12/28/2011

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10/23/2011

SAVED!

Saved! It is a good word. It is a word we should as Christians not be afraid of. It it is descriptive of what has happened to us. We should bear our salvation for the world to see, unashamed.

The word itself is descriptive of our past without the Salvation that has been provided by Jesus' suffering on the Cross. The Cross where He bore our shame and sin offering up his Life, His body as a perfect sacrifice to pay the penalty of our sin. Through which we have been saved!

The Word says....

Ephesians 2:1-10

(1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

(2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

(3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

(5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

(6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

(7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We have been.........

Saved from something: Vs:1-2

It is pretty plain in what it says here. The word “quickened” simply means “made alive”. God has said to us “You are dead to me”, now some of us might throw words like this around without regard to what they mean and in truth; they may not mean much more that “I'm really mad at you, get away from me”. But where God is concerned, “You are dead to me” is the state we are born in! Shocking, Isn't it....nonetheless, it is true...and in this condition we are separated from God; BUT! He still Loves you and has made a way for you to be reconciled or rejoined to Him............Now that is GOOD NEWS.....otherwise known as the Gospel. That is this...

Romans 5:6-11

(6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

(7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

(8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

(10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

(11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Man! That is awesome stuff......

8. But God commendeth his love toward YOU, in that, while YOU were STILL A SINNER, Christ died for YOU!................But how you might ask??...........

Saved by something: Vs 4-5

Saved by something....God has a great Love for His Creation......Read that “YOU.” It has never been His desire that any should be LOST but that all would but trust Him. Love is what causes Most parents to love their children in any situation. Without condition. It is the same with God, We are all His children. Even when we don't want to be, you still are His creation. It is not Him that separates from us; but, us who separate from Him. But through His Grace (unmerited favor) He calls to us to join Him. In John 6:44, Jesus says that it is God Himself who draws us to Him. In John 14:6, Jesus says that He is The Way, the Truth and The Life......and that no man comes to the Father except he go through Jesus......”(8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

(9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Saved through something: Vs 8-9

We just read that didn't we.....V9 pretty much sums it up for us. No good work you do will get you favor with God!!!.......Church attendance, good deeds, giving or working for charity, nothing!...nothing good that you can imagine will get you in good with God! Only by Grace.....But, how do I get God's Grace if I cant earn it??.........It's right here in the Word of God... Ephesians 2:8, Through FAITH!..........Faith in what?........

Hebrews 11:1 (1) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is the tangible evidence we hold to that God is and that God will.

Through Faith we accept the Provision that God has made for us through the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 3:16-18

(16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Saved for something: Vs:10

Christian. We have been saved for something. It is time to go to work! Christ did not pour out his life on the Cross for nothing. We are expected to go to work to further his Kingdom.

10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

A lot of good folks get confused right here. Good works are what Christians do in response to what our Father has done for us, NOT to gain favor with Him!

God loved you as much while you were in your sin as he ever will.....and that was and is completely! You can not get Him to love you more........or Less. That is the whole reason behind Jesus' Crucifixion........He Loves you enough to lay down His life for you, and through His resurrection it is made apparent that He also has power to pick up His life again........therein lies our hope.

What is our work? Simply to live for Him. It could mean giving, witnessing, ministering to the lost, the lonely, the down and out, God has a special work just for you. It could be anything; but rest assured...He has equipped you to do it.

The last question is for you, yes you. If you are reading this, perhaps God is calling out to you. Have you ever accepted Jesus as our Savior? Has He called out to you before and you have ignored Him for a little longer?........Please do not wait another minute!! In some of the work that I do, I have seen men and women.......and even young people die in ways that did not give them time to cry out to God.........some taken completely unaware!.........how and when this physical life ends we have no control over. How Eternity (I do believe in an eternal life) is spent is completely up to your choice while you still live!...Take a minute and consider these words if you will...this is the most important decision you will ever make.........

Romans 10:8-13

(8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

(9) That 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.

(10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Call on Him now, Eternity is yours for the asking!

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9-11-2011

2 Chronicles 7:14

14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

• On that day, Many gave their lives for this country; unaware....some did it voluntarily to save others that might be in their path.

  Many died in the World Trade Center unaware that we were being invited to war. No doubt thinking that some terrible accident had taken place. Much like the rest of us. Some died instantly, Some chose an alternative to the intense heat and smoke. Some died in the Pentagon in much the same way. Some boarded planes that morning departing on business, vacation and a host of other reasons. Others with the express intent to Kill and strike terror in the hearts of others. All died. There were others (Flight 93) that were able to interfere with the plans of wicked people quite possibly saving The WhiteHouse and it's inhabitants. They too gave their lives for this country.

• • Today, many have and are putting their lives on the line and we give thanks for them...Our sons and daughters; our mothers and fathers brothers and sisters...we give thanks for them.

    My sons have have gone to war. They have been overseas and in harms way. Many of you have family and friends that have done the same thing. I thank God for the ones who have gone to preserve our freedom. Without them we would not have the country that we have today. (yes it is changing and not for the best in my opinion; but it is still the greatest country in the world, IMHO) Maybe you are one of the ones that defends us............Thank You!

  • would you, today and every tomorrow, join me in humility and prayer for our once (still) great nation. the UNITED States of America. seeking the Creators face in repentance asking for healing.

  • LORD, we your people pause this morning to ask your forgiveness. we are out of your will, we are sinners all of us. forgive us and lead us in the ways of your righteousness. Heal us LORD that we might reflect your Glory upon all the Land. In Jesus Name.....

  • If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Would you humble yourself and pray? Thiere is no other way out of the mess Our Country is in today...IMHO.

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7/3.2011
Ecc 8:8  There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

   There are those who would say that there is nothing after death. No Heaven, No hell...just nothing. I have a hard time with this. For one thing (here come the scare tactics) If I die after a life of doing what i want and taking what i want and there is no afterlife. Then i have had my fun at the expense of others and now i am just dead. This holds true reguardless of who i have been, murdering, thieving rapeist.....Or just an ordinary law abiding Citizen..the same reward..........DEATH. Peroid!
    But, what if the athiests are wrong and there is something else? What if we are more than just animals; and we do have an  eternal Spirit....In the verse posted above, Solomon said that we pretty much do not have power over our own death. No control over the day or the way we die...( Now i know some will say tregardlesstake our own life (suicide) there by taking that power away from God; but, i have known of too many who have survived some very good attempts at kirapisthemselves, I think i had rather believe that God at times will allow self murder but He retains the control over that, He may just let you survive it, and He may just let you keePeriodscars from it .) Solomon goes further to say that death is something that we all must face, there is no discharge from it heatheistsothing in us nor anything about us will stop it, the rich and famous as well as the poor and destitute must all face an end of this physical life.
     Solomon says something else here.." neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it." Ya know, the thing that i think right here is that it really dosent matter what you or I believe about death and what comes next. The Word of God can be twisted and torn to make it seem to say anything. It can be ignored or just disregarded as not meaning anything at all..Something that is becoming popular right now is this beliefe that you can "believe" anything you want to, All roads lead to God...This is laughable to me; but, even so there is some truth in it...does that supprise you??

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
    All paths do lead to God........But when you stand before Him, what will be your standing with Him?

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

    So you see, I do believe that all roads do lead to God, for the judgement! but all roads do not lead to salvation. There is only one Way to God  that way is Jesus, God's anointed, and Him Crucified..

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
    This is the Path to life eternal with a Loving God. Click Here to see how.

6/23/2011