Category Archives: Faith

A Call to Repentance and Turning Away from Your Sin

28 Monday Sep 2015

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When it comes to learning, a common method that is often used is ‘repetition.’ The word ‘repetition’ essentially means to repeat a behavior with the end result being a learned trait or behavior. In the educational field, repetition or rehearsal is often used in order to achieve mastery over a certain skill. The mind that God has given us is designed to work within the realm of repeated behavior to learn.

As we do something over and over again, it becomes 2nd nature to us and, as a result, we no longer think it strange to behave in the manner that we learned. It is the constant exposure to a behavior that causes our mindset to change so that what we continue to do is then learned. It then means that certain boundaries that were once in place before the repetitious learning are no longer defensible to one’s mind. Repetition is a lifelong process for learning that obviously begins at our youth. It is this type of education that creates a mode of daily operation in what one has constantly learned to do.

In our world today, the aspect of sin and sinful behavior has taken on an accelerated form of acceptance and even its own lifestyle. We are living in a global society in which ‘anything goes’ which is meant to suggest that one can live as they see fit. Sin and the participation in sin is apart of our nature. This means that a continued lifestyle of sin leads to further sinful behavior because we learn from what we do constantly.

However, Jesus Christ died on the cross for a reason and that was so that you and I could be saved from the penalty of sin. In addition to this, Christ’s sacrifice demands that all who choose, will heed the call to repentance and turn from sinful behavior.

In the book of John chapter 5, Jesus encounters a man at a place called ‘Bethesda’ which is located in Jerusalem. According to verse 5, there was a man who had been lying near a pool and he had been paralyzed for 38 years. The pool was meant to be a place of healing. It is at this point that Jesus asks the man a question:

Verse 6:

(NLV) “Jesus saw him lying there and knew the man had been sick a long time. Jesus said to him,“Would you like to be healed?”

This verse is important to examine because Jesus was asking the man if he wanted to be healed from his condition. When you think about the condition that sin leaves us in, it is a condition that leads to a life of destruction. Sin is what separates us from having a relationship with God, however, it is because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that we all have a way of escape.

The question that Jesus asks the sick individual suggests that Jesus is offering an alternative to the condition. Of course, it also symbolizes that the sick man has a choice to make.

Verses 7-9:

(NLV) “The sick man said, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is moving. While I am coming, another one gets in first.” Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk.” At once the man was healed and picked up his bed and walked. This happened on the Day of Rest.”

Once the man accepts Christ’s offer and he is obedient to the original command to get up, he is immediately healed of his condition. However, there is something else to take note of in verse 14.

(NLV) “Later Jesus found the man who had been healed in the house of God. He said to him, “Listen! You have been healed. Stop sinning or something worse will come to you.””

Not only does Jesus offer a change in the man’s condition but He says “Stop sinning or something worse will come to you.” Other translations of the Bible use the words “Go and sin no more.” Why does Jesus tell this individual not to sin anymore and why does He warn him that if he does that something worse will happen to him? It is clear that the man who had been stricken with paralysis had sinned in his past which caused his condition. It is unclear as to what sin he had committed, but the fact that Jesus tells him not to sin anymore suggests that Jesus knew that his condition was a result of his sin.

In the world that we live in today, many believe that you can seek forgiveness from God and continue to sin as you please. However, just as Jesus made a call for the sick individual to be healed from his condition, Jesus is making the same call to many today. That call is one of repentance. Many are now adhering to the message of ‘God is love’ which is absolutely true. God is a God of love and He wants us to love our neighbor as ourselves.

However, what this teaching or message lacks is the other part which is that God is a God who expects us to be Holy and to abstain from sin. Since God is Holy then we are to be Holy as 1 Peter 1:16 says. Satan desires that we remain in the condition of sin because he understands that we cannot fully please God or have a relationship with Him while we are in our sin. Deception has been infused into our world system and it has even crept into many churches.

God is calling us to repentance which means that He wants us to ask Him to forgive us of our sins. True repentance means that there is an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. However, that is not where repentance ends. The 2nd part to repentance is to actively turn away from your sin and not to return to it. Jesus told the paralyzed individual not to sin again because if he did he would experience worse consequences.

The message of Jesus Christ is both one of redemption but also a call to holiness. The point of being changed from one’s condition isn’t to go back to what was once detestable and sinful, however, it is to commit oneself to the aversion of sin. Even those who do not believe in God believe that the sin that they live in will not and does not equal consequences. However, if you look at the world around us you can see the consequences that exist.

Turning away from your sin is not only beneficial because you will avoid further consequences, but it shows an allegiance and a love for God. At the end of the day, God wants us to choose Him and to love Him with all of our heart. It is the avoidance and remittance of sin that shows God how much we love Him. Truly following Christ involves living in holiness and adhering to God’s Word.

The common argument is that none of us are perfect and that we all sin. This statement is a fact in that none of us are perfect. However, more often than not this is used as an excuse to continue in sin and to take advantage of God’s grace. Another issue is that many would rather not be told that they are in danger of going to Hell because of their sin. Many believe that to be condemnation. However, it would be far worse not to hold each person to God’s standard of holiness by allowing sin to run rampant in the life of a believer or even a non-believer.

Jesus Christ does not offer condemnation, but He offers eternal life. The only way to achieve eternal life is to accept Christ’s sacrifice, repent of your sin and to turn from it. Even those of us who are in Christ must actively pursue holiness because it is what God requires. We as humans will never be perfect in our endeavors, but God does not expect those who are called to live sinfully with the assumption that it is permissible to sin and yet claim allegiance unto God.

The more you love God with all of your being, the less you will desire to sin which means even when you falter it is less likely that you will go back to the same sin. Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? The process for salvation starts at acknowledging that you are a sinner and that you need salvation. Secondly, you must believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. Then you must turn from your sin and seek God in daily prayer, reading His Word, and connecting with other believers in the faith. Today is the day to heed the call to repentance and to turn from your sin.

Spiritual Exercise – Working Out Your Salvation

25 Friday Sep 2015

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ID-100179879Physical exercise is a part of life that is usually encouraged to all who have the ability of movement. It is physical movement that is responsible for the strengthening of one’s muscles, the burning of calories, in addition to increased blood flow throughout the body. The more that you exercise, the healthier that you will become. There are various types of exercises that are designed to concentrate on specific body parts.

Exercises can contrast between light and heavy with a special emphasis on improving bodily function. One type of exercise that is common is known as ‘weight lifting.’ Lifting weights are designed to enhance muscle expansion and overall physical strength. The greater number of repetitions, the greater one’s endurance will be when lifting weights. It is also true as it relates lifting heavier objects. The heavier the object, the greater one’s resistance becomes meaning more strength.

In one’s walk with Jesus Christ, there is also the element of ‘working out’ or ‘exercise.’ Such exercise is done spiritually in various ways. In the book of Philippians chapter 2 and verse 12, the Apostle Paul gives simplistic encouragement to Christians. Paul says the following:

(ESV) “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”

In this chapter, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church of Philippi in which he is encouraging Christians not to be proud and to also have a love for each other. In verses 5-11, Paul also mentions that Christ exhibited humility which we as Christians should also seek to model after. However, verse 12 is a direct challenge to every Christian to work out one’s salvation in fear and trembling. What does Paul mean when he makes this statement?

To work out one’s salvation means that there must be an active process of engaging in spiritual activity. The point is to enhance your own life and the life of others through development in Jesus Christ. There are those who believe that one can receive salvation and that is the end of the process. However, the words ‘work out’ is meant to suggest that one is proactive in their own salvation or salvific experience. How do we as Christians work out our salvation? Here are a few considerations:

Reverence God daily – In today’s time there are those within Christianity who have allowed themselves to lose or not fully understand the fear or reverence of the Lord. God is a Holy God who demands that the creation worship Him and He alone. Many have taken the stance of living in religiosity with rituals but not truly seeking to revere the personhood of God. When you have a ‘fear and trembling’ as Paul says in verse 12 it means that you understand the authority of God. It also means that you are not apt to voluntarily sin which means that you abide by the set standard of Holiness and righteousness.

Paul says in verse 13:

(NLT) “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

Here Paul says that God works in us which means that if we reverence Him then we are automatically obedient unto God because God then gives us the desire to do His will. A Christian should never lose reverence for God or the things of God. Otherwise, a desecration of all that is Holy and righteous begins to occur which is displeasing unto God.

Seek God’s truth in His Word – The Apostle Paul gives Christians another nugget of truth concerning God’s Word in Romans 15:4:

(ESV) “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

The Word of God was written through men by the inspiration of God, but it was written for our instruction and our encouragement. When you and I begin to read God’s Word and allow it to guide us, then we will grow spiritually. The Word of God is also the hope and the only hope that we as humans have. Part of the reason why there is so much confusion in our world is because there has been a deviation from the Bible and its truth.

We are living in a time in which many don’t truly know how to rightly divide the Word of truth which has led to many being deceived. However, God’s truth does not change despite how humanity does. We who are in Christ must know God’s Word and look to it for absolute truth and encouragement. It is what will keep us from being led astray into deception. This is why it is important for you and I to constantly meditate on God’s Word and allow His truth to permeate our heart.

Daily prayer – 1 Thessalonians chapter 5:16-18 says the following:

(ESV) “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The Apostle Paul is once again encouraging Christians through His letter to the church of Thessalonica in which he uses the phrase, ‘pray without ceasing’ which is meant as a directive. We as Christians are to always pray because it keeps the line of communication open to God. God desires that we have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. One way of doing that is through prayer because it invokes reverence and communication unto a Holy God.

When we pray, we are to recognize that our prayer enhances our connection to God and it also keeps us in the will of God. It is prayer that provides safety, change, power, and the ability to access the authority that we have as Christians. It is also important to understand that in our times of prayer, we should seek to listen to God because He will also speak back to us through the Holy Spirit.

Building relationships with those in the body of Christ – The Bible encourages us to build up one another as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We are to edify each other in the body because when we do, it begins to invoke strength and unity. Walking in this life as a loner only leads to a life that is not vibrant or connected and it lacks accountability.

However, we should be accountable to someone else and we should also keep in mind that the struggle we have with sin is a burden that others can assist us with. We are to bear the burdens of one another according to Galatians 6:2.

The ultimate goal of every Christian should be to seek to be Christ-like which stems from one’s devotion unto God by considering and putting into practice each of these three methods. Active participation in one’s salvation is paramount to growth in God. Salvation does not stop at merely confessing your sins before Jesus Christ, but there is a process of salvation which involves seeking God to purify your heart and mind daily.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior? If not, today is a great day to receive salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He died on the cross and rose again so that you could be redeemed. Start the process by accepting this gift of salvation. After you have done so, the journey continues as you become a new person through Christ.

Day and Night – Recognizing the Difference Between the Two

24 Thursday Sep 2015

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DayNightAll of us have been blessed to have the gift of life. While not everyone will pass away at the same exact time period, the one thing we all have in common is that we each have 24 hours a day that God has given to us. In such a time period, there are at least two distinctions that we all use to determine how much time has passed. The first distinction is that of the ‘daytime.’ Daytime or daylight symbolizes light and even movement. To see the light of day is to experience illumination.

While the hour of morning generally begins at 12:00 am, daybreak is usually understood to take place when the sun begins to rise and darkness begins to recede. Thus, the end of the night is declared which means the beginning of the dawn. Then there is also of course the distinction of the ‘night time’ or ‘dusk.’ The night time period represents darkness and for many a time of rest or seclusion from the world. It is usually a time in which you are unable to see because of the darkness that surrounds you.

Spiritually speaking, there is also such a distinction between light and darkness. The Apostle Paul assists us in the illustration by using the phrases ‘children of the light’ and ‘children of the day.’ This reference can be found in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 in verse 5 in which he says the following:

(ESV) “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness”

In chapter 5 of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica. He urges Christians in that church to be watchful for the Lord’s return. Paul does so in the manner of reminding those who are in Christ that they are not in darkness, but that we in Christ are children of the light or children of the day. Why does Paul use both of those phrases concerning Christians?

To be a child of the day or a child of the light, it means that there is a sense of illumination and even a distinction. Paul continues in that verse when he says that we are not of the night or the darkness. This is a declaration to those who are in Christ that there is a separation between those in Christ and those who are in sin. Children of the day are individuals who have allowed Jesus Christ to enlighten their spiritual eyes and their heart.

What are the characteristics of a person who is a child of the day? Here are a few considerations:

Godly Love – This is not meant to refer to love as the world casually uses this phrase, but it is meant to denote a love that only comes from God. The world suggests that love is based on a feeling or that it is conditional. However, love that comes from God is unconditional and it seeks to serve others.

Restraint and abstinence from sinful living – A person who is a child of the day will adhere to a lifestyle that is not one of living in sin. Contrary to much of the false doctrine, one who is truly in Christ will shun evil as Proverbs 14:16 says. We are living in a time in which one can claim Christianity or say that they know God, but yet their lifestyle does not line up with God’s demand for self-restraint and obedience unto His commands.

A person cannot be a child of the light or of the day and allow sin to be within their life. Our world today continues to impress the idea that you can believe in God and be ‘religious’ and yet accept sinful behavior and even the sinful behavior of others.

Allegiance to God instead of to what satan desires – Humanity has now embraced secular humanism and ‘global unity.’ However, we who are children of the day must reject satan’s ploy to unify those of us who are in Christ with the wickedness of the world. Our allegiance must be to God and God alone. Anything less than such a stance is to abide by the lawlessness and sinfulness that is presented to those in the faith.

Such characteristics or dispositions as noted above are just a few of the things that separate a person who is of the day and a person who is of the night. What are the characteristics of a person who is a child of the night or in darkness?

Unrepentant sin – If you look at the world around us, many have taken God’s truth and spiritual and even moral absolutes and made it into a complete lie. It is now acceptable to do ‘what you feel’ is the right thing and to accept a myriad of sins. Those who live in unrepentant sin are doing so because they are unable to accept the things of the Holy Spirit as 1 Corinthians 2:14 says. Their eyes have not been illuminated by Jesus Christ, which means sin is natural which means they are in darkness.

Confusion about what is true and what is a lie – Our world today has become entrenched in the delivery of various mixed messages that many are confused as to what is right and what is wrong. Even many who claim to be Christians have allowed the world to dictate what God has said and what God hasn’t said. It is the person who is a child of the night that cannot understand the truth of God because they adhere to false doctrine.

Rapid decay both spiritually and physically – If you are a child of the night or in darkness then your life will begin to exhibit a decline in many different ways. Outside of Jesus Christ a person’s life cannot be full of peace or safety because there is a staunch opposition to God who gives life in abundance. Various examples can be shown of what a life looks like when it is unattached from Jesus Christ. Many who commit suicide or even those who are caught in addiction are simply mirroring the symptoms of a broken life without Christ.

Just as there is an obvious delineation between day and night, spiritually there is a divide between light and darkness. What the world promotes is a merge between the two, however, if a person is truly in Christ then such a merger cannot take place because the world will not accept the things or the people of God as they are. To a sinner who chooses to reject God, anything that resembles His light cannot and will not be accepted.

The reason for this is because, where there is light the darkness begins to fade. That is how the life of every Christian should operate. Are you a child of the day or a child of the night? If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you are living in darkness. Jesus came and died so that you could be a child of the day. The world is rapidly changing for the worse, but there is hope in Jesus Christ. Accept His gift of life and allow God to show you His marvelous light.

A Change of Heart – From Darkness into the Light of Christ

24 Thursday Sep 2015

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Surgical procedures have been a part of human and medical history for quite some time. The purpose of performing surgery is to either remove an infected or non-working body part or to replace it with a fully functioning part that enhances one’s life while increasing longevity. Such procedures include the amputation of limbs, removing cancerous cells and tumors, and even knee replacement. There is also such a surgery called a ‘heart transplant.’

The very first heart transplant took place on December 3rd, 1963, in Cape Town South Africa. A man by the name of Lewis Washkansky who was 53 years old received a new heart from a 25-year-old woman by the name of Denise Darvall. At the time, it was a revolutionary surgery which paved the way for future heart transplants worldwide. Such a medical advancement has led to those with chronic heart ailments suddenly finding a 2nd chance at life even if it means living an extra 5-7 years.

The concept of a heart transplant is to exchange a heart that is in poor condition for a heart that is considerably healthier. Spiritually speaking, all of us have an opportunity to experience a change within our heart because of God through Jesus Christ. In the book of Ezekiel Chapter 11, Ezekiel who was one of the many prophets that God used is seen recounting a vision that God had given to him. This vision encompassed Ezekiel seeing the leaders of Israel being judged for their allowance of sin.

In verses 1-12 of this chapter, Ezekiel speaks to Jaazaniah and Pelatiah who are the leaders of Israel. God gives Ezekiel the command to tell them what the Word of God would be towards the leadership and the nation of Israel for their sinfulness and disobedience unto God. In verses 5-12, Ezekiel prophesies the punishment that would occur to the leaders and those who would remain in disobedience.

In verse 13, Pelatiah is then struck dead which leaves Ezekiel wondering what would befall the rest who were in Israel. Here is what God says to Ezekiel in verses 14-16:

(NLV) “Then the Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, your brothers, your family, those who were driven out of the land, and all the people of Israel are those of whom the people of Jerusalem have said, ‘They have gone far away from the Lord. This land has been given to us for our own.’ So tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “I sent them far away among the nations. I divided them among the countries. But still I was a holy place for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.”’

Verse 17:

(NLV) “So tell them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: “I will gather you from the nations. I will gather you together out of the countries where you have been divided. And I will give you the land of Israel.””

At that particular time, there was a group of people who were taken into captivity into the land of Babylon. They had left the land of Jerusalem, however, those who were still in Jerusalem were obstinate and believed that the land belonged to them instead. However, God promised to restore those who were exiled, into their rightful place in addition to the fact that God had been their their place of sanctity. Here is what God had also promised in verses 18-21:

(NLV) “When they return to it, they will take away all its hated and sinful things. I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will walk in My Laws and keep them, and obey them. They will be My people, and I will be their God.”

Verse 21:

(NLV) “But as for those whose hearts go after their hated and sinful things, I will bring their actions upon their own heads,” says the Lord God.”

There are a couple of key points that can be extracted from verses 18-21:

  1. God can transform the heart of every human being – All of us are born into sin when we enter into this world. This means that our heart is automatically filled with sinfulness and darkness because of the sin of Adam & Eve. However, the remedy for a transformation of the heart is through Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross and He rose again from the dead so that we would be redeemed. However, if you and I have not accepted this gift of life then our heart is still unchanged.

    Jeremiah 17:9 says, (ESV) “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

    Sin is what resides within our heart because of our sinful nature, but we need God through Jesus Christ to renew our heart and to make it pure. Just as a person who has a heart transplant does so to remove a bad or failing heart in exchange for a new one, all of us are in need of a spiritual conversion. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that our heart can be changed, but we must surrender our lives unto Christ.

  2. The person who remains in their sin will suffer the consequences – In verse 21 of Ezekiel chapter 11, God declares to Ezekiel that those whose hearts are seeking after sinful things will eventually meet their demise based on what they have chosen to do. The fact is that a person whose heart is steeped within sinfulness is a person who will ultimately come to destruction both physically and spiritually. Since wickedness is within our heart from the very beginning, then it is the same wickedness that will lead us down a path that is destructive. The evidence can be seen throughout our world. Crime, political corruption, and various types of self-abuse and even abuse towards others are symptoms of the wickedness that reside within the heart of those without Christ.

    The remedy to such darkness is to be enlightened through Jesus Christ. God wants each of us to experience His fullness and to have our eyes illuminated to who He is and to the world around us. However, all of us must come to a point of surrender which means that we must confess our sins unto Jesus Christ. Without a remission of sin and an acceptance of Jesus Christ, then darkness will continue.

Are you in need of a change of heart? Do you suffer from a heart that is cold and callous and in need of the breath of life? Only Jesus Christ can provide the answer to your cold heart. The world offers many ‘solutions’, but the fact is that none of what is offered works. Jesus Christ is the only solution to a world that writhes in pain at the destruction caused by humanity’s sinfulness. Accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and experience the newness of life.

Moving from a Private Relationship with Christ to a Public Declaration

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

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All of us have certain parts of our life that are private and public. For example, it is generally best not to divulge information regarding one’s love life to the public or even to strangers. Usually, if any information is shared, it is within the realm of secrecy with those who are trustworthy. However, there are other elements of life in which it is perfectly acceptable to share publicly. One instance can include one’s general interest such as participating in sports or even being a spectator of sporting events.

Most of us utilize a delineation between what should be shared publicly and what should remain a private matter. However, as it relates to one’s relationship with God through Christ, the question that should be answered is whether or not we who are in Christ should remain private about or faith or not. Should Christians relegate themselves to a private relationship with Jesus Christ? The answer to this question can be found Mark chapter 8. The key verses are verses 34-37.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to His Disciples in which He predicts His own death on the cross. The Apostle Peter then reprimands Jesus in verse 32. However, in verse 33, Jesus rebukes Peter for his reprimand. Notice what Jesus continues to say in verses 35-38:

(NLT) “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

These 4 verses are not only convicting, but these words spoken by Jesus are meant to challenge every believer not only to follow Christ but to lose their life for the sake of the Gospel and for Jesus. In return, one will gain eternal life and a life that is lived with purpose and abundance according to God’s Will. However, notice what Jesus says in verse 38:

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Jesus makes it clear that if anyone is ashamed of the message of Jesus Christ then Jesus Himself will be ashamed when He goes before God in Heaven. Essentially, this means that if we who are in Christ are not in full allegiance to God both privately and publicly, then God will not be pleased with our life. The point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to spread the good news about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the ability that such sacrifice provides for humanity to be redeemed.

Also, notice the words that Christ uses when he says, “these adulterous and sinful days” which is meant to suggest that the people within the culture at that time were sinful and adulterous. If you look at our world today, sin has increased and it has become acceptable to many. God is calling every person who claims to be a Christian to follow Him through Christ.

This means being adamant about one’s relationship with Christ and even one’s stance regarding sin. If you look at the life of Jesus, He openly taught the masses in addition to challenging people to come out of their sin and not to return to it. One other example of a public declaration of faith and allegiance unto God occurred in the book of Acts chapter 4. In this chapter, Peter and John are brought before the Sanhedrin Council.

The Sanhedrin Council were a group of 71 members who were responsible for instituting or approving law within the land of Israel. You can think of them as the equivalent of the U.S. Supreme Court. In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John are arrested for preaching the message of Jesus Christ, and they are later brought before the Council for questioning. In verse 2, there were Sadducees and Priests who found Peter and John relaying the message of Christ and they found it to be appalling.

(NLT) “These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.”

In verses 5-7, Peter and John were then questioned by the Council in which the leaders asked the following question in verse 7, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” Here is the response that Peter and John give in verses 8-12:

(NLT) “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.

For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

If you look at these verses, it is clear that Peter is defending the faith and publicly proclaiming both the healing power of Jesus Christ in addition to the fact that salvation only comes through the name of Jesus Christ. This is a great example of what it should look like for those who are in Christ to unashamedly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter and John were persecuted for standing up for Jesus Christ and they were brought before powerful individuals.

We are living in a time in which there are some who claim Christianity that believe it is better to be ‘private about their faith.’ If you look at these two scriptures from the book of Acts and Mark, you can see that privacy was not a policy as it related to declaring the message of Christ. It is true that everyone must make their own choice regarding their eternity and who they will serve, but we as Christians are not called to be silent.

The goal of every Christian should be to spread the Gospel to the lost, and to be examples of Christ in how we live. Doing so privately only excludes those who are in need of a savior. The fact is that we are all in need of a savior, however, if we who are in Christ do not share the Gospel with others then we are essentially depriving those in their sin of the very opportunity that we had.

There are Christians in today’s society who are afraid of the consequences of sharing their testimony of their spiritual conversion. It is as if challenging someone to come out of their sin and to accept Christ is no longer a priority. Rather, the priority has centered around being peaceful and agreeable with those in the world. However, the Apostles and even Jesus Christ were not timid about God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

We who are in Christ need to have the same tenacity and the same unflinching resolve as it relates to sharing the Gospel. Part of the reason why so much sin is occurring in our world is because there are Christians who know the truth of God but have not openly shared it with others. We who know the truth and who have been transformed must make a decision to let the world know of the salvation that is available. The call is for every person who is in Christ to stand up for God and make a public declaration of what it is you believe.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are apart of those who are lost. Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and His blood was shed for your sins. The amazing gift of life that God has given to you is available, but you must choose Christ. Those of us who are in Christ must publicly declare and show forth the truth of God in what we do and what we say. Privacy about one’s relationship with Christ should not be the norm, but instead our lives should be the shining city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

There is Only One Way to God – Jesus Christ

22 Tuesday Sep 2015

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ID-10071822The world that you and I live in is diverse in its population. There are various belief systems, cultures, religions, and ethnic groups. With such diversification, there has been an introduction of what resides within our world’s culture. In our modern day, it is nearly impossible to live in a nation that has not seen some sort of diversity in one form or another. While there are nations that are considered to be autocratic or heavily opposed to diverse thinking and living, most nations and the people within them have become exposed to some degree. Much of the reason for that is because of technology and how it has become a global means for communication.

With all of the diversity within our world, many have begun to become more open to the idea of ‘global unity.’ This means that there has been a concerted effort to unify humanity regardless of one’s background or belief system. It has even come to the point in which some have even made the statement that ‘there are many ways to God.’ This belief and false doctrine has been one of the many tools that satan has used to deceive even those who claim to be in Christ. However, God’s Word gives you and I the basis for absolute truth.

In John chapter 14, Jesus is speaking to His Disciples as He admonishes them not to be troubled but to have faith in God. It was at this point in which Jesus was explaining to His Disciples that He was soon to be crucified but that He would later return. The Disciples were in a quandary about where Jesus would be going, but He gives them comforting words throughout this chapter. In verses 1-4 of John chapter 14, Jesus says the following:

(NLT) “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

What Jesus is saying in these verses is that He is leaving in order to prepare a place of residence for those who follow Christ as He told His Disciples. He says to the Disciples that they already know the way and to where Jesus is going. The ‘way’ that Jesus mentions is the path to His crucifixion and ascension into Heaven with God the Father. However, Thomas did not understand this which is evident in His question in verse 5. Jesus says to Thomas in verse 6:

(NLT) “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

The answer to Thomas’s question about the way to the place where Jesus would eventually go (which was to Heaven with God the Father) was and is through Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear in verse 6 that He is the only way to get to God. Our world has presented a multitude of lies which come directly from satan himself.

We are living in a time in which you can believe what you desire, and it can be taken as absolute truth. Now, there is a movement in which the embrace of various religions has become more of the norm. If you are a Muslim, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, or of any other belief outside of Christianity it is now seen as morally and socially acceptable. However, the interesting fact is that slowly but surely, those who are truly in Christ are becoming marginalized.

Jesus says in John chapter 15 in verses 18-19 the following:

(NLT) “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

What Jesus says here should be the way that we who are in Christ approach the subject of ‘global unity.’ The emphasis of such unity is for satan to get everyone who will, to agree with his agenda as long as it does not include the truth of Jesus Christ. Basically, it is satan’s goal to get the world to embrace every sort of sin and belief outside of God’s Word. We who are in Christ should keep in mind that we are not to be accepted or embraced by this world. We should also understand that we who are in Christ are not to accept or believe in the false doctrine of those who are apart of this world system.

If we are hated or scorned by the world, then we are in such a position because Jesus Christ was hated first. Our world is now pushing forth the lie that there are many ways to God or to salvation. However, Jesus Christ is the only way. Satan has used the media to indoctrinate both today’s youth and even adults into believing that you can and should accept the various ways that exist in this life.

The truth of the matter is that you and I are free to choose what path we shall take and what we will believe. However, with such choices there are either positive or negative consequences. Choosing to abide by the false doctrine of believing that there are many ways to God will lead to destruction. Jesus Christ is the only way to God and the only way to salvation.

Many have now said that America is a pluralistic society which in many respects is absolutely true. As a nation, America has embraced just about any sort of sinful lifestyle and belief system that you can think of. However, with such a pluralism, there is a degradation and moral decay that exists. Many cannot understand how it is that crime continues to increase, and why we see tragedies that occur daily.

It is because America as a nation and even the world around us has embraced moral relativism and even more so our world has embraced sin in its very embodiment. However, the answer to our world’s problems is Jesus Christ. Christ is the way to receive eternal salvation. Hell is a place that is reserved for those who choose not to follow Christ but to accept sinful living. However, the gift of Jesus Christ is everlasting life.

There are many choices that you and I can make in this life. The world continues to offer the perceived way to happiness and to salvation. However, the way of a world that is in darkness is the way that leads to spiritual and moral decadence. What the media has said and continues to suggest is nothing more than false doctrine. The truth of Jesus Christ and God’s Word is what will last and it is the only truth to stand on.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior? If you are not in Christ, then you are on a path that leads to a life of uncertainty and a destiny that leads to destruction. However, Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again so that you would have life and have it abundantly. Confess your sins and believe in your heart that He is Lord. For those of us who are in Christ, we must ensure that we are not deceived and that we know God’s Word and that we have the Holy Spirit to teach us how to navigate through the world’s deceptions. Jesus Christ is the only way to God.

Seeing Through Spiritual Eyes – What Does God See?

18 Friday Sep 2015

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Vision is a gift that God has given to most of us. Eyesight allows you and I to see the world around us. From colors to shapes, to the very people that are within our vicinity – it is the gift of eyesight that provides the opportunity to partake in the beauty that God has created. The human eye is what sends signals to our brain which then results in understanding what it is that we see. Without eyesight or even poor eyesight, our brain could not properly distinguish or process any images that may or may not be perceived.

Spiritually speaking, all of us are in one of two categories:

    • Spiritual blindness – In a previous blog post the topic of spiritual blindness was examined. To be spiritually blind is to be unaware of one’s spiritual condition, unaware of God and His presence, unaware of our enemy who is satan, and unaware of the world around us. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says that the ‘god of this age’ has blinded many from the light of Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we are all spiritually blind.
    • Spiritual enlightenment – When you and I are enlightened, we are then aware of what God desires of us and we begin to see what He sees. One way that spiritual enlightenment occurs is through God’s Word. Psalm 119 and verse 105 says the following:

      (NLT) “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” 

      The Psalmist David makes it clear in this verse and even throughout this chapter that God’s Word and even obedience unto God’s commands provide a path that is clear and in balance. Verse 105 hones in on the aspect of God’s word being the very thing that gives us the ability to see in darkness. When you think about our world what comes to mind? Is it chaos or confusion? Perhaps you may think of a world that is in a mess in all phases. However, the Word of God is a light to a dark path.

In order to see the world, yourself, and even God Himself we can and must look to God’s Word for guidance. Part of the reason why many are seeing life through a shattered lens is because the sinful nature that we were all born into has kept us from seeing life and even God the way that we were meant to. It is God’s Word that shows us God’s design for humanity.

It is the truth of God through Jesus Christ that provides a blueprint for how you and I are to love one another in addition to loving God with all of our being. However, satan has used deception which has caused many to be spiritually unaware. The lies that satan has fed the masses have altered the vision of many which has caused them to operate in sin rather than in God’s righteousness.

However, you and I can experience liberty and spiritual enlightenment through Jesus Christ. Luke chapter 4 verse 18 says the following:

(NLT) “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,” 

In verses 14-28, Jesus visits His hometown of Nazareth and while there he went to the Synagogue on the Sabbath where He read scriptures. The words of Luke 4:18 are taken from the book of Isaiah chapter 61 and verse 1. These words were chronicled by Isaiah and later read by Jesus. We can see that even in the Old Testament, there are parallels and even mentions of Jesus. However, the point to be made is that it is the Spirit of the Lord and Jesus Christ who have come to set us free.

In our spiritual darkness or blindness, we are bound. However, Jesus Christ has come that you and I would be enlightened and that the truth of God would be manifested in our life. Notice the words that Jesus read, “He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,”.  If you look throughout the New Testament, Jesus healed many of physical blindness but Christ’s intervention in the life of others was not only physical. Jesus Christ intervened and illuminated the heart of those who were in darkness.

When you and I are given the illumination that only God can give us through Jesus Christ, we can no longer see life the way that we saw it when we were in darkness. Your heart in addition to your spiritual sight is changed completely. It is when we begin to align ourselves with God’s Word and in the Holy Spirit that we are able to see what God sees. What does God see? Here are a few things:

    • God sees the heart of every person – 1 Samuel 16:7 declares that humanity looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. If we are looking through God’s eyes, then we will be more inclined to look at those around us for who they are rather than their outward appearance. By nature, we as humans are built to judge others by what we see rather than what is in a person’s heart. When we have discernment and we are seeing through God’s eyes spiritually, it is much easier to look at others for what is in their heart instead of focusing on their appearance.
    • God sees our enemy – Lucifer was one of God’s creations, however, it was because of His pride in the beginning of time that caused him to be cast out of Heaven essentially losing who He was and His position with God. Lucifer became who we know today as satan. Thus, God knows our enemy and his tactics. If we are walking in the Spirit, then we too will come to understand our enemy and we will recognize him when he appears. It is because we are in a spiritual battle that you and I are unable to see satan in the flesh. However, when we are seeing through spiritual eyes, we will see satan and we will know how to address our enemy with weapons that are not carnal or fleshly but Spiritual.
    • God sees the human need for salvation – When you and I are seeing through God’s eyes, we are able to then see the need for salvation which is evident in our sinful nature. The heart of God is for all people and God’s desire is that we all know Him through Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God wishes that none should perish. When we are looking through the eyes of God we begin to see the depravity in humanity and the necessity for the salvation of the lost.

What do you see? Are you looking through God’s eyes or are you spiritually blind? Many within our world have attempted to discover answers to many of life’s most complex questions. However, we as humans do not have the answers or solutions to the problems within our world. Only through Christ will we see what God sees and arrive at the solutions.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior? If not, then you are operating in spiritual blindness.  Allow God to uncover your eyes from the darkness to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Jesus died and rose again so that you could be saved from your sin. Accept this gift of life so that you will have the vision to see what God sees.

On Fire for God – Burning with Passion

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

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ID-100176173In a previous blog post that centered around The Consuming Fire of God, the topic of fire and its characteristics as an element was briefly described. As mentioned in that post, fire not only consumes what surrounds it but it has the ability to spread throughout the vicinity. As long as other elements within its reach are flammable, a fire will not only scorch and destroy but it will spread.

As it relates to the life of every believer, the burning desire for God should emanate from one’s very life. The world around us should know just how powerful God is by not only the words that we speak but by our actions. How we operate daily should be indicative of our relationship with Jesus Christ and the fact that God reigns supreme in our lives. In the book of Revelation chapter 3, we can see that the writer who was the Apostle John is writing to various churches throughout Asia.

While John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, he wrote letters to 7 churches between chapters 2 and 3:

    • The church of Ephesus
    • The church of Smyrna
    • The church of Pergamum
    • The church of Thyatira
    • The church of Philadelphia
    • The church of Sardis
    • The church of Laodicea

Throughout his letters, the Apostle John is given the charge by God to write to each church both encouraging and also challenging those within the congregation and also church leadership. Each of the churches were commended for maintaining their faith. (e.g. The church of Thyatira – Revelation 2:19) However, in a few of the 7 churches there were sins or issues that led to an ineffective influence throughout the continent of Asia.

For example, the church of Pergamum was found guilty of allowing the doctrine of false gods to be taught to the congregation. Even in the church of Ephesus, it was clear that the Ephesians did not love God as they once had according to verse 4 of chapter 2. However, the focus of this post will be to hone in on an important passage that contain words that God had given to John to write to the church of Laodicea.

In chapter 3 verses 15-16 the following words are given:

(NLT) “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

Verses 17-19:

(NLT) “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

The overall issue with the church of Laodicea was that many within the church were unaware of their spiritual indifference toward God and the things of God. First, God’s message to John was to inform the people of the church that they were ‘lukewarm.’ Why does God use that term and what does it mean in the spiritual sense?

‘Lukewarm’ is meant to suggest that an individual or group of people are indifferent towards a matter. Verse 15 says, “that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!” The point that God wanted to impress upon the church of Laodicea was that their actions were neither for God or against God. Rather, what displayed was a cavalier or indifferent approach to how the church operated. Even verse 19 says, “So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

The key point is that God despises anyone who decides to walk on the fence or live in neutrality concerning the things of God. The message that God gives to the Laodicean church is that of being expelled from the very presence of God. God desires that we as Christians burn with passion for Him. In this scripture, God is saying to us even today that there isn’t an in-between. Our lives are either hot or burning in passion for God, or we are cold and we reject God’s truth and love.

The truth of the matter is, God desires that we all burn with passion for Him, however, there will be those that choose to totally reject Him which can be illustrated in coldness towards God. It is key to understand that God wants us to love Him entirely. He doesn’t want pieces of our heart, but He wants us to let Him have the freedom to reign in our lives. In this scripture, the meaning is that God wants you entirely, or He would rather not have you at all.

You and I who are in Christ must burn for God with a passion that shows forth to everyone. Part of the problem within our world today is that there are Christians who are serving in religiosity, but their heart has not been changed to reflect the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Many act as the Laodiceans did which is to portray a life of connection to God through meaningless rhetoric and routine. Yet, the life of those who perpetrate is wicked to the core. The Laodicean church claimed to be rich in wealth but spiritually they were poor as verses 17-19 says.

The indifference that many today show forth is the very thing that God despises. While God also frowns upon those who choose to be ‘cold’ or live in rejection toward Him and His decrees, God makes it clear that He wants you to find your satisfaction and wholeness in Him. God desires that we who are in Christ burn for Him. When we burn for Jesus Christ, the whole world can see the power of God.

We are living in a time in which sinfulness has abounded and many things that were once wrong are now deemed acceptable in our society. However, God is looking for those who are willing to let the fire of God ignite their very lives. Showing indifference towards sin or even the things of God is one of the things that God hates. This is a part of the reason why many within the body of Christ are ineffective because there is a level of neutrality that has taken root within the realm of Christendom.

There are those who no longer fear or reverence God and they feel as if speaking the truth of God isn’t profitable. However, God’s standard and expectation of those who name the name of Christ hasn’t changed. Religion and rituals adhere to a disposition of being ‘lukewarm.’ However, true relationship and true proclamation comes from the heart of a person who is deeply drenched in the Holy Spirit and the fire of God.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? If not, then you have a tremendous opportunity to start the ignition process of experiencing the fire of God in your life. Or, perhaps you are a Christian but your life is lukewarm. God wants to ignite your life with His Holy fire so that the world will know who you stand with and for. God desires that we know Him intimately and that our lives burn with passion. Seek God through Jesus Christ and repent of your sins. Allow God to shape you and to burn away the sin in your life so you can spread His love and His truth to the world around you.

Death by Pride – The Consequences of Ignoring Your Sin

14 Monday Sep 2015

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Have you ever given someone a piece of advice that would have proven to be beneficial and yet the individual scoffed and ignored your words? If so, you might have noticed that at some point the individual who chose to ignore you ended up in a situation that would have been avoided had they listened to your advice. It is the ignorance of a matter that often causes much of the blunders in our lives and even throughout our world. Time and time again, there are warnings that resound in our life and yet such warnings are not taken seriously.

The reason why is because of the element called ‘pride.’ Pride in its most basic definition is the disposition of self-sufficiency. It is to hold to the belief that you know what is best rather than seeing another person’s point of view. In our world today, the element of pride has taken root, more so now than ever. We live in a world in which the very essence of existence is now surrounded by secular humanism or better known as ‘human pride.’ If you look at various television commercials, you will notice that there has been an increase in the rise of human innovation with a focus on technology.

Essentially this means, many are now looking within themselves for inventive ideas rather than recognizing that we as humans do not have the intellectual capacity to do or invent without the direction and power of God. In the book of Proverbs chapter 16, the topic of pride is addressed. Throughout the book of Proverbs, pride and Godly wisdom are mentioned multiple times because King Solomon who was the writer of Proverbs, wanted the reader to understand that a life that is ruled by pride rather than wisdom is a life that is destined for failure.

Proverbs chapter 16 verses 1-5 says the following:

(NLV) “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart. Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well. The Lord has made all things for His own plans, even the sinful for the day of trouble. Everyone who is proud in heart is a shame to the Lord. For sure, that one will be punished.”

In this scripture, the first thing we can extract is that we as humans suffer from pride because it is within our very nature. In the first part of verse 2 King Solomon says “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes” which is meant to suggest that naturally because of our sinful nature, we are more self-reliant rather than reliant upon God. So, in the very heart of you and I is where pride exists. However, it is through the remission of sin and acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice that our prideful nature is altered.

When you and I make the decision to surrender our life unto God through Christ, we are laying down our pride and our own way of living. If you look at our world you can see the consequences which are born out of pride. Many see their way of living as ‘pure’ just as the scripture says in Proverbs chapter 16. Essentially, many ignore their sin because they are spiritually blind to their sin in addition to being resistant to the spiritual things of God.

The lawlessness and the consequences that come with an abundance of sin is based on humanity’s willingness to embrace human pride. If you read further into Proverbs chapter 16 you will see that there is evidence of what happens when pride reigns in the life of a person who chooses not to submit to God.

Verse 5:

(NLV) “Everyone who is proud in heart is a shame to the Lord. For sure, that one will be punished.”

Another translation of the Bible which is the English Standard Version (ESV) uses the word ‘abomination’ rather than shame. In God’s view, it is abominable or shameful for we as humans to operate in our own pride. The reason is because pride is rooted in selfishness which means that God does not have the freedom to reign in our lives. Pride is one of the many sins that were passed down from Adam & Eve unto us as we were born into this world. It is the person who is prideful who does not repent before God. They believe that their actions are not sinful but rather their actions are in purity.

However, our world shows us the very things that occur when each generation operates in blatant un-repentance and pride. Why is it that there is so much gun violence that is occurring in America? Why is it that countries around the world are experiencing governmental upheaval and economic uncertainty? One of the main symptoms is human pride. There is such a concentration on how ‘we’ as humans can build our own empires and solve our own problems.

However, every time we think that we can operate separately from God it becomes a reality that not only is God displeased with us, but that He leaves us to our own devices which usually means demise. King Solomon says that the person who is proud is the person who will meet punishment from God. Another verse confirms this notion.

Verse 18:

(NLV) “Pride comes before being destroyed and a proud spirit comes before a fall.”

The ultimate ending for a person who is prideful and ignores their sin is destruction. There are many who are given the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord & Savior, and yet they ignore the call of God unto Himself through repentance. It is the proud person who says, ‘I am a good person.’ or ‘What I do isn’t that bad.’ However, the actions and words of a person can tell you just what is in their heart. Many have forsaken the ways of the Lord in exchange for their sinfulness. Most don’t want anyone to tell them how to live their own life. Many want to be unaccountable, but the truth is, on the day of judgment, God will give every person what they deserve.

However, you have an opportunity to avoid the penalty that comes with living in sin. Verse 6 of Proverbs chapter 16 says,

(NLV) “Sin has been paid for by loving-kindness and truth. The fear of the Lord keeps one away from sin.”

King Solomon says that your sin and my sin has already been paid for by God’s loving-kindness and His truth. The way that this has occurred is through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross is sufficient to remove the stain of your sin, however, you must be willing to take God’s way out to be saved. Secondly, there must be a fear of the Lord. ‘Fear’ also means reverence in this context. Many (even those who claim Christianity) continue to operate in sinful behavior because they don’t fear God.

Without a reverential disposition towards God then you will believe that your own standard is what brings salvation and the solution to life’s problems. However, God wants you and I to come to Him to lay down our pride. The term ‘death by pride’ essentially means that both a spiritual and physical destruction result from a life steeped in pride. If you don’t believe that it can happen to you, simply peer through the windows of our society and notice how immoral and godless humanity has become. In fact, if you decide to reject God’s decrees and embrace a prideful stance, then you will personally see the negative results.

Humanity has become its own undoing, however, the solution is Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, today is the day to relinquish your pride. God wants to know you and He wants to be your lifeline through Christ in these uncertain times. Pride runs rampant in our society, but the remedy to such pride is to bow down in humility before Jesus Christ. Only in doing so will you experience true freedom and the answer to life’s challenges.

Tools to Equip Every Believer

11 Friday Sep 2015

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ID-100169199A toolbox is a container that houses various assortments of instruments used to repair broken items. Each tool is designed to address a specific need with the intent to incorporate a solution to a problem. For example, a hammer is used to drive nails into a particular surface. If you need to tighten a loose nut or bolt, then a wrench would be useful. Or you may need to turn or even remove a screw which would mean using a screwdriver. Every tool that is available provides efficiency for the task at hand. Without the appropriate tool, then the issue that you may be facing will be unresolved until there is an intervention.

In the life of every believer, there are various tools that God has given to you and I as we journey through this life. The world continues to show us just how sin and a lack of morality have become the culture that many have embraced. If you turn on your television or even if you visit a website dedicated to the latest news you will see just how wicked and perverse our world has become. The fact is, the times that we are living in require a keen focus into who God is and what He desires for our lives. It also means that there must be the utilization of the spiritual tools that God has made available to every believer. This is so that we can be equipped to battle against satan as he continues to attack God’s people every day.

In scripture, there are various verses that we can examine to show us what tools we have available and also how such tools can be used so that we will be armed against the enemy’s schemes. The following are at least five tools that we who are in Christ have at our disposal. These tools are also taken from key verses of scripture to show you that God’s Word gives us all of the answers that we seek regarding life and how to live.

1. The Holy Spirit – The role of the Holy Spirit is to be our comforter and our helper. John chapter 14 and verse 26 says:

(NLV) “The Helper is the Holy Spirit. The Father will send Him in My place. He will teach you everything and help you remember everything I have told you.”

In this scripture, Jesus is talking to His Disciples, and He gives them the promise that the Holy Spirit will be sent to comfort them after His death on the cross. Basically, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will be available once Christ leaves the Earth. Notice the key words in this scripture which are ‘teach’ and ‘helper.’ The Holy Spirit is available to every believer which gives you and I the ability to live triumphantly. The Holy Spirit which is one of the 3 in the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) is here to teach us. With the increasing level of deception in our world, we need the Holy Spirit more than ever.

The role of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all truth so that we would not be deceived and destroyed. Secondly, the Holy Spirit is here to help us. He helps us to avoid the snares of the enemy in addition to giving us the supernatural power to do battle against our enemy. We obtain the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit through seeking God’s presence in prayer and in worship.

2. Pastoral Leadership – Unfortunately, there are some who are in Christ who choose not to find themselves in corporate worship or under the leadership of any Pastor. We are living in a time in which church attendance has dropped precipitously which aligns with the ‘Great Falling Away’ that the Apostle Paul talks about in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. However, God has designed Pastoral care and leadership for the well-being of believers who are not called to serve in that capacity. Every Christian who can should find a Pastor who speaks God’s truth and can teach them the principles of God’s Word.

Titus chapter 1 verses 5-9 mention the characteristics that a Pastor should exhibit. The Apostle Paul encouraged the institution of Elders (which is also aligned with what Pastors are meant to do which is to oversee believers in Christ) within churches. Verse 9 of this chapter says:

(ESV) “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

The role of a Pastor is to give instruction to believers. Someone who is in Christ who does not have a Pastor to teach them in the ways of the Lord is someone who is without protection. The role of the Pastor which is also mentioned in Ephesians 4 verse 11 is one that God put into place for the purpose of leading believers and furthering the discipleship process. It is the role of a Pastor that buffers the enemy so that one’s soul is not left unattended and without sound instruction.

3. God’s Word – We are living in a time in which deception is increasing every single day. While it is important that we who are in Christ have the Holy Spirit, we also need to know God’s Word. It is knowing His Word and taking it as absolute truth that will spare us from being caught in the web of lies that satan puts forth. So many are now accepting what satan has given as truth instead of seeing God’s Word as the truth that is infallible and immutable.

Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 says,

(NLV) “God’s Word is living and powerful. It is sharper than a sword that cuts both ways. It cuts straight into where the soul and spirit meet and it divides them. It cuts into the joints and bones. It tells what the heart is thinking about and what it wants to do.”

This scripture clearly states that God’s Word is ‘living and powerful.’ It is so powerful that the writer says that it is sharper than a sword that cuts both ways. Basically, it is God’s Word that convicts and brings the truth of God to our mind and our heart. It is the truth of God that cannot be changed despite how much the world around us changes. Using God’s Word as a filter allows you and I to avoid the lies that the world promotes to us daily. Knowing God’s Word and having it in your heart is what will give you knowledge and a baseline for conviction.

4. Prayer – Prayer is one of the most important weapons that we can use against the enemy. When we pray, we are establishing an open line of communication unto God which creates a relationship. Not only are we talking to God, but in prayer God talks back to us. It is like having a relationship with a person which is to say that constant communication builds the relationship. Through prayer, we have safety in addition to receiving the blessings that God desires for us.

Philippians 4:6 says,

(ESV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

God wants to know what is on your heart and He wants us to trust Him to the point that we rely on Him through prayer. Some may contend that if God already knows what we need or desire that there isn’t a reason to pray. However, when we pray it is the dialogue that we have with God that creates a closer relationship. Having daily times of prayer institutes a greater sense of who God is what He is able to do.

5. Fellowship with other believers – Knowing others who are also in Christ and having relationships with them establishes a mode of strength and accountability. In this individualistic society, it becomes so easy for us to be self-absorbed into our own thoughts and lifestyles. However, God created us to be relational which means to have relationships with others.

Hebrews 10:25 says,

(KJV) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

The writer of this scripture wants us to understand that we must not take for granted that we can and should come together in the faith. Exhortation which also means to build each other up is an important part of the process. Weekly interaction with fellow believers gives you a sense of hope and also a sense of connection. This is also why it is important to be connected to a body of believers through regular church attendance.

The overall message is that we must be equipped through Jesus Christ. All of these tools are available to those of us who are in Christ, but to those who are not in Christ these tools cannot be manifested appropriately. If you don’t know Jesus, today is a great day to accept Him as your Lord and Savior. He wants to be your King and He desires that you have access to the tools listed above. In doing so, your life will be enriched and you will have the necessary means to address all of life’s circumstances. This is God’s promise to the believer and those who wish to know Him through Christ.