tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78275084178082399632024-03-21T18:10:23.053-04:00Always The FishAlways the Fish is about helping people to live in the power of the gospel of Christ. Jesus Christ has given the most wonderful gift we could ever receive - his life. Now as Christians we must learn to walk in this newness of life living out what the Lord is doing in ours hearts depending on the Holy Spirit's help.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-35054894050791360352017-07-29T15:02:00.001-04:002017-07-29T15:02:25.742-04:00A ray of hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXKMn1vAwxxWL1KOXnNCbKN0VTsFs4Fq5Ot86BkbsLoqK42tv33J2E391tU46cu0RIDndhKiO8Rvyke17QfzieihMuUaXWX295LLgY_-QwOJ9WvKzuj48tiyIwoZSY74wuoaWUEwBNQbX/s1600/20140912_070126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXKMn1vAwxxWL1KOXnNCbKN0VTsFs4Fq5Ot86BkbsLoqK42tv33J2E391tU46cu0RIDndhKiO8Rvyke17QfzieihMuUaXWX295LLgY_-QwOJ9WvKzuj48tiyIwoZSY74wuoaWUEwBNQbX/s640/20140912_070126.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-56810687884293975742017-04-05T15:07:00.001-04:002017-04-05T15:07:16.008-04:00The fruit of the heartHave you ever gotten a lime off of a pear tree? Each fruit tree bears the fruit that it’s supposed to. An apple tree bears apples, a lemon tree bears lemon. Each person’s life bears fruit. And the fruit is the words we say as a result of the condition of our heart. The Pharisees words concerning Jesus showed the condition of their heart. His lesson is simple and true, each tree is known by its fruit. Keep this in mind as you read Matthew 12:33-37. Jesus' simply say’s make a tree good and its fruit will be good or a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit. In teaching this he taught the people to be aware of false prophets that they would be recognize by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). The fruit of a sinful heart is sin. Their problem and our problem is that we are born with a sinful heart and the fruit that we bear is sin. No matter what we do we cannot make our sinful heart bear good fruit for God. Only God can take a sinful human heart and make it right before him. The good news for all humanity is that God is willing to make any persons heart new if they ask him in faith. This is made possible because of Jesus’ sinless sacrifice on the cross and of his bodily resurrection from the dead. Here is what God did in Jesus: he made him who knew no sin to become sin for us so that we can become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21) This is God’s love for you that through Jesus Christ, God is able to make your heart new, righteous before him so that the fruit of your heart is good fruit of the Spirit and not the bad fruit the flesh Galatians 5:19-23. Proverbs 6:16-19 teach us just how sinful a human heart can be. Jesus Christ alone has the power to make a person heart new and in right standing with God the Father. When God make a person’s heart new and righteous the good fruit of the Spirit will be produced through that person’s life. This will be evident because there will be a change that others will notice. God the Father knows exactly what changes need to take place in your life. If your life is in a mess and you want to have a changed life then call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and ask him to save you from your sins and to give you a new heart. You will experience a relationship with God that is real and personal. He will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit that will teach and guide you in the way that you should go. You get to know him as you spend time with him in his Word (the Holy Bible), prayer as he reveals his plans and promises to you.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-49241460290920067642017-03-31T12:41:00.003-04:002017-03-31T12:41:53.945-04:00Jesus response to the Pharisee's accusationsWith Jesus authenticating himself as the great “I Am” of the Old Testament we now get to watch how the Pharisees respond once again when a demon-oppressed man is brought to him. Please read Matthew 12:22-32. Notice the crowds response- they were amazed! They were continuously amazed and beside themselves as Jesus continued to heal all that was brought to him. The crowds began to ask the question “Can this the Son of David?” Jesus’ answer to this question is yes if you have ears to hear and eyes to see with. The Pharisees ministry and influence as decreasing and they became jealous of Jesus. They reveal to us just how wicked a person’s heart can be. The Pharisees respond this way because they don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of David. They accuse Jesus of doing these miracles by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. God’s word is right with these words: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10) No matter what religion you may or may not practice, one truth is for sure: we do not know just how wicked and sinful our hearts are! As I reflect on my life I do not know the depravity of my own heart. God does! Our sinful wicked heart is a divided heart. Jesus reveals this truth as he responds to the Pharisees accusations with this truth: A house divided against itself will fall (vs. 25). The same truth applies today. The same is truth applies in a marriage, in a business and yes even in a local church body! The only way any person, or group can have a united heart for one purpose is to take Jesus up on his invitation: “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Jesus has the authority and power to set you free from Satan’s control and transform your life. Jesus received the authority from the Father to bind Satan and plunder his house. Jesus paid for your sin debt in full on the cross when he shed his blood for your soul. Let’s get one truth perfectly clear: Jesus satisfied the wrath of God because we as sinful humans were not and are not able to do so. Jesus under the authority of God the Father bound Satan up and plundered his house. Every person who has ever been plundered from the house of Satan has been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. The classic hymn has it right: What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Jesus Christ is the only reason my life is different today. I invite you to give your life to him! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-8656091833885260372017-03-24T16:43:00.000-04:002017-03-24T16:43:10.508-04:00Jesus' Authentication as the real MessiahHave you ever seen Vaseline glass? Normally you would find this in an antique store and it will be a green colored dish that was made during the early nineteen hundreds. If you are not careful you can mistakenly buy a piece of green Depression glass from the same time period. So before you buy how would this glass as the real deal? First you must remember that Vaseline glass is also known as uranium glass. This uranium glass will glow a bright green under ultraviolet light. What make it glow is the uranium oxide that is added to it during the process of making it. So you would want to carry an ultraviolet light around with you or down load the application on to your cell phone. Turn it on and it should glow and you know that you are holding the real deal in your hands before you purchase it. As we continue through the book of Matthew how do we know that Jesus is the great “I Am” of the Old Testament? There would have to be a way to authenticate what Jesus is doing and saying so that a person could make the adjustment of their lives to him. In Matthew 11:28-30 he gave an invitation to come to him and find rest for your souls. The Pharisees ask him a question concerning his disciples breaking the laws of the Sabbath in which he replied that he was the Lord of the Sabbath. As Lord of the Sabbath he responded with an answer that gave interpretation of the Law that differed from the one they were teaching people. Let’s read how Jesus authenticated that he is the Lord of the Sabbath before the Pharisees and their response in Matthew 12:9-14. I hope that you have taken the time to read this passage because in it we read how Jesus authenticated himself as the great “I Am” the one who is the Lord of the Sabbath. Notice that they are now asking “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” They are looking for a way to accuse him so that they could get rid of him. His response to them is that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath because a person is more valuable than an animal. If you’re struggling with your self-value you need to know that you are loved by God with an everlasting love. He sent his Son to die in your place and pay a sin debt that you could not pay. Jesus Christ laid down his life voluntarily because he loves you. Jesus authenticated that he is the Lord of the Sabbath when he healed with man with just a spoken word. The LORD performed a similar miracle with Moses at the burning bush. The Pharisees responded by plotting against Jesus so that they could destroy him. How will you respond to Jesus? Respond to him with repentance and submission calling upon him to save you from your sins. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-38908707476212299162017-03-17T14:34:00.000-04:002017-03-17T14:34:30.109-04:00Jesus responds to the PhrsieesHave you ever noticed that there are some people who will always be on the fringe of your life judging you? This happened to Jesus and the group that was judging his teaching and his disciple’s practices was called the Pharisees. The Pharisees in an honest attempt to be holy before God and to be obedient to His commands set in place certain rules and regulations that they would follow so as not to break God’s commandments. This complex system that the Pharisees developed over time turned into a system of legalism. Let’s listen to Jesus as he responds to the Pharisees concerning their judgment concerning his disciples practice on the Sabbath in Matthew 12:1-8. Let’s begin by noticing that the Pharisees were judging based on their oral tradition of the law and not what the Law said. Jesus responds to the Pharisees concern with two Old Testament examples and the passage of Scripture from Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” This passage of Scripture teaches the LORD responded on two different occasion when the Law was being broken. Jesus recalls when David and his men were given the bread that was the sacred bread that only the priest could eat as the Lord prescribed to them. God gave King David mercy because he and his men were in need because they were on the run from King Saul. The LORD also made provisions within the Law so that the priest could do their ministry on the Sabbath day and not be guilty. The biblical truth that Jesus taught is still applicable today. Jesus is able to give the right interpretation of Scripture because he is the Son of Man who is the Lord of the Sabbath. The Pharisees struggled with applying Jesus’ interpretation of Scripture to their lives. Some of the Pharisees came to faith in Jesus after his resurrection and found rest for their souls. The same is true for you today when apply Jesus’ interpretation of the Scripture to your life. This wonderful news because God’s peace doesn’t change but our life situations are constantly changing. This why every person who has called upon Jesus to be their Lord and Savior needs to take following him seriously. God has given each person who has been born again a wonderful gift. This gift is the Holy Spirit who is God taking up residence in the life of each believer. He helps each person to know and apply Jesus’ interpretation of Scripture to your life. If you do not learn to study and apply the Bible for yourself you will be a practicing modern day Pharisee. I invite you to learn how to study the Bible using the inductive study method. I would like to recommend three Study Bibles that most people would benefit from: The ESV Study Bible published by Crossway, the NIV Study Bible edited by D.A. Carson and the CSB Study Bible. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-41118393407417096132017-03-11T21:06:00.001-05:002017-03-11T21:06:59.178-05:00Resting on a Friday <p dir="ltr">Our cat knows how to rest. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictx3euU-sT4fGEXgeWLsNW7Vw7_bo4QV4G6Ic5xeghghZCjrUB7YHAUSvKQ0b2aEYxT0t7-du3iILf2gtfIhGpqSxc1Xuj0lWmyJ-c9bBN9-hAUAPEqXmxSFvMbHaV-MpANF-pFwUQUoe/s1600/20170310_102905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictx3euU-sT4fGEXgeWLsNW7Vw7_bo4QV4G6Ic5xeghghZCjrUB7YHAUSvKQ0b2aEYxT0t7-du3iILf2gtfIhGpqSxc1Xuj0lWmyJ-c9bBN9-hAUAPEqXmxSFvMbHaV-MpANF-pFwUQUoe/s640/20170310_102905.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-84477942785069473902017-03-09T16:41:00.002-05:002017-03-09T16:47:19.843-05:00Learning from JesusGrowing up you probably got to learn from someone showing and telling you how they wanted something done. Fishing is one of those show and tell but it requires a lot of patients and practice. I started fishing from the bank with a cane pole and then graduated to learning to fish from the middle of the boat on the river. Learning to fish from the middle of the boat required me to learn a whole new technique in casting a lure. My dad taught me to fish from the middle of a boat by taking a five gallon bucket and setting it up in the yard so that I could practice casting under the dogwood trees. This would keep me from being hung up in the trees. He explained that I had to cast a certain way. The reason why I mention this is because learning is a lifelong process. Learning to follow Jesus is also a lifelong process he gives us an invitation to come and learn from him in Matthew 11:28-30. I am going to ask you to please read the verses and those that surround it. Jesus’ invitation is to everyone and anyone who is weary of trying to keep the Law of God man’s ways. Have you ever noticed how heavy and burdensome it is trying to please God in your own strength? You cannot do it. It is impossible. But when we come to Jesus submitting to him and abiding he enables us to do what we cannot do ourselves. That when we find rest for our souls. When He calls us to himself and gives us a command to follow he enables us to follow through. He commands us to take up his yoke and learn from him. Jesus comes alongside us and helps us to learn how to do life his way. Learning to live life the way that Jesus wants me to requires me to die to my selfish way and follow his ways. Putting to death selfish sinful ways is not easy but through prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit it can be done. I don’t know about you but for me this is difficult sometimes because I want to do life my way and ask God to bless it. As I learn from him and put into practice what he is teaching me I find true rest for my soul. I live for his approval not anyone else. As I learn from Jesus, I discover that he is no harsh task master but someone who wants God best for me. I am inviting you to come to Jesus and learn from him. He wants God’s best for you. Just as my father taught me how to cast a fishing rod so could fish with him on the river, Jesus will teach you how to be a disciple of his so that you can be on mission with him to make disciples of those around you. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-23677382874320029152016-03-24T10:03:00.000-04:002016-03-24T10:03:28.960-04:00It is Finsihed!The other day I received a phone call from my dad and he instructed that they were had caught 32 fish where they had went fishing. He then proceeded to tell me in a polite way as only a dad can that I was to clear my calendar and go fishing with him. I was very happy to do so. It’s not every day that I get to go fishing with my dad. We had fun caught some fish and we when got home the work began. My work wasn’t complete or finished until we cleaned them. When the last one was cleaned we were finished. We were exhausted but filled with joy because our work was complete. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes with that. I am sure that at some point in a project you to where glad to say it is finished. The sense of accomplishment does the soul well. Well on this day over two thousand years ago the words “It is finished” were spoken by Jesus before he died on the cross. I invite you to read with me John 19:28-30 “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (ESV) Have you ever thought about these words “It is finished”? The reason why these words are so powerful is because Jesus paid for our sin debt in full. He completed the work of redemption. He paid our sin debt with his own blood to God the Father so that we could be forgiven and adapted in God’s family. Here is our struggle, we want to add something to the finished work of salvation that Christ completed. The reason why we cannot add anything thing to the finished work of what Jesus did on the cross is because he said “It is finished!” When God raised Jesus Christ from the grave he showed that he approved of his atoning sacrifice that was done on the cross. Paul writes this in his letter to the Ephesians in 2:14-16 “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” God is inviting you to place your faith in the finished work of his son Jesus Christ, your response to this invitation determines the outcome of your eternal destination. No matter what your religious background is God invitation is “Come to Jesus He is Risen!”Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-59176238037490391712016-03-14T12:39:00.001-04:002016-03-14T12:39:31.694-04:00Accepting the Spirit's helpYou know accepting help sometimes is the hardest part of living as a person. I want to do it one my own. When if the truth is known deep down I really could use some help to help me with whatever it is that I am doing. Do you have this same struggle with accepting help because you want to do it on your own? The most difficult part about becoming a Christian is accepting Jesus help in salvation. We cannot save ourselves he has to help us by doing the work of salvation for us completely. Being saved by Jesus is just the beginning. We cannot keep ourselves saved either, he does that for us to. You may struggle with this to, but being saved from ones sins is a work of God from beginning to end. What about approaching God through prayer. If you were taught to pray at the mealtime your parent probably taught you this prayer: God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Bow our heads we are all fed. Thank you Lord for daily bread. Amen! This is one of our weakness that we need help with as Christians-learning how to have a conversation with our heavenly Father. Jesus taught the Disciples how to pray because they asked him to teach them how to pray. But today, we have not only the word of God to help us to learn how to pray but we have a Helper, who will come along side of us and help us in our prayer life. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to prayer for as we ought, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27) Are we willing to accept the Spirits help in our prayer life. If we are willing to admit to the Lord that we need help in our prayer life then God’s grace is there to help us. We can then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) So if we have the help of the Spirit in our prayer life, and we can come boldly to the throne of grace to ask for help in time of need then why don’t we. If we listen to the guidance of the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, he will come along side us and help us, he will teach what to ask for in prayer and when we ask for what is on God’s heart we have answered prayer. I John 5:13-15 teaches us this. If you would like to learn more about the Spirit’s work in the life of a follower of Jesus I invite you to church Sunday. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-14451450156709564742016-01-22T15:10:00.000-05:002016-01-22T15:10:54.513-05:00Being set freeToday, I am asking you to get your Bible and turn to Romans 7:1-4. We must remember that this passage builds off of the previous chapters. You may want to read Romans 5 and 6 before you continue to read. The Apostle Paul make the principle that is being taught clear—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives. “Romans 7:1” The use of the illustration of marriage helps us understand how this principle works even in today’s society. After giving the illustration the Apostle come to application which is where we need to camp out today and apply to our lives so that others around us can see that the gospel message is true and that Jesus is who He say’s he is. The believer’s in Rome happen to be both Jewish and Gentile, both died to the Law. The Jews died to the Mosaic Law and the Gentiles died to the law that God put on their heart that either accused or excused them. Today, when a person comes to believe in Jesus, that is they exercise faith in him and are born again they have died to the Law. The Apostle’s in Acts 15 had to help the early Church understand that they who were Jewish couldn’t keep the Law and the only person who could fulfilled and was raised again from the dead. Now in Acts 15 they gave clear directions for what the new believers were to do. Here is a quick question that I want you to ask yourself- Am I trying to keep the Law? If I try to keep the Law as prescribe in the Mosaic Law or even if I try to bear fruit to God on my own strength, then I will become a bitter person. I will become a Pharisee, trying to be righteous in my own strength. The way a believer bears fruit to God is to die to self every day and live for Jesus. It is the ministry and work of the Holy Spirit living in the life of the believer to bear fruit. It is our abiding in Christ, our relationship with him that is so vital. I want to you to take this passage of Scripture and turn it into a prayer to the Lord asking him to help you to be released from the law, to be set free from that which held you captive. So that you can serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. I want to encourage you to read and meditate on John 15:1-17. As you do the fruit of the Spirit that Paul mentions in Galatians 5:22-23 will become a reality in your life. I want to invite you to First Baptist Church this Sunday. If not with us there are plenty of great churches here in Lake City that love the Lord. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-48039753836966886432016-01-20T14:24:00.002-05:002016-01-20T14:24:09.855-05:00Choices have consequenses<br />
You know we all have choices to make. The choices that we make do have consequences. Some people think that because we are saved by grace we can sin and bring glory to God. Paul said, “By no means!” Some people believe that it is ok to sin since we are not under law but under grace. Let’s read,<br />
What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.<br />
For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:15-23 ESV)<br />
Our choices do have consequences. The longer I live and reflect back on my life I must honestly admit to myself and to God the reason why I am where I am today is because of a choice that I made. When I chose to disobey God, I suffered the consequences of my choices. When I have obeyed God, the blessing of God have changed my life. The believer must take responsibility for their choices. No disciple of Jesus can ever say sin made me do! That would be a lie since we have read that the disciple of Jesus is set free from sin rule over them. As a disciple we learn to make decisions, choices based on what we have learned from God’s word and applied it to our lives. I must come to grips as Jesus’ disciple that he purchased me on the cross with his shed blood. He paid my sin debt to God. I am a slave of Jesus Christ and therefore I must obey my master. The interesting insight to this is he doesn’t force me to obey him. I should want to obey Jesus from the heart because of what he did for me. Are a disciple who obeys Jesus from the heart or do you have to learn obedience through the consequences of your sin? I invite you to come and worship with us in a local Church this Sunday so that you can learn more about being a disciple of Jesus Christ. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-29362223701743329002016-01-13T10:43:00.001-05:002016-01-13T10:43:50.834-05:00Set Free from Sin!<br />
A few weeks back I wrote that this would be a very rough flight as we discussed sin and God’s righteousness. Today I want you to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />
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“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”<br />
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If we are not careful we will overlook a very important sentence in this paragraph. We have already learned about the righteousness of God, about responding in faith to God’s promptings, and our sin. The love of God is such that he justifies us, that is, he sets us in a right relationship with himself as a free gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) <br />
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Are you a person that prefers to give gifts or receive gifts? If you are the one that enjoys the buying, surprising and giving then you are able in a simple and small sense to understand the way the Father feels in offering you His gift of grace. He sent Jesus to purchase this gift for you. If you are the person who enjoys receiving the gift, opening the package and finally seeing the surprise waiting inside, you have a package awaiting you, full of peace, joy and love, the gift of Jesus. <br />
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With any gift there comes a time of decision, you have to decide whether to receive or to reject. If you receive this gift you are not promised an easy life or a life of luxury while on this earth. However, you are promised an eternal life spent with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Heaven, perfection for eternity. Rejecting this gift, will result in Jesus, who could have been your advocate, instead denying He ever knew you and you living eternally in hell. Are you truly certain that Jesus knows your name or will he deny YOU?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-8409971708344201552015-12-30T13:15:00.001-05:002015-12-30T13:15:33.818-05:00The Key to Your Success in 2016<br />
There are a lot of great books that have been written on success and how to achieve it. Andy Andrews recently came to town and he does offer a fresh perspective on how to be successful. But out of all the books that I have read the number one principle for success is this: Seek God’s kingdom first for your life. Jesus taught his disciples this: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) This principle can be seen at work even in the Old Testament. King David was a man after God’s own heart and he sought the Lord in everything and when he didn’t we know of his sin it is written out for us in the Scripture. King Solomon who followed his father King David, walked with the Lord but then strayed from the Lord and the Lord disciplined him. Now after these two kings there are two phrases that will catch a person’s eye when reading 2 Chronicles. Those kings who did not seek the Lord and did not experience success will have this phrase in common: ‘And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord.’ (2 Chronicles 12:14) So those kings who did not seek the Lord did not experience God’s blessings or his presence, instead they experienced his discipline and in most cases and untimely death. But there are other kings in King David’s line who sought the Lord and they experienced God’s success. King Abijah called on the Lord as did his son, King Asa in time. This is written about King Asa, ‘And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.’ (2 Chronicles 14:2) The key to having success in your life is seeking the Lord. Let me explain, when you are seeking the Lord, remember you are seeking a relationship with a person, his name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Second, to experience success, you will want to bring your heart in line with what’s on his heart. In another word’s you will want to do His agenda and not yours each day. Third, we must take responsibility for what the Lord has entrusted to us. This encompasses your whole life not just a portion of it. So how do we bring our heart in line with what’s on God’s heart, how do we seek this relationship with the Lord and take responsibility with what he has entrusted to us? Spend time with him daily in his Word. If you have never read the Bible before, start in John’s Gospel. If you would like to learn more about having a relationship with Jesus Christ this year I invite you to attend a local Church this Sunday. If you have a question just send me an email pastorrobert@wecareatfblc.com<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-49673706649272665252015-12-18T10:14:00.002-05:002015-12-18T10:14:32.383-05:00God's Love for youToday I want to share my heart with you concerning God's love for us. This one verse of Scripture really captures it all, 'He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? What type of love is this that God just pours out on us. The type of love that God pours out on us from heaven is better than any parent's that we could receive. It is in his nature to give you and me the best. Everything he wants for you is the best that you can have. It is in his nature and character to do so. The best part of his love for you is that he is always present to give you and me help. Some people struggle this time of year when God is present to help them. So if you are struggling with life this holiday season you are not alone millions of people struggle along with you. Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden mankind has struggled with life because of the separation that has taken place between God and man. Life was not intended to be this way. God gave Adam and Eve freedom of choice. Choices have consequences. Adam and Eve’s choice led to humanity being born separated from God. The good news is that the Lord gave a promise in Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” God was able through this promise to restore the relationship between himself and his creation. This promise was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born, laid down his life for the sin of mankind and rose again on the third day. This gift of salvation is available for all to receive. This gift of salvation is a gift that not only saves us from sin but also the presence of the Lord through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The Lord is present in your daily life’s struggles. Even the Apostle Paul knew what it was to struggle in life. He explains his struggle here, “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV) When the Lord says to you, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” how does that make you feel? Understanding the meaning of this passage will help you in your struggle. In the New Testament, the word grace comes from the same Hebrew word hesed, which means tender mercies, steadfast love, loving kindness that are new every morning. So this gift of grace is sufficient. This is enough to see you through. His presence and power in your life will see you through the struggles of life. Israel had to learn to depend on the Lord after the exodus from Egypt. So in Exodus 16 we read about the manna. The people had to learn to depend on the Lord, that his presence and provision was enough for the day. Just imagine if you will that each day in your life God has provided himself, his presence and power to see you through the struggles of the day. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-91594741981448467682015-11-19T09:24:00.000-05:002015-11-19T09:24:28.872-05:00Unresolved AngerThere have been times in my life if you had said someone’s name anger would have flared up like gasoline being thrown on a fire. How about you, if someone brought up a certain person’s name right now would anger just flare up inside. Many a relationship has been strained or destroyed by unresolved anger. Some of life’s sicknesses maybe a result of unresolved anger. Is unresolved anger tearing apart relationships in your life? Jesus teaches us the truth about unresolved anger and the consequences it has on our lives. Let’s read: <br />
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:21-26 ESV) <br />
We learn from Jesus that to be angry with someone is just as bad as murdering them. Being angry with someone brings a liability of judgment from God in some form. We learn that anger toward someone can take many forms with serious repercussions. Jesus teaches us that unresolved anger toward someone leads to our worship being unacceptable to God. Unresolved anger could be the reason you feel that God is so distant. In Genesis four Cain gets angry and his face fell because his brother’s offering was accepted and his wasn’t. The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.’ (Genesis 4:6-7) Instead he killed his brother. If you are angry with someone please tell them why. If you know that someone is angry with you be obedient to Jesus’ instructions and go be reconciled to them. Then you r relationship with God is close again and the ministry of reconciliation is taking place in your life with others around you. I invite you to come to one of our local Churches here in Lake City to learn more about Jesus.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-87927151224996122702015-10-29T09:53:00.003-04:002015-10-29T09:53:17.007-04:00Being set right What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. (Romans 4:1-12)<br />
In this passage we have the perfect examples of justification “being set right with God” through faith from the Old Testament, Abraham and David. Abraham represents before the Law was given while David represents after the law was given. Both of these men believed God’s promise and God justified them. Both are saved by grace through faith. Paul ask a critical question about Abraham’s circumcision was it before or after he believed the Lord’s promise? Abraham’s circumcision didn’t save him just as water baptism doesn’t save anybody today. Abraham’s circumcision was a sign and a seal of his right standing with God. The same with King David. The people in Jesus’ day asked him this question: Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:28-29) That is it! Believe in Jesus Christ. The Philippian Jailer asked Paul, What must I do to be saved? Paul and Silas response, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household. The Philippian Jailer believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and got saved. Look it up it is in Acts 16. It is my prayer that this article today has helped you in your relationship with the Lord Jesus.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-81989504097107928872015-10-28T13:42:00.000-04:002015-10-28T13:42:09.339-04:00Praying it Through!<br />
Have you ever read this passage and thought about prayer? Let’s read this passage and keep prayer in mind.<br />
For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:13-25)<br />
We often pray selfish prayers asking Jesus to do something or claiming something in Jesus’ name and we often recite some familiar passages to justify our prayer request. After praying such prayers we may try to manufacture the miracle. I’m guilty of this myself. After reading passages like this and the one in Genesis we need to gain a proper perspective on prayer. Like Abraham we need to enjoy the Lord’s presence, his friendship taking delight in him. Secondly let the Lord give you a promise of what he wants to do in and through your life. Then after the Lord gives you a promise, pray through what the Lord has promised, and obey his instructions that he has given you. Sometimes his instructions are wait! This is when the Lord prepares us to be ready to receive the promise. Remember, God is able to call into existence what he has promised you. I invite you to read the Bible and have a conversation with the Lord.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-85559736528860271942015-10-02T08:35:00.002-04:002015-10-02T08:35:22.052-04:00Why questions are asked?When I was growing up and going to school I didn’t pay attention. Then the teacher would ask a question I would get it wrong. So I had to learn to pay attention in class or I would miss the answer to the questions being asked. Today we will come to the end of Romans Chapter 3 where Paul is going to ask six questions that will cause us to stop and reflect on what the Lord has done for us and what he has taught us.<br />
“Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” (Romans 3:27-31)<br />
These questions cause us to stop and think about the two principles that are taught in this chapter. The two principles are: that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law and that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles. The first three questions that Paul asks are concerning a person being justified by faith apart from the works of the law. None of us can boast about our salvation in Jesus. We didn’t do the work to pay the penalty for our sin debt. Jesus did that work on the cross to make salvation possible for all people.<br />
The next two questions Paul teaches us that God is the God of both Jew and Gentile, all other people who are not of Jewish blood. After Jesus’ death burial and resurrection he deals equally with everybody. So it doesn’t matter what family you are born into, or what religion you were raised with, God’s way of salvation is the same for all humanity. For any person desiring to go to heaven when they die, or have a new life that is different now on earth they must by faith, repent of their sins and call on Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior. When they do this God fulfills his promise in their lives. The last question is what happens to the Law. Jesus taught us saying that the Law would not pass away but that He came to fulfill the law. Let’s reread the first three chapters of Romans again and ask the Lord where we need to examine ourselves in relation to these questions. I invite you come and worship with us or another church in the local area.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-51118176961355697422015-09-25T14:33:00.001-04:002015-09-25T14:33:08.524-04:00Rough flight coming to an endA few weeks back I wrote that this would be a very rough flight as we discussed sin and God’s righteousness. Today I want you to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.<br />
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”<br />
If we are not careful we will overlook a very important sentence in this paragraph. We have already learned about the righteousness of God, about responding in faith to God’s promptings, and our sin. The love of God is such that he justifies us, that is, he sets us in a right relationship with himself as a free gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) <br />
Are you a person that prefers to give gifts or receive gifts? If you are the one that enjoys the buying, surprising and giving then you are able in a simple and small sense to understand the way the Father feels in offering you His gift of grace. He sent Jesus to purchase this gift for you. If you are the person who enjoys receiving the gift, opening the package and finally seeing the surprise waiting inside, you have a package awaiting you, full of peace, joy and love, the gift of Jesus. <br />
With any gift there comes a time of decision, you have to decide whether to receive or to reject. If you receive this gift you are not promised an easy life or a life of luxury while on this earth. However, you are promised an eternal life spent with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Heaven, perfection for eternity. Rejecting this gift, will result in Jesus, who could have been your advocate, instead denying He ever knew you and you living eternally in hell. Are you truly certain that Jesus knows your name or will he deny YOU?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-11975121803904105712015-09-04T13:54:00.001-04:002015-09-04T13:54:41.142-04:00A Changed HeartCircumcision of the Heart<br />
Have you ever sang this song, Change my heart oh God”? For us to really be in a right relationship with God and with others around us we need Jesus Christ to do for us what we cannot do ourselves. That is to change our hearts. Here in this passage of Scripture we will read Paul addressing Jewish Christians who were counting on their ethnicity and the outward sign of the covenant(circumcision) to get them into heaven. He raises from question that they would have asked as a result of reading the first two chapters of Romans. Let's read what he writes to the church. <br />
For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. “Romans 2:25-29”<br />
Paul is writing to the Jew Christian letting them know that if they can keep the whole law without sinning their circumcision is profitable. They are not able to keep the whole law therefore their circumcision is unprofitable. Notice the line of thinking that the Apostle uses. If an uncircumcised man is able to do this then his uncircumcision will be counted as circumcision. The problem is this, some of the Jews were counting on their ethnicity and circumcision to keep them from experiencing the righteous judgment of God. Today, I’m afraid that we are guilty of propagating something just as bad. We may be guilty of counting on our Christian heritage, the church we grew up in and our outward baptism we experienced as a child or an adult. If our heart is not changed by Jesus Christ none of this will get us into heaven. Let’s read the last sentence again. There is a heart matter that must be taken into account. Circumcision that matters is not the outward one that the Jew was counting on, nor the outward act of water baptism or sprinkling. The circumcision that matters is the circumcision of the heart. The baptism that matters is the baptism of the heart. If God has not baptized and placed you in the body of Christ you do not have forgiveness of sins, no power to live the Christian life today and no eternal home in heaven? Ask Jesus these two questions: Am I yours? Am I holy? The Holy Spirit of God will answer these two questions. If you belong to God you’re set aside for his purposes. When a person is baptized by God they hunger and thirst to know him, to know Jesus and to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. All who are saved by the Lord will grow to be faithful believers living for Christ. If you are struggling with sin I invite you to come to Jesus and ask him to change your heart. He can take the sin away and give you a new heart with the strength you need to walk with him. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-54785641046203347812015-08-29T15:35:00.001-04:002015-08-29T15:35:31.361-04:00Just remindedCheck out @robertcbass's Tweet: https://twitter.com/robertcbass/status/637696591961452544?s=09Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-62412596882774738672015-08-25T10:28:00.000-04:002015-08-25T10:28:10.796-04:00The False Security of Many
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Romans 2:17-24</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Here in our passage today,
the apostle Paul brings to Jew’s to the forefront of the conversation in his
letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of this chapter is
going to be aimed at the Jews and help them to see that they are under sin to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does Paul stay so long on the subject of
sin? “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>and know his will and
approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you
are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are
in darkness,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>an
instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the
embodiment of knowledge and truth—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>you
then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against
stealing, do you steal? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>You
who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who
abhor idols, do you rob temples? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>You
who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup> </sup></b>For, as it is written, “The name of God is
blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:17-24) Paul stays so
long on the subject of sin because the Jews have a sin problem to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lets them know that just because they have
the word of God written out for them and are instructed out of it they are not
able to obey it perfectly either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have a false security if they are resting on their heritage of being a Jew,
having the written word being instructed out of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not what saves a person!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the problem today we have to many
people who are resting on the fact ht<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
wants the Jew to know that they have a sin problem that they cannot fix as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same could be said for someone
who really had God fearing parents or grandparents, went to the same church,
went through the baptismal waters but didn’t have a change of heart concerning
their sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact it is ok to point out
other people’s sin but not your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is how sin deceives us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
probably have heard this: do as I say not as I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person instructed know that you really
believe it is ok to do what you told them not to do because your actions tell
them that is what you really believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you teach a child not to steal, and then you steal what have you taught the
child? That it is alright to steal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
reason why revival tarries is because we want other people to repent of their
sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you need salvation if you
don’t have a sin problem?</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-50262724043074419632015-08-19T15:20:00.000-04:002015-08-19T15:20:13.682-04:00God doesn't force repentance!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have
learned that God’s judgment is according to truth, that he will render to each
person according to their deeds and that he shows no partiality. Will God let a
person into heaven even though he has never put his faith in Jesus Christ? Let’s read: “For all who have sinned without the law will
also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be
judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous
before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles,
who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to
themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of
the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness,
and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according
to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:12-16) In this passage the word law is the Mosaic
Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy) given to Israel through Moses. Today the complete book of instructions is
called the Holy Bible. God’s
instructions are always to be followed by faith. These people did not follow God’s instruction
and so they died. All those who have
received the Law and stilled sinned will be judged by the law. God has allowed two groups of people to
coexist at the same time- those who would hear and those who have not heard the
Law of God. Those who have been told the
gospel, given a Bible have a decision to make-will I submit and obey or rebel.
Every person’s heart knows the difference between right and wrong. Mankind was
created in the image of God with a conscience.
Our conscience either accuses or excuses our decisions. No human being
is able to keep the whole law of God perfectly.
This is why a works based salvation will not save a person. God will
judge each person’s secrets. He will not
allow sin into heaven. Here’s the gospel:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Jesus being completely God and completely
human lived a perfect life and he laid down his life having died on the cross
for our sins. He did what no human alone could do-live a perfect life
fulfilling the law of God. If you place
your faith in him and submit to him you will be saved. You ask what about those
who have never heard? That is why we give, go and tell so they will hear the
good news. This we know God is Truth. He
judges according to the truth, according to the light they were given, and without
partiality. He will judge you according
to your response to Jesus’ offer of salvation. This is why it is very important for you to respond to the Lord's offer of salvation and not delay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-42218649833637498362015-08-01T15:53:00.003-04:002015-08-01T15:53:26.221-04:00God's two judgments<b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-13ac6f3e-ead2-bed0-a1bc-6a1296463711" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">God’s two judgments</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We have learned that God judges a person in the light of truth and that his kindness is designed to lead us to repentance. Let’s read these verses and learn about God’s judgment.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. He will repay each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth but are obeying unrighteousness; affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. There is no favoritism with God.” (Romans 2:5-11)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">God will accept no excuse for our sin. The Scripture teaches us that God’s judgment is righteous and that he shows no favoritism. God warns us to change our ways in his word. God will judge each person in the light of His word. The Bible is his instruction given for all people to follow. We cannot plea ignorance of the Law. Why? Because God’s law is written on every heart no matter your religious beliefs. Because of this even the person who has never read the Bible will have no excuse. God will judge them in righteousness. God will repay each person according to his works on judgment day. We each are responsible for the judgment we receive. There are two basic judgments mentioned: eternal life and the receiving of God wrath. Eternal life is spending eternity in the presence of God. Eternal life begins when a person is born again in Jesus Christ. Jesus told the Jews “My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them from My hand.” John 10:27-28 To receive eternal life a person must respond in submission to Jesus Christ as Lord for salvation. At that moment they are baptized (placed) into the body of Christ, having died to sin and self-control taking on the identity of Christ. At that moment the Holy Spirit comes into that person’s heart and begins a work that they will live out. The Apostle Paul wrote the Galatians this: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) I would like to invite you to First Baptist Church or one of the other local churches where Jesus is being taught so that you can grow in your faith. </span></div>
<br /></b><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7827508417808239963.post-47451416020476896322015-07-23T16:35:00.001-04:002015-07-23T16:40:18.688-04:00The Kindness of God<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What
happens to that person who judges another person and practices the same sin? Let’s read and find out what happens: “We know that God’s judgment on those who do
such things is based on the truth. Do you really think—anyone of you who judges
those who do such things yet do the same —that you will escape God’s judgment?
Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not
recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But
because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for
yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.” (Romans
2:1-5 HCSB) God’s judgment is based on truth. Jesus said, “I am the way the
truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father but through me.” (John 14:6) We
think that we will escape the judgment of God when we judge others and are practicing
the same sin. It is possible for a
person to go to church, go through baptismal water’s, tithe, do good works and
bust hell wide open because they have never been born again. What happens is the person looks down on the
goodness, forbearance and longsuffering of God that he exhibits toward others. When God shows his goodness--kind acts toward
you he does so because he loves you.
When he shows his forbearance- his patience, enduring with you through
the difficulty of being changed, it is because he loves you. When he is showing his longsuffering toward
you-- the emotional calmness that normally would cause someone’s anger to flare
up toward you, he does so because he loves you.
His kindness toward you is designed to bring about repentance, a change
of heart toward our sin. True repentance
has visible out working’s that others will see.
This is a spiritual issue that must be dealt with! Yes, some people have
a hard and impenitent heart toward God and others while sitting in church every
Sunday. This hard heart is stubborn,
prideful! It knows the truth but will not change their mind, unless God brings
conviction. An impenitent heart is
unrepentant, refusing to turn to God. This
results in a compounding interest as God’s wrath multiplies for the day of
wrath and revelation of Jesus Christ toward such a person. Hell is waiting to
receive all who are hard and impenitent of heart toward God and Jesus Christ! I beg you in the name of Jesus Christ to
repent of your sin, stubborn and pride turning to Jesus Christ alone for
salvation. I invite you to come to First
Baptist Church or any of the local churches here in Columbia County where the
Bible is taught so that you can grow in a relationship with Jesus that will
save and change your life today so that you will not be the recipient of God’s
compounded wrath on Judgment Day.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02221008447126548858noreply@blogger.com0