Tag Archives: Life

Getting Back on Track with God

13 Tuesday Apr 2021

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We are all participants in this race that is called “life.” It is not a sprint, rather, it is a marathon that finds its destination at the finish line. However, as we all journey on our God given path, we are all meant to run in a lane designed just for us. You may notice that in a track race, you have multiple competitors or runners who are within a specific lane. The reason that there are different lanes is because each lane was created with the individual runner in mind. However, what would happen if one runner veered off their course, and into another lane? It would mean a disqualification of the runner, or it could also mean lost time as a result of not staying true to the course that the runner has been engaged in. It could also result in an unintended collision with another runner.

It is the same when it comes to one’s relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God has given each person a lane to run in which means that He has a purpose for you and I. However, there are times when we can lose our focus, and we begin to veer off the lane or track that God has given for us to run. There are a few things that can cause us to become off track, and also solutions as to how we can get back course.

Causes for Getting Off Track with God

  • Sin – Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Sin is what breaks the fellowship or relationship that we have with God. When we engage in unrepentant behavior, it takes a toll on us and our communion with the Heavenly Father. That is because God is Holy, and anything that is not Holy, it cannot remain in the presence of God. If you are in sin, then you cannot properly live out God’s commands or His purpose.

  • Distractions – Mark 4:19 (AMP) “ but the worries and cares of the world [the distractions of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

While the above scripture is talking about how the distractions of life begin to cause one’s focus on embracing the Word of God to become fruitless, the principle here is that distractions impede our ability to truly focus on God. The above scripture makes it clear that the desires of the flesh or our sinful nature, it creeps in and it removes the individual’s attention on the Word of God, but also our focus on a steady relationship with Christ.

  • Influence from Others – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

It is important to ensure that your circle of friends are individuals who have moral and even godly character. If those around you are persons who do not push you in the direction that God has for you, then they become blockades to your growth in Christ. How others influence you often determines your direction in life, as well as how you react. The Bible teaches us that bad company or those of immoral character, they have a negative impact upon good morals and Christlike behavior.

How to Get Back on Track with God

  • Commitment to a Life of Prayer – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The key part of the above verse is “pray without ceasing.” It is not meant to be literal in terms of praying without stopping. It simply means, one must be in a position of cultivating a lifestyle of prayer. When we pray, we invite the Holy Spirit and the presence of God into our lives. It is communication with God, and it is also an opportunity for God to communicate with us. Prayer fosters a relationship with God that only grows as we spend more time with the Lord.

  • Meditating on God’s Word – Psalm 1:2 (ESV) “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

To meditate upon is to find oneself in a mode of studying or thinking about a specific subject. It is to fix one’s position on the Word of God and to make a constant effort to study it. By incorporating God’s Word into your life, it becomes a part of your lifestyle and you are then able to apply His Word to every situation. You begin to live by the Biblical truths that God prescribes, therefore ensuring that your viewpoint is that of the Biblical worldview rather than the secular worldview.

  • Maintaining Key Relationships with Fellow Believers – Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Just as one should be mindful of negative influences in one’s life, it is important for every Christian to maintain good relationships with other believers. We should gather amongst ourselves and as the Bible says in the above scripture, to encourage one another. When we get together and we have community among other Christians, it leads us to a deeper relationship with God. That is because, we are being influenced and encouraged to grow in Christ as opposed to isolating ourselves or keeping friends in our lives who are not of the same mindset or belief system.

God wants to bring us all to a place where our focus and our reliance is solely upon Him. Every Christian experiences times in life when their attention is diverted and they are not seeing life or God as clear as they should be. This is why we have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to keep us accountable and to bring us to a place where we are re-focused on the things of God. If you have lost your way, you can get back on track by following the above steps.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, today is a great day to accept the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. God desires to have a relationship with you, and you can experience a life that is abundant and blessed. Get on track with God, for He has great plans in store for you.

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

23 Tuesday Feb 2021

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Most humans are focused on the here and now as it concerns their day-to-day life. We each have a routine that we adhere to, and some of us do so religiously. However, in the midst of the daily grind as it has been called, there is the inevitable presence of the “afterlife.” In many different religions, the afterlife is a place or a metaphysical condition that follows life here on Earth. Concerning Christianity, the Bible makes it clear that there are two destinations when a person leaves their Earthly body. Heaven is the eternal resting place that all who have given their lives to Jesus will spend eternity in the presence of God. Hell on the other hand is the place where those who rejected Christ and a relationship with God find eternal damnation and torment.

Regardless of what different religions ascribe to as the afterlife, the Bible which is the only authoritative truth speaks clearly as to what two directions are possible concerning humanity. In the Matthew 25:46 it says,

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Notice the two words mentioned in each of those scriptures. “Eternal life” and “Heaven” are meant to denote the reward and provision that God makes for those who choose to follow Him through Christ. Heaven is by God’s design and it is meant only for those who accept Jesus Christ. It is important to also understand that it is God’s desire that we experience a relationship with Him through Christ, and this also means that when our Earthly lives are finished, we have the opportunity to be present with the Lord.

However, Hell is also a destination only meant for those who refuse to acknowledge and accept Jesus Christ. Revelation 20:15 says “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Matthew 10:28 says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Hell which is directly mentioned in the Bible is a place of eternal torment and separation from God. It was not ever designed for God’s creation, but it is a place that many go to due to their choice of rejecting Christ. The reason that Hell was established in the first place was to be a holding place for anyone who followed Satan. According to 2 Peter 2:4, there were fallen angels (who made the decision to defect and follow after Satan during his rebellion against God) who were banished into captivity in Hell. Anyone who stands in opposition against God and dies in that condition will find their same fate in Hell.

The Bible makes it clear that there are two roads that we as humans will find our eternity in. Jesus Christ died on the Cross and rose again so that we could have eternal life with God in Heaven. It is through the bloodshed of Christ that we can have our sins forgiven. However, anyone who does not accept Christ’s sacrifice will be eternally separated from God and fiery torment will be felt. God does not wish that any man or woman perish. Rather, God desires to have a relationship with us through His son Jesus.

Do you know Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sins? If not, today is a great day to give your heart and life to the Lord. Tomorrow is not promised, which means that none of us knows when our time on Earth is finished. You can have eternal assurance in your destination and that can be known through accepting Jesus Christ and living your life in service unto the Lord. Where will you spend eternity?

Life Changes but God Does Not

29 Friday Jan 2021

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There are four meteorological seasons that most if not all are familiar with. Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall (or Autumn) occur throughout each year. While scientists and the various climates around the world have proven that these seasons are not experienced in the same way everywhere, it is true that the four seasons are typical for many to experience on Earth. With each season, changes such as temperature, precipitation, and even nature (e.g. trees, grass, plants) becomes evident over time.

Changes occur not only during each meteorological season, but change occurs within the human race. We change from birth until death. If one is blessed by God to age, our bodies begin to grow older and we experience the events that comes with moving from one stage of life to the next. Change in life is inevitable, and with it, we must recognize that there are many things that do not stay the same. However, we can be certain that Almighty God who is the creator of the Heavens and the Earth, He does not change.

In Malachi 3:6 in the first part of verse 6, it says “For I am the Lord, I change not;” This is not a mere suggestion, but the Lord is speaking to the nation of Israel & the Priesthood. The dialogue that God was having with the Priests of Israel was centered upon their refusal to keep God’s laws. In addition, they decided to turn away from what God had already established for the Priests to carry out concerning their duties and devotion unto Him. God made it clear that many of the Priests had turned their hearts over to foreign gods (idols) rather than worshipping God and remaining Holy. (See Malachi Chapter 2).

Thus, God made it clear in that verse that although the Priests had turned away to commit idolatry and forsake God’s ways, He had not changed. God’s expectation was that the Priests at that time would remain in union with Him and fulfill their priestly duties. But despite God’s requirements, He overwhelmingly stated to the Priests that He has not and will never change.

Psalm 90:2 says “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”

The Lord God does not change, rather, His character and His being remains and it is everlasting. Time moves onward, centuries, decades, and days pass. However, God has and will always remain the same even when we as humans change. Worldwide events have transpired throughout history, and even the culture at large continues to shift. The truths of Jesus Christ and God Himself, it does not and will never change.

It is important to understand that regardless of how much your life changes or how much the world around us does, we have the everlasting hope that the Lord will remain the same. His Word which is the Bible, it remains etched in human history and it will stand forever. Why is it that even after thousands of years, the Bible remains as the most read book in history? It is because God’s Word and even His presence transcends time and it overflows into various parts of history.

As chaotic as our world is at times, the hope that you and I can have is recognizing that God will never change, which means He can be trusted and He will never fail you. It also means, that God’s standards for Holy living and His expectation of Christ followers does not change. We who are in Christ, are admonished in the Bible to live as God has commanded us and not to stray from that path.

1 John 2:3-7 (ESV)

“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.”

New doctrines are formed, belief systems are introduced into the world culture, and new religions continue to be created. However, God’s Word and His commandments will always remain unchanged. Anyone who follows Christ is expected by God to follow His way and not the ways of others. By adhering to God’s directions, we are then able to avoid the snares and deception that Satan promotes through various mechanisms.

Knowing that life changes but God does not, we can then have a level of security in recognizing that we have the opportunity to experience an immutable God in the midst of an ever changing world. Even when new laws are proposed, opinions are given, and social norms are no longer what they once were, God’s standard does not bow or cave into the societal pressures that weigh on us. This is why we are to stand firm in the faith according to 1 Corinthians 16:13, because the world system is constantly against Christ followers. For the Christian, we are to stand our ground and rely on the Holy Spirit to show us which way we are to turn.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then this is a great time to experience life through Christ and to have eternal life. Everything around us is constantly shifting and it will always be as such. However, God offers not only eternal life through Christ, but also constant security which means that you can have the assurance that when life and humanity changes, God does not. It means that His love remains even when the love of others may vanish. Trust in the Lord today and experience the unchanging God through accepting Jesus Christ.

What is Your Purpose in Life?

01 Tuesday Dec 2020

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Have you ever wondered why you were born? Is there in a time in your life when you wanted to know why you exist? Each of us, we all have a specific purpose and a destiny that we are meant to fulfill. The fact that you and I are living in the timeline of history suggests that there is a purpose to our being.

If we look at the world around us, we can see the results of every day people, who yearn and even search for their specific purpose in life. The fact that there is a sense of restlessness that we feel when we are not being productive, it speaks to the desire that we all have to fulfill a purpose. It is not by happenstance, rather, it is a gift that God has given to each of us.

Psalm 57:2 (ESV) “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”

Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

The two scriptures above points to at least two areas concerning the topic of purpose:

  • God has a purpose for your existence – The Psalmist David wrote in Psalm 57:2 that it is God who fulfilled His purpose for him. The Lord has designed you to take part in not merely existing but to use the gifts and talents that He has given to you for His glory and His purposes. One can think of this in the same way that an automaker designs and produces vehicles.

    Each manufacturer has a specific design and purpose for each vehicle that is produced. The manufacturer already knows the plans and actual functionality of each model vehicle. It is already built in by the manufacturer, which means that the vehicle already has the purpose and capability to operate as intended.

    It is the same with with you and I. God has already given us a purpose to fulfill, but we must tap into who God is, through having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

    When we know who God is, our reason for being is activated because we are then connected to the one who made us and who already knew us even before we were born. Without that connection, we are left trying to figure out why we exist, and we end up never coming to the realization of why we were made, and we are then unable to give God the glory through our functions.

  • God already knew you before you were born – In the scripture of Jeremiah 1:5, the Bible is clear when it points to the fact that even before we were born, God already knew us. This goes back to the example of a vehicle manufacturer. The plans are already in the mind of the manufacturer, even before the vehicle is made. It is the same with all of us. God knows who we are because He created us. Therefore, He has already endowed you with certain gifts, skills, and abilities even before you discover them. This also includes your purpose. 

So, how do you discover your purpose? The only way is to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If we as God’s creation do not take the opportunity to come to the knowledge of Christ and thereby becoming reconciled back to God, then we run the risk of forfeiting our actual destiny and purpose. Or, we end up claiming an identity that was never intended, which means we begin to operate outside of the scope of our original design. 

The way to have a relationship with God, is to first repent of one’s sins and acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried and resurrected again. John 14:6 says (NIV) “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the only way to have a connection with God the Father. Do you know Jesus in the pardon of your sins? If not, this is a perfect opportunity to accept the sacrifice of Jesus. Once you do, you will begin the journey to discovering what your purpose in life is. 

Seasons – Everything in God’s Time

27 Friday Nov 2020

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Autumn or Fall as it is commonly known as, brings various changes just as each meteorological season does. One can feel the change in temperature from warmer to cooler, and there is of course the transition in the colors of the leaves on trees.

The shade of colors can range from a deep red, to a bright yellow, and even to orange. It is all a signature of God’s beauty as well as His order concerning time and seasons. Nature speaks to the character of God, and also the natural order that He intended. Even as the leaves begin to change, they also fall to the ground as it represents yet another shift into another season, and that is winter.

In life, there are seasons that we all face and differing times in which we experience changes. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says the following:

(NKJV) “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

The Bible makes it clear that there is a time for everything. We all experience cycles in life, and one of the most prominent for example, is from birth to death. We are all born, and we will all die. How long we live varies from person-to-person, but even the time between life and death is a season. There are other seasons that we experience:

For example, there may be moments in life when we go through hardships. Other times, we may face joyous occasions and periods of victories. There are some seasons that we endure that are more challenging than others, but even in those seasons, it is an opportunity to grow. It also provides the potential for maturity and lessons to be learned.

If we look back at the example of autumn into winter, both seasons (metaphorically speaking) represent a period where nature begins to fade into seasons of death and scarcity. However, after autumn and winter passes, spring time emerges as a newborn with vitality and sense of refreshment. Each meteorological season has its own beauty, but they also represent a set of traits that are a stark contrast from one season to another.

Beauty can be found in every season that we go through in life. God’s hands show us through nature and even in every day experiences that when He is the author of our story, He makes everything beautiful in His time.

(NKJV) 11 “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

Where are you in your life today? What challenges or even victories are you currently experiencing? Whatever station of life you find yourself in, it should be known that God’s timing is perfect and He exceeds every expectation that we have for ourselves. It is when we attempt to write our own story that we fall short. However, God has the best plans for your life, and it can only be seen through the lens of obedience and surrender unto Him.

Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and savior? The best way to understand God’s plans for your life is to submit everything to Him. This is done through repenting of your sins, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, and acknowledging that He was buried and rose again. When we come to a point of admitting that God’s timing is better than ours, we will begin to see life take on a whole new meaning.

While not everything in life goes as we want it to go, there are things that we can learn and areas that produce growth when we wait for God’s timing and follow His plan. Where you are today, it is only a season, which means that there is yet something more for you and I to see and to learn from.

Which Path Will You Take?

24 Tuesday Nov 2020

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In life, we all have choices to make. From what we wear when we get dressed in the morning, to the decision of what to eat for breakfast. We even have the choice of skipping breakfast altogether, but we all have choices. There are monumental choices that can alter our destiny if we choose correctly or incorrectly. One can think of life as a summary of decisions, but even at a much deeper level, there are moments when we have two options set before us.

There are right and wrong choices that can be made in life. Depending on which way one chooses, the end result is the sum or total of what decision was made. The world around us would have us to believe that there isn’t just one way to reach the truth. While yes, there are multiple ways to live or exist, Jesus Christ made it clear in John 14:16 when he said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

There are different religions, belief systems, and even movements that center around non-belief. For thousands of years, there have been countless examples of a wide array of beliefs that encompass the ideology that there isn’t just one way to reach eternal life – or the very aspect of achieving an ultimate end. Rather, the worldwide belief is that all ways can lead to the truth, rather than as Jesus said that He is the truth, the way, and the life.

When Jesus made that statement according to John 14:16, He meant it just as He said it. The only way to receive life (in this context eternal life) is only through Jesus Himself. He is the truth, the way, and the life and the only way to know God is to know Jesus Christ. Many secular humanists and otherwise contend that all roads lead to the truth. Or, truth is what you make it to be, rather than it being concrete.

However, regardless of what a person or a group of people believes, there are only two choices. This fact is outlined in Matthew 7:13-14 which says:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. “

There are two choices that we as humans have set before us. We can take the narrow gate which is the way of Jesus Christ, or we can take the broad gate which is the way to Hell and destruction. The right path is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The wrong path is to reject Him. The Bible makes it clear that most travel on the path that is broad, and that is because it is easier and more enticing. However, the path to everlasting life is narrow, meaning few people travel that path because it is harder and less appealing.

The overall point here, is that you and I, we have an opportunity to choose life or destruction. Will you choose the path that leads to eternal life through Jesus Christ? Or will you choose the path that leads to eternal damnation by rejecting Christ? Belief systems come and go, and trends in our world always change. However, it is the truth of Jesus Christ that remains.

If you don’t know Jesus in the pardon of your sins, this is a perfect opportunity to accept the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross by repenting, believing that Jesus rose again, and accepting His love. Which path will you choose?

The Christian Response to the World

12 Sunday Jun 2016

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Emergency Responders (also known as EMTs or paramedics) serve the purpose of responding to life-threatening circumstances. Daily throughout the world there are thousands of EMTs who risk their lives in order to save the lives of those who are in dire need. It is the job of a paramedic to deliver swift assistance despite any obstacles that may interrupt their mission.

Every paramedic that takes their job seriously understands the stakes involved in each assignment. It is critical for them to make it to their destination in a timely manner to avoid the death of a patient. There is, of course, no guarantee that said patient will survive the trip to the hospital, but it is the response and the understanding of the paramedic that creates an increased chance for survival. It is the duty of each responder to utilize their skill sets in addition to making the proper judgment call concerning a patient.

Today in our world, the subject of Christianity or being a Christian has taken on a different meaning than it has in years past. For example, according to a recent article published by CBN News, many Christians within the United States now feel threatened by those who are non-Christians. Essentially, the tide has turned towards marginalization against Christians worldwide.

While persecution against Christians isn’t a new concept, the increase in the negative pressures against Christ-followers has grown tremendously. However, even with the various threats and staunch opposition against Christians, there is still a response that every Christian should have toward the world. What is the Christian response to the world? Here are a few considerations:

Showing forth the Love of Jesus Christ – Often times, Christians are painted as hypocritical and extremely judgmental. However, the Christian’s response should be one of love towards those who are not in Christ. This does not mean that the truth should not be given to those who reject God. Ephesians 4:15 says that Christians are to speak the truth in love. Many see speaking God’s truth as being judgmental or harsh. This isn’t the accurate way to view the Christian’s response. Speaking the truth in love means to give each person who does not know Jesus Christ, an opportunity to hear the Good News. This means, sharing forth both the penalty that comes with sin (spiritual death and eternal damnation in Hell) and also the redemptive work of Jesus Christ which involves coming into the saving grace of God. We must love those who are in their sin without compromising the truth of God’s Word.

1 John 4:8 says,

(NKJV) “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Since God is love, then the Christian’s response to the world should be one of love because we who are in Christ are connected to God’s love because He is love. Loving those in the world means that we treat each person with kindness and showing forth a steady disposition of who God is through our conduct towards others. Galatians 6:10 says that we are to do good unto all men. We can only treat those in the world with love if we are abiding in Christ.

Standing for God’s Truth – In the current social climate, there are many examples of those who claim to be Christian and yet they have actively compromised what God’s Word says just to avoid ridicule from the world. The Bible makes it clear that we as Christians are to stand for God’s truth regardless of the cost.

1 Corinthians 16:13 says,

(NLT) “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”

To stand for God’s truth is to be unwavering in what God’s Word says. If God has stated in His Word that something such as lying, homosexuality, murder, stealing, and fornication is a sin, then regardless of what the world says, it is still a sin. The truth of God cannot be changed and Christians should not compromise just to appease the masses. To do so is to give in to false doctrine or Satan’s deception. The Apostle Paul gives Christians a mandate in Ephesians 4:14:

(NKJV) “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,”

Paul is essentially saying that the Christian must be spiritually mature so that we are not subdued or deceived by every doctrine or belief that appears before us. Just because the world has approved of “same-sex marriage” or attempting to redefine gender norms doesn’t mean that Christians are to agree with such standards. Our standard is none other than God’s Word because He has established the order that humans are to follow through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The response of a Christian is to stand firm in the faith and remain in a solid position against Satan’s attempt to delude and confuse.

Surrendering our lives unto God – One of the key differences between the world and the Christian is that of a life of submission unto God. Those in the world submit to their fleshly desires which comes from the adherence to Satan’s influence. However, the Christian response to the world is to live in submission unto God because of our love for Him. Jesus said in John 14:15, (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Obedience is the way that a Christian ought to live. This means that if God impresses upon your heart to share the Gospel with someone who is lost, then it is your duty to be obedient in that moment. Daily, our lives are to be under the authority of God by the words that we say, the things that we do, and the associations that we have in our lives. The world operates in recklessness because those without Christ are outside of the boundaries of restraint which comes from the Holy Spirit and His influence. A life that is yielded unto God is a life that will reap the benefit of a fruitful existence.

Separation from the world – The Bible makes it clear that the Christian is to be separated from the world. The Apostle Paul says it this way in 2 Corinthians 6 verses 14-18:

(ESV) “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Essentially, Paul is saying that Christians are not to form partnerships with those in darkness. Light and darkness cannot exist in the same vicinity. One has to overpower the other, which means that the two are altogether different. The deception of the world offers a merger between Christians and those who are not. However, Paul says that there must be a separation between those in darkness and those in the light of Christ. So, we as Christians are to live separated from the ways of this world and not to adopt what the world has approved of.

At the end of it all, Christians are meant to show forth God’s Spirit here on Earth. It is our duty to respond to the world with love, God’s truth, submission unto God, and separation from a sinful lifestyle. Just as an EMT responds to emergency situations, our job is the same. The world needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must proclaim Gods truth and do so without changing the message of hope or failing to make a plea for those to come out of their sin.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your savior? God desires that you know Him in a relationship with Him through Christ. Accept this gift of life by believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Turn from your sin and follow Jesus Christ to a destiny of life in abundance.

The Battle for Your Mind

20 Friday May 2016

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

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ID-10034140The mind is a major part of the human body. While other body parts such as the legs, arms, eyes, and even ears serve an important purpose to our well-being, it is the mind that controls the body as a whole. Our movements are tied to the signals that are sent directly from the brain. Essentially, the brain sends messages throughout the body through what are called “neurons.”

Neurons are nerve cells that transmit nerve pulses in response to the brain’s directions. This is done through the nervous system. The brain’s responsibility is to send signals through each neuron which carries out the instructions to a specific body part. The end result is that of a body part that moves based on the brain’s original signal. Without brain functionality, the body itself would cease to exist because the body cannot receive proper instruction unless signals from the brain are transmitted without interference.

Spiritually speaking, all of us are engaged in a battle over our mind. On one hand, the Almighty God desires to reign and have spiritual control over our mind. On the other hand, Satan desires to corrupt our mind so that we follow him in rebellion and in sin. There is no in between as it relates to God or Satan. However, it is better for every human being to have the mind of Christ just as the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 16.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 2, in verses 6-16, the Apostle Paul talks about spiritual wisdom and the revelation that comes from knowing God through the Holy Spirit. Paul says in verses 6-8:

(NKJV) “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

The Apostle Paul is speaking to the Corinthians at the church of Corinth in this chapter. In this part of chapter 2, Paul says that he and those who were working with him in the ministry (e.g. Apollos) were speaking wisdom to those who were mature. In this case, Paul was talking about those who were spiritually mature in Christ. The wisdom that Paul says he was speaking with was that of God’s wisdom and not of the world’s wisdom.

Verse 9:

(NKJV) “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Paul continues in verse 10 by saying that God has revealed those things to us through His Spirit. “Those things” that Paul mentions are the deep things of God, which are only the spiritual aspects that can be found when you have a relationship with God. Basically, it is through the Holy Spirit and the presence of God that we as humans are able to discern and understand the things of the Spirit. Paul goes on in verse 12 to make a distinction between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the world:

(NKJV) “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

Going back to the analogy of the brain, our body operates based on the instructions sent from the brain. It is what we know within our brain that enables our body to function. The same works in a spiritual sense. By knowing God through Jesus Christ, and operating in the Holy Spirit, our lives begin to be transformed into the image of God.

However, conversely, if we are operating in sin and following Satan then our lives take on the very attributes that come with evil intentions and wickedness. Paul said in verse 12 to those who were in Christ that they did not receive the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God. In doing so, Paul said that they would know the things freely given by God.

Verse 14:

(NKJV) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

If you look at the world around you today, much of our world has shown signs of chaos, confusion, and wicked behavior. The reason is because there are many who are living their lives outside of the will of God, which means that they are unable to accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. If you are in sin, then your are not readily able to see your wicked ways because, in order to be convicted of sinfulness, you must be influenced by the Holy Spirit.

Upon receiving Jesus Christ as your savior, the Holy Spirit then comes into your life and begins to manifest Himself by changing old habits and old mindsets. This is why Paul asks the question in verse 16, “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”

In other words, when you are following Jesus, and you are living under the influence of the Holy Spirit you will receive instructions from the Lord. In doing so, you are then enabled to be obedient unto God because then you have as Paul says in the latter part of verse 16, “the mind of Christ.”

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? If you look at the life of Jesus, His life was one of submission unto God. In John 6:38, Jesus said that He came down from Heaven not to do His own will but the will of His Father who is God. The reason why that is important is because Jesus was obedient to the will of God. He gave up His own will at the instruction of God the Father.

Paul encourages Christians in Philippians 2:5 to let the mind of Christ be in us. Basically, to have the mind of Christ is to walk in obedience to God by being influenced and led by the Holy Spirit. It is a constant battle over our mind because God wants control so that He can instruct us in His ways so that we can fulfill the purpose He has given to us. As mentioned before, Satan also wants control. However, his goal is to corrupt our mind so that we may sow to the flesh which then leads to eternal destruction.

Having a life that is postured in surrender unto God through Christ is what leads to a transformed and renewed mind according to Romans 12:2. The reason why having a renewed mind through Christ is so important is because daily you and I are bombarded by this world system. Since Satan is the ruler of this world, he wants to impose his deception upon us.

Many have become deceived into thinking that sin does not exist, but rather it is something to be embraced. The reason why this deception occurs is because many do not have the mind of Christ that comes through the Holy Spirit. The remedy for sin and a corrupted mind is Jesus Christ. When you have a relationship with Christ, you begin to shed the mindset that Satan gives to you, and you take on a renewed disposition.

Do you know Jesus in the pardon of your sins? If not, then you are operating out of a spirit that comes from Satan himself. He wants to destroy your soul and make your life one that lacks abundance. However, Jesus came, died on the cross and rose again so that you and I could know God through Jesus Christ. Allow Jesus to come into your heart, make Him Lord, and let Him change your mind through daily renewal.

Run the Race and Finish Strong

30 Wednesday Dec 2015

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

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ID-100354832.jpgA marathon is a type of race that involves long distance running. Athletes participate with the intent to complete what may seem like to outsiders a monumental task. Each participant understands that it isn’t about winning the race or achieving a top position. The ultimate goal is to endure until the end.

As each runner goes forth, they battle through pain, fatigue, and the ever present thoughts of quitting before the race ends. However, the belief in each person’s heart and mind is that they are able to cross the finish line. There are even those who experience injury and complete exhaustion and yet they push forward until the very end. It is the accomplishment of completing a marathon that matters the most.

Spiritually speaking, we all face our own marathon experience throughout life. Both to the believer and unbeliever, life does not conceal or limit its challenges. However the great news is that with Christ anyone can have an opportunity to run their race with endurance and strength. The offer of guidance and faith is available, even to those who are among the godless.

In the book of Hebrews chapter 12, verses 1-2 says the following:

(NLV) “All these many people who have had faith in God are around us like a cloud. Let us put everything out of our lives that keeps us from doing what we should. Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on a cross. He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God.”

The author of the book of Hebrews remains unknown to this day, however, some believe that the Apostle Paul may have written this book. This book was written to Christians who were experiencing persecution at which the writing of this epistle took place between 65 to 85 A.D.

In verse 1 of this chapter, the writer makes reference to those who had faith in God who surround those in Christ as a cloud. Other translations say a “great cloud of witnesses.” If you read chapter 11 of Hebrews, you will see the individuals who were noted as those who had faith in God. Individuals such as Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Sarah were known to have been enshrined in what is known as the ‘Hall of Faith.’

However, the admonishment from the writer is to Christians to first, put aside everything that creates an impediment. Some translations use the word ‘sin’ in order to make the point of obedience and surrender unto God. This writer makes this point because if we who are in Christ are going to please God, we must first rid ourselves of the sin in our life.

This means, that we must seek God for forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Believe it or not, sin can be a hindrance to you because it creates a separation between you and God. We are unable to adequately accomplish great things for God as long as we have allowed sin to flourish and have a residence in our life.

In verse 1 the writer continues by saying that we must run in the race that God has planned for us. Other translations say to “run the race with patience.” In any case, all of us have a race or a path that God has carved out for us to run. Your path is different from my path, but God has designed a race specifically for you. The key is that we must run the race and do so with patience.

Sometimes, circumstances arise in life that has the potential to cause you to quit. However, the encouragement is not to quit but to run through the process. The writer also says in verse 2 that we are to look unto to Jesus. This means that when we are facing fiery trials, we must keep our eyes focused on Christ.

Regardless of how difficult a season may be, the key is to look to the Lord because He is your strength even when you have none left. Verse 2 continues when it says, “Our faith comes from Him and He is the One Who makes it perfect.” Faith comes when our lives are surrendered to God. Our job is to believe, but it is God who increases our faith if we believe that He is able to accomplish anything we are seeking Him for.

Our faith is also perfected and sharpened as we continue to live in obedience unto Christ. The final part of verse 2 makes note of Jesus Christ and the cross. The writer is essentially saying that Jesus did not give up when he faced shame and even death on the cross. Rather, Jesus understood that the victory would be won if He was obedient even unto death. As the scripture points out in the last portion, now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God.

This essentially means that we who believe and follow Jesus, we too have an opportunity to receive the victory. Anyone can run in a marathon, but to finish and finish strong is what invokes a sense of victory and accomplishment. I have my own race in life that I am running, but I realize that it is through my faith in God and obedience unto Him, that I am able to accomplish all things through Christ as Philippians 4:13 says.

It may be tempting for you to give up, and perhaps you have contemplated it. Maybe you are experiencing a difficult situation in your life and you want to quit. The message is to you, and that message is to look to Jesus for your faith and strength. Jesus Christ is the Rock and He is the one who will give you the endurance to finish and finish strong.

Those who give up, forfeit their inheritance and their blessing. The writer encourages us as Christians to walk in righteousness and to turn to Jesus for our faith. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior, then you are running the race without guidance. You too have a race to run, but God wants you to run with Him and on His path.

Accept Christ’s gift of life by acknowledging your sin and by believing that He died on the cross. By accepting Jesus into your life, you are able to run this race with God’s help. All of us must run this race and finish strong. You and I are able to do so only through Jesus Christ.

The Gift for Every Day – Jesus Christ

26 Saturday Dec 2015

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December 25 is a day in which many around the world, celebrate the holiday that is known as ‘Christmas.’ On this day, millions gather to exchange gifts and to spend time with family and friends. This is a day that Christians and non-Christians have set aside time to engage in festivities that involve decorations and consuming a holiday dinner. It is a time that has been marked by togetherness and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

However, there is a much deeper meaning to this day. While the world promotes purchasing material things, the truth of the matter is that at the core of Christmas day, it is not about giving or receiving gifts. While this is a nice gesture and it is most certainly encouraged, the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ’s birth marked the beginning of humanity’s opportunity for redemption. It is because of Jesus’ birth, that you and I can be redeemed due to His sacrifice on the cross.

While Christmas day is an important day in the history of our world and all existence, it is paramount that we who are in Christ understand that Christmas day isn’t the only day that we are to celebrate or acknowledge the birth of Christ. Every day is a day that we have the opportunity to commemorate and honor the gift of Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah gives a prophecy that points to the birth of Jesus Christ that would occur many years after the prophecy was given. For example, in Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14, the following prophecy is declared:

(NKJV) “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

This prophecy was made between 701 and 681 BC. It was later fulfilled in 5 BC. 700 years later, the words of the prophet Isaiah came to pass. In chapter 9 of Isaiah and verse 6, another declaration is made:

(ESV) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

It is important to note in the above verse, Isaiah was not only foretelling what would happen, but he was directing his prophecy to King Ahaz and the nation of Judah. At this time period, Judah and its people were afraid of the Northern Kingdom (Jerusalem) and Syria. They were joining together to attack Judah. However, Isaiah prophesies with hope rather than sticking to a gloom and doom perspective.

Essentially, the prophecy of Jesus Christ is one of hope, not only for the people in Isaiah’s day but for future generations. Isaiah said, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;” This meant that the prophecy transcended every generation. “To us” meant that the gift of life through Jesus Christ became available to every person regardless of the time they live in.

Even today, the gift of Jesus Christ being born is a gift that is available to you and I. Since the prophecy is toward humanity as a whole, then it includes even those who choose to reject Christ. The fact is that you and I have been given an extraordinary opportunity to be redeemed through the bloodshed of Jesus Christ. While Christmas is a day that many celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it is not to be relegated to one day.

Every day should be a day to recognize the birth of Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection. The key is understanding that Christ being born to die has eternal relevance, especially for those who make the choice to accept this gift of life. Unfortunately, satan has used many distractions through the media to divert the focus of both the believer and non-believer in the attempt to remove the emphasis on Jesus Christ.

If you have seen any advertisements both before, during, and even after Christmas then you may have seen the concerted focus on materialism. We live in a society that does not push the essence of Jesus Christ’s birth, but rather the focus is on what one must have or purchase. However, the key is not the gifts we buy or get for ourselves.

Isaiah makes it clear when he says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;” This suggests that it was God’s plan that Jesus be given for us in order to break the power of sin over humanity. Christmas shouldn’t be solely about the gifts, friends, family, and great food. While these things have their place and are to be cherished, the overwhelming reason for today and every day’s commemoration is to reflect upon the gift that God gave to us through Jesus Christ.

Even to those who adamantly deny God’s existence, or those who choose to live in their sin, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is the gift that is available every single day. His sacrifice on the cross is what closes the chasm between our lives in sin and having a relationship with God. Every Christmas is indeed another reminder that we should be thankful for what we have, but the overarching theme is Jesus Christ.

The world will not elevate the name of Jesus because those who live independently of God are not open to the things of the Holy Spirit. However, when you receive Christ as your Lord & Savior, Christmas and every day begins to take on a new meaning. Christ died for the sinner and the saint. He died for you regardless of what your past or present circumstance is.

However, while the death of Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to be free from our sin, it is the individual choice we must make to be redeemed. Those who choose to remain in darkness are operating out of condemnation, however, redemption is reserved for those who desire to be made whole and set free.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Perhaps you celebrated Christmas with friends, family, and you exchanged gifts – and yet your life was and is missing the most important part and that is Christ. It isn’t too late to receive Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. Many celebrate Christmas with religiosity and tradition, and yet their lives are devoid of the one who can truly give them life and meaning.

Jesus wants to give you life through His sacrifice, but it is up to you. The world continues to prompt us to focus on materialism and aspects of life that are temporal. However, eternal life through Christ is what will last. Choose life today by choosing Jesus. His gift of life is available not just on Christmas day, but every day. God’s gift is available to you if you are willing to accept it.