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Archive for the ‘Motivation’ Category

Persecution Is All Around The World And Soon Will Be Strong Here

08 Oct

Many nations already outlaw Christianity.  In China communism and Christianity don’t mix.  Many Islamic Countries don’t allow it in their borders.  America is becoming tolerant of almost every other religion besides Christianity. 

Panic? 

We don’t need to panic, we need to put our faith where it is supposed to be all the time and that is in God.  

 Matthew 5:10-12 – 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Beatitudes end with these three scriptures. 

You can be persecuted for a lot of things in life.  None of them besides your love for Jesus and the true God will lead to a blessing. 

Don’t underestimate the word blessing.  Jesus says “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,” 

Your love for Jesus and the Father does not go unnoticed ever.  If it wasn’t worth saying, Jesus wouldn’t have emphasized it. 

John 15:20 – Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 

Prepare for that day so you can be strong, and when discouraged realize that the One truly in charge is always looking over you.  How much greater if the reason He has to take extra care of you is because you’re standing up for the Kingdom of Heaven and the Glorious King, Jesus Christ Himself!

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation, Reflections

 

Throw Off Everything That Hinders Us

07 Oct

Hebrews 12:1 – 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

We have been raised in a country that has allowed us to have the Word of God available at all times.  Wonderful teachers are available and easily accessed to study God’s Word.  It is our lifeline of understanding God.  You can know God more and more.  There are people out there who are humble servants trying to get this message to you.

On the flip side there are others out there to tell you exactly what you want to hear, especially if you are meeting their needs.

We need to quit running all over the course blindly.

Picture this:  You step up to the starting line and bang you’re off on your journey for God.

You’re running along for about a half mile and wow, look at that nice car!  It won’t take long to look that over.  The salesman looks at you and says I can get you into that no time.  Let’s talk about what kind of payment you can afford.  You say, “I really need to get back to my race keep my attention on the real prize, but they convince you that there is plenty of time to finish your race. 

You walk out and you think wow that was a little more than I was expecting, but I’ll do alright.  Back on the run and get down the road about another 2 miles.  Hey that’s a really nice house.  All the people around me are getting into these kinds of houses.  You only live once right?! (Wrong)

Back to that race, you know for not much more I could go on that killer vacation I wanted to always go on.  I can afford it.  While you’re there you love it so much they talk you into buying a condo.

What were we doing earlier?  Oh yeah, back to the race.  You know what it’s really getting hard to have time to run.  I’m finding that I have to work more for debts.  Hey why should I have to wait till I get older to have these great things? 

If we’re chasing after these things on the earth, are we chasing after the things of God?  Are we running the race that is marked out for us?

Or are we running our own race?

 
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We Need A Loving Reverent Fear Of The Lord

05 Oct

Here’s a good one for us all to remember.  If God only cared about himself, you wouldn’t have a chance to be saved from destruction.  The second death results in a lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15 – 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Now I’ve heard people tell me that the negative doesn’t help them any regarding their pursuit of God.

Are you kidding me?  That’s very brave, but if someone came up to you and threatened any kind of real harm it’s going to become very real, very fast.  Now if you’re saved, that ends upon death.  The lake of fire is the second death that one is told to fear.  Clearly if you are going into the lake of fire, you’re not saved.  People always hate it when you speak for them, but I will boldly do that now.

“If you are not concerned about the second death now, you will be right after the first one.”

Proverbs9:10- 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

If you love God, you have this Reverence already.  It’s a respect like children should have for their parents.  They love them and they should respectfully realize that if they step out of line they receive correction.  Notice I don’t use the words sheer terror.  If you Love someone there is respect involved.  However there is only one that controls your destiny.  That Individual also loves you more than anyone or anything even when you’re not that lovable.  

Why don’t we jump into the middle of a fire or off a 10 story building.  There is an intelligent fear that is built in.  This same fear should equally be there in a respectful way when it comes to angering the most High God.

Remember that when we sin against God, He loves you, even had His own flesh and blood die for you.  When we knowingly sin against the Lord it’s disrespectful.  Let’s work the best way we can to not disrespect the Lord.

 
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Literally Correct

04 Oct

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

For some when they partake in communion, they are remembering the fact that Jesus died for their sins.  That’s where it ends for them.  They are missing the last part of verse 26.  He’s coming back. 

We’re not in the Millennial Kingdom yet, that’s why we’re still doing communion.  He is going to rule and reign 1000 years.  Not the good ole spirit of Jesus, but the King Himself.  There is a literal understanding of the bible.  A literal Tribulation period is coming around the corner.  He is literally coming back or no flesh would be saved at the end of it.  That may have been hard to fathom 65 years ago but is it really hard to picture today?

God allows wisdom in time.  He has brought up great men of God to be able to share what’s coming ahead.  Those men are being led to understand what the Holy Spirit had the others 1900-2500 years ago write.

God has literally made promises.  Jesus is literally coming back to rule and reign 1000 years as the Messiah.  There is going to be a literal rapture.  There is going to be a literal tribulation.

Stay tuned into God and the understanding is there.  Trying to force square pegs into round holes to make it what you want it to be or think it is, only leads to problems.

The bible is literally happening the way God inspired men to write it. 

Most published book, Most bought, Least read per copy. 

You see no one for the last 400 years who has had freedom can say finding God was like finding a needle in a haystack.  They just chose to listen to the wrong voice speaking to their hearts.

 
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To SON, Or Not To SON, That Is The Question?

01 Oct

Hal Lindsay recently inspired this post.  It is a very powerful reminder.

John 3:16 – 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Believes!  Don’t confuse this word.  The devil believes in Jesus and he isn’t saved.  You need to believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior.  If all you had to believe is in his existence then this scripture wouldn’t exist.

Matthew 7:21-23 – 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Actions speak louder than words!  If Jesus is your Lord it shines through.  If something else is your Lord, it will also shine through.

Next is the old killer of the gray area.

John 3:36 – 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

This scripture makes it pretty clear that life begins after this one.  Many people are trying to live their life right now to the fullest, but according to scripture God says they will NEVER see life.

If one rejects the Son, God’s wrath remains on that person.

UPDATE:  As one reader stated, I left people hanging.  He is right.  To get to know Jesus, it starts by one accepting Him as Lord.  I have a page over in the right hand upper column that will run you through on how to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  God Bless.

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Salvation

 

God Offers The Promised Land, But…..

30 Sep

God offered the Promised Land to those he brought out of Egypt. 

Deuteronomy 1:19-21 –  19 Then, as the LORD our God commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites through all that vast and dreadful desert that you have seen, and so we reached Kadesh Barnea. 20 Then I said to you, “You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. 21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

After all that the Lord had shown them, did they take Him up on His offer?

Deuteronomy 1:26-28 – 26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ “

The land was theirs.  The Lord had paved the way.  He already delivered them out of the great nation of Egypt.  What happened when they doubted Him and didn’t respond to this free gift?

Deuteronomy 1:34-36 – 34 When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

They didn’t inherit the Promised Land.  They remained out in the desert until they died off and then a believing generation came along and accepted the promise.

You’ll find many parallels in the Bible.  We have been rescued from death, by the blood of Jesus.  The promise of eternal life with the King awaits.  However, if one doesn’t accept the sacrifice and promise, one does not enter into the eternal Promised Land.

It’s not enough to acknowledge God exists.  The Israelites were not a bunch of atheists after watching miracle after miracle.  They were a stiff necked bunch of individuals who didn’t act upon their faith.  They didn’t trust God.  Do you trust Jesus? 

So what does one have to do?  One needs to accept Him as Lord.  Can you refer to someone as Lord if you never pay attention to Him?  Can you refer to Him as Lord if you don’t make an attempt to live your life according to His plan for you?

Luke 6:46-47 – 46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.

You don’t enter the Promised Land because you believe it exists, you enter by accepting the gift and taking the action.

Make Him Lord.  You won’t lose your life, you’ll find it.

 
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We Need The Right Mindset

29 Sep

Colossians 3:1-2 –  1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

The devil has had a heyday distracting the church.  Get you a great job.  Go for the big house.  You can be anything you want to be.  Work hard and get what you deserve.  You control your own destiny.  Don’t worry about the big pie in the sky you may be hearing about from that dreamer Jesus, besides you can worry about that right before you die.

The Bible doesn’t read like this at all.  Probably why today it’s the most widely bought and least read book in the entire world.

Do I go for the bag of peanuts or do I seek out the One who loves me, created me and wants to be my King.  If I seek Him there is an eternal reward and it won’t be peanuts.

Do I serve the one who completely hates me or the One who is love, and loves me completely?

Man is a cheap sell out and easily distracted.  If you have accepted Christ as your Savior and King, you have been given the Spirit and strength to avoid the pitfalls and distractions laid out there by the enemy.

Who will you serve?

 
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Faith Is Putting Belief Into Motion

27 Sep

Galatians 3:6 – 6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

If Abraham had heard God’s voice and said, “Yes I believe that is God”, and left it at that, would it have been considered righteousness?

If Noah heard God tell him to build an ark and he acknowledged it, but built no ark, would that have shown faith?

No.

Faith is putting your belief into action.  This is what the Lord blesses. 

When Paul was thrown into prison, he had faith that the Lord was with Him and still in charge.

When Joseph was thrown into prison, he had faith that God was in charge.

When Stephen was about to be stoned, he knew that the Lord was in charge.

Faith is putting your belief into action. 

Belief with no action reveals little to no faith.

 
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What Is God Like?

24 Sep

Have you ever paid attention Christians who never read the Bible or listen to God’s Word from others?

You’re not going to believe this, but God thinks exactly the way they do!

That’s really strange, because the more I read God’s Word; the more I realize He doesn’t think like I did at all.  The only reason I think even somewhat like Him today is because of what I have learned in His Word and applied it to my life.

God explains to us who He is in His Love Letter to us.  It’s called the Bible.  He’s the Creator and we’re the Creation.  To watch man, one would get confused on that issue.   

Isaiah 55:8 –  8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

So if are ways are not His ways, then how can we possibly know God?  Through His Word!

If you never get to know somebody, how will you know what they like?  You won’t. 

Most people don’t know who God is because they don’t take the time to try and get to know Him.  They’re not hurting in the “Me time” though.

Do you want to show the Lord you love Him and help yourself at the same time?  Read His Word.  Read the love letter He gave us.  Don’t stand in front of the Creator and try to explain you didn’t have time to read His book.

Pick up a One Year Bible.  I find the NIV allowed me to read it as a story and understand it as I was going along.  You make it a goal to get through it.  I can tell you one day a day and you’ll quit before you’ll finish it from front to back. 

Don’t stand in front of God without reading His Word from front to back at least once.

 
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Fill Your Cup

23 Sep

You have a full cup.  It’s full of something.  For some it’s full of emptiness.

Is this an oxymoron?  No, your cup is full of something.

Clearly the cup is your spirit.  Young and old alike have a spirit.  What you fill that spirit with is who you are or who you will become.

One of my favorites is that people want their children to become their own person.

Trust me we were all made unique and we all we become our own person.  If someone doesn’t want to guide their child through this world, the world will be happy to take over.   They’ll fill that cup with all sorts of flavors until it spilleth over. 

I have one guarantee for you.  If the world is influencing them, God’s not in it.

John 8:23 –But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

There is no greater supporter of letting your children become their own person than Satan.  However, he’s a cheater.  When one’s not protected or paying attention he’s doing his own influencing.

You know what we are supposed to be?  Children of God!

God wants to fill your cup.  In this country in the present you have that wonderful opportunity to do just that.  You have the freedom to read the Bible when you want.  You can go to church as a Christian and worship with others.  You can turn on the television and even tape your favorite pastors to watch when it’s convenient for you.  There are Christian radio stations in your car.  All of these things are about your loving God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

You have the ability to fill your cup all day long.  I’ve been on both sides of the coin.  It’s addicting. 

What?

It’s addicting.  Wanting God in your whole life becomes addicting.  I believe it’s because the light doesn’t like the darkness.  The light starts pushing out the darkness.  The spirit was made to love God.  It’s why we were made.

Complacency and filling your spirit with everything but God is habit forming and addicting also.  If you don’t take any time for God or seek Him in your day, wouldn’t say you are filling your spirit with darkness?

Matthew 6:23 – But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

 Jesus is the Light.  Jesus is the Word.

John 1:1-5 –1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.  3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The more darkness you put in your spirit, the less you understand your God and Creator.

Fill your cup with the things of God, not darkness.

 
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