Tag Archives: Jesus

What is the Answer to the Chaos in Our World?

28 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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On Wednesday, August 26th, a tragic murder shook the state of Virginia and even the United States as a whole. A man by the name of Vester Flanagan who also went by the name of ‘Bryce Williams’ fatally shot and killed two WDBJ-TV employees while on-air. The first victim was 24-year-old Alison Parker who was a news reporter. She was known as the ‘rising star’ in her particular field and was beloved by many of her colleagues, friends and family members. She was also in a serious relationship in which it seemed that she and her boyfriend were poised to enter the arena of marriage.

The second victim was 27-year-old Adam Ward who was a cameraman for the news station. Ward was also involved in a serious relationship and had recently become engaged to be married. The gunman acted with extreme violence and was later found to have committed the act out of anger and resentment over what he stated to be racial and even sexual harrassment during his tenure at the same news station. In the end, the gunman committed suicide while at the same time leaving those who witnessed the horrific news story to ask the question, ‘Why?’ Why is it that such tragedies like this occur every day? Why are we seeing an escalation of violence in our world?

The answers to such questions can be found throughout scripture. God’s Word leaves humanity with available answers to the hard questions of life. It is the map that helps us to navigate through the fiery trials that you and I face. God has given us His word but also Jesus Christ as the answer to the world’s problems. It is Christ who died and rose again in order to give you and I an opportunity to receive eternal life.

In the book of Colossians chapter 1, verses 15-17 sheds light on the questions and even the concerns that many have today as we see the brokenness in our world.

(NLV) “Christ is as God is. God cannot be seen. Christ lived before anything was made. Christ made everything in the heavens and on the earth. He made everything that is seen and things that are not seen. He made all the powers of heaven. Everything was made by Him and for Him. Christ was before all things. All things are held together by Him.” 

The first observation to take note of is that the Apostle Paul says “Christ is as God is.” In this verse, Paul points to the fact that God and Jesus are essentially the same in their being although they are not the same in their function. The Holy Spirit, God, and Jesus are all one or they are triune in their being. So, Paul says that Christ made everything which includes the Heavens and the Earth. The reason this is so is because, in the very beginning, all 3 which comprise the Trinity existed and took part in the creation of everything that was not man-made.

So, if Christ made all things and as Paul says, “all things were made for Him”, then it also means that Christ holds all things together as Paul says in the last part of verse 17. What does Paul mean when He says that all things are held together by Him? You can think of it in the sense of someone who is the inventor or the architect of a product. The original person who creates a mechanism understands what it takes for said mechanism to work. He/she controls the inner workings of what was created because they have the sole responsibility of being its creator.

The reason that we are able to know that Jesus Christ holds everything together is because Christ is also equal with God. Christ is equal with God in being but not in function, however, He participated in the creation of humanity, the Heavens, and the Earth. The bottom line is that Christ is the answer to our chaotic world because He holds everything together. However, why is it that we see a myriad of tragedies on a daily basis? If God is in control as many Christians say, why do such travesties occur? In a previous post regarding ‘The Sovereignty of God’, it was explained to a degree as to why some things are allowed to happen. However, there are at least two other reasons as to why our world is seemingly in chaos.

1. Humanity is insistent on its rebellion against God – Whenever a nation or a group of people decide that they themselves want to be independent of God, they will find that their objectives are futile. Essentially this means that a person who desires to become their own god rather than submitting to God will be met with swift confusion and an eventual destruction. We are sinful beings from the very day that we are born. It is because of our sin that we are prideful which means we desire to operate separately from God who is the ultimate authority.

If you look at the massive increase in violence worldwide, many world leaders are seeking answers in their human wisdom and intellect. Even in America, there is once again a national debate regarding gun usage and who should have gun ownership. Even after Wednesday’s tragedy, many are pointing to ‘mental health’ as the culprit instead of seeking God to find that much of our issues are spiritual. The fact is, a generation of people are ascribing to humanism rather than submitting to God in obedience. Horrific tragedies occur because there is an abundance of sin throughout our world. The more humanity sins and is persistent in violating godly principles, the more we will see demonic spirits wreaking havoc. Until there is a willingness to bow down in humility, then healing will not come to our world.

2. The End Times – In previous posts there have been multiple references to ‘The End Times’ or ‘Signs of the End Times.’ It begs to be repeated because the message about Christ’s return must be taught and proclaimed. The increase in violence and the senseless tragedies that occur daily are a result of the signs of the times. It is up to each person who is in Christ to be open to not only understanding the times that we are living in but to prepare themselves and others for what is to come.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:2 that there shall be an increase in wickedness and selfish behavior. The days that we are living in are the same as it was in the times of Noah. Each generation grows further and further away from God becoming godless in the human existence. As a result, more tragedies abound which leave many attempting to understand how such a loss of life can be conscionable. While many world leaders desire to end violence and live in world peace, the Bible shows us throughout various scriptures that these things must happen before the ultimate victory is won as satan is vanquished at the hands of Jesus Christ.

So, what is the answer to our chaotic world? The only answer to these issues is Jesus Christ. The media, politicians, and even everyday citizens are all wondering what the answer is. Many believe that we can solve these issues on our own. However, many historical facts throughout time have shown that humanity cannot fix these issues because many of the problems are inherently spiritual. The underlying fact is that a world that remains in rebellion against God can only result in the continuance of tragedies.

What occurred on Wednesday is indeed horrific and I am sure you and I wish that no one experience the loss of life that took place. At the same time, there are reasons as to why the violence will not cease. Unless we all surrender unto God with our lives and until Jesus Christ returns, our society and our world will only grow worse. It sounds like bad news, but the good news is that with Christ we are complete.

As the scripture of Colossians chapter 1, verses 15-17 state, Christ is the one who holds everything together. If you don’t know Jesus then your world is already vulnerable. Accept Christ who gave His life for you and experience safety in a time of confusion. Our world seeks answers in the human sense, but the true answers come from God Almighty. It is only in God through Christ that we can understand why these things happen and what God can do to change the course of our world.

More Than Mere Words – Hearing God’s Word and Doing What God’s Word Says

27 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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The phrases ‘Talk is cheap’ and ‘Actions speak louder than words’ are meant to denote the essence of conjoining action with words.  Basically, one can say something without actually doing something which in effect means that one’s words are meaningless. It is very easy to say that you will and yet your actions suggest that you won’t. For example, you might have the ambition to seek a particular career path which can be evident in your words but your actions might suggest that you are not as serious about the career path as you first mentioned.

The truth is that our words are meaningless if they do not show forth the actions that align with what we say. There are a couple of scriptures that we can examine which will point to the principle of not only hearing what God’s Word says but also putting it into practice.  The first scripture is James Chapter 1 and verse 22 which says:

(NLT) “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

It is important to understand the context of this verse and this chapter. James who is the writer of this passage wrote a letter to Jewish believers who were scattered throughout different countries. In chapter 1, James is writing to give both encouragement and instructions in verses 2-16. However, in verses 19-21 James gives instructions to fellow believers in the faith when he says the following:

(NLT) “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” 

The key verse that transitions into verse 22 is verse 21 when James urges Christians to expel the sinfulness within our lives and to accept God’s Word in our heart. This is a call to accept or to grasp the principles of God. However, the qualifier which is verse 22 states that those of us who are Christians should not only hear what God’s Word says but we must do what it says.

Basically, each person who claims to be a Christian or claims to follow Christ must not only make the statement of their faith but they must actively pursue God’s righteousness and obedience unto Him. There are many examples of those who are ‘church goers’ or those who are ‘religious’ but their lives are not a true testament to what they profess. James says that if we hear God’s Word but do not do what it says then we are deceiving ourselves.

The deception that is very common today involves both the unbeliever and those who are not seriously following Christ in both word and deed. To be a Christian is to be the difference maker or to be separated from sinful living and those who are unrepentant in their sin. It is the abstinence from living in a godless disposition or even pacifying behaviors that are against God’s decrees.

The truth is, there are many who say that they believe but yet do not do as God’s Word says. John 14:15 says,

(NASB) “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” 

Much of what we see today is a contradiction of what scripture truly says compared to the lifestyle of those who claim Christianity. Those who claim to be in Christ and yet live in sinfulness are deceived into thinking that they are in the right position with God. However, as John says in chapter 14, our love for God is shown when we keep His commandments. God has not changed His standard of righteousness, but it is humanity that has adopted humanist ideas and operated in pacifism as it relates to sin.

Obedience unto God is not negotiable which is contrary to the way that many are living today. Especially in the Christian faith, it is paramount that the teaching of obedience and the rejection of sin is emphasized more than not. Our submission unto a Holy God is a major part of the test of our love for God. It isn’t enough to go to church Sunday after Sunday or attend Bible Study weekly only to operate in sinfulness after God’s Word has been spoken to you.

One of the tests that every believer must pass to show their love for God is through their obedience which is a result of their actions. However, if we know what God has given us to do both through His Word and the words spoken to us through the Holy Spirit and we don’t follow instructions then there is a price to pay. James 4:17 says the following:

(NLT) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” 

This verse of scripture is short, but it is powerful because it brings accountability to you and I. James says that if you know what you should do and do not do it, then it is sin. Of course this short scripture is meant to be for believers, however, the key is that God’s Word invokes accountability and a standard that we who are in Christ ought to follow. It is considered sin if you know what God requires and yet you don’t do it.

The reverse to this is also that if you don’t know what God requires then you as a believer have a responsibility to understand God’s Word and know what His commands are for yourself. If we are going to show the world what the love of God looks like we must first love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul. God demands that we not only hear His truth  but that we actively personify what His truth says through how we live.

The world sees many in Christianity as hypocritical because many are guilty of professing a lifestyle that is Holy and aligned with Jesus Christ. Yet the same individuals that profess to have a relationship with Christ are the individuals that portray the same image as those in the world. In the life of every believer, there must be a clear distinction between what the world does and what we who are in Christ do. Much of the problem is that many who claim Christianity have lost their fear of God.

God has not changed His standards for Holiness or righteousness. The reverence that God requires is what we must adhere to because God is Holy in every part of His being. Therefore, we should be Holy as God is Holy which means to live in obedience as God gives us instruction through His Holy Word. Are you simply hearing God’s Word and not putting it into practice in your own life? The best testimony you can have is to symbolize the love of God through not only His love and grace unto others but a life that is submitted unto the commands that God gives.

For those of you who are not in Christ, if you don’t know the God of Holiness and righteousness then you have an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that He died on the cross and be redeemed from yoru sin. By doing so you are then able to be free from the chains of sin and you will know who this Holy and righteous God is.

What are You Hungry and Thirsty For?

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10036906All of us have experienced what it is like to be hungry or thirsty. For example, you may find yourself in a hurry to quench your thirst or satisfy your hunger to the point that you would settle for fast food. Or, you may decide to purchase a snack from a vending machine or a local convenience store. You may even take the time to consume a meal that you yourself have decided to cook. Regardless of what you decide to do, the goal is to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger. To be thirsty and or hungry is to experience a normal bodily function which stems from our body telling us that we need to be nourished.

It is important to note that your livelihood and health are dependent upon the type of diet that you have. If you are constantly consuming food that is unhealthy, then your body will pay a price long-term. If you are eating healthy foods, then your body will benefit from the proper nutrition. The key is that our body requires not only food and water so that we can survive, but we must maintain a healthy and balanced diet to enhance the life that we have.

Spiritually speaking, we are all hungry and thirsty for something.  Whether we are seeking to fulfill the desires of our fleshly nature or we are seeking to please God through having an intimate relationship with Him through Christ. We are all hungering and thirsting for something. In the book of Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus is speaking to His Disciples as He gives what is known as the ‘Sermon on the Mount.’ Throughout this sermon, Jesus gives God’s truth through various principles designed to be for instruction regarding how to live.

In verses 3-10, Jesus gives what are known as ‘The Beatitudes.’ These are essentially blessings that come to those who exhibit certain traits or actions that line up with one’s commitment unto God.  Jesus says in verses 3-5:

(NKJV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.”

Verse 6:

(NKJV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”

Verse 6 will be the focal verse for this post in order to extract the meaning of hungering and thirsting. In this particular verse, Jesus says that the person who hungers and thirsts for righteousness shall be filled. Another translation says it this way:

(NLV) “Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy because they will be filled.”

What this scripture means is that anyone who is hungry and thirsty to be in the right position with God shall be filled. This word ‘filled’ also means to be satisfied. Basically, when you and I are seeking after the righteousness of God then we will find ourselves satisfied rather than longing to be filled by what the world has to give. What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

When it comes to seeking God it means to seek God for His Holy presence with the intent to grow closer to Him and to become more like Him. It means that you are also aware of what God loves and what God hates. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to seek after the things of God which means to live in holiness, to love God and others around you, to live in peace, to have joy and ultimately pointing the lost to Jesus Christ. It also means to abhor the very appearance of sinfulness.

When you and I are hungry or thirsty, we begin to seek or search for various methods to satisfy our desire. Verse 6 says that when we seek after righteousness or to be in the right position with God then we will be filled. To be filled is to be satisfied. The fact is that only a relationship with God through Jesus Christ will bring ultimate satisfaction. The reason is because you and I were created to worship God and to know Him in intimacy.

If you look at the world around us, there are constant examples of those who are seeking worldly pleasures that equate to brokenness. Many celebrities have wasted their lives achieving fame, money and self-gratification only to find emptiness. That is because the pleasures of sin were never meant to satisfy our soul. When God created you and I, He created us to love Him and to be loved by Him. The longing desire to know God is within our soul.  Some call it a ‘God-shaped hole’ which is a deep and unfillable hole that can only be filled by the presence of God.

Many are seeking after what this world has to offer. Whether it be the latest gadget, the newest fashion craze, or the abundance of money in your bank account, it is all vanity and it fades. Fulfillment only comes when your life is connected to God through Christ. He gives you purpose and a sense of being. When you are living for God’s righteousness and seeking to please Him, then you will be filled or satisfied.

You can think about the same concept of what occurs when you eat unhealthy food in the spiritual sense. Basically, when we are hungering and thirsting to fulfill our sinful desires we are sowing to the flesh. Galatians 6:8 says,

(ESV) “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.” 

If you are sowing to your flesh or actively participating in unrepentant sin then your flesh will reap corruption which means destruction. Basically, when you choose to have an unhealthy diet your body can no longer function normally. Spiritually speaking, you are operating out of a spiritual death when you are living in sin. The alternative is the eternal life and fulfillment that comes when we sow to the Spirit or seek after God’s righteousness.

The fact is that all of us are engaging in the seeking of either God’s righteousness or our sinful nature. You and I were born into sin which means that the desire to sin is innate within us. However, the remedy is Jesus Christ. We must submit ourselves unto Christ if we are going to break free from the chains of sin. Once Christ has been accepted as your Personal Lord & Savior, you must constantly subject yourself unto the power of the Holy Spirit which means seeking God daily through prayer, worship, and reading God’s Word.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sin, you can start a relationship with Christ by confessing your sin and believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord. We all experience hunger and thirst in the spiritual sense, but the question is, ‘What are you hungry and thirsty for?’ If you are hungry and thirsty for the pleasures of the flesh and you are fulfilling those desires then you are contributing to your own spiritual death. However, when you hunger and thirst after God’s righteousness you shall be fulfilled and have eternal life.

Unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

21 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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If you have been exposed to a certain truth then usually you would find it difficult to stifle the knowledge that you have gained. For example, if you found that there were certain foods or chemicals that proved to be dangerous to your health and the health of your family, you would probably find the time to discuss it with those closest to you. The reason is because the element of truth was divulged which means that you became aware of what was at one point destroying your health. You were unashamed in lifting the haze from the eyes of others. Even if it meant a rebuttal against your new found evidence, you chose to communicate the truth unashamedly.

We are living in a global society in which it seems that just about everything you can think of is permissible. Whether it be committing adultery, being homosexual or transgender, or even the beginning of approving marijuana as a legal drug – there are many behaviors and lifestyles that are seemingly no longer off limits. Our society has grown increasingly sinful to the point that whatever you feel is best is how you should live. However, the caveat in this mentality is that it is now expected that those who disagree with such lifestyles should not tell someone else ‘how to live their life.’ 

This is especially true for those in Christ. It seems that many Christians have become marginalized as it relates to speaking God’s truth to others.  Or, many have purposely sat on the sidelines and avoided the truth of Jesus Christ to avoid a confrontation with others. However, in the book of Romans chapter 1, the Apostle Paul gives his own statement regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and remaining unashamed of the Gospel.

In the first part of this chapter (verses 1-6) the Apostle Paul greets Christians in Rome via a letter that he had written. It is important to focus on what Paul says in verses 2-5 when he talks about the Gospel.

Verses 2-5:

(NLT) “God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life, he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.”

Notice that Paul says in verse 5 that God had given he and other Apostles the privilege and authority to spread the Good News to Gentiles everywhere regarding the things God has done for them. This was so they would believe and obey God which would bring glory to His name. The key word in this scripture is ‘privilege.’ The Apostle Paul understood that it was and is a privilege for all Christians to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who are in their sin.

In this scripture, Paul also uses the term ‘Gentiles’ who were a group of people who were considered to be godless or pagan. There was a major divide between the Jews and the Gentiles because they both stood on opposite ends of the spectrum concerning salvation and how they lived. However, despite the historical implication between the two groups Paul understood that salvation was for all. (Inclusive of the Jews and Gentiles as verse 16 says.)

Going back to the scripture, Paul shows us that it is a privilege and an honor to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who are in their sin. Part of the reason why many Christians and Pastors have deviated from teaching and proclaiming the Gospel is because the sense of it being a privilege and an honor has become lost. How great is it that you and I who are in Christ have an opportunity to be representatives of Jesus Christ? God being the creator of the universe has picked you and I to proclaim His truth to a dying world. There is no other opportunity greater than that.

In verses 8-15 of chapter 1, Paul continues by stating that he longs for fellowship with Christians in Rome.  He also reiterates his willingness to spread the Good News to all which he sees as his obligation or duty as a representative of Jesus Christ. After verses 8-15, the key verses to focus on are verses 16-17.

(NLT) “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Paul makes it clear that he is unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In these two verses, he points to the fact that it is God’s power that is at work during the salvation process.  In addition to this, Paul mentions that the Gospel or the Good News is the message of how we as humans are redeemed or as he says “how God makes us right in his sight.” The process of the transformation from a sinner into a saint is done by faith as Paul concludes in verse 17.

However, the key point of this passage is that Paul was unashamed when it came to delivering the Gospel throughout the world. That is the same boldness and disposition that we as Christians need today. Too often, there have been too many cases of Christians who have capitulated to what the world desires. Instead, we who are unashamed and truly in Christ should push back against satan’s agenda.

If you examine the life of Jesus’ 12 Disciples, each one of them with the exception of the Apostle John, were martyred for the faith.  Basically, they gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus. This is what seems to be missing in Christianity today. Many Pastors and church leaders are so focused on maintaining their membership that they have essentially forsaken the Great Commission.  God isn’t concerned with the number of members that a church has. His concern is whether or not the Gospel of Christ is being proclaimed and whether or not the image of God is being perpetuated in humanity.

It seems that the body of Christ today has lost the actual goal of Christianity. The goal is to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost. Instead, many have allowed a sinful world to dictate what can and cannot be declared publicly. The interesting thing is, many who are in their sin have become more vocal about what it is they believe. We are seeing new movements within our world that have nothing to do with instituting godly values or godly principles.

Those who are unrepentant in their sin are now becoming the majority while it seems those in Christ have become silenced by the media and by the majority. Many Christians today don’t want to offend those in their sin, so they pacify the behaviors of others rather than speaking the truth of God to those who are dying in their sin. In effect, the body of Christ has become weakened because many have laid down their arms and shrank back from the stance of declaring God’s truth.

The Apostle Paul was unashamed of the Gospel and he like many other Disciples during his time were killed for what they stood for. The fact is, the cost that Jesus Christ paid was greater than any persecution (whether it be verbal or physical) that we could endure. If we are ashamed of the Gospel, then it says little to nothing about the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It also says that we as believers don’t care about our fellow humans who are destined for Hell.

If we as true believers fail in our assignment to reach out to anyone who is in their sin, then we are not worthy of the calling that Jesus has given to us. To those of you who are not in Christ, you are the very one’s that Jesus died for. Christ died for all, but He died and rose again so that you and I could be redeemed from our sin. Accept His sacrifice and repent of your sins. The Good News is the story of redemption from destruction and a separation from God. That is the Gospel that must be given to all of humanity. We must share it unashamedly for Jesus Christ.

Why Does God Love Us?

20 Thursday Aug 2015

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Nature which is one of the many gifts that God gives to us provides various testaments to His glory. Whether the elements of His creation are big or small, they all serve as indicators of how marvelous and supreme God is in His splendor. One creation that many do not think much about is the common ant. The ant which is an arthropod is one of the many insects that showcase just how the brilliance of God has translated to creation.

The ant is an insect that is best known for displaying hard work or toil towards a specific task. Day in and day out, ants can be found moving constantly as they build, seeking food and shelter, and carry out the purpose of their natural instincts. It is also said that ants can lift up to 5,000 times their own weight despite their miniscule size. The ant is an amazing creature despite how overlooked they are. However, the ant shares a common trait with humans and that is our lives when compared to such a Holy and magnificent God do not even match His glory.

God is altogether matchless in every inch and portion of His divinity. This is of course not to suggest that your life and my life do not matter.  Our lives matter because we were created by God to worship Him and to spread His glory throughout the Earth and throughout history. However, despite who we are and all of our imperfections the question can be asked and that is ‘Why does God love us?’ What is it about humanity that God would even think about you and I?

In the book of Psalms, the Psalmist David phrases the question of God’s love differently. In Psalm chapter 8 verse 4 he says,

(NLT) “what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

If you look through the Bible there are at least three scriptures which either reference David’s question or directly quote the same verse. They are Hebrews 2:6, Job 7:17, and Psalm 144:3. This is a critical question because when you look at who we are as humans, the fact is that you and I are undeserving of God’s grace and love. We are undeserving because of our sinfulness and the fact that we were all born into sin. David is asking the question of why we as mere human beings are even considered by such a Holy and righteous God.

If you think about it, we deserve Hell and destruction because of the original state that we were all born in. There are many who continue to remain in their state of sin because they either choose not to believe in God’s existence or they are committed to serving their sinful nature rather than living in submission unto God. Romans 7:18 says,

(ESV) “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” 

The Apostle Paul understood that because of his sinful nature that outside of God’s intervention through Christ Jesus that we do not have the ability to ‘be good.’ Sin is the very antithesis to God because His Holiness is the direct opposite of sin which was born out of Adam & Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Based on that fact, it could be assumed that God should have nothing to do with you and I. As David asks, “What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

Why does God love us? Why is it that there are so many tragedies that occur daily and yet humanity is allowed to exist? Why didn’t God destroy humanity in the very beginning and start over? These are questions that many have asked and many continue to ask. However, is there an answer for God’s love towards a sinful and imperfect human race?

Genesis 1:27 says the following:

(NLT) “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” 

The important thing to note concerning that scripture is that God created us in His own image. To be in the image of God is to be made in His likeness or made in His splendor. When you really think about it, there is no one who is greater than God Himself. Since God pre-existed time and space, then it meant that He was the only one who was glorious. Thus, because there was no one before Him and there shall be no one after Him, then the love that He has toward us is based on the fact that we were created in His original image.

Basically, we as human beings are to represent the image and likeness of God. It is because of the introduction of sin that the image of God within us was shattered upon being born into sin. That does not mean that God loves us any less, but the love that God shows to us through grace and mercy is based upon God being love and wanting His image to be shown in us to further glorify Himself.

1 John 4:8 says that God is love which means that all of the attributes of love which are listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 are the exact traits that comprise who God is. So, if God is love then it means that He shows the same love to you and I. God exemplifies what is called ‘Agape love.’ The word, ‘agape’ is Greek which means unconditional. To exhibit agape love is to show forth a love that goes beyond right and wrong.  Basically, regardless of what a person does, the love that was there initially, still exists at the same magnitude.

That is the type of love that God has for you and I. He loves us unconditionally because He is love which means that He was and is the original creator of what love is meant to be. Satan has corrupted the minds of many throughout history to pervert love to be something that it never was. Today, love can be lustful and sexual or it can be based out of greed. It doesn’t mean that love does not encompass sensuality because the term ‘Eros’ is a 2nd Greek term which is the erotic type of love.

However, what satan has done is cheapened the very love that God created and portrayed love to be inherently selfish and self-seeking. The kind of love that God shows is not selfish, but it is based on wanting you and I to experience life and life abundantly through Jesus Christ. God wants all of us to bask in His glory because there is no one greater than He. Regardless of what attractions or pleasures the world promotes, the glorious presence of God Almighty supersedes everything else.

John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus Christ as His only begotten son that whosoever shall believe in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. God’s love never runs dry unlike the love of humanity. We as humans are fallible which means that our lives are unstable. However, when we connect with Jesus Christ we begin to show the attributes of the great love that God lavishes upon us daily.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior then you don’t know the love that God shows to us. You can be a recipient of this love by accepting Christ and committing your life to Him. God has designed you and I to worship Him and experience His glory to the full. Take the time today to commit your life to Christ by confessing your sins and believing in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. This great love that God offers is available to you.

The Coming Judgment of God (Part 2) – Preparing Yourself Spiritually

19 Wednesday Aug 2015

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Full Size ImageThunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and even snow storms are a normal part of the natural occurrence of weather patterns. Each year, we can see both the beauty and the severity that exists as it relates to active weather scenarios. With each storm that approaches there is also the personal responsibility of everyone who will be affected to prepare and prepare adequately. Storms that are severe can and often impose hazardous conditions to those within range.

Thus, it is paramount that anyone who is warned of a looming storm prepare before it actually occurs. Lack of preparation will only lead to a disaster which could mean suffering minor or major injuries or even losing your life. Natural disaster mitigation has become more important than ever before due to the increase in the severity of weather patterns.

Spiritually speaking you and I must prepare ourselves before the judgment of God falls upon the nation that we live in. It is a fact that all nations will be judged by God at some point. In the book of Psalms chapter 9, the Psalmist David is actually giving adoration unto God for the judgment that He gives. Many of the Psalms which were written by David are songs of praise for the attributes and even the many acts that God had done for David in his life.

In chapter 9, David starts in verses 1-2 by giving praise:

(NLV) “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the great things You have done. I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”

Verses 3-6:

(NLV) “When those who hate me turn away, they fall and are lost from You. For You have stood by my right actions. You sit on Your throne and are right in how You judge. You have spoken sharp words to the nations and have destroyed the sinful. You have thrown out their name forever and ever.”

It is clear in verses 3-5 that David found himself in conflict with those who were considered to be his enemies. In Psalm 109, David prayed for the destruction of those who hated him or were against him. However, in Psalm 9, notice that the word ‘judge’ is used. This word is used to indicate that God is the ultimate judge over each person. This means that ultimately God will have the final say over every life and every nation.

Verses 6-8:

(NLV) “Those who fight against You are finished forever. You have destroyed their cities. They will be remembered no more. But the Lord lives forever. He has set up His throne to say who is guilty or not. He will punish the world by what is right. He will be fair as He rules the people.”

These verses point to the fact that God has and will judge the world. David says that God “will punish the world by what is right.” which means that any nation or any person who is not following God’s decrees or His will, will find themselves in a state of punishment as it relates to the wrath of God. As mentioned in part 1 of the topic of the coming of God’s judgment, there will be a day in which God’s judgment will fall.  Sin cannot continue without a penalty. David made it clear that God’s judgment during His time of living was one of fairness and swift punishment against all who rejected God in His righteousness.

If you look at our world today, there are many signs of the coming judgment that God will bring. Various acts of violence occur daily in addition to blatant examples of God’s decrees being rejected by the masses.  The truth is that we are living in a world that is godless.  It doesn’t mean that those who God has called out of darkness do not exist. However, the majority have decided to embrace wickedness and a lifestyle that is open to sinful behavior. Even with the monumental evidence pointing in a direction of accepted sinfulness, there are things that you and I can do to prepare for the coming wrath of God.

1. Ensure that you are truly in Christ – To be found in Christ is the safest place that you can be during a time of disaster.  Scripture makes it clear that everyone who engages in pride and a rejection of God’s authority will be judged and taken down.  Isaiah 2:12 says the following:

(KJV) “For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon everyone that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:”

However, in order to avoid calamity, you and I must find ourselves in a position of surrender unto Christ. You can think of being in a relationship with Jesus as being in a bunker or a cellar during a time of destruction. A bunker is a place in which you can hide during a time of a nuclear explosion. The purpose of a bunker is to shield those who are confined within it from the chemical elements and explosions that would be a result from chemical warfare. If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior, you are living in a life of sin and you are vulnerable to God’s judgment.  By finding yourself in Him, you will escape the penalty of a life that will be judged by God rather harshly.

2. Know what the signs of the times are – The truth is that we are living in the End Times. The End Times represent the active scenarios that will take place before Jesus Christ returns for those who have accepted Him as Lord & Savior.  The book of Matthew chapter 24 is a passage of scripture that points to many of the signs that would occur on Earth just before Jesus Christ will return. Many of the signs have taken place such as Earthquakes in many places, in addition to wars and rumors of wars.  Another such sign is the increase in wickedness which is stated in 2 Timothy 3:2.

The point is that we are seeing an escalation in the sinfulness of humanity in addition to increasing tragedies that are occurring daily. What you see on your local, national and international news networks are many signs which are pointing to the End Times. It is important that you and I are aware of the signs so that we are not caught unprepared when Christ returns. 1 Peter 4:7 says to be sober or aware so that you can be watchful and praying. We are to be mindful of the times that we live in and we are to be prayerful about our world and our very lives.

3. Know God’s Voice and know His truth – It is incumbent upon every person who desires to prepare before God’s judgment comes to know God’s voice and His truth. Knowing God’s voice comes by spending time with Him in prayer and in worship. It is the same as building a relationship with a person. The more you communicate and have a relationship, the more you will know the person’s voice or habits. God speaks in various ways but by spending time with Him you are then aware of His voice. God may be speaking to your heart and He may be urging you to deviate from your daily routine which may one day save your life.

Having a firm sense of when God is speaking and what He is saying will be vital during these times. Discerning His voice and knowing what He commands can be a difference in what happens to you and what you may avoid as a result. Knowing God’s Word will also help you to avoid the deception that satan proposes to us daily. If you don’t have a clear understanding of what God’s Word says and how to apply it, then you will fall for the lies of the world.

The fact is that God’s judgment is coming and it is coming soon. While you and I do not know exactly when the next wave of God’s judgment will fall, I can tell you that the day is sooner than not. God has already promised in various parts of the Bible that anyone who rejects His authority will be taken down by His righteous judgment. Every nation that approves of sinful behavior will be met with destruction. The judgment of God isn’t an easy topic to discuss, but it must be shared with the masses.

Every day there are many examples of how close we are coming to the judgment of God. It is only a matter of time before He reveals His wrath on every nation and person who is not found in Him. Will you be prepared for what is coming? If you don’t know Jesus Christ, today is the best day that you can accept His sacrifice. Find your safety in Jesus Christ and avoid the wrath of God’s judgment.

The Coming Judgment of God (Part 1)

14 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10036968If you have ever watched or even participated in the sport of surfing, you would have noticed that to surf you must endure considerable sized waves from the ocean. A skilled surfer can navigate through the water by employing various techniques in order to ride through waves as they rise and thrash around. However, there are also times in which surfing can be a challenging sport.

Even the most skilled of surfers can encounter waves that are so grandiose that they are unable to maintain stability.  As a result, the wave begins to overcome the individual by completely submerging the surfer underneath the swell of the wave. In some cases, it can be deadly and dangerous to experience a gigantic wave that has the capacity to overpower your very efforts to remain balanced. That is because of the wave’s sheer force which supplants even the most experienced of surfers. Regardless of how much experience a surfer may have, there are moments when he/she is not a match for the magnitude that a raging wave can bring.

The same concept can be applied spiritually in that there will be a day in which all of humanity will see God’s judgment on display. The analogy of a tidal wave represents the judgment of God. Basically, many are in their sin and ignoring the coming wrath and judgment that God will bring. In this context, the reference to God’s judgment is not concerning our individual judgment when you and I will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. The judgment that I am referring to is the wrath that God will display towards every nation that has rejected Him.

In the book of Amos chapter 5, there is yet another example of the people of Israel being judged because of their sins. It is important to note that although God has always had a covenant with the people of Israel, they were not exempt from being judged whenever they forsook God to engage in idolatry and disobedience. Amos was one of the many prophets in the Bible who prophesied against Israel by delivering the message of judgment that God had spoken.

In chapter 5 of the book of Amos, Amos is seen giving a call to repentance as it relates to the people of Israel. As it was many times before, the people of Israel had strayed away from God by turning to foreign gods and to sinful behavior.  Each time they did this they were judged harshly with various consequences.  According to this scripture in Amos, the people of Israel were essentially encouraged to turn back to God rather than continuing in their idolatry.

Verses 1-3:

(NLV) “Hear this word, O people of Israel, this song of sorrow which I sing for you: “The young pure woman Israel has fallen, and she will not rise again. She is left alone on her land. There is no one to raise her up.” For the Lord God says, “The city of Israel that sends out a thousand soldiers will have a hundred left. And the one that sends out a hundred will have ten left.” 

Verses 4-5:

(NLV) “The Lord says to the people of Israel, “Look for Me and live. But do not look for Bethel. Do not go to Gilgal or cross over to Beersheba. For the people of Gilgal will be taken away to a strange land, and Bethel will come to nothing.”

It is important to note that in these verses Amos is speaking to the reality of what Israel had become spiritually. Gilgal, Beersheba, and Bethel were all places that the people of Israel had committed idolatry.  Basically, idols and graven images had been erected in those places but as Amos prophesied, the places where idol worship had taken place would be no more.  Amos urges those in Israel to look to God so that they can live. Essentially, this was the final plea of Amos for those in their sin to turn to God rather than remaining in their disobedience.

Verses 6-7:

(NLV) “Look for the Lord and live, or He will break out like fire in the family of Joseph. It will destroy, and no one in Bethel will be able to stop it. You turn what is right into something bitter. You throw what is right and good down to the earth.”

Amos says that if they continue to reject God that God will destroy them as a fire destroys. Notice also verse 7 in which Amos says, “You turn what is right into something bitter. You throw what is right and good down to the earth.” If you look at all of the chaos and unrest that is occurring within our world today, it is a symptom of an underlying problem which is sinfulness. Just as this scripture points to the sins that the people of Israel were committing, many in our world are doing the same.  

Various laws are being passed worldwide which no longer provide a sanctity for life nor are they based on the foundation of God and His righteousness. Essentially, humanity has turned what is considered to be right or just into as Amos says “something bitter.” Even in verses 10-11, the people of Israel rejected the truth of God or anyone who spoke it. That is what many have done throughout our world. Many have chosen to deny the truth of God only to live by their own standard of truth. When this happens, there is a price to pay which is that of God’s righteous judgment.

In chapter 8 of Amos, the judgment of Israel is further predicted which eventually occurs later in chapter 9.  In chapter 8, Amos has a dream with the symbolism of a basket of fruit.  Here is what Amos says in verses 1-3:

(NLV) “This is what the Lord God showed me: There was a basket of summer fruit. And the Lord said, “What do you see, Amos?” I said, “A basket of summer fruit.” Then the Lord said to me, “The end has come for My people Israel. I will not change My mind again about punishing them. The songs of the king’s house will become loud cries of sorrow on that day,” says the Lord God. “There will be many dead bodies. In every place, they will be thrown out without a word.”

Looking at this scripture it is clear that the end of the people of Israel had come. God declared in verse 2 “I will not change My mind again about punishing them.” It came to a point in which God was so displeased that He had seen enough of the sin.  There will come a day for every nation and person who rejects God that their time will be cut short. If America and other foreign countries insist on instituting societies of blatant sinfulness, then there will be a day of reckoning.  Just as Israel received its judgment at that time, every nation that rejects God will also receive the judgment that it is due. 

The final part to notice are verses 11-12 which says:

(NLV) “The days are coming,” says the Lord God, “when I will send a time upon the land when the people will be very hungry. They will not be hungry for bread or thirsty for water, but they will be hungry to hear the Words of the Lord. People will go from sea to sea, and from the north to the east. They will go from place to place to look for the Word of the Lord, but they will not find it.”

Essentially, God declared that there would be a day in which the people of Israel would find themselves searching to hear from God, but they would hear nothing in return. The reason is because of the disobedience and rejection that the people of Israel engaged in. They were so steeped in their traditions and sinful behavior that they rejected the very God who had given them commands and even provided for them years earlier. So, since they made the choice to reject God, God decided that he would not speak to the people of Israel.

If you look at it in today’s context, our world is in a similar position.  God is speaking to us daily through people and various signs of the End Times. However, the majority are continuing to ignore what God has spoken.  As a result, there will come a day in which it will be too late to make amends for the sinfulness that has occurred.  The people of Israel were cast down for their disobedience.

God does not and will not tolerate the blatant sinfulness that is so prominent in our world today. There will be a time in which the hand of God will be completely removed. God’s grace is still hovering over our nations to a degree, but the more sinfulness that we engage in the further back his grace is removed. Now is the time for you and I to heed the call of God before His judgment falls.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, today is a great day to give your life to Christ.  Our world continues to grow worse, but there is still hope.  Jesus Christ is the hope of the Earth. It is up to you to decide where your life will be found. Ony in Christ will you find safety.

What is the Purpose of the Body of Christ?

13 Thursday Aug 2015

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The human body is one of the many creations that God has given to us as a gift. If you look at the human body it is comprised of various organs that have specific purposes. Whether internally or externally, the human body is a creation that no one else can claim as its creator other than God Almighty. With the creation of the human body, there are body parts.

Each body part is designed to function in a specific role in the body as a whole. For example, the legs allow the body to move from one place to another. The arms of the body create the capability to reach objects in conjunction with each hand being used to grasp. Body parts such our ears and our eyes allow us to hear and to see what is within our surroundings.  Each body part is unique but when they are working in unison they accomplish the purpose of the body which is to function fully.

The very example of the human body is the imagery that the Apostle Paul uses in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 in verses 12-21. However, before Paul uses the analogy of the human body in reference to those in Christ, he talks about the spiritual gifts that reside within the body of Christ and the diversity of the various gifts.  In verses 4-7 Paul mentions the diversity or differences between the spiritual gifts that God has made available.

(NKJV) “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:”  

In verses 8-11 Paul gives examples of the various spiritual gifts such as teaching, prophecy, the interpretation of tongues, discerning of spirits, and the gift of healing. Paul’s point is that within the body there are different spiritual gifts that exist. As the Apostle Paul continues in this chapter he then uses the analogy of the human body, however, before he begins he says the following in verses 12-14:

(NKJV) “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

Paul’s point in these verses is that we who are in Christ are to be ‘one’ or unified regardless of what background we may come from. The key is that we are all baptized into one body which means that we are partakers of the Holy Spirit in oneness or unity.  The point of this chapter in 1 Corinthians is to encourage unity within the body of Christ despite the various differences. Paul then uses the example of the human body in verses 15-17:

(NKJV) “If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?”

Verses 20-21:

(NKJV) “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

In a summary, Paul is basically making the point that the body of Christ should function in unity.  He uses the analogy of human body parts to state that there are different parts, but there is one purpose or goal which is to function together. Even if there are different functions or different members within the body of Christ they cannot say that they do not need each other. Rather, each part must function in harmony in order to achieve the purposes of God.

This then leads to the question, ‘What is the purpose of the body of Christ?’ There are at least three purposes that the body of Christ serves:

1. To enhance and nourish the lives of those in the body of Christ –

Ephesians 4: 11-12 says the following:

(NLT) “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

Here the Apostle Paul makes reference to what is called the ‘Five-Fold Ministry.’ The Five -Fold Ministry is a collection of offices held within the body of Christ. These are offices that God has called some within the body of Christ to serve in their particular capacity. However, notice that Paul uses the word ‘gifts.’ Even with these five offices they are also considered to be gifts that God has given to some. Also, as it relates to the earlier passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul names other gifts which God has made available to those who He has given them to.

The point is that one of the purposes of the body of Christ is to edify one another or to build up the church or the body of Christ. Edification is to institute a process of building a structure. In this case, the structure is that of the church or the body of Christ.  Our goal as Christians is to serve one another in love and with our deeds. This creates a process of spiritual edification and unity among brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. The body of Christ must reach out to those who are lost and living in sin – In Mark chapter 16 verse 15 Jesus tells His Disciples to spread the Gospel unto all nations. The Gospel is ‘The Good News’ which is the news of redemption through Jesus Christ.  The same command that Jesus gave to the Disciples is the same that applies to each person in Christ. We are not saved by grace to live within our own Christian sphere. We are saved so that we can be witnesses unto those who are in their sin.

The purpose of the body of Christ is to evangelize by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The love of Christ spreads through you and I which means that if we are open and obedient to what God is calling us to do, we will be representatives of Christ in every area of our lives. Reaching out to those who are in darkness in addition to discipling others is what the Great Commission involves.

3. Model God’s love and His truth to a broken world – Those of us who are in Christ must be the example of God’s love and what His truth stands for. Not only must we love our neighbor as our self but we must take a stand against sinfulness by rejecting the lies of the world.  Standing for God’s truth means loving everything He loves and hating everything He hates. We must be the ‘Salt of the Earth’ as Matthew 5:13 declares. We can only do that by showing forth the power of the Holy Spirit in how we live. If God is love and if God represents a righteous truth which is His truth, then we should declare His words and walk in the same manner.

Overall the body of Christ must come together in order to show forth the true power of God within this Earth. Walking in a relationship with Christ is indeed a personal endeavor. However, the body must function together if we are going to serve these three purposes. So many within the body of Christ have become divided based on race, culture, denomination, and doctrine. For too long the body of Christ has been split for various reasons but God is calling us to come together to accomplish His will.

If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior then you won’t be able to fulfill the purposes of the body of Christ.  Join the body in reaching the lost by giving your heart to Jesus Christ. Accepting His sacrifice will change your life and you will become a part of The Great Commission and the body of Christ’s overall mission which is to glorify God in everything that we do.

Fighting for the Next Generations

12 Wednesday Aug 2015

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Children are one of the many gifts that God has given to humanity.  To be a child is to experience life in a stage of innocence and wonder. Even to those who have their own children it is a blessing to birth a child from the womb. A child represents vitality, youthfulness, and imagination. Children were and are meant to be protected in addition to being raised to be aware of the realities of life as they grow into maturity.

In the book of Genesis chapter 1 and verse 28, God gave Adam & Eve a command to “be fruitful and multiply.” This meant that Adam & Eve were given the task to procreate by having offspring. The purpose of procreation was to perpetuate the image of God throughout the Earth. However, because of the sin that entered through Adam & Eve, the image of God within humanity became distorted which meant that each generation was also corrupted upon birth.

However, even with that being the reality, children are still God’s gift to all of us and they hold a special purpose in the heart and mind of God.  That purpose is to continue a godly legacy through each generation that passes.  In the book of Proverbs chapter 22 the writer who was King Solomon provides various words of wisdom which are in the form of instructions. In fact throughout the book of Proverbs there are words of admonishment and encouragement for all to seek wisdom and to walk in God’s righteousness.  It is a book that contains many practical applications for the life of everyone who desires to follow God’s will.

In chapter 22 of the book of Proverbs, there is a key verse to focus on for the purposes of this post.  Verse 6 says the following:

(NKJV) “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

This verse is quite short and yet it is a powerful verse in the Bible because it signifies a reality as it relates to raising one’s child. King Solomon essentially says to raise a child in the way that they should go, with the result being that they will not depart from it.  The question then becomes ‘What is the way that every child should go?’ As mentioned previously, the book of Proverbs was written with the purpose of instituting godly wisdom with practical principles for life.

King Solomon was the wisest man who had ever lived during his time. However, there is one thing that he understood and that was that to obtain wisdom meant to seek the one who dispensed wisdom who was and is God Almighty. The fact is that the way that every child should go is in the way of the fear and the admonition of the Lord. In Ephesians chapter 6 verse 4, the Apostle Paul confirms this notion when he says,

(ESV) “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Basically, every child should be raised to not only fear or reverence the Lord but to at some point cultivate their own relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  However, what we have seen and continue to see are many examples of children who are no longer being raised to reverence God. Children are now being raised by parents who don’t know God for themselves.  As a result, each generation becomes more degenerate and susceptible to the lies that satan imposes.

We are living in a dangerous time in which the innocence of today’s children is being taken from them.  They are being fed various forms of perversion through the media and shown that life or the things of life are no longer sacred.  At younger and younger ages children are being taught to use violence to exact a means of justice. They are being taught that being homosexual and transgender is ‘normal.’ It is perfectly fine that a child or children can be raised by two mother’s or two father’s.

The entire order and sanctity of life has become debased to the point where moral and even spiritual absolutes are left to be relative as it concerns truth. Today’s children and those generations that follow will face staunch opposition to the things of God. Satan understands that if he infiltrates children in their formative years, that he can corrupt future generations.  His goal is to destroy each seed before it has a chance to grow.

That was the purpose behind satan’s ploy to influence Adam & Eve into sinning. While they both had a choice, he used deception to corrupt future generations.  Of course, there is hope and there is a remedy even for the generations that exist now and will exist. Jesus Christ is the only hope that you and I have.  He is the only hope that each generation has as we live in these troubling times.  However, how do we fight for the generations of today and of the future?  Here are a few considerations:

1. Be the example of Jesus Christ in this dark world – The main reason as to why many children are now in the hands of the enemy is because they have been left without godly examples.  That is not to say that none exist, but if you look at the majority it seems that many parents both young and old have forsaken the laws and commands of God. Children naturally mimic what they see others do which means that if their parents have chosen to adhere to satan’s deception by living in sinfulness then you can expect their children to perpetuate the same sinfulness.

The reason why King Solomon admonishes those who are parents to raise their children in the way that they should go is because if they are raised in godliness, it is less likely that they will leave that path. Even to those who are not parents, it is still a responsibility to be an example to the children in your life. By modeling godliness and rejecting the perversions and falsehoods of this world, you can and will affect the current and next generations.

2. Protect those who can’t protect themselves – The fact is that when you are young you are unable to fend for yourself.  Even in the animal kingdom, young offspring are unable to survive on their own without their parents intervention.  Thus, the parents of the offspring battle against predators to protect their lineage and the future of their offspring.  That is the same mindset that you and I must have.  We must protect those who cannot protect themselves.  Even as it relates to young teenagers, they are vulnerable because they are still developing.

If you and I do not model Jesus Christ and teach each child we come into contact with the ways of godliness, then each generation will lose more and more to the hands of satan. It is true that as time goes forward our world will grow worse and worse according to Matthew 24:12. However, if we stand by to do nothing then there will be many who will enter the gates of destruction. Those of us who know the truth must warn even those who are in their youth.

3. Understand that God’s legacy must be passed down – The future of humanity and our world lies within the hands of the youth of today and those who will come after. God still wants His legacy of love and redemption to be passed down to every generation.  By giving every young person the truth of Jesus Christ, we will ensure that the message of Christ will transfer throughout time. Just because the world has rejected God’s decrees and many have decided to live in sin does not mean that God is not calling those who are coming forth in years to come.

The legacy of God and His righteousness must be handed down to the next generations. It is the only thing that will provide stability in the time of chaos. The fact is, God’s judgment will fall upon every nation and person who rejects Him.  During the times of His judgment there must and will be a generation that will be saved from destruction. The only way that will happen is if we who are in Christ pass the godly legacy that resides within us to the next generation.

As tragic and disturbing as our times may be, there is a duty that you and I have.  We must fight for the current and future generations.  Rather than allowing your children be they biological or not to be handed over to the enemy you must wage a war in the name of Jesus Christ. Our world has decided that it isn’t enough to deceive adults but that it must deceive and destroy the innocence of the youth.

It is time for every adult to understand the tremendous responsibility of fighting for those who are coming after us.  If you don’t know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, you are unable to fight for the next generation.  The battle you fight will be in vain because you are fighting on the wrong side. Accepting Christ and giving your life to Him will give you the opportunity to fight on the side of victory. All of us must fight for the next generations so that lives can be saved instead of lives being lost.

Rejecting the ‘Truth’ of Today’s World – Accepting God’s Truth

11 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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If you are old enough to remember you can recount the education or principles that you received at a young age.  For example, simple mathematical principles such as 2+2 = 4, or reciting historical facts were a part of the development that you and I encountered. There were many educational tools that perhaps you were exposed to as a way to create an environment of learning so that you would grow older to use what you learned later in your life.  The point of many of the principles is that many of them remained true in their context.

No one can suggest to you that 2+2 = 16 because mathematically the answer is incorrect. If someone were to suggest to you that George Washington was the 15th President of the United States, they wouldn’t be able to do so with a valid argument because historically George Washington was the 1st President of the United States.  The point is that there are certain aspects of our lives that are not open for discussion and cannot be changed because they are immutable and factual.

Unfortunately, we are living in a time that the word ‘truth’ has taken on a different connotation.  Basically, there are various aspects of our global society which now lends itself to creating one’s own truth. Essentially, our world has now instituted the aspect of relativism.  This means that one can have a version of their truth while someone else can believe what they wish and it is true.  The problem with this belief is that only one side can be correct.  In the book of 1 Corinthians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul actually warns against accepting worldly wisdom or the wisdom of this world.

In chapter 3, the Apostle Paul is addressing the church of Corinth.  It was a church that was known to have issues with spiritual immaturity in addition to various sins that were present among many in the church.  In verses 1-4 of chapter 3, Paul addresses the spiritual immaturity and division that was apparent among the congregants. He even gives them instruction regarding their role in the body of Christ in verses 5-9. In verses 10-15, Paul even mentions the aspect of building the appropriate foundation of one’s life which is Jesus Christ.

In verses 16-17, Paul then addresses the principle of remaining Holy unto God since our body is the temple that the Holy Spirit resides in. Based on this chapter it is apparent that the church of Corinth needed words of truth and encouragement as it related to growing in spiritual maturity. However, in verses 18-20, the Apostle Paul warns against embracing worldly wisdom.

(NKJV) “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

If you read further until verse 23 of this chapter you will see that the context of this portion of scripture admonishes those in the church of Corinth not to brag or think more highly of themselves as they ought to.  However, the focus of this post is to highlight what Paul says in verses 18-20.

Looking at those verses Paul says that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. What does Paul mean when he makes that statement? If you look at those who think that they are wise in their own merit, they are under the deception that they themselves have all of the answers. In our world today, there is an abundance of those who are deceived.  It has been decided that you can invent your own truth and believe as you see fit. However, there is a consequence that comes with perverting God’s truth and creating a falsehood or a lie.

Paul says at the end of verse 19 and in verse 20, For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” In other words, Paul is saying that God ensures that those who believe themselves to be wise by worldly standards are the very individuals that meet an unpleasant end. Paul says that the thoughts of the wise are futile. This means that those who have embraced worldly wisdom are unable to accomplish what they have set out to do in their own thoughts. 

The way of this world is to invoke pride in oneself and to change absolute truth into relative truth.  The deception is that there are absolutes that cannot be changed, yet we live in a world where many have embraced the wisdom of this world. If you look at homosexuality and even the lifestyle of changing your gender, there are certain truths both morally and spiritually that cannot be changed. When such behaviors or lifestyles are embraced by the masses it comes at a high price which is always negative.

However, satan who is our enemy has deceived the minds of many to believe that you can redefine what was never yours to define in the first place.  The reason why we must guard against accepting ‘the truth’ of this world is because it is based out of human wisdom. A person’s life that is based out of human or secular wisdom is a life that is destined for failure.  The only wisdom and truth that will create stability is that of God’s Word.

The Bible or God’s Word was written via the inspiration of God unto the men who wrote it. As much as our world changes, the fact is that God’s Word will always be true. There is so much confusion and chaos in our world today because many have adopted the wisdom of this age. ‘The Truth’ is now what you choose to believe rather than what is fact. You can invent what you wish as long as you are not hurting anyone else.

As a result, many of the behaviors that were once thought detestable have now become accepted and common as a part of the world’s culture.  Isaiah 5:21 says,

(NLT) “What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.” In this chapter, the Prophet Isaiah is speaking to the Kingdom of Judah.  At that time, the people of Judah were sinful individuals who had rejected God. However, this verse only shows to serve as a reminder that those who think of themselves as wise in their own eyes will meet an unfortunate demise just as those in Judah did. 

The overall point is that you and I must embrace God’s truth instead of what the world proclaims to be ‘the truth.’ Even if our society continues to decay morally and spiritually, God’s word will stand forever. You can see the confusion and instability of a world that believes in the creation of ‘your own truth.’ The only foundations that are concrete are upon Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? The truth of God can only be known and fully accepted when you are living a life that is surrendered unto Christ. Confess your sins before Him and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. As for those of us who are in Christ our basis for truth should be none other than God’s Word.  The media and those of the world can change various facts to be ‘true’ but in reality it is only false. However, God’s Word will always be true regardless of what is said. Don’t be deceived by accepting worldly wisdom.  Only God’s truth will stand.