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5 Things That You Cannot Change

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

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We live in a global society in which there have been enormous sociological changes. From the institution and even evolution of the internet to the change in how humanity has become more globalized than ever before. The introduction of change is ubiquitous. Such shifts in our society have also included cultural changes related to the embrace of homosexuality, abortion, divorce, lack of marital or relational commitment, and a whole host of other issues.

The reality of our world is that the times that we live in have become altered so that you have the option to ‘invent your own truth.’ This means that what you believe is personal and it is not to infringe upon anyone else. We live in an era of unabashed freedom or at least the term ‘freedom’ is used to justify one’s actions. However, what many in our society fail to realize is that despite all of the social changes, there are moral and even spiritual absolutes. More so spiritually, there are at least five key aspects of life that cannot change:

1. Negative consequences that come with living in sin – The Bible is quite clear when the issue of sin is addressed. The Apostle Paul makes a reference to the consequences of sin in Galatians chapter 6, and verses 7-8. Paul says the following:

(ESV) “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

These two verses make it clear that whatever a person sows, is what they will reap. When a person is constantly sowing to their flesh or living their life in sin, then eventually, their life will reap corruption. Our society is decaying rapidly, both morally and spiritually. Many have been deceived to think that you can embrace the idea of what you deem to be ‘acceptable’ without negative consequences. The fact is, that when you are in unrepentant sin, then you are open to being devoured by satan.

Rather, the alternative is to live a life that is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ. As the above scripture says, the person who sows to the Spirit, will reap eternal life. This means, by living for Jesus Christ and rejecting sin, you will avoid the negative consequences of sin. The key is recognizing that we cannot change the negative consequences of sin.

2. The judgment of God – Whether the judgment of God occurs here on the Earth or after you and I pass away, every person will be judged for what they do. God’s judgment is final, regardless of what we think or how much we may balk against it. When God brings judgment upon a nation, it usually means that those within the nation have lived in wickedness.

Concerning God’s judgment, John 3:18 says the following:

(ESV) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

The fact is that anyone who is not in Christ and does not follow His commands is condemned. Our world continues to promote sin while at the same time the judgment that God will bring is unavoidable for those who choose to live in disobedience and according to their fleshly desires. However, it is the person who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and has accepted Him as Lord and Savior, they will be the individual who escapes the wrath of God.

Despite how much we as humans believe that we are in control, we cannot change the judgment that will fall as it relates to those who embrace wicked behavior. The answer however, is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior which is the way to avoid condemnation.

3. The authority of God – In the age of secular humanism, there has been a concerted effort to elevate human ability which is akin to attempting to ‘be God’ or ‘be a god.’ The fact is that we as humans are limited in our abilities. Despite the constant push for deciding one’s own fate, and being ‘the captain of one’s own ship’ the immutable reality is that God is the ultimate authority.

In Genesis chapter 11, verses 1-9 tells the story of ‘The Tower of Babel.’ In this scripture, it is recorded that humanity at one point decided to build a tower that would reach high to the heavens. In pursuit of such a feat, the people began in their quest to achieve greatness. However, the scripture shows us that eventually God confused the language of the people who attempted to build their tower.

The reason was because the people wanted to assert their own authority aside from God Himself. They were idolatrous because they attempted to serve and elevate themselves. In today’s time, we are living among many who have made themselves to be as God in terms of authority. However, God’s authority supersedes anything that humanity can create. Regardless of what we attempt to do, we must answer to God who is both the creator and the ultimate judge.

4. The Truth of God (His Word) – For many centuries, the Word of God has been debated among scholars and even among those who are unbelievers. However, it is the Word of God that remains true and will remain true for eternity. Psalm 119:89 says:

(ISV) “Your word is forever, LORD; it is firmly established in heaven.”

Regardless of how much our world culture changes or even the times we live in changes, it is God’s Word that will never change. Humanity attempts to denounce and even make it seem as if the Bible is ‘outdated’ and ‘old fashioned.’ However, the words that were written were given by the inspiration of God. Since these words come directly from God, then His words are absolute truth. The truth of God cannot be changed because they are concrete.

Even if our world attempts to nullify what God has proclaimed about sin or even eternal life, His Word cannot be stopped or changed. Everything that occurred in the Bible, and every prophetic Word that was written has and is coming to pass. The truth of God’s Word will always remain, even if society tries to discredit or defame the Bible, it will always stand.

5. God’s love – Regardless of our sin or even the choices we make, God’s love is one thing that will never change. It is the sin in our lives and an active participation in it that creates a chasm between God and humanity. His love is never a question, but rather it is whether or not we will be devoted to Him.

Psalm 136:26 says:

(NLV) “Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His loving-kindness lasts forever.”

God loves humanity and desires that we have a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. It is the love of God that surpasses any other love or figure of love that the world attempts to create. Satan doesn’t want you and I to know God’s great love or to have a relationship with Him. This is why satan uses distractions and lies to put us into a place of separation from God. While the enemy influences us, it is our choice to believe his lies and reject God.

However, God gives each person an opportunity to know Him. His love will never change, which means, as long as you are alive you have an opportunity to know Him. Even if you have made mistakes in your past, God’s love goes beyond what you have done. The question is, will you surrender your life unto Jesus Christ?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are in a place of separation from God. The 5 points named are aspects of God that will never change. Our world is fluid and constantly changing, however, God is the only constant that will always exist. Without Him, then you and I are left up to the devices and ways of this world. Accept Christ today, and allow God to show you just how loving and constant He truly is.

Knowing God’s Will for Your Life

02 Monday Nov 2015

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ID-100268904When traveling on a freeway or even a residential road, you will at some point see a sign that points you into the direction that you want to go. With each moment of travel there is always a destination, however, it involves making a turn that will put you closer or perhaps further away from where you intend to go. For example, it is easy to miscalculate by turning too soon, or by not turning soon enough.

As a result, you may end up lost or further behind in reaching your destination. There are also moments in which we think that we can get to our ending point in our own way, but it may turn out to be a path that creates a loss in productivity and time. Spiritually speaking, we can travel in a direction that is planned by God, or we can travel in our own direction.

If you and I travel in our own direction, it will always lead us astray and we are then no longer in God’s will. How do we know what God’s will is for our lives? A great example of this can be found in the book of Genesis. Chapter 15 is where the Lord gives Abraham a promise which is that Abraham would be the Father of many nations.

It was promised in verses 4-5 of chapter 15. Abraham (whose name was originally Abram) is one of the great Biblical Patriarchs who God would use in order to establish the line that Jesus Christ would later come through. However, in the first portion of chapter 15, God says the following to Abraham:

Verses 1-3:

(NLV) “After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a special dream, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your safe place. Your reward will be very great.” Then Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me? For I have no child. And the one who is to receive what belongs to me is Eliezer of Damascus.” Abram said, “Because You have not given me a child, one born in my house will be given all I have.””

It is clear in these verses, that Abraham’s concern or desire was to have a child at some point. Abraham also states that all of his belongings would be given to Eliezer who was already within Abraham’s house. Eliezer was a relative of Abraham.This meant that by default, Eliezer would be granted an inheritance despite the fact that he is not Abraham’s biological son.

God then makes a promise to Abraham in verses 4-6:

Verses 4-6:

(NLV) “Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be given what is yours. But he who will come from your own body will be given what is yours.” He took him outside and said, “Now look up into the heavens and add up the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “Your children and your children’s children will be as many as the stars.” Then Abram believed in the Lord, and that made him right with God.”

Essentially, it was God’s will that Abraham have offspring because God had promised it. In verse 6 it says that Abraham then believed what God had told him, and it put him in the correct standing with God. The principle to be gained from verse 6 is that when we hear what God has promised us, and we accept it as His will for our life, then we are in the right position to be blessed by God.

However, we will see later in the book of Genesis that there is a scheme to circumvent God’s original plan for a child. In chapter 16, Abraham laments the position that he is in as it relates to not having an heir. In this chapter, Sarah, Abraham’s wife (whose original name was Sarai) is introduced in verse 1.

It is because of Abraham’s lack of an heir and the fact that Sarah had not borne a child that Sarah decided to come up with her own plan. Chapter 16 indicates that Sarah decided that it would be best for her maid or servant Hagar to bear the child that Abraham and Sarah desired.

Abraham agrees with Sarah, and eventually Hagar gives birth to a child who is named ‘Ishmael.’ Once again, it wasn’t God’s will for Abraham to have an heir through anyone else but his wife Sarah. If you look at chapter 17 in verse 16, God specifically says that a child will be born from Sarah’s womb. However, Abraham hearing God’s promise that he and Sarah would bear a son laughs to himself. Notice the exchange between Abraham and God in verses 17-19:

(NLV) “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed. He said to himself, “Will a child be born to a man who is 100 years old? Then Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live before You!” But God said, “No, but your wife Sarah will give birth to your son. And you will give him the name Isaac. I will make My agreement with him and for his children after him, an agreement that will last forever. “

The point to be made is that God’s will is not only perfect, but His will can be known if we are truly seeking to please Him. The problem with Abraham and Sarah is that they did not align themselves with God’s will. In their case, it was due to unbelief that God had the supernatural power to grant them a son even as they were both approaching the age of 100.

You and I can understand God’s will for our life by listening to God for His will and His direction. This is what Abraham and Sarah failed to do. While they both heard what God had promised, neither were willing to surrender or adhere to God’s proclamation. Thus, it caused a setback for Sarah and Abraham because they lost time in the process of attempting to solve the problem on their own.

When you desire to know God’s will for your life, you must be willing to obey His commands, which means that you are willing to follow. Regardless of how strange or erroneous God’s will may sound to you, it is imperative to take His word over your own desires. When you do so, you will find that the outcome of your obedience is fruitful and time will not be wasted.

Secondly, you can know God’s will by hearing the voice of others in your life who are operating out of godly wisdom. God will often use others to confirm what His will is for your life. Even in the Bible, there were instances in which an Angel sent from God would deliver a message to a specific individual. Usually, the message concerned the person’s destiny or proclamation that God had spoken over their life. So, there will be times in which God will give prophetic words through someone else, and they may be unlikely.

A final way that we can understand God’s will is through God’s peace. There is peace that surpasses all understanding when we are in His will. Whenever you are doing something outside of God’s will there is conflict. One example in the passage concerning Sarah and Abraham involves Hagar. In verse 4 of chapter 16, the Bible says that when Hagar saw that she was pregnant with Abraham’s child, she began to hate Sarah.

Hagar was Sarah’s servant, but as a result of Hagar’s hatred, Sarah began to defend herself by creating difficult interactions with Hagar. As a result, Hagar eventually left Sarah. The fact is that Sarah and Abraham’s decision created turmoil which meant there was a lack of peace. This was despite the belief that having a child outside of God’s will would solve the problem. So, it is important for those of us who are following Christ, to recognize the peace that comes from being in God’s will but to also recognize potential chaos that occurs when we do anything apart from God.

Overall, we who are in Christ must be willing to seek the Lord and obey His commands so that we are in His will. When we are insistent upon our own way, then the result is usually negative. The lesson that we can take from Sarah and Abraham is to take God at His word and to allow Him to lead us to the appropriate destination.

For those of you who are not in Christ, you are unable to discern what God’s will is for your life. Perhaps you have your own plan and design that you believe to be the best way to live. The unfortunate part is that any plan that you have outside of God’s will does not and will not lead to success. Success defined in Christ is a life that is lead by the Holy Spirit, which means that you are able to live freely under God and have a life filled with joy.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day to surrender to Christ. Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross, and accept Jesus as your Lord, and repent of your sins. In doing so, you will gain the first step to knowing what God’s will is for your life.

When God Gives You a Warning (Part 2) – Consequences of Ignoring a Warning

28 Wednesday Oct 2015

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If you have ever taken the moment to conduct self-reflection, you may have pondered the many aspects of your life that involved a bad decision and its outcome. Perhaps someone warned you not to do or even say something that would ultimately be to your detriment. In haste and blatant defiance, you do the very opposite of what someone suggested that you don’t.

During your period of reflection, you may feel a sense of regret over your life’s choices. All of us can attest to a time in which we were warned not to do something and yet, in our own pride we bypassed a word of wisdom and reason. The consequences of doing so usually meant an unpleasant experience or even a negative impact relating to your life as a whole.

The fact is that when we are warned of a matter and we ignore a heed to avoid a calamity, there will always be a negative consequence. Some believe that by taking a risk and sticking to what is believed to be the best route, that nothing bad will happen. However, more often than not, the decision to ignore a warning results in the reception of a calamity.

In the book of Jeremiah chapter 25, we can see that the prophet Jeremiah is once again speaking to the people of Judah. As mentioned in the previous blog post, Jeremiah along with other prophets had been tasked with telling the nation of Judah to repent and turn from their sinful ways. As the scripture says in verse 4, the prophets who were assigned to relay God’s message, did so over and over again.

In verses 4-6, Jeremiah tells the people of Judah that they have essentially ignored the many messages that were given by the prophets. However, the consequences of such ignorance is displayed in the next few verses of chapter 25.

Verses 7-9:

(NLT) ““But you would not listen to me,” says the Lord. “You made me furious by worshiping idols you made with your own hands, bringing on yourselves all the disasters you now suffer. And now the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Because you have not listened to me, I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever.”

In the above verses, God’s message to the people of Judah is clear in that, because of their disobedience, their land would be utterly destroyed. The people of Judah had committed many forms of idolatry in addition to living in rebellion. Essentially, the fate that the nation of Judah suffered was that of destruction at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar’s military which later resulted in the people of Judah being held captive by the Babylonians for 70 years according to verse 11.

The point is that, the people of Judah not only ignored the many warnings that God had given, but they eventually experienced negative repercussions as a result of it. Whenever God sends a person to warn or relay His message, those who do not obey will always suffer from negative consequences.

This is why our global society is constantly in a state of confusion and degradation. It is because of the rebelliousness and sinful ways of humanity that our world groans. Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again so that we could be saved from condemnation. In addition to this, God has a standard of Holy living which is predicated upon our obedience unto Him.

When we are obedient and we choose to reject our sinful nature, we are then in the safety of God’s parameters. Satan does not want those who are in sin to understand that wickedness contributes to being in a place of vulnerability. When you are outside of the will of God, you are then open to anything that can and will happen. However, when your life is submitted unto God in obedience, you are no longer vulnerable but you are held in God’s safety.

To ignore a warning is not only unwise but it is allowing your human pride to lead the way to destruction. In our sinful nature, we are all prideful. Pride is what signifies self-sufficiency. It is the mentality that one knows best. Secular humanism does not give credence to God nor does it honor Him. Instead, the secular humanist believes that we as humans are our own god.

However, when a person adheres to this philosophy, the warnings that God gives to us daily are ignored and eventually it leads to a destructive end. Just like the people of Judah were held captive by the Babylonians and also destroyed, the world around us today is showing the same signs of destruction and captivity.

One example of captivity has to do with the growing issue of drug abuse. In America, and even around the world, there is a growing number of cases in which drugs are openly used and abused. Those who fall in that category are captive to the demonic force which satan has deployed. Despite all of the calls for strict drug laws and a reformation of our world system, the fact is that without God, we as humans are left in captivity.

As far as destruction is concerned, we can see the very element of our family structure being destroyed daily. It is because of the choice to embrace homosexuality and even ‘changing your gender’ that we are continuing to see a decline in God’s original order. Even heterosexual couples are seeing the negative effects of divorce for a myriad of reasons.

However, the key is that many warnings have been given over time for humanity to repent and turn back to God. Many prophets, evangelists, and pastors have given God’s Word to the masses for decades. Yet, many choose to ignore the Word of the Lord. With such ignorance, there are consequences. The violence and the eruption of chaos we see is directly tied to the rebellion and choice to ignore God’s warnings.

What is the solution to all of this? The solution is to adhere to God’s warnings by submitting yourself to Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, God has made a way for you to escape His wrath. God wants to have fellowship with you through Christ, but it can only occur when you have accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Then you must repent of your sins and turn from your wickedness.

For those of us who are in Christ, we must also be aware that we are not immune to God’s judgment. God desires that we too are obedient and heed His warnings. God loves humanity, because if He did not, then we would not be warned before a looming disaster. Those who are wise and those who are willing will accept God’s warning and turn to Him in repentance.

When God Gives You a Warning (Part 1)

27 Tuesday Oct 2015

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In the dashboard of every vehicle, there are indicators that are illuminated when a specific issue with the vehicle is found. For example, an indicator may show that a passenger or even the driver is not wearing their seat belt. Or, an indicator may suggest that the oil level within the vehicle is nearly depleted. Each indicator that illuminates within the dashboard is specifically designed to get the attention of the driver.

Such signals serve as a warning to suggest to the driver that the vehicle and or driver may experience an adverse reaction if the highlighted warning is not addressed. In our lives, warnings are often given to us by God in order to save us from an impending disaster. The fact is that God loves you and I so much that He gives us warnings before calamity arrives at our doorstep.

If you look throughout the Bible, there are many examples of God issuing a warning before His judgment and wrath fell. Biblically, the nation of Israel was a major example in the Old Testament regarding God’s warnings and what would occur if sin persisted. However, in the book of Jeremiah chapter 25, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to those in the nation of Judah.

Judah was historically a nation that was sinful as it related to the people choosing to reject God’s decrees. In this chapter, particularly verses 2-8, Jeremiah once again gives a message to the people of Judah for their rebellion against God and their idolatry. Here is what Jeremiah says:

Verses 2-3:

(NLT) “Jeremiah the prophet said to all the people in Judah and Jerusalem, “For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the Lord has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.”

Verses 4-6:

(NLT) “Again and again the Lord has sent you his servants, the prophets, but you have not listened or even paid attention. Each time the message was this: ‘Turn from the evil road you are traveling and from the evil things you are doing. Only then will I let you live in this land that the Lord gave to you and your ancestors forever. Do not provoke my anger by worshiping idols you made with your own hands. Then I will not harm you.’”

In these above verses, Jeremiah makes it clear that he and other Prophets had been tasked with the responsibility of speaking to the same sinful and rebellious individuals. He uses the words, “again and again” when describing the many times that Jeremiah was told to prophesy to the nation of Judah.

The fact is that Judah had ignored the many warnings that were sent through the various prophets that God had anointed to convey His message. Throughout many years, God had used prophets, including Jeremiah, to warn those who were idolatrous and unabashedly disobedient.

What the above verses shows us is that God always gives us a warning or even multiple warnings before His judgement falls upon us. If you look at our world today, there are many signs and warnings that God has and continues to give to us. Daily, there are many elements of the warnings that God makes available.

These warnings are not meant for our destruction, but they are meant as a way to give us an opportunity before destruction comes. Just like any indicator within a vehicle signifies a potential problem before it happens, God’s warnings serve the same purpose.

By looking at your local and national news, you can see the warning signs that God is giving to every human being. For those of us in Christ, the warnings are given so that we are urged to spread the Gospel to every person who is not in Christ. Our mission as Christians should be to share God’s love but also His truth with a world that is lost. Too often, many Christians have lived in silence or have not understood the urgency of the times that we are living in.

Our lives are meant to be a beacon of Christ’s light and this involves actively spreading the Good News so that any sinner can be saved. For those of you who are not in Christ, the warning has been given to you by virtue of the fact that you are reading this blog post. However, this post may not be the only warning but perhaps you have heard someone else sharing the Gospel with you.

If you are not in Christ, then you cannot afford to see the warnings and not heed them. The warnings that God gives is for every person because God does not desire that we experience destruction. The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9, that God wishes that no one perish. It is not His will that you and I succumb to satan’s ploys or his traps.

Instead, God’s love for you and I is so great that He warns us before disaster strikes. Just as many scriptures indicate, a prophet or a messenger was always sent to warn those in sin about the penalty that would occur. Such penalties could have been avoided had obedience been the course of action for those in their sin. However, the result of a steady direction of disobedience will always be that of chaos and demise.

It is important to understand that God’s purpose for giving each person a warning is so that we can be spared from negative repercussions. How great is it to know that God would take the time to warn you before you suffer the consequences? Even in our sin and rebellion, God does not refuse to warn us. Just as Jeremiah and other prophets showed us in scripture, there are many signs and indicators of destruction that will come upon those who embrace wickedness.

The sins that we see in our world today all have consequences that are attached. The violence in the Middle East and even violence within our own nation is an outward manifestation of the warnings that God sends to us. We should not take it for granted when we see abnormal conditions within our world. Even weather patterns that are catastrophic serve as a warning and as a call for every person steeped in sin to repent and turn to God through Jesus Christ.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior? If not, then you are already in rebellion and in sin. Jesus came to die on the cross for your sins so you could be redeemed instead of condemned. Today is the day to hear the Word of the Lord and surrender your life unto Jesus Christ. When God gives you a warning, it is always best to take it as a sign of His love and a chance to amend your ways through the acceptance of Jesus Christ. Even those of us who are in Christ must be reminded that God warns us, which means that we too have an opportunity to avoid calamity.

Overcoming a Generational Curse Through the Power of Jesus Christ

19 Monday Oct 2015

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Everyone has a family history that contains various traits that signify the genealogy and its uniqueness from others. Such traits often include physical characteristics such as skin color, hair color, and even eye color. A person is identified based on their genes and their family lineage. Family history also includes a person’s medical history which involves diseases and other conditions that are within the family structure.

In many cases, what a person’s familial history represents is a continuation of various behaviors or traits that are directly taken from the lineage in question. Often, a person is predisposed to medical illnesses and even personality traits because of the lineage that they exist within. It is as if a person’s heritage dictates who they are and certain aspects of their life that will show forth in the future.

Spiritually speaking, you and I were born into sin because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. The bible says in Romans chapter 5, verses 12-21 that sin entered through one man. Adam’s disobedience is what caused sin to enter into this world. It was at that point that Adam passed sinful nature down to every human being that would be born. This means, that we automatically inherit sin as our nature because of Adam.

However, if you read further in this scripture, the Apostle Paul points out that it is Jesus Christ who has given us the opportunity to be reconciled to God rather than being condemned in sin.

Verses 18-19:

(NLT) “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”

What the above scripture shows us is that although we were born into sin, there is an escape and the one who gives us that open door is Jesus Christ. It is the acceptance of Jesus Christ that turns the tide and breaks the power of sin. There are many who remain bound because of their current sinful position, however, the advocate who is Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from your sin.

Even as it relates to the aspect of a generational curse, the same power of Jesus Christ can nullify and change one’s original destiny. What is a generational curse? In its most simplistic definition, a generational curse is an ongoing occurrence of misfortune and malady. It is the constant state of being under the influence of a curse which usually results in a poor quality of life.

In order for a generational curse to be formed, there must be a seed or seeds sown into a lineage. Throughout human history, there have been many examples of seeds sown that later produced generational curses within family lines. For example, in the book of Exodus chapter 20, God gives a stern warning of what occurs when sin is allowed to remain within a family structure.

In this passage of scripture, God is speaking to the children of Israel when He says the following:

Verses 2-5:

(NLT) “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.“You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.”

Notice that in this passage, God gives the children of Israel the command not to have any other gods but He alone. Also, God says directly that the sins of the parents are essentially placed upon the children. At that time, idolatry among other sins was actively practiced among previous generations. As a result, those who were born were already predisposed to not only the same sinful acts but also the punishment that God would inflict.

Verse 6 however, gives the children of Israel an opportunity to have their potential punishment expunged:

(NLT) “But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”

God is saying in this verse that those who choose to love Him and obey Him will be among those who experience His great love. Essentially, they will be spared from the punishment that comes with disobedience. What occurred during the Old Testament was that children who were born within families that committed sin would experience punishment based on what their parents had done. However, this was usually because of the choice to sin.

Just like we have been born into sin because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, the same sinful nature resides within each familial structure. This means that because we are already predisposed to certain sins, then the likelihood that we would act in the same sinful manner as those who came before us is quite probable. However, this is determined based on the choice to succumb to the sin within our family heritage.

At the end of the day, you and I have a choice to make. Just as the children of Israel were given an opportunity to obey the commands of God and to love Him, we have the option to do the same. Sin is the same as a seed in that when a sinful seed is planted, it will eventually resurface at a later date.

When the seeds of sin are planted throughout generations, then it can become a generational curse to others at a later point in time. The fact is, in my family and in yours, there are those who have sinned which means there are certain weaknesses that have the ability to invade our lives. However, the good news is that you and I can avoid such curses and predispositions through Jesus Christ.

Only in Christ can we break the generational curses that exist within our family structure. For example, if your Father was a habitual user of drugs, then you would be in the trek to do the same thing. However, by choosing Christ as your Lord and Savior, the generational curse and the possibility of committing the same sin can be broken.

Satan wants all of us to be bound by the sins of our parents and family members, or even to be bound by our own sins. However, the power of Jesus Christ can break every chain. You must realize that the choice not to follow the same sinful pattern of your parents is completely up to you. The seeds planted within your family structure do not have to define your destiny.

In fact, seeds of salvation, blessings, and obedience can be planted if you are willing to surrender to Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior? If not, then you are already planting seeds that are based on sin. To turn the tide, there must be a decision to accept Christ and to have a relationship with God through Christ. If you are enduring a generational curse in your family, it can only be broken through Christ. Today is the day to break the chains through the power of Jesus.

Prayer – Understanding Its Purpose and Its Power

16 Friday Oct 2015

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People Praying WallpaperCommunication is the essential piece of life that provides stability within every civilization. As human beings, we are all social creatures which means that we communicate in order to be recognized and to gain an attachment to others. Sociology involves creating relationships with others, in addition to operating within a cultural norm with the intent to abide by a set of societal values. Part of such values is the incorporation of communicating and doing so effectively.

When one communicates well, they are able to express their thoughts and feelings which then means that those on the receiving end understand what is said. However, when there is a lack of communication or even poor communication between one or more individuals there is a loss in the relational aspect. For example, if you were to cease communicating with a family member or a friend then there is a loss in the relationship.

In the book of 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 16-18 state 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 was speaking to Christians in the church of Thessalonica in this particular chapter. Throughout the chapter, he admonishes Christians to be strong in the faith and to edify one another. In the verses above, however, Paul says that we as Christians are to ‘Rejoice always’ and ‘pray without ceasing’. Why does Paul tell us to pray without ceasing?

The Apostle Paul understood that prayer was and is essential to the life of every believer. To pray without ceasing in this context means to pray without a time-gap. It suggests that we who are in Christ must pray without an interval. This means that we are to pray regularly. When we pray consistently, we are making a connection to God in thanksgiving and also rejoicing in praise and in worship.

Prayer becomes a necessary part of the development of every Christian because prayer establishes the line of communication unto God. One of the main purposes of prayer is to create communication and ultimately a relationship between God and humanity. Paul concludes in verse 18 by saying that it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that we always rejoice, pray without ceasing and that we give thanks in all circumstances.

It is God’s will that you and I have a connection to God through prayer. Our world today is predicated upon seeing something to believe it. Many don’t believe in prayer because they don’t believe in God or His existence. So prayer to those in and of the world does not make sense. However, to the believer, it is prayer that builds our foundation in Christ. To understand why we should pray, we must understand the purpose at a deeper level. Here are a few considerations:

1. Prayer provides power – Aside from the relational aspect of prayer, it is power that is produced when we pray. In the passage of Luke chapter 18, Jesus teaches by giving a parable in verses 1-8. In this short passage, Jesus gives the parable of the persistent widow. The story involves a judge who is characterized as someone who did not fear God and did not have respect for humanity.

The judge was essentially a callous and cold-hearted individual who did not see the value of humanity or the importance of submitting to the authority of God. In this parable, there is also a woman who is seeking justice against someone who is her adversary.

Verse 3:

(ESV) “And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’”

In verse 3, this woman seeks justice from the judge but notice that the verse points to her persistence. Here is what happens in verses 5-6:

(ESV) “For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’””

The judge eventually concedes to this woman because she was so persistent. Here is the principle that Jesus wanted his listeners to grasp:

(ESV) “And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?”

The point of this parable was to suggest that when you and I pray, it produces the power for our circumstances and even our surroundings to change. If we are consistently praying, God not only hears us but he will eventually see to it that what we have prayed for (as long as it is in His will) will occur in our lives. The power of prayer is based on our earnest desire to see God’s will accomplished in addition to reliance upon Him for a change.

2. Prayer ignites faith – When you and I choose to pray, we are essentially saying to God with our actions that we are trusting or relying upon Him for what we need or desire. Think of it in the sense of a Father and a Child. A child asks what they desire from their Father because they believe that their request will be answered. Even if the answer is not satisfactory, there is a belief that what is asked can be addressed. The reason is because there is hope and a factor of trust in the parent/child relationship.

God wants us to approach Him in the same manner. Prayer ignites our faith in God because it pushes us beyond what we see with our natural eyesight. The spiritual is made more evident when we enter into the realm of prayer and reliance upon God. Through faith, we then receive revelation and manifestation of what God has to offer to us. By approaching God in prayer, we are surrendering our position and acknowledging that God is supreme.

3. Prayer produces a weapon against the enemy – 2 Corinthians 10:4 says:

(ESV) “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

Since the weapons that we use to fight satan are not fleshly or in the natural sense, it then means that our weapons must be spiritual. One of the ways that we as Christians can battle against satan is through prayer. By praying to God, we are invoking our relationship with God to battle against our foes. There are many battles that we cannot fight in our flesh because these battles are spiritual.

Satan desires to confuse those in Christ by promoting the idea that we can fight a spiritual battle in our flesh. Prayer is one of the many weapons that we as Christians have to not only defend ourselves but to expose the enemy for who he is. God will reveal to you who the enemy is and how to combat his forces when you seek God for direction. It is through prayer that our battle can be won because we are seeking God who then fights for us.

The point of prayer isn’t merely to talk to God but to talk to God in an effort to build a relationship with Him. The other part of prayer is understanding that God then desires to talk back to you. Prayer involves a constant dialogue between God and humanity. It is through this exchange of words or information that our Spirit is fortified for life’s journey.

However, for prayer to be effective there must be an acknowledgment and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? You can have a relationship with Jesus by praying and confessing your sins to Him. There must then be a belief in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again. To take advantage of prayer in its purpose and its power, there must be a relationship with Christ. Find out what God desires to provide through a relationship with Him. Seek God and allow prayer to be the means to change your life and the life of others.

Behind the Scenes – Discerning What is Happening

15 Thursday Oct 2015

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ID-10066972Stage plays have been a form of entertainment for many years. Actors and actresses have and continue to provide pleasure to the masses throughout various genres of the entertainment business. Those of us who have ever watched a stage performance usually concentrated on what and who was set before us. We see the acting and even the scenery onstage, while at the same time what is behind the stage is hidden from the audience.

In order for each production to be successful, work must be done behind the scenes to ensure that what the audience sees is well worth the money and time spent. It is what occurs behind the scenes that creates a finished product in addition to tying together the act as a whole. The viewer is not concerned with what goes on behind the curtain, however, if one were to take a look it would be a discovery as to how the production was put into place.

We are living in a world in which there are so many things that are occurring daily. Just by turning on your local and even national news station you will see the state of the world that we live in. However, with all of the sociological shifts that are on display, there is also a great deal of activity that is occurring beneath the surface. What you and I see with our natural eyes is just what is set before us. However, there is a spiritual undercurrent to the various issues and activities that plague our global society.

In the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 2, the Apostle Paul is speaking to the church in Corinth. In this chapter, he gets into the subject of wisdom and spiritual discernment. In verses 1-5 of this passage, it is clear that the Apostle Paul is re-visiting the church of Corinth because he says in verse 1, “When I first came to you,”. Paul also says in these first few verses that when he came he did not come with elegant or persuasive speech, but rather he came with plain words.

The Apostle Paul wanted to impress the point that what he said did not come from human wisdom but rather through the revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In verses 6-7, Paul makes a reference to mature believers when he says that he speaks in wisdom, but not in worldly wisdom. The wisdom he refers to is that of godly wisdom which can only be discerned and grasped by spiritual connection to God.

Paul then makes a distinction between those who are operating by the Holy Spirit and those who are of the world when he says in verse 8: (NLT) “But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.” The Apostle Paul is saying that those in authority during his time did not understand the things that are only discerned by the Spirit of God. If they had, then they wouldn’t have crucified Jesus Christ. Notice what Paul says in verses 10-12:

(NLT) “But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”

The great thing about God is that He offers an opportunity for all of humanity to see the world and life through His Spirit. However, the only way that this is possible is if we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Paul makes it clear that when you are of the world and operating out of the “world’s spirit” then you are not able to spiritually discern. The world’s spirit is essentially the rejection of God’s truth and God’s Spirit. Paul further explains this in verse 14:

(NLT) “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

Those who are not spiritual or those who are not connected to God through Christ cannot receive the truth from God’s Spirit. Discernment or the ability to see what is truly occurring can only be achieved when you and I are in a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Much of what we see in our world represents what is transpiring behind the scenes.

For example, much of the gun violence we have seen throughout this year in America isn’t just due to mental health issues as many have stated. While mental health may be an issue to a degree, the majority of the cases of violence are based on a spiritual underlining. Satan has used those who are open to his demonic forces to take innocent lives. In order for the issues in our world to be addressed, they must be spiritually discerned and they must be approached from the Biblical and spiritual perspective.

Many within our world are seeing things on the surface, but only through the Holy Spirit can we accurately discern what is truly happening. The tragedies that we see in our world are not just cases of random violence. Much of the issues in our world are entrenched and based in sin and rebellion against God. Politicians are in a quandary as to how to rectify spiritual issues. One cannot address what is spiritual unless they are following Jesus Christ and they are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Paul says in verse 15:

(NLT) “Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.”

We who are truly in Christ and operating in the Holy Spirit’s power, we are able to see beyond what is on the surface. Just like an on-stage production there are mechanisms and activities that are happening behind the scenes. Such occurrences dictate what occurs on stage. In our world, many who are blinded by sin are unable to see what is truly happening.

The person who is worldly and in their sin cannot discern between right and wrong. They are not able to see the reasons our world is operating the way it is. Why is it that year after year, our world leaders are unable to come up with seemingly ‘common sense solutions’? Why is it that violence around the world is not addressed even with various changes in the law?

The answer to such questions is only spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit reveals to those who are in Christ what is truly happening in our world. However, in order to receive the revelation, we must listen to God and also use His Word as a filter to help us as we travel through this world. Spiritual discernment is only available to those in Christ, but the key is that the invitation to salvation is open to all of humanity.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior, then you are not able to spiritually discern. You may have questions as to why the world continues to change and grow worse. The only way to get the answer is by accepting Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and by repenting of your sins. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and allow Him to transform your mind and your heart. Once that takes place, your perspective will change and what you see on the surface will only be a product of what you see behind the scenes.

Wisely Investing With the Life that God Has Given to You

09 Friday Oct 2015

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ID-10058305Investing is a term that is usually associated with money or even time. To invest is to give support or to apply your own resources into an entity or a mission. When you invest, you are giving what you have and placing it into what is hopefully profitable. There is such a thing as a ‘good investment’ and also a ‘bad investment.’ A good investment involves the allocation of resources toward something or someone that proves to be lucrative in the long run. It is the reception of positive gains that results from investing wisely.

However, a bad investment occurs when a resource that is given later yields poor results. Usually when a bad investment takes place, the person who invests does not benefit but rather there is a loss that occurs. Depending upon how poorly resources were invested, the loss may be minor or major. The truth is, with anything in life we are all investing in someone or something. At the same time, God has given each person a choice to invest in their life wisely or unwisely.

In the book of Luke chapter 19, particularly verses 11-27, Jesus presents a parable to a crowd of listeners. It was the ‘Parable of the Ten Servants.’ The overall summary of this parable was to highlight servants of a King who invested what they were given wisely and a servant who did not. Jesus begins with the following verses:

Verses 12-14:

(NLT) “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’”

In these particular verses, it is interesting to note two things:

1. God has chosen you to serve Him and fulfill His purposes – The fact is that God desires that you and I serve and worship Him. He gives you a choice in the matter, but it is beneficial to surrender your life to Jesus Christ so that you will experience the blessings of God. As in the scripture, the 10 servants were called to invest what the soon to be King had given to them. That is what God calls each person to do which is to invest with the life that He has given to us. Once Jesus Christ has been accepted as Lord and Savior, then there must be an investment in God’s Kingdom.

2. Humanity often refuses the Kingship of God – This means that there are those who haven’t given God the ability to have free reign in their life. In the scripture of Luke chapter 19, in verse 14, the people who were to be subjected to the individual chosen to be King in the parable did not want him to have authority over them. We can see blatant evidence of many who have made the choice to reject God’s authority which means that they are not subject to God and His Kingship. If you look at our world today, you can see the signs of what occurs when humanity rejects the authority and leadership of God. There is a de-evolution that occurs when we as humans decide that we want to be our own god or that we want to deny God’s involvement in our lives.

To grasp the principle of investing wisely or unwisely, there must be an examination of the next few verses:

Verses 15-17:

(NLT) ““After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were. The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’ “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’”

In these 3 verses, the servants are called in and they are assessed in order to discover the amount of profit they would provide to the King. In verse 16, one of the servants proclaimed that 10 times the original amount was made off of what the King had given. Of course, the King expresses his gratitude and pleasure towards the servant. In return, the servant was given governorship over ten cities.

In verses 18-19, another servant gives his report to the King in which 5 times the original amount of what was given was produced. The servant is rewarded with 5 cities to be the governor over. However, notice what occurs in verses 20-22:

(NLT) ““But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’”

Based on the above scripture it may seem like the King was a bit harsh towards the servant, because the servant made the claim, “you are a hard man to deal with”. The servant essentially expressed his apprehensiveness and even what seemed to be distrust toward the King and what he does with the funds he is given. However, what the servant should have realized is that the money that he was given did not belong to him but to the King. The servant is then called, ‘wicked’ because he was disobedient and he failed to use what he was given to multiply.

Notice the final verses of this parable:

Verses 24-26:

(NLT) “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’“‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’””

In these verses, the judgment of the King is clear. The King orders that the money is taken from the servant who did nothing with it and that his portion be given to the servant who did the most. The King also instructs that those who use what they have been given well will receive more and those who do nothing will lose what they have.

The final instruction given is that those who despised the King and shunned his Kingship would be executed because they were considered to be enemies of the King. It is quite clear that in this parable the expectation and desire of God is that we as humans use what He has given to us.

All of us were given gifts and talents but also an opportunity to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. A major part of investing wisely is to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. When you and I choose to surrender our lives and forsake our sin out of obedience unto Christ, we then have a new beginning. The reconciliation between God and humanity is only bridged when there is a repentance of sin and a rejection of it through the acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Another part of investing one’s life wisely is understanding that God desires to use each person for His glory. Many are squandering their lives looking for fulfillment in various ways, and yet their lives are wasting away. God wants to use the life that He has given to you to bring others to the knowledge and experience of His great love. Also, He wants to know you in intimacy which comes from an actual relationship with God through Christ.

The final thought to examine is that when we as humans reject God’s great love and Kingship, then we are considered to be His enemies or against Him. As a result, we ultimately lose the benefits that God offers through His blessings when we invest unwisely. To invest unwisely is to either invest in things that have no eternal value or not to invest in the things of God at all.

The question then becomes, are you investing wisely or unwisely? If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, then you are unable to invest what you have wisely. The first step is to make the wisest decision possible which is to give your life to Jesus Christ. He will show you how to live for God and how to live in this life. By having a relationship with Christ, you will know what your purpose is and how to use God’s gifts for His glory and the benefit of others.

God – The Righteous Judge

08 Thursday Oct 2015

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ID-10095619When you think about the word ‘justice’ what comes to your mind? In just about every society, there is some form of a system in place which is meant to provide judgment for those who participate in criminal activity. Justice which has now become a universal goal for humanity is a concept that has not always yielded the appropriate results.

Throughout our world system, there have been countless times in which individuals who were guilty of a crime were exonerated of all wrongdoing. On the other hand, there were individuals who were innocent and yet they were mistakenly charged for a crime that they did not commit. The machine of justice has proven to be both a success and a failure in the eyes of humanity. However, there is one judge who surpasses all others in the delivery of justice and that is the Lord God Almighty.

In the book of Romans chapter 14, the Apostle Paul is admonishing Christians not to judge one another. Throughout this chapter, Paul encourages believers in the faith not to quarrel over what seems to be trivial in nature. For example, in verses 1-3, Paul uses the example of disagreeing on what type of food one should eat and that it is unnecessary to get into disputes regarding the choice of food. Even in verse 5, the Apostle Paul mentions the issue of honoring a certain day as ‘holy’ over another and that Christians should not argue over such things.

In the time that Romans chapter 14 was written, Paul was addressing issues of those who were still torn between keeping the ceremonial Jewish laws and those who were breaking away from such tradition. However, Paul wanted to encourage unity among those in Christ which meant to refrain from judging one another. Here is what Paul says in verses 10-12:

(NLT) “So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’ Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”

The key portions of the scripture to focus on for the purposes of this blog post are the words “we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” Paul also says, “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.” Paul wasn’t just referring to those who are in Christ, but this applies to every person. It is God who will judge and He shall do so righteously.

When most think of a judge it is usually appropriate to assume that the concept of a fair or just ruler is what many expect. The reason why many expect a fair ruling from a judge is because the judge as a figure represents justice or the delivery of fairness. God is the one who we will stand before at the end of our lives. It is His judgment that is final but how He judges is based upon how we live.

For example, there are those who are currently living in their sin and believe that they will avoid the due penalties that come with living in sin. The truth of the matter is that God sees your current actions and you just like I will be judged when life on this Earth is complete. God judges righteously which means he judges with fairness in addition to ensuring that every deed is either rewarded or punished accordingly.

Even those of us who are in Christ, we are going to be judged for what we do. A person who has given their life to Jesus Christ will be judged according to the profession of faith and also whether or not what is professed lines up with what is done. It will be our connectivity to God through Christ that will be examined. This means that if our life is not anchored or secured in Christ that God will remove us from His presence which is according to Matthew 7:23.

So, it is incumbent upon each individual (Christian or non-Christian) to understand that everyone will be judged according to what is done and based on every word that is said. Often times, humanity has shown a level of pride that caters towards assuming the role of ‘being the ultimate judge.’ Basically, the secular humanist does not feel an obligation towards anyone else as it relates to accountability especially an entity that is invisible.

However, even those who choose not to adhere to godly principles will be judged in the end. God who is the righteous judge will ensure that all verdicts and decisions will be handed down justly. You and I will give an account for what we have done in our life. The first thing that will be examined is whether or not a relationship with Jesus Christ was cultivated. If the answer to such a question is yes, then your eternity is certain and it will be spent in Heaven with the presence of God.

If the answer is no, then you can expect to be met with the isolation and fiery result of Hell. The interesting thing about God being a righteous judge is that while His verdicts are always just there are also moments in life when He grants us clemency. This means, that grace and mercy are extended toward us.

How often can you say that you received favorable treatment or were given an opportunity that you didn’t deserve? Such an experience is known as ‘grace.’ It is the offering of what is undeserving or in spite of what was done. Here on Earth, God offers grace even to those of us who do not deserve it. Jesus Christ dying on the cross to save us from our sins was not only an act of love but an act of grace.

You and I are sinful in our nature which means by default, we were meant to be destined for Hell. However, grace is the element that gives us an opportunity to avoid the death sentence that we deserve. God’s grace is available, but the key is understanding that when a decision is made to to accept Christ’s sacrifice, His grace is then extended to us. Those who are in sin can also experience God’s grace but such grace is limited because of one’s allegiance to a sinful lifestyle. It is also important to note that even with the grace of God, His grace is not given with the expectation that we would continue to sin.

Mercy which is also what God gives unto us is essentially the act of not giving what is deserved. To have mercy is to withhold a harsh judgment even when the person deserves what should be given. God has shown you and I mercy because He did not allow the judgment of destruction to override His great love for us. Instead, God’s mercy is what gave us the way of escape which was and is Jesus Christ. In fact, every day that you and I live is a gift of mercy because, in our imperfections, God is still merciful.

The fact is, however, both ‘grace’ and ‘mercy’ have their limitations toward those who are in constant rebellion. Since God is the righteous judge, He will always ensure that every judgment is given soundly and also finally. He decides what the ultimate punishment or reward will be for each person. However, the determination of which we will receive is based upon whether or not we are obedient unto God through Christ.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If your answer is no, then the judgment that God would hand down if you were to die today would be one of separation and destruction in Hell. Don’t wait until it is too late to decide who you will serve. Jesus Christ died and rose again so that you could be reconciled back to God through Christ. The judge who is God will rule in fairness, but He wants you to choose Him today. Once the judgment of God is given, it is final. Today is the day to have a new life in Christ and in doing so, your life, and even your eternal life will be secure in God.

Who Are You Looking to for Guidance? – Seeking God for Direction

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

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Last week on Thursday, October 1st, yet another mass shooting took place in the state of Oregon at Umpqua Community College. The now-deceased gunman shot and killed 10 individuals while wounding another 9. Many Americans and even those around the world are once again pondering the universal question when such tragedies occur, “Why?” Time and time again we have witnessed unspeakable calamities which not only affect the families that were directly involved, but such occurrences have shaken the human experience in a collective manner.

As a result of another mass shooting, many Americans, and even politicians are calling for an introduction to new gun laws to mitigate such shootings from occurring in the future. Some are even calling for a strict plan to address mental health in America. There seems to be so many who are calling for answers as to what should be done to put an end to the violence. Many are seeking human means and solutions to address what is truly a spiritual issue.

Shortly after the massacre took place, the President of the United States was quoted as saying, “our thoughts and prayers are not enough,” which was meant to suggest from his perspective that more should be done to address the ongoing issue. However, the problem with the President’s statement is that it does not take into account that with all action there must be divine providence at the hands of God. All of us desire order and laws to institute accountability, however, how many are willing to allow God to be the basis for their foundation and guidance?

In the book of Galatians chapter 2, specifically, verses 15-21, the Apostle Paul gets into the issue of being justified by faith rather than being justified by the works of the law. In verse 15, the Apostle Paul makes an important note about being Jewish by birth but also not being a Gentile sinner. The reason why Paul mentions this is because, by Jewish custom, following ceremonial laws or a strict adherence to Mosaic laws was implemented habitually. However, notice what Paul says in verses 15 and 16:

(ESV) “We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

What Paul is essentially saying in these verses is that faith in Jesus Christ is what justifies or proves us as acceptable unto God rather than using the works of the law to justify oneself. It is the devotion and honor unto God that gives us the ability to be acceptable instead of looking to the law to create a change in the human heart. The problem with our global society today is that many are looking to the law or their government to execute morality and guidance rather than looking to God who is the one who gives us the formula for morality and godly wisdom.

Much of the reason why many of these mass atrocities continue to plague our world is because of humanity’s irreverence and staunch opposition towards the things of God. Paul says that the works of the law will not justify which means that solely focusing on the law to vindicate or exact true conversion is futile in its endeavors. In America, many politicians are looking to solve issues of violence, drug abuse, financial disparities and a whole host of other issues by doing so in their human will.

However, whenever a nation is not built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ then it will ultimately crumble from within. The fact is that demonic forces have run rampant throughout our world because many within each nation have decided that secular humanism and a deviation from godly principles will solve each calamity. However, when humanity exalts itself or other idols are allowed to be worshiped, then the presence of demons and satanic influences begin to proliferate.

The tragedy that occurred last week in Oregon in addition to various tragedies that have occurred in the past and present history of our world is the result of sinfulness and a lack of reverence for God. The Apostle Paul continues in the next few verses:

Verses 17-18:

(ESV) “But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.”

Verses 19-21:

(ESV) “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

In verse 19 Paul says that through the law, he died to the law. What does Paul mean? Basically, the Apostle Paul was subjected to the law in terms of abiding by various laws in order to maintain order or compliance within society. However, Paul understood that the law is not what brings true morality but rather it is life in God through Jesus Christ. Paul finishes in verse 19 by saying “so that I might live to God.”

Paul says that he died to the law meaning, he does not look to the law as a measurement to fulfill righteousness but rather when life in Jesus Christ is lived, we automatically know the difference between right and wrong. Paul says that it is Christ who lives in him which then results in a life that is lived in obedience unto God. In the final verse, Paul says that if the law grants righteousness then it would mean that Jesus Christ’s death was in vain.

The overall principle to learn is that we as humans should not look to the law or our government to institute morality or to even provide it. The guidance that you and I should be looking to is none other than God through Jesus Christ. Much of the chaos that we see within many nations is due to the corruption and sinful behavior of leadership.

Unfortunately, those who are citizens within each nation are looking to their leaders to legislate and bring change, but such change cannot come at the hands of humanity. The prayers of the righteous and the obedience of those who are willing to seek God is what will foster a revolution. However, tragedies that we have seen will, unfortunately, become common place as long as humanity is insistent upon its own way.

For such calamities to be mitigated, there must be a surrender to the things of God. Even in your own life, there must a relinquishing of your pride and a surrender unto Jesus Christ in Holiness and obedience. Otherwise, your life will not be under the guidance and straightened path of God. It is only in Christ that our lives have order and meaning. Without Jesus Christ, then there is a constant quandary about how to solve problems that arise in life.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior? If not, then you don’t have the necessary key who is Jesus Christ to provide the answers to any questions you have. Our world groans and constantly seeks the answers to various situations that surface, and yet the very answer they seek is found in Christ. Repent of your sins, and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and allow Him to radically change your life.