every work to judgment, we will live accordingly. Such weighty thoughts are valuable, for "by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil" (Proverbs 16:6). Jesus said,
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4-5).
The next section is: Fellowship -- Flutterby Butterfly
6. Fellowship -- Flutter by Butterfly Pray about where you should fellowship. Make sure the place you are going to call your church home calls sin what it is -- sin. Do they believe the promises of God? Are they loving? Does the pastor treat his wife with respect? Is he a man of the Word? Does he have a humble heart, and a gentle spirit? Listen closely to his teaching. It should glorify God, magnify Jesus, and edify the believer. One evidence that you have been truly saved is that you will have a love for other Christians (1 John 3:14). You will want to fellowship with them. The old saying that "birds of a feather flock together" is true of Christians. You gather together for the breaking of bread (communion), for teaching from the Word, and for fellowship. You share the same inspirations, illuminations, inclinations, temptations, aspirations, motivations, and perspirations -- you are working together for the same thing, for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God on earth. This is why you attend church -- not because you have to, but because you want to.
Don't become a "spiritual butterfly." Send your roots down. If you are moving from church to church, how will your pastor know what type of food you are digesting? The Bible says that your shepherd will have to give an account to Him that has entrusted you to him (Hebrews 13:17), so make yourself known to your pastor. Pray for him regularly. Pray also for his wife, his family, and the elders. Being a pastor is no easy task. Most people don't realize how many hours it takes to gather a fresh sermon each week. They don't appreciate the time spent in prayer and in the study of the Word. If the pastor makes the same joke twice, or shares something he has shared before, remember, he's human. So give him a great deal of grace, and double honor. Never murmur about him. If you don't like something he has said, pray about it, then leave the issue with God. If that doesn't satisfy you, leave the church, rather than divide it through murmuring and complaining.
A woman once spread some hot gossip about a local pastor. What he had supposedly done became common knowledge around town. Then she found that what she had heard wasn't true. She gallantly went to the pastor, and asked for his forgiveness. The pastor forgave her, but then told her to take a pillow full of tiny feathers to a corner of the town, and in high winds, shake the feather out. Then he told her to try and pick up every feather. He explained that the damage had already been done. She had destroyed his good reputation, and trying to repair the damage was like trying to pick up feathers in high winds.
The Bible says that there is life and death in the power of the tongue. We can kill or make something alive with our words. The Scriptures also reveal that God hates those who cause division among the brethren (Proverbs 6:16). Pray with the psalmist, "Set a guard O Lord, over my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
Remember the old saying, "He that gossips to you, will gossip about you."
The next section is: Thanksgiving -- Do the right thing.
7. Thanksgiving -- Do the Right Thing For the Christian, every day should be Thanksgiving Day. We should even be thankful in the midst of problems. The Apostle Paul said, "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Corinthians 7:4). He knew that God was working all things together for his good, even though he was going through trials (Romans 8:28).
Problems will come your way. God will see to it personally that you grow as a Christian. He will allow the storms, to send your roots deep into the soil of His Word. We pray more in the midst of problems, but it's been well said that you will see more from your knees, than you will on your tip toes.
A man once watched a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon. In an effort to help it, he took a razor blade, and carefully slit the edge of the cocoon. The butterfly escaped from its problem . . . and immediately died.
It is God's way to have the butterfly struggle. It is the struggle that causes its tiny heart to beat fast, and send the life's blood into its wings.
Trials have their purpose. They make us struggle -- they bring us to our knees. They are the cocoon in which we often find ourselves. It is there that the life's blood of faith in God helps us spread our wings.
Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. If you have faith in God, you will be thankful because you know His loving hand is upon you, even though you are in a lion's den. That will give you a deep sense of joy, and joy is the barometer of the depth of faith you have in God. Let me give you an example. Imagine if I said I would give you one million dollars if you sent me an email. Of course, you don't believe that I would do that. But imagine if you did. Imagine if you had knowledge of more than 1,000 people who had sent me an email, and every one received their million dollars -- no strings attached. More than that. You had actually called me, and I had assured you personally that I would keep my word. If you believed me, wouldn't you have joy? If you didn't believe me -- no joy. The amount of joy you have would be a barometer as to how much you believed my promise.
We have so much to be thankful for. God has given us "exceeding great and precious promises" that are "more to be desired than gold." Do yourself a big favor -- believe those promises, thank God continually for them, and "let your joy be full."
An old farmer once had an ungodly relative visit him. After the farmer had bowed his head and thanked God for the food they were about to eat, the relative rudely said, "What did you do that for? There's no God. We live in an age of enlightenment." The old farmer smiled and said, "There is one on the farm who doesn't thank God before he eats." The relative sat up and said, "Who is this enlightened one?" To which the farmer quietly replied, "My pig."
The next section is: Baptism: Sprinkle or Immerse?
8. Water Baptism -- Sprinkle or Immerse?The Bible Says , "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. . ." (Acts 2:38). There is therefore no question as to whether or not you should be baptized. The questions are how, when, and by whom?
It would also seem clear from scripture that those who were baptized, were fully immersed in water. Here's one reason why:
"And John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there. . ."
(John 3:23).
If John was merely sprinkling believers, he would have only needed a cup full of water.
The Philippian jailer and his family were baptized at midnight, as soon as they believed. So what are you waiting for?
Who should baptize you? It is clear from Scripture that other believers had the privilege, but check with your pastor, he may want the honor himself.
The next section is: Tithing, the Last Frontier9. Tithing -- The Last Frontier. It was once said that the wallet is the "last frontier." It is the final area to be conquered -- the last thing that comes to God in surrender. Jesus spoke much about money. He said that we cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). The word "mammon" was the common Aramaic word for riches, which is akin to a Hebrew word signifying "that which is to be trusted." In other words, we cannot trust God and money. Either money is our source of life, our great love, our joy, our sense of security, the supplier of our needs -- or God is.
When you open your purse or wallet, give generously and regularly to your local church. A guide as to how much you should give can be found in the "tithe" of the Old Testament -- 10 of your income. Whether you give this amount or not, make sure you do give something to the work of God (see Malachi 3:8-10). Give because you want to, not because you have to. God loves a cheerful giver (2Corinthians 9:7), so learn to hold your money with a loose hand.
The next section is: Troubleshooting Cults, Atheists, Skeptics10. Troubleshooting -- Cults, Atheists, SkepticsIf you know the Lord, nothing will shake your faith. It is true that the man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. Take for example a little boy who is looking at a heater. His father warns him that it's hot. The child says, "O.K. I believe it's hot." At that point, he has an intellectual belief that the heater is hot. When his Dad leaves the room, he says, "I wonder if it really is hot?" He then reaches out his little hand and grabs the heater bar with his fingers. The second his flesh burns he stops believing the heater is hot. He now knows it's hot! He has moved out of the realm of "faith" into the realm of "experience."
In comes a heater expert and says, "Son, I have a B.A. in the study of heat. The heater is definitely not hot. I can prove it to you." The child would probably say, "Mr Expert, I don't care how many B.A.'s you have. I know that heater is hot -- I touched it! I'm not in the realm of belief, I'm in the realm of experience. Goodbye."
If you have touched the heater bar of God's love and forgiveness, if the Holy Spirit has "born witness" that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16), if you have received the Gospel with "power, the Holy Ghost and much assurance" (1 Thessalonians 1:5), you will never be shaken by a skeptic.
When cults tell you that you must acknowledge God's name to be saved, that you must worship on a certain day that you must be baptized by an elder of their church, don't panic. Merely go back to the Instruction Manual. The Bible has all the answers, and searching them out, will make you grow.
If you feel intimidated by atheists -- if you think they are "intellectuals," read the book, God Doesn't Believe in Atheists. It will show you that they are the opposite. It will also instruct you on how you can prove God's existence, and also prove that the "atheist" doesn't exist.
Finally, the way to prevent sporting injury and pain, is to keep yourself fit. Exercise. The Apostle Paul kept fit through exercise. He said, "Herein do I exercise myself, to always have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16). Do the same. Listen to the voice of conscience. It's your friend, not your enemy. Remember the words of Solomon:
"Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Keep the Day of Judgment before your eyes. On that Day, you will be glad for the cultivations of a tender conscience.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope the principles expounded have been helpful, and that any knowledge you have gained from it, will some day save you some pain.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Seven Ingredients for Victory
Seven Ingredients for Victory.
(2Co 2:14) But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.
(1Co 15:57) but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Rom 8:37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
D. James Kennedy said that most people that sit in chairs & pughs of churches today are not saved.
We should as christians follow the great comission which is Matthew 28:19
The Devil does not like us he is plotting a way to destroy us. The devil is there is. The devil has never missed a service he has never been late and he has never decided to sleep in and miss church. God word never changes. It doesn't matter how much god loves us it matters how much you love god.
The Devil came to kill, steal and destroy.
We need to sow into the ministry and worship god. To live a victorous there are certain ingredients. like making a cake.
There are christians that imposters.
(1Pe 2:2) as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
There are certain things that we have to do to have a victorious life
1.Determination- We need to be determined. A victorious life is achieved by only those willing to fight for it.
(Deu 28:7) Jehovah will cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thee: they shall come out against thee one way, and shall flee before thee seven ways.
(Psa 60:12) Through God we shall do valiantly; For he it is that will tread down our adversaries.
(Psa 144:1) A Psalm of David. Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight:
The greatest giant that we will ever meet lives in our bathroom. We need look in the mirror. We need to master our self.
2. Character- Every failure in life can be traced back to a compromise in character. Necessity is the mother of all compromise.
Raise our standards and not lower them.
(Pro 10:9) He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
(Pro 11:3) The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Don't ever compromise. The reason people are unhappy is that they compromised. Grace does not cover Guilt is god's warning system telling us that we got off the tracks.
(Pro 30:20) So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
Greater is he that is in you that he that is in the world.
3. Self Control. Control your self. The hardest thing ever is attempting to control yourself and walk way from the craving you desire
(Psa 126:5) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
(Jdg 14:1) And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
(Jdg 14:2) And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
Marriage is a harbor for us let your wife satisfy you. Marriage is a harbor for you to accomplish god's calling for your life.
(Mat 4:3) And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.
(Mat 4:4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(Mat 4:5) Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
(Mat 4:6) and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Be obedient to god's word. Joseph honored god. There is a difference between honor and obedience
(Jam 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
4. Healthy thinking- It is contest of thought where defeat or victory takes place. it is the contest of thought
Before you fail you will always choose to fail. your mind has two functions the first is memory. your memory replay's with the past.
the greatest predictor of future behavior is past experiences.
5.Complianancy life. Is simply you have come to the place where The answer is yes now what is the question.
6.Positive Relationships. The reasons why We are discipleship driven.
7.Consistent sower- the seeds i plant today are nothing less than the undeveloped photos are going to be in our future scrapbook.
(2Co 9:7) Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(2nd Corinthians 9:7 Amplified)Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].
(1Co 11:28) But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.
(2Co 2:14) But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place.
(1Co 15:57) but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Rom 8:37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
D. James Kennedy said that most people that sit in chairs & pughs of churches today are not saved.
We should as christians follow the great comission which is Matthew 28:19
The Devil does not like us he is plotting a way to destroy us. The devil is there is. The devil has never missed a service he has never been late and he has never decided to sleep in and miss church. God word never changes. It doesn't matter how much god loves us it matters how much you love god.
The Devil came to kill, steal and destroy.
We need to sow into the ministry and worship god. To live a victorous there are certain ingredients. like making a cake.
There are christians that imposters.
(1Pe 2:2) as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
There are certain things that we have to do to have a victorious life
1.Determination- We need to be determined. A victorious life is achieved by only those willing to fight for it.
(Deu 28:7) Jehovah will cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thee: they shall come out against thee one way, and shall flee before thee seven ways.
(Psa 60:12) Through God we shall do valiantly; For he it is that will tread down our adversaries.
(Psa 144:1) A Psalm of David. Blessed be Jehovah my rock, Who teacheth my hands to war, And my fingers to fight:
The greatest giant that we will ever meet lives in our bathroom. We need look in the mirror. We need to master our self.
2. Character- Every failure in life can be traced back to a compromise in character. Necessity is the mother of all compromise.
Raise our standards and not lower them.
(Pro 10:9) He that walketh uprightly walketh surely; But he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
(Pro 11:3) The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Don't ever compromise. The reason people are unhappy is that they compromised. Grace does not cover Guilt is god's warning system telling us that we got off the tracks.
(Pro 30:20) So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
Greater is he that is in you that he that is in the world.
3. Self Control. Control your self. The hardest thing ever is attempting to control yourself and walk way from the craving you desire
(Psa 126:5) They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
(Jdg 14:1) And Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.
(Jdg 14:2) And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
Marriage is a harbor for us let your wife satisfy you. Marriage is a harbor for you to accomplish god's calling for your life.
(Mat 4:3) And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.
(Mat 4:4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(Mat 4:5) Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
(Mat 4:6) and saith unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Be obedient to god's word. Joseph honored god. There is a difference between honor and obedience
(Jam 1:12) Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.
4. Healthy thinking- It is contest of thought where defeat or victory takes place. it is the contest of thought
Before you fail you will always choose to fail. your mind has two functions the first is memory. your memory replay's with the past.
the greatest predictor of future behavior is past experiences.
5.Complianancy life. Is simply you have come to the place where The answer is yes now what is the question.
6.Positive Relationships. The reasons why We are discipleship driven.
7.Consistent sower- the seeds i plant today are nothing less than the undeveloped photos are going to be in our future scrapbook.
(2Co 9:7) Let each man do according as he hath purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
(2nd Corinthians 9:7 Amplified)Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].
(1Co 11:28) But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.
IF you need jesus
God is also the Author of the most important Book of all time, The Bible, His "Owner's Manual" for a Human Life. In His Book, He says:
John 3:16, KJV - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 8:16, NIV - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Isaiah 59:2 - Your iniquities [wrong doings] have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.
Romans 3:23, KJV - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Psalm 53:2-3, NIV - God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
1 Peter 2:24, TLB - He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross.
Isaiah 53:4-6, NIV - Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
John 1:12, KJV - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
Revelation 3:20, NASB - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in...
Romans 10:13, NASB - Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
How do I ask Him? Pray - Prayer is simply talking to God, not magic words. You can belong to God from today on if you will tell Him with all your heart. Your prayer should be your own, from your own heart. If you're not in the habit of praying though, you may need an example. Such a prayer may go something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I was made for You, but I've been living for me. I want to begin a relationship with You now. I believe that You died in my place, to pay the penalty for my sin, and rose again for my salvation. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
John 3:16, KJV - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Romans 8:16, NIV - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
Isaiah 59:2 - Your iniquities [wrong doings] have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.
Romans 3:23, KJV - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Psalm 53:2-3, NIV - God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
1 Peter 2:24, TLB - He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross.
Isaiah 53:4-6, NIV - Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
John 1:12, KJV - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.
Revelation 3:20, NASB - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in...
Romans 10:13, NASB - Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.
How do I ask Him? Pray - Prayer is simply talking to God, not magic words. You can belong to God from today on if you will tell Him with all your heart. Your prayer should be your own, from your own heart. If you're not in the habit of praying though, you may need an example. Such a prayer may go something like this:
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I was made for You, but I've been living for me. I want to begin a relationship with You now. I believe that You died in my place, to pay the penalty for my sin, and rose again for my salvation. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Victory In Your Mind
Victory in Your Mind. Dr. Robb Thompson
Scriptures
(Num 23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
(Heb 6:8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.
(Tit 1:2) in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
(Rom 12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Gal 5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(Gal 5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
(Pro 22:29) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
(1Jo 4:4) Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
The Devil goes to church. No body goes to church more than the devil does. The devil never misses a service.
The word does not change we change.
Five Principals for Winning victory over bad thoughts
1.Greatest Funeral I ever attended was my own
(Rom 6:6) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
(Rom 6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
(1Pe 2:24) who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
I am dead to sin and alive to righteousness
(Gal 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Christ lives with in us and we live in faith
2. Thoughts are the rudders which lead us into victory harbor!
your mind and your body did not get saved when you did.
If your having a bad day go in the closet and pray about it.
God never gives a person a second chance God give us a fresh start.
Tears in heaven is what we could have been.
(Pro 23:7) For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
(Mar 5:25) And a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,
(Mar 5:26) and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
(Mar 5:27) having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
(Mar 5:28) For she said, If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole.
(Mar 5:29) And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague.
Our Thoughts will determine your actions.
3.your mind does not stay renewed as long as your hair stays combed.
(2Co 5:7) (for we walk by faith, not by sight);
(Jam 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
(Jam 1:23) For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
(Jam 2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
(Jam 2:18) Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.
(Jam 2:19) Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.
4. Thoughts that run wild through your mind are no more than your past seeking to take you hostage once again.
(Phi 3:13) Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
(Phi 3:14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(2Co 10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh
(2Co 10:4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds),
5. A prosperous life is the descendant of a wealthy mind.
(3Jo 1:2) Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
A prosperous life is no more than a wealthy mind.
(2Co 5:14) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;
(2Co 5:15) and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.
(Jos 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Mat 7:24) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
(Mat 7:25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
(Mat 7:26) And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
(Mat 7:27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.
A prosperous life is nothing more than a wealthy mind
Scriptures
(Num 23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and will he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and will he not make it good?
(Heb 6:8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned.
(Tit 1:2) in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;
(Rom 12:2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Gal 5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
(Gal 5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would.
(Pro 22:29) Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
(1Jo 4:4) Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
The Devil goes to church. No body goes to church more than the devil does. The devil never misses a service.
The word does not change we change.
Five Principals for Winning victory over bad thoughts
1.Greatest Funeral I ever attended was my own
(Rom 6:6) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
(Rom 6:11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
(1Pe 2:24) who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.
I am dead to sin and alive to righteousness
(Gal 2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
Christ lives with in us and we live in faith
2. Thoughts are the rudders which lead us into victory harbor!
your mind and your body did not get saved when you did.
If your having a bad day go in the closet and pray about it.
God never gives a person a second chance God give us a fresh start.
Tears in heaven is what we could have been.
(Pro 23:7) For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
(Mar 5:25) And a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,
(Mar 5:26) and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
(Mar 5:27) having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
(Mar 5:28) For she said, If I touch but his garments, I shall be made whole.
(Mar 5:29) And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague.
Our Thoughts will determine your actions.
3.your mind does not stay renewed as long as your hair stays combed.
(2Co 5:7) (for we walk by faith, not by sight);
(Jam 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.
(Jam 1:23) For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
(Jam 2:17) Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.
(Jam 2:18) Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.
(Jam 2:19) Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.
4. Thoughts that run wild through your mind are no more than your past seeking to take you hostage once again.
(Phi 3:13) Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
(Phi 3:14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(2Co 10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh
(2Co 10:4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds),
5. A prosperous life is the descendant of a wealthy mind.
(3Jo 1:2) Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
A prosperous life is no more than a wealthy mind.
(2Co 5:14) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;
(2Co 5:15) and he died for all, that they that live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who for their sakes died and rose again.
(Jos 1:8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Mat 7:24) Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
(Mat 7:25) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
(Mat 7:26) And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
(Mat 7:27) and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.
A prosperous life is nothing more than a wealthy mind
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Here is how to know god and get saved
Salvation
Salvation is a gift that is made available to those who repent, believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and that He died and rose from the dead to save mankind (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). This gift cannot be earned through good deeds or by simply being "good" (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:9). It is a matter of faith (acting out on what you believe according to God's Word concerning salvation).If you have come here looking for a change in your life, if you have come seeking a peace that is found only through a personal relationship with a loving God, then you are at the right place. God is ready and willing to help you—right now, and right where you are.Pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.
Salvation is a gift that is made available to those who repent, believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and that He died and rose from the dead to save mankind (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). This gift cannot be earned through good deeds or by simply being "good" (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:9). It is a matter of faith (acting out on what you believe according to God's Word concerning salvation).If you have come here looking for a change in your life, if you have come seeking a peace that is found only through a personal relationship with a loving God, then you are at the right place. God is ready and willing to help you—right now, and right where you are.Pray this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead.
The Word of God From Joel Osteen
The God of earth is great and awesome here is the Word of the day from Joel Osteen.
Faith to overcome the world
Today's Scripture
"...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith." (I John 5:4)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
As a child of God, you have the power of faith within you to overcome the world. That includes everything in the world, and everything the world brings your way! The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). As you hear the Word of God and store it in your heart, your faith in God grows stronger. When the enemy tries to attack you through sickness, fear, worry, or financial mishaps, just use your faith by declaring the Word of God. Declare that by His stripes, you are healed! Declare that perfect love casts out all fear! Declare that God shall supply all your needs! Declare that because you are born of God, you have faith to overcome the world!We love you and believe in victory for every area of your life!
A Prayer for Today
God, With You by my side, I can overcome anything this world throws at me. Every day that I read my Bible and memorize scripture, I grow closer to You and arm myself against the enemy. I live in this world, but I am not of this world. I am Yours and I have the power to overcome anything! In Jesus' Name – Amen.
Faith to overcome the world
Today's Scripture
"...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world even our faith." (I John 5:4)
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
As a child of God, you have the power of faith within you to overcome the world. That includes everything in the world, and everything the world brings your way! The Bible says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). As you hear the Word of God and store it in your heart, your faith in God grows stronger. When the enemy tries to attack you through sickness, fear, worry, or financial mishaps, just use your faith by declaring the Word of God. Declare that by His stripes, you are healed! Declare that perfect love casts out all fear! Declare that God shall supply all your needs! Declare that because you are born of God, you have faith to overcome the world!We love you and believe in victory for every area of your life!
A Prayer for Today
God, With You by my side, I can overcome anything this world throws at me. Every day that I read my Bible and memorize scripture, I grow closer to You and arm myself against the enemy. I live in this world, but I am not of this world. I am Yours and I have the power to overcome anything! In Jesus' Name – Amen.
Rule church celebrates 100 years
Rule church celebrates 100 yearsArea Church Notes 04.13.06April 13, 2006First Baptist Church of Rule will observe its 100th anniversary Saturday and Sunday. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday with a light supper in the church's fellowship hall. Following the meal, a congregational singing and individual/group music specials will be held in the sanctuary.Sunday school will be at 9:45 a.m. Easter Sunday and worship at 11 a.m., followed by a catered lunch provided by the church at the Rule school cafeteria. Persons will then reconvene in the church's sanctuary for more singing and the sharing of testimonies and memories. Persons who would like to attend or would like to share in music or by testimony are asked to contact the church office at (940) 997-2321 or pastor Josh Stowe at (940) 996-0171.Persons who plan to eat are asked to reserve a plate for Saturday supper and/or Sunday lunch by calling (940) 997-2321 or (940) 996-0171.A Centennial History of the church has been prepared and put into a book that will be available at cost. Paperbacks will be $5 and hardbacks $12. Persons interested in purchasing a book may call the church office at (940) 997-2321 or Stowe at (940) 996-0171.WintersFirst United Methodist Church, 141 N. Church St.. will have Maundy Thursday services at 7 p.m. today in the church fellowship hall. This is a service of remembrance of Jesus' last night with his disciples. Communion will be served and the service will close with the Tenebrae, or Service of Shadows.On Easter Sunday at 7 a.m. the church will host the annual community sunrise worship service at the Winters Country Club clubhouse. A continental breakfast will be served following the worship service.CapsCaps Baptist Church invites everyone to Easter activities Sunday. There will be an Easter egg hunt beginning at 10:15 a.m., followed by worship service at 10:55 a.m.There will be no evening services or activities. Call 692-3948 or 692-7802 for details.Caps Baptist Church is in Abilene, one-half-mile south of Bassetti Elementary and Quail Hollow Apartments on South 14th Street.HaskellTrinity Lutheran Church will be the host church for the Haskell Ministerial Alliance Good Friday worship services at 7 p.m. The service will feature reflections on the words of Christ from the cross by area ministers. Theme will be ''Remembering what Jesus went through for your sake''.* * *Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church of Haskell, 1600 N. 1st St., will hold Good Friday services at 7 p.m. Dr. Larry Nail, pastor, will bring the message, ''Remembering the Cross.''HodgesEvangelist Bob Strickland from Brainerd, Minn., will be guest speaker for the Hodges Baptist Church revival to be held Sunday through Thursday. Sunday service time will be at 11 a.m. Evening services will be at 6:30 p.m. James Crosthwaite of Hawley will be leading the singing.Hodges Baptist Church is nine miles north of Abilene on Old Anson Road, FM 2404.SnyderThe Scurry County Ministerial Alliance is sponsoring Holy Week services. There will be a meeting at noon today at First Christian Church with lunch to follow. On Friday the session will be at 7 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, followed by breakfast.* * *First Baptist Church will present an Easter program, ''Author of Life,'' from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday.Runnels CountyRunnels Baptist Association will meet Monday at First Baptist Church in Bronte for a ''senior adult rally.'' The executive board and W.M.U. will meet at 5:30 p.m., followed by a meal at 6 p.m. The rally begin at 7 p.m.ViewEaster sunrise service will be at 7 a.m. at View Baptist Church in the new fellowship hall. Sunday school will be at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday services at 11 a.m.PioneerMichial Ratliff and Cary Stultz will be speaking at Pioneer Pentecostal Church at 7 p.m. Friday and at the same time and place Saturday.The church is between Cross Plains and Rising Star, one mile north off Highway 36.Send news of your area religious organization or group to Religion Editor, Abilene Reporter-News, P.O. Box 30, Abilene; fax it to 670-5242; or email information to daughtreyg@reporternews.com. Deadline is noon Tuesday.Copyright 2006, Abilene Reporter News. All Rights Reserved
Prayer For America
This is my prayer for America:
Father think you for giving us this day. and letting us live in such a great nation. I am sorry that there is so much hatred in this country that we love. You gave us this nation and you can take this country away from us. There are millions of people who do not realize that. For it is in your name I pray. Hallelujah lord thank you lord. you are my creator and my savior.
Father think you for giving us this day. and letting us live in such a great nation. I am sorry that there is so much hatred in this country that we love. You gave us this nation and you can take this country away from us. There are millions of people who do not realize that. For it is in your name I pray. Hallelujah lord thank you lord. you are my creator and my savior.
My love of Jesus.
I love god. I love jesus. We need to have a relationship with jesus because he is our only salvation. I love jesus. For god so loved the world he gave his only begotten son that who ever believeth in him shall not perish but have every lasting life.
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