GOD ENGINE

Stairway To Heaven

2011-04-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

"....you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth." John 1:51

Jesus is "the stairway between heaven and earth".

He's the stairway to heaven!

Angels of God used Jesus as a stairway to go to and from heaven.

Jesus is the only way to get to the Father who is in heaven. He said, "I am the way the truth and the life, no one goes to the Father but through me". Jesus makes very bold statements like this about himself all through the gospels.

Let me ask you: is Jesus your stairway to heaven? Or, are you trying to build your own stairway to heaven like the people who built the tower of Babel?

Jesus is the only stairway between earth and heaven, there is no other way. Why? Because he's the only one who can deal with your sin problem. Sin is the only thing that keeps people out of heaven, and Jesus dealt with it when he gave his life on the cross 2000 yrs ago.

Don't Shrink Back

2010-12-24T01:10:00.000-08:00

...but my righteous ones shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)

This verse says, "and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him."

Wow!

This verse is scary to me because so many times I have shrank back because of a lack of faith. So many times I have shrank back because of fear. Fear that someone will get offended if I tell them about Jesus. Fear that someone will get offended if I ask to pray for them. I have been disobedient to the clear voice of the Holy Spirit so many times.

Right when I read that verse it hit me like a mack truck. Right away I remembered specific things that God wanted me to do and say but I didn't.

Dear God, I don't want to shrink back anymore. I want to be one of your "righteous ones" who live by faith!

How God deals with sin

2010-12-20T23:23:00.000-08:00

...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22b)

I talk to many people about God and the Bible. Some of them believe in God, some don't, and some don't know what to believe. One thing I have learned is that I don't have to convince people that God is real. Trying to convince someone that God is real is like trying to convince a blind person that blue is a much nicer color than black. Whether or not you believe in God, there is one thing we can both agree on, and it's this:

If there is a God, you have sinned against Him!

If God does exist, and the Bible is His word, you have sinned against Him! There are many things you have done in your life that are morally wrong. It might be lying, stealing, cheating, sexual sin, or hating someone etc... so on and so forth. You might have a heavy load of guilt right now for something you have done in the past or maybe the life you are living right now.

The Bible calls this sin.

...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22b)

When you do something that you know is wrong, you are disobeying God. When you do something that God has commanded you not to do, that is sin. The Bible says this, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)"

So you see, we can both agree that if there is a God, you have sinned against Him. You know this because you have a God given conscience. When you sin, your conscience tells you that what your doing is wrong.

The Bible is all about how God deals with our sins. That's what this Bible verse is trying to tell us:

...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22b)

In order for sin to be dealt with, the sinner must shed his blood and die. The reason he must die is because no sinful person could ever live in the presence of a righteous, perfect, holy God.

The Bible says, "the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23)

Now here's the good news! God shed the blood of His own Son to deal with your sin! God paid a very high price so that your sins could be forgiven. The price He paid was the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The Bible says, "for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Jesus died on the cross to save you from the fires of hell. He died so that you could be with Him forever in Heaven. Turn from your sins and put your faith in Jesus!!

Strengthened by grace

2010-12-13T23:52:00.001-08:00

....be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.... (2 Timothy 2:1)

Oh man, this verse is like music to my ears! Paul says to be strengthened by grace!

He doesn't say to be strengthened by your own self effort, or be strengthened by your amazing prayer life. He doesn't say be strengthened by your fasting or knowledge of Scripture. He says be strengthened by grace!

What is grace? It is undeserved kindness.

In other words: We should be strengthened by the fact that even though we deserve to go to hell, God sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for our sin as a free gift! Be strengthened by that! We can easily forget about grace.

Its pretty amazing that the thing that saves us, is the same thing that strengthens us; grace!

Grace is so amazing! Thank you Jesus! I needed to hear that!
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Keep your mind above

2010-12-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)

I want to point out 7 things:

1. The very first word is "if", meaning that what he's saying might not apply to some of his hearers.
2. They have been "raised with Christ" (the new birth).
3. The things we should seek are above.
4. Christ is above (in heaven).
5. Christ is seated right next to God the Father.
6. Our minds should focus on things above where Christ is.
7. We should not focus on things on the earth

Sometimes we take stock of our lives by looking at things like finances, physical health, relationships, maybe even our prayer life. Not that these things aren't important but Paul wants us to have the correct priorities about things.

Our minds should be focused on Jesus, and His kingdom in heaven. Jesus said we should lay up treasure in heaven! Too often we lay up treasure here on earth thinking that its directly linked with spiritual success. This is one of the effects of the "prosperity gospel".

2 Things about Jesus

2010-10-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. (Matthew 28:9)

This is the account of the two Marys who are the first to see the risen Jesus after visiting the empty tomb. There are 2 important things that I want to point out here:

1) Jesus' resurrection was physical.
The verse says "they... took hold of his feet". They were actually able to touch him and take "hold of his feet". Some would say that Jesus' resurrection was merely a "spiritual" one, but the Bible tells us here that they were able to physically touch Jesus.

Luke 24:37-39 says this:

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have"

2) Jesus is God and is worthy of worship.
This verse also says they "worshiped him". In the Bible, only God is worthy of worship. There are several accounts in the Bible of people attempting to worship angels or apostles, but in every case the people were told to worship only God. But Jesus accepts worship because he is worthy of all worship and praise.

John 5:18 says this:

"Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God"

We are Barabbas

2010-10-26T23:17:00.001-07:00

"Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified." (Matthew 27:26)

Here we have 2 men: Barabbas and Jesus. Barabbas was a notorious criminal who was rightly imprisoned. Then you have Jesus, the Son of God, who was totally innocent of any crime and never sinned a day in His life. But it was decided by the people that Barabbas should be set free and that Jesus should be put to death.

It was customary for Pilate to have a prisoner released during the time of feast. This was probably done as a way to win the favor of the masses. But if this decision was between Barabbas and any other prisoner, Barabbas probably would not have been chosen.

There was nothing special about Barabbas that made the people pick him to be released over Jesus. It was actually the peoples hatred for Jesus that made them pick Barabbas.

When I read this scripture I see something:

We are Barabbas!

We are the criminals who deserve to be punished like Barabbas. We are the ones who are guilty just like Barabbas. But just like Barabbas, we get to go free because it was chosen for Jesus to be punished instead of us. Jesus traded places with us when He was on the cross.

Barabbas is probably the first person to benefit from Jesus' death on the cross. In some sense, Barabbas was "saved" by Jesus' death. I don't know if he ever became "born again" and went to heaven, but his life was definitely spared because of Jesus.
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Give Peter some credit

2010-10-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

"Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" (Matthew 26:35)

These are Peter's words after Jesus has just told him, "you will deny me three times".

Peter swears that there is no way this can happen because he says he would rather die than deny Jesus.

I think Peter gets a bad rap because of this portion of Scripture. There is a good side to it that we never notice. Sure it's horrible that Peter denied Jesus, I don't want to take that lightly. But Peter knew something that Christians now a days never talk about. And what is that?

It's this:
we should be willing to die before denying the name of Jesus. Or, we should be willing to die for Jesus!

So you see, Peter deserves a little credit for having the right attitude, "even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" His goal was death before denial.

And later on after he repented and returned to Jesus, he went on to start the church and gave up his life for the name of Jesus!

As Christians we should have the same attitude that Peter did. We should be willing to say from the heart, "even if I must die with you, I will never deny you!"

Lord help us to live and die for you!
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Lift Up My Soul

2010-10-20T22:35:00.001-07:00

Psalm 25:1
"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul."

I lift up my soul to the LORD! Everything I am belongs to God! There is nothing I keep for myself! My soul belongs to God forever!

I don't just lift up my voice, I don't just lift up my arms, not just my heart, not just my eyes, not just my head, no, none of these alone will do! I lift up my very soul to the LORD!

He alone is worthy! Only He is worthy of my eternal soul! No person, no angel, no mighty being in heaven, only the LORD God almighty is worthy of my soul!

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul."
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Daily Journal- Every Spiritual Blessing

2010-10-15T23:09:00.001-07:00

Ephesians 1:3
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ."

God has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms! This is amazing! I'm not totally sure what this means exactly, but its amazing and I believe! This tells me that God does not hold anything back from me spiritually! He might not bless me with all the earthly possession-type blessings, but as far as spiritual blessings, He gives me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms!

Why has God done this? Because we are united with Jesus Christ. It is on merits of Jesus that we have "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms."

Since its based on Jesus and not us, we have confidence that God gives it freely. Jesus is worthy of these blessings and were not. Its not based on our performance or works, but its based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ!
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Daily Journal- Dead in sin

2010-10-14T09:40:00.001-07:00

Ephesians 2:1
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and many sins.

There was a time when I was dead. I was walking around and breathing, but the apostle Paul says in this verse that I was dead. This death he is speaking of is a spiritual death. Its like someone being on death row just waiting for their sentence to be carried out, they're "as good as dead".

So, I was spiritually dead, waiting for my sentence to be carried out, which was judgment then hell!

Why was I dead? How did this happen? The verse says, "because of your disobedience and your many sins". So, it is sin that caused my spiritual death. The Bible also says that "the wages for sin is death".

But wait, there's good news! Verse 4-5 says this: "But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead."

Amen! Thank you Lord Jesus! I'm alive now! I belong to God!
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Daily Journal- The End of All Things

2010-06-03T08:18:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)

OBSERVATION:
Peter says something very important: "The end of all things is at hand". This does not mean that Peter was expecting Jesus to come in a few weeks or months, it means that all the major events in God's salvation plan had already occurred, and that Jesus could return at any time. Jesus' death, resurrection, and return to heaven and outpouring of the Holy Spirit had already happened.

In other words, he's saying:

"Since all the events leading to Jesus' return have already taken place, and he can return at any time, be self-controlled and sober minded and devote yourself to prayer."

APPLICATION:
All the Bible prophecies have been fulfilled, and Jesus can return for his people at any time. He can return at any moment because "The end of all things is at hand". There is no other event that needs to take place, this is it! He can return right now before you finish reading this sentence!

Ok... so he didn't come right now while you were reading. For some people that is good because I don't want any of you to be left behind when he does come!

Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ? Are you born again? Have you been saved by Jesus? Have you asked Jesus to save you? Is your name written in the Book of Life? Don't be left behind!

And for those of us who have been saved by Jesus, Peter tells us that since "the end... is at hand" we should be "self-controlled and sober minded" so that we may devote our lives to prayer and be useful for the kingdom of God.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me! Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins! I pray for anyone who would read this that is not born again. Please save them Lord! I don't want anyone who I know to go to hell! In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Subjects of Jesus

2010-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
...Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. (1 Peter 3:21-22)

OBSERVATION:
The central truth of this scripture is that Christ has triumphed over his enemies. He is now ascended to "the right hand of God", and all angels and demonic powers are "subject to him" since he is Lord and Christ. Christians can therefore rejoice in their sufferings, knowing that Christ has triumphed. (-ESV Study Bible Notes)

APPLICATION:
I just try to picture Jesus sitting on his throne in heaven. It is the most glorious scene in all the universe! Jesus is ruler of all! He sits on a throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father. How majestic he must be.

The Bible describes Jesus as having hair that is white as wool, eyes like flame and a double edged sword that comes out of his mouth. What an awesome powerful savior we have sitting on the throne.

"...and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength." (Revelation 1:13-16)

4 years ago Jesus came to sit on the throne of my heart and I am subject to him alone! I had dreams and hopes that I gave up so that I could serve my Lord and Savior. I need to continue to deny myself and die to myself and to die to my own desires so that the mission of Jesus can be fulfilled in my life. Pastor Britt spoke a powerful message this weekend about dying to self, and I want to obey the call of Jesus! Being subject to Jesus and giving up everything for Jesus is like gaining all the treasures of the world a thousand times over.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, please forgive me for being so complacent and self centered and selfish. Help me to serve your people and to spread the gospel. I don't want to treasure anything above Jesus and his mission. Amen!
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Daily Journal- Love for Jesus

2010-05-30T22:42:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
Though you have not seen him, you love him. (1 Peter 1:8)

OBSERVATION:
Peter makes a very direct statement, "...you love him". He is speaking of loving Jesus. He doesn't say "you like him" or "you respect him" or "your cool with him" or "your learning to love him". He says "you love him". Even though his readers have not seen Jesus, they love him. One of the 1st things that happens when someone becomes a Christian is that they come to love Jesus!

Christians are people who love Jesus, even though they "have never seen him". Why do they love Jesus? The rest of verse 8 tells us:

"Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Jesus causes Christians to "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible" and be "filled with glory", because they know the outcome is the salvation of their souls! In other words, we love Jesus(though he loved us first) because he saves our souls and that causes great joy!

APPLICATION:
Do you love Jesus? It might sound like a rude question to ask, but even Peter was asked this very question 3 times. Has Jesus saved your very soul? Have you been given the gift of salvation? You can tell someone has truly been born again because they have a great love for their Savior Jesus. They talk about him, they think about him, they read about him, they obey his commands with joy, they talk to him and they are even willing to suffer for his name.

"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." -Jesus (Matthew 10:37)

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." -Jesus (John 14:21)

PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, I love you but you loved me first! Amen!
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Daily Journal- Killer Riches

2010-05-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. (James 5:2-3)

OBSERVATION:
This is a very harsh, but true verse! The scripture says, "will eat your flesh like fire". James is talking about how riches and clothes and valuables will land many people in hell because that's all they cared about in life. He says "their corrosion will be evidence against you". In other words:

"the fact that you put your trust in something that corrodes and doesn't last, is the evidence that you didn't trust Jesus, and there is no place for you in heaven"

APPLICATION:
Riches or no riches, I put my trust in Jesus alone! Whether I have a lot or a little, Jesus is my treasure! I don't need more money, I need more of Jesus. I don't need a newer car, I need more of Jesus. I don't need a big house, I need more of Jesus. God may give me all those things, and that's fine, but let it not be said that I treasured any material thing.
Many will say God wants you to have so much more stuff, but honestly, stuff always gets my focus off the Lord. I need more of Jesus!

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field." (Matthew 13:44)

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, forgive me for being materialistic. Forgive me for allowing idols in my life. I want to treasure Jesus above all! Thank you for always providing for my family. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Promises Not For This Life

2010-05-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, todays journal might be a little offensive if your a Joel Osteen fan. But I have to agree with scripture above people or traditions. God bless you all!

SCRIPTURE:
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:37-40)

OBSERVATION:
Have you ever flipped through the TV channels and heard Joel Osteen preaching on these scriptures? No....? Of course you haven't, and you probably never will. These kind of scriptures don't sell books and they don't fill churches. This is a scripture that Frances Chan would love to preach on.

Think about what these verses say happened to the children of God:

1) Stoned
2) Sawn in two
3) Killed with sword
4) Wore sheep and goat skins
5) Destitute
6) Afflicted
7) Mistreated

Where were the promises of God at for these guys? The scripture says, "did not receive what was promised". Where is the "life more abundant", that everyone always talks about? How can their lives go this way? If they were the great men of faith, they should have been in good health, they should have been prosperous and wealthy and they should have had really good relationships like Joel Osteen says! They should have had their "Best Life Now"! (I use Joel Osteen as an example because he seems to be the most popular)

APPLICATION:
If I was told that becoming a Christian meant that I would be poor, hated by people and eventually killed, would I still have wanted to follow Jesus? Is the Christian life about enjoying abundant blessings, or about taking up my cross daily and following Jesus no matter what the cost? Does God really promise us divine health and wealth in this life?

I live in a big house(at least I think its big), we have 2 cars, we have lots of clothes and every room has a TV. I am overwhelmed by God's blessings! BUT...... If God takes it all away, I am still rich because my treasure is in heaven! Many people will disagree because they have it drilled in their heads that to be a child of the King means to live like royalty and have heaven here on earth. But are we really entitled to live better than Jesus did? I mean, does God owe it to us? Is it part of the deal for right now?

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for our blessings. Thank you for my salvation! Prepare me for what you have in store. I don't want to treasure anything but Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen!

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Daily Journal- No Blood, No Forgiveness!

2010-05-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
...and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22b)

OBSERVATION:
This scripture refers to the holiness of God. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins". God is so holy that, if someone sins, the only way they can be forgiven is if someone dies and sheds blood! Why....? Because the Bible says the wages of sin is death, and the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Have you ever heard the saying "someone's gotta pay"? That's how it is with sin. All sin must be paid for because God is a holy and righteous judge. If there was just one little sin that God let slip by without punishment, the whole universe and all of heaven would collapse because God is a God of justice by nature!
In the old testament they sacrificed animals and shed their blood as a temporary covering for sin. They would do a ceremony where they would transfer all of their sins to this animal, then slaughter the animal, and offer the blood as a sin offering. Why did they do this? Because our scripture says "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin".

APPLICATION:
Then Jesus comes, the "Lamb of God", and sheds his blood on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world. God the Father punished His own Son and killed him so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life. When Jesus was on the cross he drank the cup of God's wrath, which was the penalty for the sins of all who would believe in Jesus. This was a once and for all time sacrifice. Then Jesus rose again on the 3rd day, proving that he was the Son of God and that everything he said was true.

PRAYER:
Dear God, the truth of this scripture is so deep that I can't even begin to try and expain it! The glorious gospel message is so powerful that I can only attempt to describe it. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for me, a sinner! In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Steadfast Under Trial

2010-05-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial... (James 1:12)

OBSERVATION:
The word "blessed" means to be happy. In Greek, its the highest state of happiness! So... James tells us that when you "remain steadfast under trial", you will be a very happy man, or woman.

Jesus remained steadfast under trial, Paul remained steadfast under trial, John the baptist remained steadfast under trial, and so on and so forth. These men, stood on the solid rock of Christ and they were steadfast and they were blessed!!

APPLICATION:
I don't know about you, but I always ask myself this question: "Would I endure torture for the name of Jesus?" Or, "Would I be be-headed for the name of Christ?". The question is, would I remain steadfast? I'm so thankful that we are free to worship Jesus and spread the good news. We don't have to hide our bibles and meet under ground.

But...

Maybe the reason I'm not being persecuted in any way is because I'm just not being bold enough. If I was proclaiming the name of Jesus the way the men of the Bible did, maybe I would experience some persecution, or trials.

I do experience trials and persecution for the name of Jesus but it is on a very small scale. I put my own comfort above the mission of Jesus and this is very wrong!
This must change! I know what I have to do! I must allow myself to considered a fool for the name of Jesus. I must be steadfast when the trials come! You can't be steadfast under trials, if you stay in the safe zone where there are no trials.

The Christian life is not about reading my Bible, jouranling every day, and enjoying my blessings. The Christian life is about taking up my cross daily and being willing to die with Christ. Its easier said than done, but the first step is for me to aknowledge that my life is way different from the lives of the men of the Bible!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord empower me to be bold for the name of Jesus Christ. Allow me to be wise and to win souls for the name of Jesus. Teach me the right way to evangelize, and help me to live a righteous and holy life. Forgive me for being a hearer and not a doer. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Elementary Doctrines of Christ

2010-05-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-3)

OBSERVATION:
The writer of Hebrews is breaking down the basic things all Christians should understand before they can come to a level of maturity. He calls them "elementary doctrines of Christ". To "go on to maturity", he says you should understand these things.

He lists 6 things that he considers "elementary doctrine":

1) Repentance from dead works - turning from works that cannot save, and also turning from all sin. When John the baptist came preaching and when Jesus came preaching, their first words were "Repent for the kingdom is at hand". The apostle Paul said that the same thing he told Jews and Gentiles was repentance, and faith toward God.

2) Faith toward God - when someone turns from sin, they must turn to something else. They must turn to "faith toward God". Without faith you cannot be saved and you cannot please God. True saving faith will bear much fruit.

3) Instructions about washings - may refer to teaching about differences between Jewish purification rites and Christian baptism. Its important to understand the significance of baptism, and to understand that baptism in itself does not save, but is an outward symbol of something that happens internally. The washing that takes place in baptism does not purify, only the blood of Christ can purify.

4) The laying on of hands - this could refer to a special prayer they would do when someone was baptized, or the laying of hands when someone needed prayer for healing, or the commissioning of someone for ministry. Laying our hands on people when we pray(if they're present) is very important, and was a common practice of early Christians.

5) The resurrection of the dead - we must understand that part of our future hope as believers is that we will resurrect from the dead and be joined with Jesus Christ. Actually all people who have died will resurrect, some to eternal life and some to eternal torment.

6) Eternal judgment - its basic biblical Christian doctrine that all people will stand before God to be judged. Some will enter heaven and some will enter hell, both are eternal. We must grasp this unpopular reality, and always keep it at the front of our minds. One of the things that drives us to share the good news about Jesus is the fact that all people will be judged. Many people who claim to be Christian, deny an eternal judgment that would land anyone in hell. Instead they choose to believe in a God who will just decide in the end to let everyone into heaven.

APPLICATION:
I want to make sure that I fully understand these "elementary doctrines" so that I can "go on to maturity" in my Christian walk. I also want to be able to teach others these doctrines with clarity patience and love.

Hebrews 5:12 says:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers..."

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me the doctrines of Christ. These are beautiful truths that I want to treasure in my heart. Continue you to teach me and grow me. Thank you for saving me, I love you so much! In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Are you neglecting a great salvation?

2010-05-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
...how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)

QUESTION:
Are you neglecting the great salvation that is found only in Jesus Christ? Are you trading your eternal soul to have a few temporary pleasures right now? How will you escape God's judgment and wrath if you neglect the great salvation that He offers through His own Son?

Jesus Christ died and suffered under the wrath of His own Father so that you can be declared innocent on judgment day! When Jesus was on the cross, He was being punished for all the sins you committed. Then He rose again on the 3rd day proving that He really was the Son of God!

"How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation."

How shall you escape if you do not repent and put your faith in Jesus Christ? God does not want you to go to hell, and neither do I!

Please think about your soul! Think about the fact that you have sinned against a holy and righteous God. And then think about how good and merciful God is to offer you the gift of eternal life for free! If you ask God to forgive you for all your sins He will do it! And if you ask God to save you from hell, He will do it!

Ask and you shall receive!
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Daily Journal- Do you share your faith?

2010-05-14T22:51:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
...and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. (Philemon 6)

OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul prays. What does he pray about? That Philemon would share his faith. He wants him to share his faith effectively and share the full knowledge of every good thing in Christ. In the New Testament, the gospel spread through the world because people shared their faith.

APPLICATION:
Do you share your faith? I mean, do you actually explain the gospel to people? Do you tell people about Jesus' life, death and resurrection? Do you tell them about grace and faith and repentance to receive eternal life? Do you tell them about life and death, heaven and hell? This is what I always hear people say:

"Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, now just repeat this prayer after me."

But in this scripture, the apostle Paul wants Philemon to share his faith effectively for the "full knowledge" of every good thing. In other words, don't water it down or leave anything out. The Bible says that the gospel is the power of God for salvation, but when we water it down to make it less offensive, we rob it of all its power! We are called to be messangers of the gospel, not editors of the gospel!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me! Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins and saving me from the fires of hell! Thank you for changing my heart and opening my eyes. Thank you for giving me a heart that loves Jesus! In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Sound Doctrine

2010-05-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)

OBSERVATION:
Just as he did with young Timothy, the apostle Paul is instructing Titus in how he should live his Christian life and conduct his ministry. He says:

"Teach what accords with sound doctrine".

In this scripture he is contrasting Titus with false teachers (Titus 1:10-16) who take advantage of people and spread myths to gain money and praise for themselves (kind of like many of the TV preachers).

Why does Paul need to tell Titus, "But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine"? He tells him this because of what Paul tells young Timothy in the previous book.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

APPLICATION:
How can I apply this scripture to my life? I need to always proclaim the truth of God's word and not let the pressure of pleasing people get in the way. There is always a temptation to water down the gospel in order to avoid offending people. When you water down the gospel all you do is rob it of its power. I need to "teach whatever accords with sound doctrine", just like Titus.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit. Give me a super natural boldness when I speak the truth of your word. May I speak the truth no matter what the consequences. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Stengthened by Grace

2010-05-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
... be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus ... (2 Timothy 2:1)

OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul is encouraging young Timothy in how he should live his Christian life and conduct his ministry. He tells Timothy to be "strengthened by grace". In other words, "be strengthened by the fact that God shows you favor even when you don't deserve it" or, "be strengthened by the fact that you deserve to go to hell, but God is so kind and merciful that he chose to transform your life and grant you eternal life in heaven". If those truths don't strengthen you, I don't know what will.

APPLICATION:
Being strengthened by grace! What a powerful mind blowing concept! Actually, its not a concept at all, it should be a reality in my life! So many times I try to be strengthened by my own effort and performance. But Paul says, "be strengthened by the grace that comes from Christ Jesus". The grace of God is so opposite to our concept of performance and good works to please God. The Bible clearly says that we are to live and grow in grace, but we forget that very easily.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and your mercy. May your grace strengthen me today. In Jesus name, Amen!

Daily Journal- Have you died? (Colossians 3:3)

2010-04-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

QUESTION:
Have you died? Did you know that to become a Christian and go to heaven you must first die? For us, this is a spiritual matter for now. Jesus died and rose again by the power of the Holy Spirit, and also we need to die and be spiritually raised by the Holy Spirit. This is called being born again.

"For you have died..."

Has the old you died, and a new you been born? Has this transformation of the Holy Spirit taken place in your life? Are you born again? Jesus said no person can enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are born again.

Just like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, so you too must be transformed. Heaven will not allow anyone who has not been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is why you must die and be "raised with Christ". This is not speaking of some future event. This is not speaking of a physical death and resurrection(although that will happen), this is something that must happen now!

Have you died?

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Daily Journal- The Things Above

2010-04-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
... Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1b)

"Seek the things that are above where Christ is...

What is above? Christ! Christ is seated above. We should seek Christ above all.

How do you know someone has found Christ? They keep seeking Him. It wouldn't make sense for someone to keep looking for their keys after they have already found them. But with Jesus, when we find Him, we keep seeking Him because we always want more of Jesus!

Also keep your mind focused on heavenly things. The things above. Things like love, eternal life, joy, peace, mercy, holiness, righteousness, purity, and so on. These things are of a heavenly nature and if you are born again, you are a citizen of heaven.

Seeking the things above is a desire to be with Christ. Do you desire to be where Christ is? If Jesus came right now and asked you if you wanted to leave earth and go to heaven with Him, would you go? Is there anything that is more important to you than being with Jesus? Let it not be so!

We should seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. The word "seek" is a word of action. It Is an ongoing action. Everybody is actively seeking for something.

What are you seeking in your life? Are you seeking Christ and the things that are above?
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Daily Journal- Raised With Christ (Colossians 3:1a)

2010-04-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), I send this journal to many people. Some of you are Christians and some are not and some are just not sure where they stand with God. Today's journal is a little different. I have a scripture and a question for you to think about in your own heart. God bless you and have a good day!

SCRIPTURE:
If then you have been raised with Christ... (Colossians 3:1a)

QUESTION:
Have you been raised with Christ? A Christian is someone who has been raised with Christ. In order for someone to be raised, they must first have died. This scripture is talking about being raised to spiritual life. Just as Jesus was put to death and raised by the power of the Holy Spirit, we must also be put to death and raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. And for now this is a spiritual matter. It is called being "born again". The old sinful person must be nailed to the cross so that the Holy Spirit can give new life.

Have you been raised with Christ?

Do you even know what I am talking about? Have you ever read this scripture? How can you tell if someone has been raised with Christ? If someone has been raised with Christ, they will obey Paul's command in the next few verses..

"Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)

Where is your mind? Is your mind on the things that are above, or on the things that are on earth? Money, fame, success, power, image, relationships, popularity, knowledge, influence, cars, clothes, respect, these are not the things above! These are the things of the earth that will only lead someone to hell!

Have you been raised with Christ?

Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the price for the sins you have committed against God. The sins that would land you in hell for eternity, is what Jesus died for. You are offered eternal life as a free gift because God is satisfied with Jesus death on your behalf. Jesus said to REPENT and BELIEVE the gospel. That is turn from your sins and believe the good news that Jesus saves, and that He lives! Don't wait my friend, you can be raised with Christ and have eternal life!
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Daily Journal- Put the old to death

2010-04-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), its Friday and the Lord is good. Todays journal is about turning from sin. Turning from sin is one of the foundations of your confession as a Christian, if you are a Christian. Its also known as repentance. Have a blessed day!

SCRIPTURE:
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these things the wrath of God is coming. (Colossians 3:5-6)

APLICATION:
Here, the apostle Paul is urging people to live in a manner pleasing to the Lord. He is basically telling them, "If you have been born again, then stop these sinful lifestyles". He wants them to be done with things that have carried over into their Christian lives. He gives a pretty specific list of the things God considers sin. The first four deal with sexual sin:

- Sexual immorality
- Impurity
- Passion
- Evil Desires
- Covetousness

APPLICATION:
In my own life I have had to let go of these very sins. Being a new creation in Christ, these things are not compatible with the Holy Spirit who lives inside of me. For me to even think about these things in my head, only brings misery to me. I need to continue to seek after righteousness if I want to keep these sins far from me in thought or deed. I'm so thankful for the power of God to break away from things that don't please Him.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me. I pray for my friends and family who are not born again. I ask you to draw them close to you. Help me to keep my mind pure. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Debt Cancelation

2010-04-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
... by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. (Colossians 2:14)

OBSERVATION:
Did you know that Jesus came to consolidate and cancel debts? He consolidated the sin debts of all his people, and canceled them when he took them upon himself on the cross. The scripture says, "by canceling the record of debt". How nice would it be if your bank called and said all your debts are canceled because a very rich man paid them for you? How thankful would you be? The verse also says he canceled the debts "legal demands". So what if they said this same man also went to jail for a crime you committed because he didn't want you to be punished?

APPLICATION:
My debt is canceled! My sin is forgiven! Jesus has also satisfied my legal demand and saved me from hell! I am so thankful because I know the seriousness of my sin against God, and I know the great price that was paid to purchase my soul. It was paid by the precious blood of Jesus!

Have your debts been canceled? Have legal demands before God been met? Cast yourself on the feet of Jesus!

PRAYER:
Thank you so much Lord! You are so beautiful and wonderful! I will never fully understand how awesome you are! I love you so much Jesus!! Amen!
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Daily Journal- He's got the whole world in his hands

2010-04-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends, I don't know how many of you actually read these, but I enjoy reading my Bible and writing. If you already get too many emails and don't want to receive my daily journals, just let me know, I would totally understand. Today's verse is all about the power of Jesus. Its absolutely amazing. Have a blessed day!

SCRIPTURE:
And he(Jesus) is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17)

OBSERVATION:
"...and in him all things hold together." This is the part I want to focus on. Of course this is speaking of Jesus. The apostle Paul is the person who wrote this letter to the church at Colosse. He is explaining to them that Jesus is God in the flesh and that he created all things. But here he says something amazing!

"...and in him all things hold together."

So... Not only did Jesus create all things, he is actively holding all things together by his power. In other words, if Jesus were to take his hand off of creation for one second, everything and everyone would just evaporate into millions of particles and no longer exist.

APPLICATION:
I remember an old song, "He's got the whole world in his hands". And that's really the truth. Because in Jesus, ALL things hold together! This should create in me an attitude of absolute trust. Jesus promises to be with us till the end of the age. And our Savior who died on the cross, was not just a great man or some created being, He is the creator of all things and He is "before all things". I am blown away by the power and awesomness of Jesus!

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, there is none like you! I can't believe how great you are. My mind can't comprehend your power. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, thank you for saving me. Prepare me for your return. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Thought Life

2010-04-12T16:44:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

OBSERVATION:
The last part says "think about these things". The apostle Paul is giving us guidelines for how we should think. God makes it very clear all through the Bible that He is concerned with our thoughts not just our actions. In this scripture Paul gives 8 examples of the things that should occupy our thoughts. Here they are:

1) Whatever is true
2) Whatever is honorable
3) Whatever is just
4) Whatever is pure
5) Whatever is lovely
6) Whatever is commendable
7) Anything excellent
8) Anything worthy of praise

APPLICATION:
My mind is a battlefield, bottom line! I need to keep my mind clear of bad influences, and not tolerate thoughts that go against the guidelines that God has given me here. One way to do that is to be careful of the things I watch on TV, music I listen too, and conversations I'm involved in. Reading the word and meditating on scripture is another way to renew my mind and keep it pure and holy. I think this is also a good guideline for our behaviors and things we do.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Help me to guard my mind. Help me to meditate on those things that bring praise to your name. Amen!
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Daily Journal- Jesus is God

2010-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), some of you are probably still wondering who in the world I am. But I am new to Reality Church and I am a part of your thursday night group. And some of you I just added because I talk to you on facebook or through email exchange. But either way I want to be connected to you and share with you my journey through the Bible. I usually pick one verse out of my daily reading and then I journal on that verse. I hope you have a good weekend. God bless you all!

SCRIPTURE:
Though he(Jesus) was in the from of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:6-7)

OBSERVATION:
"He was in the form of God". This scripture is talking about Jesus Christ before He came to earth. In this scripture the word "form" means the true and exact nature of something, possessing all the characteristics and qualities of something. It is talking about His divine essence that he laid aside to become a man. This scripture also tells us that Jesus had "equality with God", but he took on the from of a servant and was born as a man. So it comes down to this, God himself became a man. Jesus was not an angel or a great prophet, He was God almighty in the flesh!

APPLICATION:
These scriptures are very important to the teaching about who Jesus is. We need to know that it was God Himself who died on the cross for our sins. There are many religions that would say that Jesus is not God, but we see here that He had the form of God and equality with God. There are also many other scriptures that make it very clear that Jesus is God. We usually don't think about these things until we have someone knocking on our front door, who would have us to think that Jesus was an angel and not God.

Why is this so important? If Jesus is not God, then it would be blasphemy for us to worship Him. If Jesus is not God, then it would be idolatry for us to put our trust in Him alone! If Jesus was not God, then our sins are not forgiven. The death of the highest angel in heaven would not be enough to pay the price for the sins of the entire world. The death of a good prophet would not pay the price before a holy God. Only the death of God Himself, the sinless spotless lamb of the world, could satisfy the wrath of God. Aren't you thankful that God Himself came to earth and died in your place?

PRAYER:
Dear Lord
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Daily Journal- Holding you in my heart

2010-04-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm off today taking care of the kids but I was thinking about something, I have done some terrible things in my life! And it amazes me that God would make such a great sacrifice to forgive me. I'm blown away by the grace of God. I deserve hell, but he decided to give me heaven instead. And it cost Him a lot, not silver and gold, but it cost Him the precious blood of His own Son. Amazing! Have a blessed day!

SCRIPTURE:
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace... (Philippians 1:7)

OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul tells them, "I hold you in my heart". This letter is written to the first church that the apostle Paul started in Europe. He genuinely loved these people and gave his life for them. He is writing this letter from prison but he's not discouraged because he knows its part of God's plan. Paul was always passionate about the people of the churches he planted. He loved them very much and guarded them very jealously. "I hold you in my heart" he says, awesome!

APPLICATION:
I have to ask myself the question, "Do I hold people in my heart?". Am I really loving God's people? Am I giving my life for the people that God has put around me? I really need to examine my own heart because the apostle Paul had it right. I need to "hold people in my heart". Jesus told us to love one another, and He even told us to love our enemies. Love is more powerful than hate, and love covers a multitude of sins. I want to be more like this, starting with my wife!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for holding me in your heart. Thank you for your amazing grace. Thank you for you rich mercy. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the price for my sin. Help me to love people the way you do. Help me to be effective for the kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- The Battle is Spiritual

2010-04-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), today is monday and I'm doing super good! Why? Because I'm learning to love my wife the way Jesus loves the church! Its an awesome thing that I never thought was actually possible. Now, I'm far from perfect, but something is changing and I love it! I'm realizing that a great deal of our problems are caused by me and my attitude. What an amazing concept! Anyway, have a good monday. God bless you!

SCRIPTURE:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

OBSERVATION:
Ok, many of us know this verse as the "go to" verse whenever talking about spiritual warfare. And it is the "go to" verse, because it shows us upfront that our battle is not with people(flesh and blood), but with spiritual forces. Sometimes I like to take these verses and just break them down.

So... If not flesh and blood, who do we actually wrestle with?:

1) Rulers
2) Authorities
3) Cosmic Powers
4) Spiritual forces of evil

These are the enemies, and they are all spiritual enemies. It makes sense that if your going to fight a spiritual battle, you need spiritual weapons.

APPLICATION:
There are a number of spiritual weapons that the Bible talks about, but I just want to mention prayer in general. Prayer(along with the Word) is the key to all spiritual battles. It is our communication line to the King of the Universe. The Holy Spirit that dwells in all believers is greater than any spiritual force and greater than Satan himself. I don't pray nearly as much as I should! That's the bottom line. I read plenty of Bible, I read plenty of books, but I can't say I spend plenty of time in prayer. Who knows how many spiritual battles I'm losing because of my lack of prayer. I spend so much time battling in the flesh against flesh, when I should be in the spirit, fighting the spiritual battle.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for filling me with the Holy Spirit! Thank you for the gift of eternal life! Thank you for sending the Comforter. Help me to fight my battles on my knees, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Gratitude for the cross by: J.C. Ryle

2010-04-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), the Bible verse I read this morning was just too intense for me to journal on just from my blackberry. So I decided to share a good word from J.C. Ryle, one of my favorite preachers. And thank you to those of you who share things with me from time to time, it is such a blessing to be connected to so many brothers and sisters in Christ, just from this little phone. God bless you all!

"Let us turn from the story of the crucifixion, every time we read it, with hearts full of praise. Let us praise God for the confidence it gives us, as to the ground of our hope of pardon. Our sins may be many and great, but the payment made by our Great Substitute far outweighs them all. Let us praise God for the view it given us of the love of our Father in heaven. He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, will surely with Him give us all things. Not least, let us praise God for the view it gives us of the sympathy of Jesus with all His believing people. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He knows what suffering is. Jesus is just the Savior that an infirm body, with a weak heart, in an evil world, requires." ~ J.C. Ryle
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Daily Journal- Children of Light

2010-04-02T08:22:00.001-07:00

Hello friends, its Friday and the weekend that's all about Jesus! Actually its always all about Jesus, but this weekend some of you who aren't Christians might go to church. I pray that you would really open your heart to hear from God. And for those of you who are Christians, its an opportunity to reflect on what Jesus has done for us. By the way, I do my daily journal using the S.O.A.P. method. That's "S" for Scripture. "O" for Observation. "A" for Application. And "P" for Prayer. Its just always worked good for me! Have a good day!

SCRIPTURE:
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. (Ephesians 5:8)

OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul who wrote this letter is talking to people who have become Christians. They use to be involved in all kinds of sinful lifestyles, he describes it as being in "darkness". But now that they are born again followers of Christ, he describes them as "light in the Lord", he also tells them to walk as "children of light".

APPLICATION:
"Children of light", I like that! What does it mean to walk as a child of light? In some of the previous scriptures, Paul describes some things that a child of light does, and some things they don't do. Thes are all from chapter 5. Here they are:

1) Be an imitator of God. (v.1)

2) Walk in love. (v.2)

3) Don't be involved in sexual immorality, impurity, or covetousness. (v.3)

4) Don't take part in foolish talk or crude jokes. (v.4)

5) Always give thanks to God. (v.4)

6) Do not become partners with people who commit these sins. (v.7)

7) Expose the unfruitful works of darkness. (v.11)

I use to be a child of darkness. I was involved in sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness(that's when you desire things that others have). I use to talk filthy and tell crude jokes. I use to call myself a "Christian" but my life proved that I wasn't. But that all changed when God saved me! When I realized that I was on my way to hell, and I saw the reality of what was going on, I cried out to God to save me! And He did. I turned my back on all those sinful things and fully gave my life to Jesus!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I pray for my friends who don't know you. Please open their eyes to your beauty and glory. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!
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Daily Journal- 3 Aspects of Christian Life

2010-03-31T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! I'm back at home in Oxnard and it feels good. We had fun in Vegas, but it is hard work when you have a 6 month old baby. I really like todays scripture and I hope you are blessed by it. Have a good day!

SCRIPTURE:
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)

OBSERVATION:
Ok... This is a long verse! But it all goes together. In this verse, I see 3 aspects of the Christian life. Let me break it down:

1) Learning, hearing and being taught the truth about Jesus. (v.20-21)

2) Turning from your sinful way of life and sinful desires. (v.22)

3) Turning toward God, being renewed, and seeking a righteous and holy life. (v.23-24)

APPLICATION:
Because of the power of God, and the grace of God, these 3 things have become a reality in my life. Its not because I'm special or strong willed. Its only because God has the power to transform people, and because He is willing to do it for the worst of sinners. When I was young, I learned the truth about Jesus. But it wasn't till 20 yrs later that I turned from my sinful ways and put my life in Jesus' hands. Now I follow Jesus and let my mind be renewed daily. Now I can find joy in righteousness and holiness. Its all thanks to Jesus.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy! Thank you for my salvation! Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Changed little by little

2010-03-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, day 2 of Las Vegas. Were having a good time with my brother in laws family. We saw a cool Titanic exhibition, and spent some time at the pool. Its definitely weird for me to be here, but my family is having a good time and I got my pocket Bible so I'm all right. Have a good week!

SCRIPTURE:
And we all... are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

OBSERVATION:
If you are born again, you are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. And it is a process that takes place from one degree of glory to another. And the apostle Paul who wrote this verse says it is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are all at different levels of this transformation, but the important thing is that the process has begun.

APPLICATION:
I remember when I first became saved, I was so on fire for God, but a few times I stumbled and did drugs or drank alcohol. And when that happened I hated myself because I didn't want to do those things anymore. But I was in a process that I didn't understand. So here I am in Las Vegas, 3 yrs later. Temptation all around. Its party central. But I'm not gonna go against my convictions, I'm not even tempted to drink or gamble. I'm in another level of this process. The Holy Spirit has brought me to another level of glory. But now the enemy comes in a different way. I need to be careful what I look at, I need to watch my attitude, and I need to be careful of what I say. I need to watch out for pride, God hates pride! I don't think I'll ever come back to Las Vegas for vacation, there's just too many trashy billboards, and too many half naked women walking around. Not a good place for someone who is seeking after holiness and righteousness. Its not good for kids to see those things either.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me. Thank you for transforming me. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the price for my crimes. Thank you for being with me in Las Vegas. Please forgive me for inappropriate behaviors. I love you Lord! In Jesus name, Amen!!
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Daily Journal- Holy Portion for the Prince

2010-03-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I'm in Sin City, that's right, Las Vegas. I came with my wife and the kids and her family for a couple days. A few years ago I wouldn't have been able to do this (because of the temptation), but God has done a miracle in my life, and He has made it so that I'm only happy when I do right and walk with Him. So drinking and gambling are out of the question because that's not me anymore. Anyway... Have a good day, God bless all of you!

SCRIPTURE:
What remains on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city shall belong to the prince. (Ezekiel 48:21)

OBSERVATION:
I don't know the context for this scripture because I did the thing where you close your eyes and just open your Bible. Why did I do that? Because I don't have my usual study Bible with me, I just have a little pocket Bible. I'm in Las Vegas and it was either watch a movie or open my Bible. I chose to open my Bible and hear from God, since I've been hearing and seeing the devil's message since I got here. It seems like every billboard and sign has a half naked woman on it, and the love of money is out of control.

APPLICATION:
This scripture talks about a holy portion that belongs to the prince. Like I said, I don't know the context of this verse, but I know this: I'm the holy portion, and I belong to the Prince. Jesus Christ is the Prince and I belong to Him. Actually the Bible says that I am holy, set apart for Him. Now, being holy doesn't mean perfect or better than others, it means set apart. I am set apart, and I belong to Jesus for His purpose. So, it doesn't matter where I am, home or Las Vegas, I am ready to be used by the Prince because my life belongs to Him.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy! Thank you for saving me! Thank you for bringing me from a life of perversion, addiction, greed and sinfulness. I love you with all my heart Jesus! In Jesus Christ name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Use to be dead

2010-03-26T08:46:00.001-07:00

Hello friends, today's scripture is an eye opener for any of you who are not Christian. It is a very important scripture because without Jesus and being born again, the Bible says that we are spiritually dead. But as always, there is good news when you give your life to Jesus. It is also a good scripture for Christians because it opens our eyes to where God has brought us from. I hope you all have a good weekend. God bless you!

SCRIPTURE:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins... (Galatians 2:1)

OBSERVATION:
Paul is talking to believers, and explaining to them exactly where God had brought them from. He says that they were spiritually dead because of their trespasses and sins. He also goes on to say that they were "sons of disobedience" and that they were actually following Satan. But God who is rich in mercy, made them alive in Christ. He spiritually raised them from the dead. It was all done even though they didn't deserve it. Amazing!

APPLICATION:
It is interesting that God is the one doing the action here. Whenever I read this, I picture dead people in coffins and God walking by and raising them to life. God is the one who does the saving, it is not by human effort, it is not our own doing. This is an amazing act of grace on God's part, that He would take people who are rebels against Him and make them sons and daughters. He did it all through the sacrifice of Jesus, and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. This keeps us humble to know that we are saved by grace, and that we actually deserve hell.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy, thank you for my salvation. Thank you for raising me from the dead. Thank you for sending Jesus and your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen!

QUESTION:
Have you been spiritually raised from the dead? Or, are you still dead in trespasses and sins?
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Daily Journal- Falling From Grace

2010-03-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)

OBSERVATION:
This is very interesting to me! The term "Fallen from grace" is used here by Paul. Only he is using it in a different way than I am use to hearing. It's usually associated with someone losing their salvation by committing some sin and then not repenting of it. But Paul uses it to describe someone who is trying to be justified by keeping the law. He's describing someone who is trying to be justified by "not sinning". It's also known as "saved by grace but kept by works". Paul is warning the Galatian church not to fall from grace by trying to perfect themselves by works.

APPLICATION:
I have heard people tell me that if people do certain sins, they will fall from grace and lose their salvation. But we need to be very careful that were not putting our security in our ability to not commit certain sins. Our security is always based on God's grace, and will continue to be based on God's grace till the day we die. Paul is warning us to be careful of people who say these things. People who try to put us under the law, when we are now under grace. I'm not saying that the grace of God is a license to sin (the bible says that people who use the grace of God to sin are actually lost), I'm saying that grace is something we will never be good enough to deserve. I need to remember to look to the cross where Jesus paid my price.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. I can never earn what you have decided to give me freely. I was never seeking you, you were the one seeking me. In Jesus name, Amen!
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35 Reasons Not to Sin

2010-03-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

By Jim Elliff

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.

2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.

3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.

4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.

5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.

6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.

7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.

8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.

9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.

10. Because my sin saddens the godly.

11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.

12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.

13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.

14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.

15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.

16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.

17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.

18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.

19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.

20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.

21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.

22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.

23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.

24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.

25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.

26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.

27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.

28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.

29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.

30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.

31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.

32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.

33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.

34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.

35. Because I promised God He would be Lord of my life.

Relinquish Your Rights - Reject the Sin - Renew the Mind - Rely on God

Daily Journal- He Became Poor

2010-03-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

SCRIPTURE:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

OBSERVATION:
Jesus was rich, but for our sake He became poor! Jesus has always existed with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They have always been worshiped by angels and other creatures in heaven. But for our sake Jesus left all of that! For our sake Jesus became a man, and for 33 yrs, He walked the earth among His creation. He came as a poor man, not a rich and mighty ruler. He came to embrace the lowest of the low and the poorest of the poor. He came to heal the sickest of the sick, and to forgive the wicked est of the wicked.

APPLICATION:
Jesus became poor so that I can become rich! Does this mean I'm gonna drive a sports car and live in a fat crib? No, He came so that I can have the treasure of heaven when I die! Jesus is the treasure! Jesus is the gift! Jesus is better than any possession! Jesus is so great that men will live in poverty stricken jails for His namesake! Jesus is so valuable that people will die for His namesake. Jesus is so valuable that people will be persecuted and mocked for His name. We become rich because we have Jesus!

PRAYER:
Dear LORD, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for making me rich! Thank you for giving me the gift of yourself. Thank you for preparing a place for me in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- The Whisperer

2010-03-15T10:03:00.001-07:00

Hello friends (and wife Natasha), if you are receiving this email, it is because I want to be connected to you in any way possible. I want to share with you what God is speaking to me each day through His word. Today was one of those scriptures where you just have to humble yourself and say, "I'm guilty". I hope you are seeking the Lord through prayer and reading. God bless you!

SCRIPTURE:
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. (Proverbs 26:20)

OBSERVATION:
This scripture is making a comparison between wood that makes fire burn and whispering that causes quarreling. When you run out of wood the fire will go out, and when you stop whispering (about people), the quarreling stops. The whispering here speaks of someone who whispers things about people, basically a gossiper. The Bible teaches us that God hates it when we speak bad about one another. And God doesn't like it when we quarrel.

APPLICATION:
I would love to say that I'm above this. I would love to say that its been years since I have spoken bad about anyone. But I can't lie to God because He knows all things. There is also the temptation to justify myself and say, "I'm not as bad as that person when it comes to gossip and whispering". But God holds each one of us accountable for our actions and He doesn't grade on a curve.

The bottom line is that I need to keep my mouth shut if I have the temptation to speak negatively about someone. I need to store this verse in my heart and live by it.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, forgive me for my sins. Forgive for times that I have spoken bad and whispered about people. Please help me to obey Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- The Day of Salvation

2010-03-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hello friends, I read a really good verse today! Its all about being saved. Some of you are saved and some are not. I pray that you will read and think about your eternal soul, and be moved by what God has done to save you! God bless you, have a good day!

SCRIPTURE:
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

OBSERVATION:
The apostle Paul is speaking to a church mixed with believers and unbelievers. He wants them all to receive God's grace and to receive salvation. A lot of times people want to wait for a favorable time to receive salvation. They say, "Once I do this thing, then I will serve God". But Paul is saying that now is the favorable time, now is the day of salvation. He wants them to be prepared for the day of judgment.

APPLICATION:
I was thinking about the word "salvation". I was thinking that some people might not really understand what that means. When you read the word "salvation" in the Bible, it means to be saved. What do we need to be saved from? The wrath of God. We need to be saved from the fires of hell. This is why Jesus came, to take the wrath of God upon Himself, so that we can receive salvation.

Today is the day for you to receive salvation! Today is the day for you to repent! Today is the day to confess all your sins to God! Today is the day to open your Bible! Today is the day to ask Jesus to save you! Don't wait for a favorable time! The favorable time is today, now!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for saving me! Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for saving sinners. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for your love. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- The Righteousness of God

2010-03-12T10:03:00.001-08:00

Hello friends (and wife Natasha, the love of my life). Today I read a good scripture that totally blew my mind. It is about us as Christians and what it means to be in Christ. I hope you have a good day. God bless you.

SCRIPTURE:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

OBSERVATION:
Let me try to break down what this verse is saying.

1) God did something for our sake.

2) He made Jesus to be sin.

3) Jesus didn't know sin because he never sinned.

4) If we are in Jesus we benefit from this.

5) The benefit is that we become the righteousness of God.

This is an amazing trade off! Jesus takes our sin, and in exchange he gives us his righteousness! This is the good news of the Bible. Jesus gives his righteousness freely to all who repent and believe the message.

APPLICATION:
This is one of the foundations of the Christian faith, that we become the righteousness of God through Jesus. I know we don't feel like this is true. But the Bible assures us that if we are in Christ(born again), we are 100% righteous. It means that when God looks at us, He sees Jesus and the price Jesus paid. It also means that when we stand before God on judgment day, it will be like we never sinned a day in our lives!

PRAYER:
Dear LORD, thank you for my new life. Thank you for making me righteous. Thank you for sending Jesus to do what I could never do for myself. Help me to reach the lost with the good news of Jesus.
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Daily Journal- Don't Tamper With God's Word

2010-03-09T08:42:00.001-08:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), todays reading really spoke to me and encouraged me. If you are a Christian I would encourage you to tell your lost friends and family about what Jesus has done for them. Its great to pray for people and invite them to church, but when you share the good news of Christ, you are truly fulfilling your call to the great commission! Just something to think about today. And if your not a Christian, this scripture might encourage you to not compromise in areas that your dealing with. God bless you.

SCRIPTURE:
We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2)

OBSERVATION:
Because Paul is not motivated in his ministry by money, and because he does not crave human approval, Paul refused to tamper with God's word by watering it down or changing it to suit what people wanted to hear. Instead he made open statements of truth, no matter who he was speaking to. He was faithful to the point of death, and he wasn't looking for the latest method or fad.

APPLICATION:
We live in a day where every time you turn on the so called "Christian" channels, someone is watering down the gospel and making it all about money. Or they have miracles for sale. Or they're trying to flatter you into the kingdom. And there are usually two motives to do this: One is money, and the other is for approval of man. Paul did not do this. The gospel that Paul preached was not tampered with.

I needed to hear this, because in my own life as I share the gospel, I need to remember not to tamper with the message. I need to be careful not to let feelings get in the way of God's message. When your witnessing to people, the temptation to not talk about sin can be great. You can get tempted to not talk about the wrath of God and the real reason why Jesus had to die.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I don't want to tamper with your word. I don't want to be cunning. I want to make statements of truth with love. Please help me to be bold and faithful. Give me a heart for those who are lost. In Jesus name, Amen!
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Daily Journal- Good News like water

2010-03-08T10:24:00.001-08:00

Hello friends(and wife Natasha), here is my daily journal. I didn't really get a chance to dig very deep on this one. I kind of read my Bible in a hurry, and I hate doing that. But never the less, I found a scripture that really spoke to me and I would like to share it with you. If you don't get a chance to open your Bible today, don't be discouraged, I'm bringing the Bible to you! God bless you!

SCRIPTURE:
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far away country. (Proverbs 25:25)

OBSERVATION:
This is a comparison. Cold water is compared to good news. Water brings refreshment and life. Without water we die. When your thirsty, there is nothing better than cold water. I picture in my mind a man crawling through the desert, dying of thirst. What does he need? He needs water! Preferably cold water!

Good news can do for the soul, what cold water does when your thirsty. We love good news. I love it when my wife calls me from work and says, "Guess what?" When she says that, I always know she's gonna give me some good news.

OBSERVATION:
This scripture makes me think about the gospel. It makes me think about the good news of Jesus Christ. For us, the gospel is good news from a far country. This good news comes out of Israel. And what is this good news? It is that Christ is risen! It is that Jesus has satisfied God's wrath by giving His life! Our sins can be forgiven because Jesus has taken the punishment for us.

This good news is for you! Jesus died for you! This is good news from a far country! Your soul needs the water from Jesus! He gives it freely! Jesus will not turn away anyone who comes to Him! Come to Jesus, the Savior of your soul!

PRAYER:
Dear Lord, I pray for all my friends, family and co-workers who don't know you. I pray that they would be born again. Help me to love people and spread this good news from a far country. In Jesus name, Amen!

"It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." (Revelation 21:6)
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Slow to Anger

2010-03-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Observation:
Being slow to get angry is good! Being able to control your temper when someone is offending you is good! Being able to overlook it, when someone has done you wrong is also good. The Lord is pleased when we have this attitude toward others because He has done this for us. We have offended God so many times, but God is slow to get angry. Being slow to get angry is not an easy thing. You can't just learn this over night. Taking care of anger issues will take some hard work and prayer!

Application:
This morning I yelled at my daughter and realized that I have an anger problem. It is a problem that the Lord has been helping me with, but sometimes it comes back. Anger is such an ugly thing, and it is usually a sin. The book of Proverbs warns against being quick to get angry. Being slow to get angry allows you to use your good sense and decide whether or not something is worth getting angry about. I will continue to ask God to help me with my anger problem.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help me with my anger. Help me to have good sense. I want to be quick to overlook an offense, and slow to get angry. In Jesus name Amen!

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)

A Veil over the Heart

2010-03-03T09:28:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ it is taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)

Observation:
These verses explain why the Jews reject Jesus. They have a veil over their minds and their hearts. And this still true to this very day, that the majority of Jews still reject Jesus as the Messiah. They still practice Judaism, which has the law of Moses as its way to be right before God. Paul describes their faith in the old covenant as a "veil" that is removed when someone turns to the Lord.

Application:
This is true for all people of the world. There is a veil that separates them from God. it is the result of sin. This is why you can share the gospel with someone, but they totally reject it. There is a veil. It causes people to say, "I don't need Jesus". That's why we need to pray for people who don't know Christ, so that God would tare the veil from top to bottom.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for removing the veil from my heart and my mind. Thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. In Jesus name, Amen!

Wine is a Mocker

2010-03-02T20:40:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

Observation:
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom! So it makes sense that we would be given instruction on things we should not do. As much as people think they can use the Bible to justify their drinking, the Bible warns us over and over about the foolishness of drinking. Have you ever heard this one, "Jesus drank wine, so I'm gonna drink too!"

Let me pull a couple simple things out of this scripture:

1. Alcohol encourages mocking
2. Alcohol encourages brawling
3. Alcohol leads people astray
4. People who take part in drinking alcohol are not wise

Application:
I will never drink again! Let me repeat. I will never drink again! Why? Because I want wisdom! Because I don't want to be led astray! God took my sinful nature away, so I'm not gonna go back to my old ways. People really don't like it when I say I will never drink again, even some Christians have a problem with it. I think the problem is that when you are seeking after righteousness and holiness, people have a serious problem with that.

Prayer:
Dear LORD, keep me from alcohol! I don't want to compromise. These last couple years of sobriety have only been possible by your grace and your mercy. Thank you for forgiving all my sins and giving me a new heart. In Jesus name Amen!

Proverbs 23:29-32

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.

Lying for Treasure

2010-03-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. (Proverbs 21:6)

Observation:
God is really concerned with how we go about gaining the things we get. God hates lying and it is an abomination to Him. He says that those who gain treasure by lying, are only collecting a vapor that will result in their death. And this death is not a physical death(even children of God will die physically), it is a death that ends in eternal hell. Lying is not a way of life for a child of God and we have no business lying to people about anything.

Application:
Being in sales, I need to remember this everyday! Salesmen are encouraged to lie all the time to sell products. The only way for me to keep a clear conscience is to be honest with my customers and my managers. But!! There are many times that I have failed in this. And there are many times that I have had to confess about doing something dishonestly. I have to guard myself against lying everyday. Being honest in my job shows that my trust is in the LORD and not my ability to make a quick buck.

Prayer:
Dear LORD, forgive me for the times that I have lied. Help me to remember your words and to keep my convictions. I pray for those who don't know you, that you would save them. In Jesus name, Amen!

P.S. If you have sinned against God by lying, and you don't know Jesus, I have good news! But first let me tell you that God will punish all sin on judgment day! All have sinned against God and God is holy and righteous. God will not just overlook sin on that day! Anyone found guilty will be cast into the lake of fire, hell! But here is the good news, 2,000 yrs ago, God became a man, Jesus Christ. He lived a perfect life, and was punished on the cross for your and my sins. He rose again on the 3rd day and will return for His people. The Bible says that God offers eternal life in heaven as a free gift! it's called GRACE! Please think about this! Turn from your sinful ways and put your faith In Jesus Christ! We can't please God by good works or church attendance, you can only receive the gift of eternal life by FAITH in Jesus Christ!

Getting Stoned (for Jesus)

2010-01-25T09:55:00.000-08:00

Scripture: But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. (Acts 14:19)

Observation: The Apostle Paul was stoned for preaching the gospel. They stoned him so bad that they thought he was dead. The Bible also says that when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and then entered the city of Derbe the next day. And they preached the gospel again in the city of Derbe.

Application: The apostle Paul valued the gospel more than his own life! He was probably persecuted more than any man outside of Jesus in the Bible. I want to be like Paul. But I get discouraged when I am persecuted with just mere words. I really needed to read this today because a lot of people are not liking me because of the things I say about Jesus and the Bible.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to be bold for the gospel. Let me walk in grace and love and truth. Let me see a harvest for my efforts. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

The Holy Spirit Falls

2009-12-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
While Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. (Acts 10:44)

Observation:
This was the first time the Holy Spirit had fallen on "Gentiles". Peter was in the middle of sharing the gospel with this family, and while he was still talking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Peter was explaining how Jesus came and and performed miracles and about his death and resurrection.

This is what Peter said:
"They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." (Acts 10:39-41)

Application:
This power that fell upon the Gentiles came as a result of hearing the word! The gospel of Jesus Christ has power! When the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit is present to regenerate the hearts of people. They didn't repeat a prayer or come forward in an altar call, no! They heard the gospel message preached!

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit! Thank you for the miracle of the new birth. Thank you for Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior! Help me to reach the lost. In Jesus name, Amen!

Witnessing to people

2009-12-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
And immediately he(Paul) proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues saying, "He is the Son of God." (Acts 9:20)

Observation:
This scripture is about the Apostle Paul, who use to be named Saul. He had just been converted and become a follower of Jesus Christ. He was blind for 3 days and he didn't eat or drink anything. But the Bible says that after a few days he went into the synagogues and started witnessing to the people by saying, "Jesus is the Son of God". The Bible also says that his testimony confounded the Jews in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. I love that! He proved to them that Jesus was the Christ.

Acts 9:22b
... and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

Application:
Paul had just become a believer, and right away he is already witnessing to people. This is amazing to me! In a day when all we care about is church attendance, and programs and activities, and personal devotions, I am reminded by Paul that I need to witness to people! I need to tell people, "He is the Son of God". I think I have shared the gospel with maybe 60% of my co-workers, but what about the other 40%? Man... it would be sad for someone to work next to me everyday, but not know what Jesus has done for them because I didn't tell them!

Charles Spurgeon said:
"If you don't desire to see others saved, then you can be sure your not saved yourself."

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am so convicted by writing this journal. Help me to share the gospel with others. help me to get my priorities straight. Thank you for sending someone to share the gospel with me. Thank you for my salvation! Thank you for saving me from the fires of hell! Put me on the right path Lord! In Jesus name, Amen!

Open Your Mouth

2009-12-16T11:26:00.001-08:00

Scripture:
Then Philip opened his mouth... he told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8:35)

Observation:
After the persecution of many Christians, Philip goes on this one-man evangelistic mission to spread the gospel. He was commanded by an angel to go south into a desert place. In the desert he meets an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah. The Ethiopian just happens to be reading a passage that speaks about the Messiah. So Philip does not hesitate for one second to witness to this man. And it pays off because the man becomes a believer and is baptized!

Acts 8:38
... and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Application:
I like where the verse says, Then Philip opened his mouth. Philip is a good example for all of us on how we should be witnessing to people. I read a statistic that says only 2% of American Christians actually share their faith. Only 2% are telling people about Jesus! That's crazy! I always hear people say this, "I don't share my faith but I just live a good life as a good example", or "I share the love of Jesus by the way I live my life". Atheists can live "good" lives, Mormons can live "good" lives, Jehovah's Witnesses can live "good" lives, etc.... and so on. BUT if people are going to come to faith in Christ, we need to obey the Great Commission and share the gospel message.

Philip actually went out and shared the gospel with people. He obeyed the command he was given. He actually opened his mouth. Jesus spoke the words of life, the Apostles spoke the words of life, Paul spoke the words of life. So we should speak the words of life. I need to open my mouth, I need to quit being such a coward and worrying about what people will think and open my mouth!

Matthew 10:27
What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

Mark 16:15
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Prayer:
Dear Lord thank you for my salvation, thank you for my treasure Jesus! Help me to be a faithful witness of the gospel. Help me to love you with all my heart and my strength. Give salvation to the people I love, please! In Jesus name, Amen!

Hello Alan!

2009-12-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

Hey brother Alan. Just wanted to say God bless you, and tell you that Jesus paid the price on the cross for you!

Powerful Video about materialism!!!!!

2009-12-11T11:10:00.001-08:00

Prayer and Ministry

2009-12-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

Scripture:

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)

Observation:

The two key elements that will expand the body of Christ: Prayer and ministry of the word. In this scripture, the early church was having problems with the distribution of food. So the twelve came up with a plan to deal with that problem so they can focus on what God had called them to: Prayer and ministry of the word. The book of Acts was all about getting out the word of God, and without prayer that is not possible.

Acts 6:7 And the word of God continued to increase.

Acts 12:24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

Acts 13:49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.

Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Application:

Prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do! Ministry of the word is one of the most powerful things you can do! The Kingdom of God is advancing by much prayer and ministry of the word! If there is two things I want to be about, it is prayer and ministry of the word! I want to be devoted like these men were. I don't want to waste my life worrying about trivial matters. I want to seek first the kingdom!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for my salvation! Thank you for sending Jesus Christ! Help me to devote myself to prayer and ministry of the word! In Jesus name, Amen!

Rojoice in Suffering

2009-12-11T10:23:00.000-08:00

Scripture:

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. (Acts 5:41)

Observation:

Peter and the Apostles were arrested for proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. They were opposed by the high priest, who didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah. The Bible says: But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison(Acts 5:17-18). You would think that they would stop preaching about Jesus after being arrested. But after being freed from prison by an angel, they were commanded to continue teaching.

Application:

To truly proclaim the name of Jesus will get you into trouble! To evangelize the lost comes with a high price! Most people are not going to like you. Especially in our day, when it is close-minded to even suggest that there is only one way to Heaven. But the apostles give us a good example that we should rejoice when we suffer for the name of Jesus! There is no greater an honor than to suffer for the name of Christ! Right now at Christmas time, people get all crazy if you don't say things like "X-mas", or "Holiday Tree". They want you to be politically correct, and not offend anybody! Jesus is being pushed out of Christmas, just like everything else!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ! Thank you for my salvation! Thank you for your grace and mercy! Help me to be bold to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ! In Jesus name, Amen!

Power of Faith

2009-12-07T18:53:00.000-08:00

Scripture:

"I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)

Observation:

Now I love this scripture because I just love the way Peter speaks with such authority! I can just hear him saying the words, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth". I love the way he uses Jesus' full title, "Jesus Christ of Nazareth". I guess if I were ever to attempt a miracle in Jesus' name, I would be like Peter and use Jesus full title, "Jesus Christ of Nazareth", I love that!

And I think it's important to notice that this was no Benny Hinn type of "miracle", this was the real deal! The man didn't have to "sow seed" or buy a special "anointed cloth" to receive this miracle. This miracle was given freely, by the compassion of Peter and John through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's very sad to turn on the TV and see people paying for miracles by becoming monthly "partners" with certain ministries. This wasn't like that at all, this was the power of faith in Jesus Christ!

Application:

I want to be like Peter and John, I want to live a life of faith, in the power of the name of Jesus! I want to walk the walk of faith, proclaiming the name of Christ. I want to share the Good News of salvation and pray for people, and give to people. I want that kind of faith! I don't want to waste my life by thinking about temporal things. I want to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit so that the name of Jesus will be glorified!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please help me to walk by faith! Please forgive me for the times that I doubt you. Forgive me for not telling people about Jesus, people that I know are lost and on their way to hell. Thank you for the healing miracles you have done in my life. In Jesus name, Amen!

3 Types of Love

2009-11-25T00:03:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

Observation:
Jesus had just got done washing the feet of his disciples, then they all ate together, and now Jesus is teaching them something very important. LOVE! He gives them the new commandment to love one another. He also tells them that by this love for one another, people will know that they are Jesus' disciples. Now, it was understood that people were suppose to love the Lord with all their strength, and they knew about loving thy neighbor, but Jesus is taking it a step further. Jesus is going to take love to a new level by giving up his own life for them.

John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Application:
When I read this scripture it made me think of something: when someone becomes born again, one of the first things that changes in a person's life is love. He is given a new heart that is truly able to love. He is able to love with a godly love. And there are 3 different types of love that begin to develop in that person's life:

1) Love for Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:37)
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me..."

2) Love for one another (John 13:34)
"Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

3) Love for our enemies (Matthew 5:44)
"But I say to you, Love your enemies..."

Prayer:
Dear Lord, the only love I can offer people is the love you have given me. Before you Lord, my heart was cold and wicked. Before you, I didn't know what true love was. Thank you for displaying your love for me on the cross. Thank you for loving me when there was nothing in me to love. Help me to obey this new command of love toward everyone I come across. In Jesus name, amen!

A Call to Young People

2009-11-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

Peggy Wolf Has Gone Home

2009-11-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

"Peggy stepped over into eternity this morning about 9:20 am PST. She often said that heaven is not the booby prize, because "to live is Christ and to die is gain". We have an incredible hope and future. She is finally able to dance, run and be active. We love you all, you have carried us through it all, we have peace because of salvation in Jesus Christ!" -Pastor Larry Wolf

My heart goes out to Pastor larry and his children. Peggy has endured till the very end and is seated with Christ!

Jesus calls sinners, not righteous

2009-11-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

Observation:
Jesus is making it very clear that his purpose on earth is for the sinner. The Bible says that all have sinned, so that narrows it down to the entire population of the world. It is true that people who aren't sick don't need a physician, the problem here is that all people are sick with sin, most just don't know it. When Jesus says that he came not to call the righteous, he means that he's not calling those who think they are righteous, because no one is truly righteous.

Romans 3:9-11
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks after God.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Application:
When I read this verse it made me think of something: Heaven will be filled with sinners, and hell will be filled with the self-righteous. Heaven will be filled with sinners who recognized their need for a savior. Sinners who repented of their sinful ways and recognized the grace of God in the cross. I read this in a book: A sinner washed by the blood of Jesus is more righteous than a man who never sinned a day in his life(which we know is impossible).

Have you ever heard the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? It is very true, hell will be filled with a lot of morally good people, who were thought they were just a little too righteous to need Jesus. People who thought Sunday's at church was good enough to make up the difference for their "little sins". 9 out of 10 non-Christians would probably say that if there is a heaven, they're pretty sure they're good enough to get in.

John 3:3
"... unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to convert my soul and lead me into all truth. In Jesus name, Amen!

Stoner Hears About Jesus

2009-11-20T11:07:00.001-08:00

God's Glory In Blindness

2009-11-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

Scripture:
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:1-3)

Observation:
This man had been blind from when he was born. We don't know how old he is, but he is called a "man" and not a boy, so he at least had to be older than a teenager. Normally you would say that blindness would be from the devil, or from a lack of faith, but Jesus says that this man's blindness was a part of God's plan. Can you imagine your son being blind for 20 years or more? You might think that God was against you, but not knowing that God was going to use that situation for His own glory. You would never think that something as terrible as blindness could be the hand of God in someone's life. A lot of the TV preachers teach that poverty and sickness is always a work of Satan, or a lack of faith. I'm sure his family had prayed for years for God to cure his blindness. "Name it and claim it" would have done this man no good because who can come against the hand of God?

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Application:
God's glory, is more important than my comfort, health or wealth. You cannot measure God's work in your life based on how good your life is going. I know there are some bad things in my life that are a result of my bad choices, and I know there are some things that are a result of my lack of faith, but I also know there are some trials that God has brought upon me to mature me. Sometimes I get so caught up thinking about myself, forgetting that the most important thing is God's glory. I know that I'm a child of God, and that entitles me to certain things. But more important than me, is the glory of God. Whether I'm rich or poor, whether I'm healthy or sick, God is glorious, and he deserves my praise!

I need to take the authority that God has given me to overcome the attacks of the enemy, and to pull down the strongholds in my life! I also need discernment to know when something is from the enemy, or when it is the hand of God in my life.

Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by a constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for healing my spiritual blindness. Thank you for raising my dead spirit. Thank you for forgiving all my sins. You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. Help me to discern from good and evil. Help me to recognize when you are at work, and when the enemy is at work in my life. In Jesus name, Amen!

Video about Atheist teacher

2009-11-16T20:33:00.000-08:00

"I AM he"

2009-11-15T00:38:00.000-08:00

Scripture:

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8:58)

Observation:

Jesus is making one of the most shocking statements in all the Bible. He is telling the Jews, who consider themselves to be children of Abraham, that he existed before Abraham was born. Now Abraham is from the Old Testament, about 2,000 years earlier. Jesus is claiming to be greater than Abraham, the father of all the nations. But to make it even worse, Jesus is not just claiming to have existed more than 2,000 years before. He is identifying himself as the same I AM who spoke to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus is saying that he is eternal, and that he dwells outside of time. Jesus is claiming to be equal with God, which pretty much makes him God, because the only one who is equal with God, is God. It's pretty much like he is saying, "I am God".

When Jesus says "I am", he is using a greek phrase Ego eimi. This is the same term used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament(Septuagint), when God reveals his name to Moses, at the burning bush. God said to Moses, "I am who I am, This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM(Ego eimi) has sent me to you." (Exodus 3:14) There are other Scriptures where Jesus used Ego eimi "I am" to identify himself:

John 8:24

"I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."

John 8:28

So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he..."

John 18:5

Jesus said to them, "I am he."

Application:

Now I'm not a theologian, or a pastor, or a scholar, but I think I know the significance of these Scriptures. Jesus is God in the flesh! He is the second member of the GodHead, but equal with the Father, and one with the father. Just as the Holy Spirit is equal with the Son and the father. And this is one of the foundations of our faith; that God himself died on the cross for our sins. Jesus wasn't just a prophet, because if he was, his death would not be able to pay for the sins his people. I'm so glad that God didn't send a prophet, or even an angel to die for our sins. I mean even if he sent a perfect angel that became flesh, how many people could God purchase with the blood of an angel. No... God himself became flesh, he became a man, so that puts mankind above angels. Because Jesus is God and man, we can dwell in heaven with him for eternity! The Bible says that even the angels long to look into the things Jesus has done for us:

1 Peter 1:12b

... those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for purchasing my salvation with your blood. Thank you for loving me, even though I gave you no reason to love me. Thank you for taking my sin in exchange for your righteousness. I love you so much Jesus! Please give me the strength I need to follow your commands. Keep me on the right path, and forgive me for the times that I have strayed away. In Jesus name, Amen!

God's Authority

2009-11-13T11:07:00.001-08:00

Scripture:

The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied? So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. Has Moses not given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law."

Observation:

The Jews rejected Jesus because they didn't like his teaching. He didn't have the religious education that they expected a teacher to have. Even though everything Jesus said was true, they didn't receive it because it didn't line up with their own teachings. The Jewish religious leaders were all about pleasing man, instead of God. Jesus explains that there is a higher authority that we all must obey, that is God. The Jews claimed to follow the law of Moses, which is good because the law of Moses is really God's law. But the problem with the religious leaders, is that they used the law to oppress people, and Jesus told them that none of them even keeps the law themselves.

They were more like a gang than a body of believers. Look at this scripture that comes later in the chapter: "Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?" So their standard for truth was based on what their religious leaders thought. If the Pharisees didn't agree with it, then they weren't gonna agree either. If they were really looking to the scripture to please God and not man, then they would know that what Jesus was saying is true. Listen to what Jesus said prior to this encounter: "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life."

Application:

What we have here is a group of men, who were ultimately following other men. The blind leading the blind, and they had all fallen into a ditch. It is sad because they had an elaborate religious system, that was initially created to honor God. The religious leaders had turned the house of God into a market place, and they started to seek the open praise of men, instead of the secret approval of God. It just goes to show you that when you are truly following God, even people who are also suppose to be following God will turn against you. Sometimes proclaiming the truth comes with a high price. It can cause people to hate you, maybe even in your own church. I'm so glad that we all have our own Bibles, so that we don't have to put all our trust in other men. I'm so thankful that we have the liberty to know truth. I'm so thankful for pastors and teachers that aren't trying to be sovereign over us, that love us and care about us.

I found a scripture of one Pharisee who stood up to the religious leaders, a very brave man. His name is Nicodemus, this is what he says: Nicodemus, who had gone to him(Jesus) before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee" When they asked Nicodemus if he was from Galilee too, it was meant as an insult.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for me. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Thank you for turning me into a new person that loves Jesus and hates sin. Help me to avoid the trap of pleasing men over you, and forgive me for when I have done it in the past. I pray for family friends and co-workers that don't know you. In Jesus name, Amen!

2 Timothy 3:14-17

... you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Eternal Life is Eternal

2009-11-12T19:29:00.001-08:00

Scriptures:

"All the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37)

"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day." (John 6:39)

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)

"No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:44)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." (John 6:48)

"But there are some of you who do not believe... This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." (John 6:64-65)

Observation:

If you ever needed biblical evidence that you can't lose your salvation, I think this would be it! From the mouth of Jesus himself. I know that there is a popular belief that says you can lose your salvation or walk away from your salvation. But I think Jesus is making it pretty clear that salvation is not something that man decides to do or undo, salvation is decided by God the Father in advance. Once you come to Jesus it cannot be undone because 1) he will never cast you out and 2) it is the will of the Father that he will not lose you but raise you up on the last day! These scriptures also tell us that you can't even come to Jesus unless the Father draws you!

John 10:28

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Application:

We live in a day when nobody is sure of anything. A day where it is considered arrogant, to say you are confident in anything, having to do with the Bible. We live in a day of "Relativism", where what might be true for you, might not be true for me. In this unstable, unsure world, I need solid truth! I need security! I find security in these scriptures. As I have prayerfuly read through the entire Bible 2 times now, I am confident that I can never lose the salvation that God has given me! I am so thankful that eternal life is ETERNAL, and not some temporary thing that I have to worry about losing. I'm thankful that I am saved, not because of a decision I made, but because of a decision God made, before He created the world.

Romans 8:29-30

For God knew his people in advance, and He chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him.

Ephesians 1:4-5

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure.

Prayer:

Dear Lord thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for choosing me. I did nothing to deserve this gift of salvation. Help me to follow you with all my heart. I pray for my friends and family, that you would give me the boldness to share the good news of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen!

New Birth vs. Stillbirth

2009-11-06T09:43:00.001-08:00

Scripture:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

Observation:

Jesus is explaining an essential for entering Heaven. Everybody experiences natural birth, but unless you also experience a second spiritual birth, which is just as real and profound, you will not enter Heaven. In other words, if your not born again when you die, you will go to hell. OUCH!!!!! That sounds so harsh it hurt for me to type it! The new birth is a miracle that takes place by the power of the Holy Spirit, it is a miracle!

Application:

When I read this, I thought about the importance of the new birth, and how it is very rarely talked about and emphasized. I started thinking about how people believe they can be saved without being born again. Have you ever heard someone say this, "Ya I'm a Christian, but not one of those extreme born again types"?

I found 10 reasons that people in Christian churches, think they're going to Heaven, that have nothing to do with New Birth:

1. I'm a good person

"I'm a pretty good person, God could never send me to hell."

2. Sinner's prayer or altar call

"Hey, I repeated the "Sinner's Prayer", and I repeat it every Sunday just in case."

3. Feeling saved

"I feel saved, things are going pretty good."

4. Good deeds

"I do a lot of good deeds, like helping out at church."

5. Religion

"I'm extremely religious."

6. Denominations/Traditions

"Hey, I'm a Baptist Christian, all Christians go to heaven, I got saved when I was a baby."

7. Financial blessing

"I'm being blessed financially, God must love me."

8. Position or Title

"I have been an elder/pastor in my church for years."

9. Spiritual Gifts

"I have spiritual gifts, that's proof I'm saved."

10.Profound emotional/spiritual experience

"I was visited by an angel."

The problem with these 10 things is that you can have any one of these be true but still end up in hell. All these things might be present in a true believers' life, but none of them are a solid foundation to stand on. But the Bible tells us that EVERY SINGLE person who is born again is going to Heaven for sure! And how do you become born again? By turning from your sin and putting your faith in Jesus Christ alone, it's so simple, but only happens by the power of the Holy Spirit at work! It's all made possible by the grace of God. Becoming a child of God is not necessarily something we do, it is all the work of God.

John 1:13 (Amplified)

Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh (that of physical impulse) nor to the will of man (that of a natural father), but to God. (they are born of God!)

John 11:43-44 (ESV)

... he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."

So what would be solid reason for someone to be sure he's going to heaven? How about this: "I have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, made alive in Christ, transformed by the power of God, given a new heart that loves Jesus and hates sin."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a new creation. Thank you for your grace and mercy. I am the last person to deserve salvation. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for my sins. I pray for those who are not born again, that they would be made alive in Christ. Help me to tell others about the love of Jesus. In Jesus name Amen.

Dazzling

2009-10-29T19:48:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

Behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. (Luke 24:4b)

Observation:

This small portion of scripture really stood out to me. It says the men had dazzling apparel. The word dazzling just jumped out at me. Whenever you read about an angel appearing in the Bible, they usually have a very bright and beautiful appearance about them. I looked up a few other scriptures that describe the appearance of angels and this is what the Bible says:

Acts 10:30b

... behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing...

Acts 1:10b

... behold, two men stood by them in white robes...

Application:

Why do the angels have this radiance and beauty about them? It is because they are reflecting the beauty of God. It is because they spend time in the presence of The God of Light. Just like when Moses came down from the mountain with his face glowing, these angels also glow because they reflect God's glory. There is nothing glorious about these angels in themselves. There is no beauty they can claim on their own. It is God's beauty shining forth in our dark world.

Then I thought to myself, "If Jesus said that I am the light of the world, then I must have this dazzling clothing on too!" If I am suppose to reflect the glory of God, then in the spiritual sense, I must be wearing a white robe too. If we are to shine in the darkness, then that means I am also light. I bet if you had spiritual glasses, you could walk into a church, and all the people who are truly born again, would probably shine like floodlights. I need to let my light shine, and not hide it under a basket.

Matthew 5:14

"You are the light of the world."

Romans 13:12b

... put on the armor of light.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to shine in this dark world. Forgive me for being disobedient when you call me to share with someone. Help me to overcome my fears so I can tell people about Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I pray for the ones who are lost, on their way to hell. Lord I don't want anyone I know to go to hell. Please help me to do what you called me to do. In Jesus name, Amen!

Resisting the Temptation to Drink

2009-10-28T11:27:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

"For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come" (Luke 22:18)

Observation:

These are the words Jesus spoke at the last supper, right before he was betrayed and taken by the Romans. The Apostles drank wine to symbolize Jesus' blood that would be poured out, and they ate bread that symbolized his body that would be broken for them. But he says something that is very interesting to me: "I will not drink wine until the Kingdom of God has come."

Application:

I love this scripture for one reason: I remember it whenever I feel tempted to drink! This Bible verse is my protection, my shield. Why? Because Jesus is saying that he will not drink wine again until he drinks it with me in the Kingdom of God. I'm assuming that he is referring to waiting until the Kingdom of God is established in the new Heaven and new Earth. I guess if Jesus can wait, then I can wait too. Whenever the enemy lies to me and says: "It's okay, come on, only one. It's respectable to drink wine, It's the only way to reach your lost family members, they will relate to you better!". Or sometimes he says: "Come on, your around family, it's a wedding, it's all good". Lies, all lies! "I will not drink wine until the Kingdom of God has come." This is my strength!

When God saves you from a life of alcohol and drug addiction, it's not very wise to go back to the old ways. I have to admit, I have been very tempted at times. Sometimes you think that since your past is way behind you, it would be okay just to have a "glass of wine". I mean think about it, an innocent glass of wine never hurt anyone, right? Or what about one of those expensive imported beers, or a nice dark "lager", I mean as long as it's not a Budweiser or a Mickeys 40 oz. it should be cool, right? It's especially hard when you see that other Christians are drinking and you hear them justify it, it makes it harder to stand for your own convictions.

Proverbs 23:29-32

Proverbs 26:11

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for saving me from a life of addiction. Thank you for helping me to overcome drugs and alcohol. Help me to resist the temptation and help me to not be judgmental of those who drink. I pray for those who reject you because of their love for alcohol, and I pray for those who already know you, but have gone back to drinking. Thank you for sending Jesus. I love you with all my heart Jesus, In Jesus name, Amen!

Jesus is the guest of a sinner

2009-10-23T23:54:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." (Luke 19:5-7)

Observation:

Jesus had a reputation for hanging around with sinners. This man Zacchaeus was a corrupt tax collector, in fact he was the main tax collector and he was very rich. He was considered one of the worst kind of sinners. It was a scandal, that Jesus, who was suppose to be sent from God, was visiting these wicked men.

"He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner"

Application:

My favorite part of this bible verse is this: "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner", I love that! This is the picture of salvation, This is the reason why Jesus came! This bible verse is about me, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner", I am that sinner. 3 yrs ago Jesus came to be a guest in my home and he has never left. To be a guest, someone has to be invited. Have you invited Jesus? "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner", is this true of you, have you invited Jesus to be a guest? I guarantee you, invite Jesus to be guest, and you will never want Him to leave!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for being a guest in my heart. Thank you for being more than a guest, you are the Lord of my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Help me to tell others about your amazing love! In Jesus name, Amen!

Daily Journal- Jesus receives sinners!

2009-10-21T10:25:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him(Jesus). And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)

Observation:

2,000 years ago, God came down from heaven and became a man, His name was Jesus Christ. 100% God, 100% man. But when he came, he caused problems for the religious leaders of the time, the group called the Pharisees. They had a problem with the fact that Jesus walked with the worst of sinners. They didn't understand that they were sinners also, and that they needed God's forgiveness just as much as the murderers, thieves and criminals. So Jesus spent most of his ministry on the earth, walking with the outcasts of society. He healed many of them, raised some from the dead, forgave their sins, made some into great leaders, and ultimately died on the cross to take their punishment. After 3 days he rose from the dead and continued his ministry, then he returned to heaven. This is all true by the way, no fairy tale!

"This man receives sinners and eats with them"

Application:

This has to be one of the greatest verses in all the Bible! Jesus receives sinners! If Jesus wasn't willing to receive sinners, then I would have no chance of going to heaven when I die. If Jesus wasn't willing to receive sinners, then I would be on my way to hell right now and I should probably end my life and get it over with! But guess what... JESUS RECEIVES SINNERS!!!! This is the best news you will ever hear in your entire life! This is why life is worth living, because Jesus receives sinners. The Bible says we are all sinners, so we all have a huge problem on judgement day. We are all guilty of breaking God's laws. But there's good news! Jesus receives sinners!

Bible Verse: Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Because Jesus receives sinners, Jesus will receive you! Because Jesus receives sinners, all your sins can be forgiven! Because Jesus receives sinners, you can escape judgement by a holy God when you die! Because Jesus receives sinners, you can spend eternity in heaven! Some of you reading this have already been forgiven of all your sins, some of you reading this don't know Jesus Christ. Let me just tell you this: when Jesus died on the cross, he was being punished for the sins that you committed. That's why God can forgive you on judgement day, because the price has been paid on the cross. The price for your eternal soul wasn't paid with silver or gold, but it was paid with the blood of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. the Bible says that if you turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved! Not by being a good person(which none of us are), not by any good deeds, but only by faith!

Bible Verse: John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for receiving me, a sinner! Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for me. I pray for the people who read this, the ones that don't know you, that you would open their eyes to see their condition and how much they desperately need Jesus' sacrifice. Help me to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

The One Who Has

2009-09-30T12:19:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

"Take care how you hear, for the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away." (Luke 8:18)

Observation:

I have always wondered what this scripture meant. I guess it refers to our understanding of God's word, or maybe our efforts to understand and search out the word of God. I think it also refers to using what has been given to us. It reminds me of the distribution of the talents(Matthew 25) where the faithful servants were given more, but the unfaithful servant was thrown into hell(where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth). It sounds more serious than we make this verse out to be sometimes.

Application:

When I read this scripture it always motivates me to go full force for the Kingdom of God. I'm not saying I always succeed in going full force for the kingdom, but this scripture does motivate me. God has given me so much, and revealed so many things to me. I guess reading the Bible would be a good example of this scripture: There are those who have Bibles, maybe really nice Bibles with their names on the front in gold, but they never open and read. Unfaithful servants. But then there are those, who have highlighted their Bibles so much that every page is some color of neon. Those who hunger and thirst after the word of God. Those who faithfully study the word. Faithful servants.

Another comparison: There are those who read their Bibles everyday, maybe great theologians even, but they never share the gospel with anyone. They're all about head knowledge, Pastor Steve calls them "Bible Fat-heads". But then on the other hand, you have the person who has been sharing the gospel with people ever since he first cracked open his Bible, maybe even before that. The whole point of reading the Bible is learn how to live the Christian life, and learn the Gospel of truth that sets people free.

I want to be one of the faithful servants, the one Jesus says he will give more to because he has.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for what you have given me. You have given me heaven when I deserve hell, you have given me life when I deserve death. Please help me to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere I go. In Jesus name, Amen.

Simeon

2009-09-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

AT PEACE WITH GOD

Scripture:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation..." (Luke 2:25-30)

Observation:

Simeon was a man who knew exactly who Jesus was, and what he came to do. He had the rare privilege of holding Jesus in his arms. Think about it for a second, this old man is holding God, in his arms! He is holding Alpha and Omega, King of kings and Lord of lords, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The part that really gets me is this: now that he has seen the Lord, he is ready to die. He says that now he is ready to depart in peace, because he has seen the Lord's salvation. This whole scene was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, nobody will be able to see Jesus for who he is, because the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth.

(John 16:13)

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...

Application:

Before each one of us die, we all need to become a Simeon. We all need to see Jesus, and we all need to see the Lord's salvation for ourselves. This scripture is an awesome picture of being born again. A person is led by the Holy Spirit to see the glory of the Lord's salvation in Jesus Christ. Once we have been regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are at peace with God because the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. That is when we are ready to die, because we become justified in the sight of God. Without the holiness of the Holy Spirit, none of us would be able to come into the presence of a holy God.

(Hebrews 12:14b)

... and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to me. Thank you for showing me your salvation, and making me a partaker of it. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for allowing me to understand your holy Word. In Jesus name, Amen!

The Most Important Event Ever

2009-09-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

"Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you" (Mark 16:6-7)

Observation:

Here we have the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The most important event in all of history. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hinge that all history hangs on. Because Jesus rose again, all his claims were validated. Because Jesus rose again, all humanity is subject to his lordship. Because Jesus rose again, we are all responsible to obey his commands. He proved that he was who he claimed to be. Who did he claim to be?

Jesus claimed to be:

Savior

Messiah

Bread of Life

Light of The World

Not of this World

the I AM

Good Shepherd

Son of God

Resurrection and Life

Teacher and Lord

Way, Truth, and Life

the Revealed God

Alpha and Omega

Application:

When someone comes into the world, heals people and raises people from the dead, you should probably listen to what he has to say. When someone predicts his own death and resurrection, and then does it, you better listen to what he has to say. 2,000 years ago, God came to the earth born as a man, Jesus Christ. He had one mission, to die for the sins of the world. He had to do this because people by themselves cannot satisfy the wrath of a holy God. To make it super plain, Jesus died on the cross so you and I would not have to spend an eternity in Hell.

What should you do? What does Jesus command? Two things: Repent and believe. Repent means to turn from your sinful ways and turn to God. Believe means to put your faith in Jesus Christ and nothing else. God offers eternal life as a free gift, you cannot earn a ticket to Heaven. Maybe you think that because you are a good person, God will just overlook your sins and let you into Heaven. The Bible says that no one is truly good except for God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you are everything you claimed to be and so much more. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for healing me from drug addiction and so many other things. Help me to live the Christian life. Help me to share the Good News with others who don't know you. In Jesus name, Amen.

I am Barabbas

2009-09-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

Now at the feast he used to release for them one prisoner for whom they asked. And among the rebels in prison, who had committed murder in the insurrection, there was a man called Barabbas. And the crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do as he usually did for them. And he answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead. And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” And Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. (Mark 15:6-15)

Observation:

We have two men, Jesus and Barabbas. Jesus is an innocent man, Barabbas is a guilty man. Jesus is the Son of God, Barabbas is a child of the devil. A guilty man is going free, and an innocent man is being punished. Barabbas is guilty of murder, Jesus' crime is healing and miracles. This seems to be a lucky day for Barabbas. I'm sure that Barabbas had no idea he was going to be released when he woke up that morning. I'm sure that if it had been anyone beside Jesus who was in this situation, Barabbas would have never been released. It wasn't that the people loved Barabbas, it was because of their deep hatred of Jesus. Barabbas seems to be the first person to directly benefit from Jesus' death on the cross. He is the first person to receive life (in the physical sense) because of Jesus' death.

Application:

When I think about Barabbas, it seems like the ultimate picture of the gospel. The death of the innocent in place of the guilty. If it wasn't for Jesus death on the cross, Barabbas would have died. Jesus received the punishment that Barabbas deserved. I see myself in Barabbas. I am guilty, but Jesus stepped in and died on the cross for me. I am a criminal, in need of an act of mercy and grace. I wonder if Barabbas visited Golgotha when Jesus was on the cross. I wonder if Barabbas looked up and said, "I should be there, I deserve to be there and He doesn't". When I see Jesus on the cross, I say to myself, "I deserve to be there." I think I can learn a lot from Barabbas. I learn about the wickedness of my heart, and I compare it to the grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus shed his blood and gave his life, for sinners who were bound for hell. This is the source of my joy and confidence.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for paying the price for my crimes. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for adopting me as your child. You are so holy and so loving and so merciful. I love you so much, but you loved me first, even while I was still wicked to the core. Thank you for giving me a new heart. In Jesus name, amen!

Children vs. Adults

2009-09-16T22:36:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (Mark 10:15)

Observation:

Jesus is telling us the way to get into heaven. Jesus does this a lot in the 4 gospels. Here Jesus tells us that you must receive the kingdom of God like a child or else you won't enter. To say it more plainly, unless you receive the kingdom of God like a child, instead of entering heaven you will enter hell. Pretty scary thought. Any time Jesus tells us how to enter the kingdom, I think a loud siren should go off! Jesus' warning here does not conflict with the doctrine of being saved by grace through faith. By His grace, it is God who gives us this child like faith that Jesus is talking about. Reading this got me thinking about the difference between children and adults. I noticed that childlike qualities align more with what God is looking for in His followers.

Children vs. adults

1. Children are totally dependent on others, adults strive to be totally independent.

2. Children are quick to believe, adults are very skeptical.

3. Children are humble, adults are proud.

4. Children are weak, adults are strong.

5. Children are very trusting of others, adults only trust themselves.

6. Children are quick to follow, adults want to lead.

7. Children are teachable, adults are stubborn.

8. Children are correctable when they sin, adults justify themselves.

9. Children are honest, adults lie a lot.

Matthew Henry's Commentary says:

Little children depend upon their parents' wisdom and care, are carried in their arms, go where they send them, and take what they provide for them; and thus must we receive the kingdom of God, with a humble resignation of ourselves to Jesus Christ, and an easy dependence upon him, both for strength and righteousness, for tuition, provision, and a portion.

Application:

At 32 years old, I am a "child of God". No matter how old I become, I will always be a "child of God". No matter how much I mature, I will never be considered an "adult of God". Gods kingdom is different from the world. The world says that the older you become the more independent you must be. God says the older you become the more dependent you must be on Him. When I enter the kingdom of heaven some day, I will enter as an absolute child, totally dependent on the grace of God.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for adopting me into your family. Thank you for making me your child. Thank you for the free gift of salvation. Help me to become less and less, while you become more and more. In Jesus name, Amen.

Holiness

2009-09-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

I have been reading R.C. Sproul's book, The Holiness of God, and after each chapter he asks the reader to answer questions about that chapter. Instead of sending my regular daily journal, I decided I would share this with you today, again. Feel free to ask these questions to yourself and share the answers with someone. I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know more about the character of our God.

Question 1. What does it mean to you to be holy, to live a holy life?

Answer: To me, being holy means being separated unto God. It means that when I became a Christian, my relationship with God changed forever, I was no longer His enemy, I became His, and only His, like a marriage. It also means that my relationship with the world and the things of this world have changed. I am no longer driven by the desires of the world, or the false hope it offers. Being holy means that I let nothing or nobody get between me and my walk with God. Being holy doesn't mean I'm perfect, it just means that I don't go anywhere, where I have to let go of the hem of Jesus' robe.

Question 2. How are you trying to renew your mind?

Answer: I am trying to renew my mind in two ways. First by studying the word of God every day of my life. Besides prayer and other Christians, the Bible is the only way for me to hear from God. The second way I am trying to renew my mind is by the things I watch and listen to. I no longer listen to secular music, and I am trying really hard to cut out TV or movies that I know would grieve the Holy Spirit. All the time I am being careful not to condemn others for the music or movies they like, but trying to not to join in, if it is not good for my Christian walk.

Question 3. How do you respond when you realize that God has justified you by transferring to your account all of Christ's righteousness?

Answer: I am in total amazement and speechless when I think about the fact that I have the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The grace of God in justifying me, makes me want to please God by seeking after righteousness. If my salvation depended on 99% Jesus righteousness, and 1% my righteousness, I would go straight to hell because I need all of Jesus 100% righteousness. I so thankful that Jesus did it all on the cross. When I enter the kingdom of heaven, I won't be able to boast that I did anything to be there.

Question 4. What fruit has the Holy Spirit been developing in your life?

Answer: In my life lately, the Holy Spirit has been developing patience. Patience is not something that God just gives you in one day, it must be developed, and it takes time. My job involves working with customers, and if I'm going to show Christ-likeness to those people, I need patience. I have a wife and two children, and if I am going to raise a godly family I need to be patient, and do it with love and joy.

Question 5. In what ways do you want to grow in holiness?

Answer: I would like to be holy in a way, that I don't compromise with the things of the world, but at the same time be totally involved in the lives of unbelievers. I think it would be easy to just live in a cave and be holy. I want to be like Jesus, he was like a doctor among the sick, working in perfect love. I would like to be compassionate to sinners and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Questions about holiness

2009-09-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

After reading a chapter of R.C. Sproul's book, The Holiness of God, he asks the reader to answer 4 questions about what was read. Instead of sending my regular daily journal, I decided I would share this with you today. Feel free to ask these questions to yourself and share them with someone.

Question #1

When you look into the mirror of God's holiness, what do you see? What do you learn about yourself and about God?

Answer:

When I look into the mirror of God's holiness I see the filthy stain of my sin. I learn that there is no good thing in me that can deserve the pardon or the love of God. I see my need for grace and mercy. I also learn that God is totally separate from anything he has created. I also learn that God is totally righteous. I learn that God cannot just overlook my sin. In order for God to remain holy and just, my sin must be dealt with.

Question #2

What do you do with your guilt about your sin?

Answer:

When it comes to the guilt of my sin, I leave it at the foot of the cross. I confess and repent of my sin, asking God for forgiveness. I ask God to forgive me of my trespasses and lead me not into temptation.

Question #3

What does "The just shall live by faith" mean?

Answer:

"The just shall live by faith" means, that we are made right with God by grace through faith alone. We are not made just by any deeds of the flesh. It is a most wicked sin to think that we can earn salvation by any good work. It is a slap in the face, of our Savior on the cross, to try to make ourselves right with God. The thief on the cross was made just by faith in Jesus, he did no good works for the kingdom, all he brought was a criminal record. Our faith is the gift of God, because he is good, not us.

Question #4

How can you worship God for justifying you?

Answer:

I come to worship the Lord with a heart of greatfulness, and deep humility. All I can say is "Thank you, thank you Lord for having mercy on me, a sinner."

Testify!

2009-09-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

... the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. (Mark 5:18-20)

Observation:

Jesus has just cast a large number of demons out of this man. The man is now begging to follow Jesus wherever he was going. It seems like the man, in an instant, was more dedicated to follow Jesus than some of the disciples. The man's great love for Jesus was in proportion to the forgiveness and miracle of Jesus. But Jesus does not let the man follow him, instead he tells the man to go out and share his testimony. The Bible says that he had a powerful testimony that marveled everyone who heard.

"A certain money lender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." (Luke 7:41-43)

Application:

I need to share my testimony more. Jesus has healed me from a serious drug and alcohol addiction. Jesus has rescued me from a life of sin that was going to drag me to hell! This man is a perfect example of what I need to be as a Christian. Sometimes I get so caught up in "life" and the things of this world that I forget to tell people, "Hey, guess what, Jesus saved me from the fires of hell and has given me eternal life, and he wants to save you too!"

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:11)

When God takes the heart of a sinful man and turns it into a heart that seeks after righteousness, that is a miracle. The Bible says that before we are saved we are hostile toward God, and that we are enemies of God. When God adopts us into his own family and changes our wicked hearts, it is a miracle, just like the miracle of the man with demons.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you so much for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for my testimony, my testimony is not about me, its about you Lord. Please give me the boldness to share my testimony with everyone I come across, In Jesus name, Amen!

The Sovereignty of Jesus

2009-09-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

And he(Jesus) awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.(Mark 4:39)

Observation:

The scripture says: And he awoke, It is amazing that he can do this awesome miracle right after waking up. I don't know about you, but I have to eat a bowl of cereal in the morning or something before I have enough energy to do anything. Some of you have to drink 2 cups of coffee just to wake up. Jesus doesn't need anything to perform mighty miracles, all he needs is to speak the words and it is done. This is one of the miracles that proves that Jesus is sovereign over creation, and that he is divinity, God in the flesh.

Psalm 107:29-30
He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad the waters were quiet...

Colossians 1:15-17
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Application:

Jesus is God. Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons don't believe this, but Jesus is God. Don't ever let anyone tell you that Jesus is not God. I find confidence in knowing that God died on the cross for my sins. I find confidence in knowing that the one who will judge me is the one who paid the price for me. I have confidence in knowing that the one who created me is the one who will escort me into the gates of heaven. Jesus has the power to control the wind because he created wind. The sea obeys Jesus' voice because Jesus created water.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word(Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for your grace and your mercy. You are God almighty, Emmanuel, God with us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jesus calls sinners

2009-09-03T22:02:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

Observation:

Jesus is making it very clear that his purpose on earth is for the sinner. The Bible says that all have sinned, so that narrows it down to the entire population of the world. It is true that people who aren't sick don't need a physician, the problem here is that all people are sick with sin, most just don't know it. When Jesus says that he came not to call the righteous, he means that he's not calling those who think they are righteous, because no one is truly righteous.

Romans 3:9-11

For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks after God.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Application:

When I read this verse it made me think of something: Heaven will be filled with sinners, and hell will be filled with the self-righteous. Heaven will be filled with sinners who recognized their need for a savior. Sinners who repented of their sinful ways and recognized the grace of God in the cross. I read this in a book: A sinner washed by the blood of Jesus is more righteous than a man who never sinned a day in his life(which we know is impossible).

Have you ever heard the saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"? It is very true, hell will be filled with a lot of morally good people, who were thought they were just a little too righteous to need Jesus. People who thought Sunday's at church was good enough to make up the difference for their "little sins". 9 out of 10 non-Christians would probably say that if there is a heaven, they're pretty sure they're good enough to get in.

John 3:3

"... unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to convert my soul and lead me into all truth. In Jesus name, Amen!

Repentance

2009-09-02T11:38:00.001-07:00

Scripture:

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mark 1:4-5)

Observation:

This scripture shows the importance of repentance. Repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to God. The word repent is not a popular word because it assumes that someone is a sinner, it assumes that they are at odds with God. I like this scripture because their baptism was a symbol of their turning from sin and confession of sin. Repentance is the first step to becoming a Christian, if you skip that you will have a faith that can't save.

Mark 1:15b

"Repent and Believe the Gospel."

Mark 6:12

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God.

Luke 3:8

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Application:

Repentance is not something I did one time, it is a new life in Christ. Repentance is not like building a house, "I'm workin' on it", no, it is a total surrender and turning from all sin. Repentance goes hand in hand with faith in Christ. If faith is a car, repentance is the wheels on the car, that drive me away from sin, and toward God. Even as a new creation in Christ I fall into sin, and I hate it. But, I'm thankful for the new repentant heart that God has given me. It is because of the God given repentance that I don't do drugs and alcohol anymore, that I don't watch pornography anymore. It is because of God given repentance that I'm totally faithful to my wife, that I don't even want to look at other women. I can't take credit for my repentance or faith in Jesus, they are both a gift of total grace. All I can do is thank Jesus!

Acts 20:21

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for granting me repentance. Thank you for giving me a new heart. Thank you for taking my dead spirit and making it alive. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for my sins. In Jesus name, Amen!

Approving of Evil

2009-08-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Revelation 2:14-16)

Observation:

This is an interesting scripture. Jesus is rebuking the Church in Pergamum for tolerance. There were some in that church who were tripping people up by teaching them pagan rituals. The Nicolaitans are the ones practicing these sins, but it's interesting that they are not the ones being corrected. Jesus is telling Pergamum to repent. Sometimes looking the other way is just as bad as committing the sin yourself. It's kind of funny how in this day and age even in Christianity were taught to be tolerant of just about anything.

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6-7)

Application:

I fall into this all the time. Someone I know who is a Christian or claims to be a Christian, is either drinking, doing drugs, committing sexual sin, speaking foolish things, stealing or cheating, and I don't say anything, in the name of tolerance. Or sometimes I will even join in the foolish conversation. We have this enormous pressure to look the other way. Because when you do say something this is what you always hear, "Don't judge!", or "Stop being such a legalistic Pharisee", "Or take the log out of your own eye first."

In no way do I think I am perfect or holy, but I would hope that if another Christian heard that I was out drinking or flirting with women or doing drugs, that they would confront me about it. That is what Jesus is asking of the Church of Pergamum, he wants them to stop being tolerant and confront the Nicolaitans.

Sometimes I think that I forget that we are in a battle for the souls of men. Sometimes I think I forget that right now on earth there is a battle going on. I'm so busy trying to live in all the blessings and promises, that fellow soldiers are falling left and right and I'm too busy to pick them up and grab my own weapons.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, forgive me for not taking a stand so many times. Help me to live a life of purity and holiness. I don't know anyone who needs your help with temptation more than me. Thank you for giving me everlasting life. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. In Jesus name, Amen!

Heaven or Hell

2009-08-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. (Matthew 25:31-33)

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. (Matthew 25:34)

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons." (Matthew 25:41)

Observation:

These words from Jesus himself, tell us what will happen when we stand before the judgement throne of God. Jesus is warning us in advance so that we may escape the punishment that will fall on so many people. If you read the scripture again you will notice two groups of people, sheep and goats. The sheep are those who are born again, true followers of Jesus. The goats are everyone else, every atheist, every other religion, or anyone who just sat on the fence with regard to Jesus.

Since Jesus is the only person who ever paid the price for our sins, He is the only way to enter heaven. Since Jesus is the very one, sitting on the throne, He is the only one we need know for the salvation of our eternal souls.

Jesus also said this in John 14:6

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Jesus also said this in John 12:26

"Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am."

Application:

Some of the people who get my emails are born again Christians, some go to church but don't really follow Jesus, some don't believe in God at all, and some don't even want to hear about any of this Bible stuff. I hope that you will at least take the time to read these verses from the Bible. I believe these things with all my heart, and I would rather die than say that these things are not absolutely true. Even if you don't think the Bible is the word of God, we can still agree on one thing: Me and you are both sinners! We have both sinned against God ever since we can remember.

God sent his only son Jesus as a free gift. Jesus died on the cross because he knew that we could not erase our own sins. We have sinned against a perfect, holy, and righteous God. It doesn't matter how small or how great the sin, we are forever separated from our Creator. When Jesus died on the cross, he satisfied the justice of a holy God. That is why God can forgive a sinner, but still remain holy himself, because the sins are not just overlooked, but totally paid for. I Pray that you would see what Jesus did on the cross for YOU! The Bible says, if you turn from your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved on the day of judgement! That is good news!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I pray for everyone who receives this letter. I pray that you would open their eyes. Thank you for saving me and transforming my life. Thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for my sins. I pray that The Holy Spirit would awaken the hearts and souls of those who read this. In Jesus name, Amen!

The Evidence for the Existence of God

2009-08-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display his craftmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak;

night after night they make him known.

They speak without a sound or word;

their voice is never heard.

Yet their message has gone throughout

the earth, and their words to all the world.

(Psalm 19:1-4)

Observation:

In the same way that a painting suggest that there was a painter, the creation suggest that there is a creator. When we look at living people, beautiful animals, the sunset, moon and stars, they all point to the character of God. There is not one person on earth who is not surrounded by the canvas of God's masterpiece, creation. If you look at a computer, and how complex it is, you wonder how genius is the man who invented it, and put it together, and made it work. Now look at the human brain, how genius is God, no computer will ever be like the brain.

Application:

Probably the #1 question I get, when I tell people about Jesus, is this: "If Jesus is the only way, then what about the guy who lives on some remote island somewhere, are you telling me he's going to hell because he's never heard about Jesus." This is a good question, and the Bible here shows us that even people on remote islands see the hand of God in creation. Read this scripture from the book of Romans:

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:19-20)

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for creating me. When I look at my wife and my daughter, I see the power of your hand. When I feel my unborn son kicking inside the womb, I know that you are an awesome God, the only one who can create life out of nothing. I pray for my friends, family and co-workers who are lost. In Jesus name, amen!

The Majesty and Holiness of the Lord

2009-08-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

For who in all of heaven can compare

with the LORD?

What mightiest angel is anything like

the LORD?

The highest angelic powers stand in awe

of God.

He is far more awesome than all who

surround his throne.

(Psalm 89:6-7)

Observation:

This is an amazing scripture about the majesty and holiness of God. What blows me away is this: God is so holy, that even the most glorious angel is nothing compared with Him. It makes me think about the mighty seraphim that surround His throne. The Bible says that with two of their wings they cover their eyes. I'm pretty sure they cover their eyes because God is too holy to look upon. It is amazing to read the Bible and learn about God, the ruler of the universe.

Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven's Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" (Isaiah 6:2-3)

Application:

This scripture gives me absolute confidence and joy! Think about it... this same God became a man and died on the cross for me! God the Son, came from heaven and became a man! He didn't come in this heavenly glory that we read about, he didn't come as an angel, but he became a man, born into this world. It's amazing that Jesus came to redeem fallen men. He didn't even die for the angels that sinned, but he died for me, a sinner. That is the amazing grace of God.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Hebrews 2:16

Prayer:

Dear LORD, thank you for your grace and your mercy. Thank you for saving me. You are so majestic and so holy that my brain can't comprehend it. All I can do is offer worship and praise. Please use me. I pray for my family and friends that are not born again, I ask you to remember them before you come back. In Jesus name, amen.

Come close to God

2009-08-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Did you know that God is for you?

Did you know that God is being patient with you?

Please read what the Bible says about God's in

struction to you. Some of you reading this are Christians, some of you aren't. I'm writing this to you because I care about what happens to you, and so does God. All I'm asking is that you read this one Bible verse and read what it's about.

This is what the Bible says:

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:7-8)

This Bible verse tells us 9 things:

1. Don't be proud, but be humble before God

2. You can resist the devil

3. When you resist the devil he runs away from you

4. You can come close to God

5. When you turn from the devil, and turn to God, he comes close to you

6. Our hands our dirty with sin

7. Our hearts are also dirty and need to be purified

8. We need to be totally loyal to God

9. We need to stop being loyal to the world

So you see, even though God hates sin there is still hope for the sinner. This is good news! My favorite part of that verse is where it says come close to God, and God will come close to you. Can you believe that there is something like this in the Bible? It's amazing! I love that part because it is the truth! And the only way to come close to God is by trusting in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ (The Son of God) became a man 2,000 years ago, he came close to you. Jesus came for one reason and that was to die on the cross. When he was on the cross he was punished for every sin you ever committed, that's why God is able to forgive you, because your sins have already been paid for.

God did this as a gift to you! It is the most amazing news you will ever hear! When you turn from your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ, God cleanses you from all sin. He removes the guilt, forgives all your sins and gives you peace! Can you imagine that? Absolute peace and no guilt! Maybe you think God won't do this for you, but I'm here to tell you that Jesus died for the sinner. Please think about these things, I will be praying for you!

Remember: come close to God, and he will come close to you

The Glory of the Son

2009-08-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

Matthew 17:1-2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Observation:

Jesus Christ has always existed. He calls himself the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit(The Trinity), have always existed in perfect harmony. Many theologians say, that when Peter, James and John saw Jesus on that mountain, they were seeing a glimpse of the glory that Jesus had before he became a man. Jesus referred to that glory in the book of John:

John 17:5

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Application:

Jesus Christ is the one who died on the cross for me, he is the one who was punished for the sins I committed. He paid a high price to have me, and every Born Again Christian as his bride. When Jesus became a man he took on a very normal appearance, the book of Isaiah says that he would have no beauty that would make us desire him. But there are other scriptures that give us a glimpse of his heavenly eternal glory:

Revelation 1:16

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Daniel 7:9

... and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames.

Matthew 28:3

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Are you chosen?

2009-07-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

Titus 1:1-2 I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God- who does not lie- promised them before the world began.

Observation:

I read this scripture last night and it blew me away. Paul is a great encourager. This scripture gives me confidence and security and assurance. Some people believe that you can lose your salvation or walk away from it, but how can you lose something God has promised to give you before the world began. If God already knows I will be with him in heaven for eternity, how can anyone change that? Who can separate me from the love of God? There are a few things in this scripture that just scream out at me.

God has chosen us, we don't choose him (Acts 13:48)
We can, live godly lives (2 Peter 1:3)
We can be totally 100% confident we're going to heaven (1 John 5:13)
God made a promise to his chosen, before the world began (Ephesians 1:4-5)
God does not lie (Titus 1:2)
God has already decided in advance who will go to heaven (Romans 8:29-30)

Application:

I am so thankful, I am so humbled, I am so encouraged. How do I know that God has chosen me? How do I know I am one of the people Paul is talking about? I know because God has transformed me, he has opened my eyes, he has revealed himself to me, he has given me a new heart with new desires. God has given me a deep love for Christ, and a deep hatred for sin. I have become a new creation in Christ. This is my testimony, that Jesus is my shepherd and I know his voice.

Prayer:

I pray Lord that you would encourage my brothers and sisters, I pray they would not walk in fear but in confidence that you don't make mistakes. I pray for anyone who is not born again, that you would open their eyes. Help me to spread the good news to my family and co-workers. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jesus gives his altar call

2009-07-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

Matthew 16:24-26 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Observation:

Wow! Jesus' evangelism is way different from mine! In this verse he calls for 3 things if someone wants to be a follower of Christ, here they are:

Deny yourself
Take up your cross
Follow him

This is a lot different from the old "Just repeat this prayer", or "Ask Jesus to come into your heart". I notice that Jesus never uses a "Sinner's Prayer" or asks someone to make a "decision", it's more like, turn your back on your own life and your own desires and be ready to give up your life if you have to. I know that Jesus is not suggesting salvation by works, but he is obviously making a commandment that his true followers will joyfully obey.

Application:

I try to share the Gospel with everyone I come into contact with. 20 years of being a fake Christian has probably given me a different perspective than most people. When I was 8 yrs old I repeated the "Sinner's Prayer", not having any idea what that meant. I'm not even sure why we use a sinner's prayer since it's not found in the Bible. I'ts funny because as a baby I was baptized Catholic, and I didn't know what was going on then, anymore than I knew what was going on when I asked Jesus to come into my heart at 8 yrs old. So I spent the next 20 yrs of my life thinking I was a Christian not even being born again. It wasn't until I read the Bible that I realized that I had been deceived. Maybe Jesus knows something we don't know. Maybe he knows how to call his own followers better than we do.

When I tell people about the grace of God through Jesus, sometimes I'm scarred to use the words of Jesus because they're hard words. Sometimes I think I should just tell people God has a wonderful plan for their lives, and Just have them repeat a prayer. Sometimes I think I should just tell them all the positive things and how their lives will be so much better with Jesus. But then I read the book of Matthew, and I see that Jesus didn't evangelize that way.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I'm just trying to make sense of all this in my head, You command us to share the good news with every creature. I just want to share the gospel and have someone be born again. I just want to be a tree that bears fruit. In Jesus name Amen!

Jesus gives freely

2009-07-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Scripture:

Matthew 14:19-20 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied.

Observation:

Jesus gives us everything that we need. And what is it that we need? It's Jesus. He gives us himself. He freely gives himself to us. It's interesting that he gave these people bread and he called himself "The Bread of Life". It's interesting that all who ate were satisfied and Jesus said about himself that anyone who comes to him would be satisfied.

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

Application:

Jesus satisfies me! Being a child of God satisfies me. Whenever I put my heart in something else, it always leaves me empty. I love my Lord Jesus, and he gives me himself freely. The only way I can love my family, is if I love him first and give him all of my heart. I have the bread of life and I will never hunger again!