Have you ever seen the guy walking down the street with seemingly no Earthly possessions at all, no home, no car, and may not be able to contact his family at that present time, however, he seems to have a bright smile on his face?
People, and maybe even you, have looked at that guy before and possibly wondered what exactly is making him so joyful that he can smile in the midst of all of this chaos. Well, there is one Truth that you should know, the Joy of the LORD is our strength. Because God is eternal and never changes, that Joy is non conditional and nothing may alter it or take it away.
It is an uncommon joy that the world simply does not have, for it depends on nothing but the Father, which is ALL it needs! There is only one question, have you found this uncommon joy?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Truth vs. Belief
There is a concept that I often here derived that is simply untrue. That concept is that because something is believed, no matter the passion of that belief, that it is therefore true.
For example, say a little cold believes that a burning stove will cause no harm to him or her if they touch it, so that is exactly what they do. They go to the stove, believing with all of their heart that they will not get burned. However, we all know what happens next. They touch the stove and consequently get burned.
So, that leads to the question, what is truth? Well, in terms of the purpose for this blog, Truth is everything that has been stated in the Word of God, all centered around the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Him dying on the Cross for our sins and being raised three days later! If you believe ANYTHING other than that, your belief is simply not truth. Do you believe Truth?
For example, say a little cold believes that a burning stove will cause no harm to him or her if they touch it, so that is exactly what they do. They go to the stove, believing with all of their heart that they will not get burned. However, we all know what happens next. They touch the stove and consequently get burned.
So, that leads to the question, what is truth? Well, in terms of the purpose for this blog, Truth is everything that has been stated in the Word of God, all centered around the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Him dying on the Cross for our sins and being raised three days later! If you believe ANYTHING other than that, your belief is simply not truth. Do you believe Truth?
Friday, October 19, 2012
Yes or No
Have you ever been to see a football game at any level of competition? You see the game happen from begging to end. From the first kickoff to the last exta point, the game finally ends in double overtime with a score of 21-20. You say its a close game between two evenly matched teams, however, there is still a clear winner.
You see, this game was to determine who made it to the state playoffs, so ties were not an option. Either you won this game, or you lost this game. There was simply no in between. And when you describe the game to your friends, even though the game was close, you still state who the actual winner was.
In Christianity, there is no in between of whether or not one is a Christian. One has either accepted that they have sinned and came against the Glory of God, believed that Jesus died and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of those sins, and called on Christ to be Lord of his or her life, or not. There is no middle ground. The question to ask yourself is, have you?
You see, this game was to determine who made it to the state playoffs, so ties were not an option. Either you won this game, or you lost this game. There was simply no in between. And when you describe the game to your friends, even though the game was close, you still state who the actual winner was.
In Christianity, there is no in between of whether or not one is a Christian. One has either accepted that they have sinned and came against the Glory of God, believed that Jesus died and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of those sins, and called on Christ to be Lord of his or her life, or not. There is no middle ground. The question to ask yourself is, have you?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Rest Assured Part 2
Two days ago, I told a story of two people shopping for groceries, giving the explanation of the aspect that they both got to choose what they wanted, what seemingly tasted good, and what was actually good for them. This was the story:
When one goes to the grocery store, they have a few options. They could decide to get nothing at all, they could decide to pick up anything that they think looks good to consume for the week, or they could get what is actually good for them for the upcoming week.
However, it is all the same when they go to the counter. They all must reach into wherever they store their money, and pay for the food in which they bought. However, what happens if some people were to go up to the counter and their food was already paid for?
Now I want to talk about the aspect of the groceries being paid for. We were all in sin, disobeying the Laws set by God, and therefore, we deserved death, for the wages of sin is death. However, Christ died on a bloody Cross so that we may be forgiven for those sins and be with the Father. Therefore, on our judgement day, we may face God when it is time to pay for that disobedience, and He can say "Your debt has been paid by my One and Only Son, Christ Jesus!" How great of news is that!! Rejoice, for you have been forgiven and your debts paid!
When one goes to the grocery store, they have a few options. They could decide to get nothing at all, they could decide to pick up anything that they think looks good to consume for the week, or they could get what is actually good for them for the upcoming week.
However, it is all the same when they go to the counter. They all must reach into wherever they store their money, and pay for the food in which they bought. However, what happens if some people were to go up to the counter and their food was already paid for?
Now I want to talk about the aspect of the groceries being paid for. We were all in sin, disobeying the Laws set by God, and therefore, we deserved death, for the wages of sin is death. However, Christ died on a bloody Cross so that we may be forgiven for those sins and be with the Father. Therefore, on our judgement day, we may face God when it is time to pay for that disobedience, and He can say "Your debt has been paid by my One and Only Son, Christ Jesus!" How great of news is that!! Rejoice, for you have been forgiven and your debts paid!
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Champion
2012 years ago, a bloody cross was carried to the site where it was to be put in the ground so the man carrying may be crucified. Why? Because a man, and the Son of God, named Jesus, was to die for our sins, so that all that believe in Him may have life and life eternal. They beat Him, pierced His side, and put a crown of thorns on Him to mock Him among many other torturous things.
However, three days later, guess what... He was risen for the dead, conquering death! He did this so that all who believe in Him may have the same future, to live eternally. However, not just to live eternally, but for His purposes here on Earth. If we accept this, we are also promised to be blessed while fulfilling His Will and Word.
We are not to live bloody, and bruised, but as champions for we are part of the Kingdom of God! Dont live looking down, but looking up, at Heaven, for through Him, you are a champion!
However, three days later, guess what... He was risen for the dead, conquering death! He did this so that all who believe in Him may have the same future, to live eternally. However, not just to live eternally, but for His purposes here on Earth. If we accept this, we are also promised to be blessed while fulfilling His Will and Word.
We are not to live bloody, and bruised, but as champions for we are part of the Kingdom of God! Dont live looking down, but looking up, at Heaven, for through Him, you are a champion!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Rest Assured
This is both an encouragement to the believer and a warning to the non believer. When one goes to the grocery store, they have a few options. They could decide to get nothing at all, they could decide to pick up anything that they think looks good to consume for the week, or they could get what is actually good for them for the upcoming week.
However, it is all the same when they go to the counter. They all must reach into wherever they store their money, and pay for the food in which they bought. However, what happens if some people were to go up to the counter and their food was already paid for?
Over the next two days, I would like to take this story from two different angles. Today's angle is the option to pick the food. One could pick what is seemingly good, or what is good for them. We also do this with our actions and beliefs. Jesus is the best for you, however, sin may seem the best to you for that moment. You have the option to chose. However, just as rotten or junk food has a bad effect on your body, sin has a bad effect on your spirit! Choose whats best FOR you, Jesus Christ!
However, it is all the same when they go to the counter. They all must reach into wherever they store their money, and pay for the food in which they bought. However, what happens if some people were to go up to the counter and their food was already paid for?
Over the next two days, I would like to take this story from two different angles. Today's angle is the option to pick the food. One could pick what is seemingly good, or what is good for them. We also do this with our actions and beliefs. Jesus is the best for you, however, sin may seem the best to you for that moment. You have the option to chose. However, just as rotten or junk food has a bad effect on your body, sin has a bad effect on your spirit! Choose whats best FOR you, Jesus Christ!
Monday, October 15, 2012
Everywhere
Have you ever been watching a football game with an incredibly intense defense? The offensive pressure is on, however there is one player on the defense that seems to keep making tackles and showing up on plays. The free safety on the defense is there on every pass, every run, everything that the opposing team tries to throw at them.
You have probably heard, therefore, the commentator say something like, "that player is everywhere!" They start on one end of the field, but is at the other in a flash. The only way that could be better is if they were at every position on the field at once.
Good news. The God that you server, Jesus Christ, IS at every position on the field at once. Like a Mighty Lion, He defends those He loves against anything the enemy has to bring against them. There is, in turn, absolutely no where that one may go to hide from God! That is such good news! If He finds us wherever we are, He can love, protect, and discipline us wherever we are! Praise be to God!
You have probably heard, therefore, the commentator say something like, "that player is everywhere!" They start on one end of the field, but is at the other in a flash. The only way that could be better is if they were at every position on the field at once.
Good news. The God that you server, Jesus Christ, IS at every position on the field at once. Like a Mighty Lion, He defends those He loves against anything the enemy has to bring against them. There is, in turn, absolutely no where that one may go to hide from God! That is such good news! If He finds us wherever we are, He can love, protect, and discipline us wherever we are! Praise be to God!
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