Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts

Thursday, December 7, 2017

On the Road to Damascus

Something to think about.
On the Road to Damascus

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Acts 9:1-3

This is the famous story of Saul's conversion to Christianity. Saul who is later renamed Paul is on his way to persecute those who believe in Jesus. He is headed down a road with a definite destination with a definite purpose full of self-righteousness. He is headed in the wrong direction. He is headed down a path that is in direct opposition to where he wants to be. He is persecuting Christians because he believes they are opposing and denying God. He is doing it in defense of God. He believes that in incarcerating Christians, he is doing Gods will.  

Before we became Christians, we were not so different from Paul. Though we do not, in this day in this country incarcerate people for being Christians. We were headed down the wrong road for the wrong reason. Saul regardless of his reasoning is headed in the wrong direction. He is not working on God's side he is working against God. We, before Christ were on our way to Damascus. We were on the wrong road for the wrong reason to accomplish the wrong goal. 

We are not Paul we will not write parts of the New Testament. We will not be quoted around the world. But our conversion to Christianity is just as miraculous as Paul's.  We all have to have an encounter with Jesus for our conversion to be accomplished. Every one of us must have a personal interaction with Christ for a conversation to occur.  It is not just an intellectual realization of truth it is a personal connection with the risen savior. We all have to make contact with Jesus. It is no different for any of us. Without, an on the road experience, none of us will meet Jesus.  

The conversion of Saul was personal, powerful and intimate. It was not an experience born of mysticism. Your contact, connection with Christ must have a tangible permanent effect on your life. It is not something you can walk away from and remain the same. If you leave as you came, you did not make the connection. When you meet Christ, you will in some way leave changed, made new, born again.

Leia Mais…

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Wisdom



Something to think about.

Wisdom

8“ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9“ As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.' Isaiah 55:8-9



Through Isaiah God is making a distinction between His creation and Him. It's a distinction that appears to have been lost by man. We are not God's equals. We don't know what He knows. We will never attain that place. If for an instant we would stop and look at our existence and be honest with our selves. We would admit we know nothing. The universe is beyond our comprehension. We sit on this small insignificant rock floating in a vast universe and claim we know where we came from. Some of us claim we self-created which makes absolutely no sense.



Because of the size of the universe, the known universe there are important facts that have not been discovered. We barely coexist. We are fighting the same battles for the same reasons. Technology changes but we are still fighting the same wars. Generation after generation after generation the wars continue. We can't permanently solve any issue. The more we learn the more our ineptitude is exposed.



We may be more comfortable more affluent, but still the most heinous of crimes exist. Slavery, starvation, famine, injustice, these crimes are the hallmark of our societies. If the product is the proof of our superiority, intellect, and industriousness we have proven our selves to be savages. Affluence and wealth only hide the stench of ignorance. If we were truly wise, the crimes we perpetuate, create and support would not exist.



Our ways are not His ways, our thoughts are not His thoughts, our wisdom is not His wisdom. God, the creator of the universe is so much more than we can imagine. If I have any wisdom, it is this, the God who created the universe and humanity is superior to His creation.

Leia Mais…

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Are You Ready?

Something to think about.

Are You Ready?
 
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
 
Are you ready? Can you give an answer to any man who asks you the question why do you believe? If you do not have an answer, you do not believe. The answer is not a long dissertation or a doctoral thesis. It is a simple statement like this one.
 
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
 
Christianity is based on this verse. It's not complicated. It is not a mystery; it does not need immense intelligence to understand. God did all He did because He loves you. Your statement does not have to be new or unique. It does not have to be revelational to the world. But it does have to be the cornerstone of your belief system. It is the one thing that cannot change. For me, I believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead.  Not figuratively or metaphorically just as it says in the bible. I believe it happened. For me, everything else flows from the resurrection.
 
Are you Ready?

Leia Mais…

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Even Now

Something to think about.

Even Now

We in Florida are facing a serious and dangerous situation with Hurricane Irma. We have to do what we can to prepare for this event. We also need to take a moment and remember God is with us even now even when we are in the midst of the storm. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV 

Do not fear, do not be dismayed our God is with us, and He has the last word in all things.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28  (NKJV)

Leia Mais…

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Rejected

Something to think about.
 
Rejected
 
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”John 6:66-70
 
Jesus was rejected to His face. In this verse, it says "many of his disciples."  The inference or deduction I get is, much more rejected Him than the twelve that didn't. It is imperative for us to realize that not everyone is going to respond to Jesus. If this verse is a sign of a broader reality, we must come to the understanding that many will reject Christ. There will be those that upon hearing the word and understanding the word will reject it. For those of us who believe that statement is incomprehensible. How could anyone in their right mind deny Christ? Since we know, there is nothing, no one better. We know and believe with total confidence and expectation the promises of salvation and eternal life. We believe in restoration, reconciliation, rebirth and new life. We believe in the grace, redemption, and forgiveness of God.  Furthermore, we accept and expect all Gods promises to be fulfilled. We know that the God of creation through His Son Jesus has provided for our eternal life with Him in heaven. We can't understand how anyone can reject Him. 
 
Jesus does something here we need to become aware of. He does not turn and chase those who reject Him. He turned to the twelve who recognized Him for who He was and changed the world with those twelve. As the family of God and as individuals we need to stop chasing rejects and embrace those who God has chosen.  We need to seek and find the chosen.
 
There are two important gems in this section of Scripture. One is your uniqueness in accepting and understanding the call of God. Many hearing and understanding will never accept the reality of Christ. You are special for you have heard and accepted His sacrifice for your life. Two and most importantly are, God chose you. As He chose the twelve, He chose you. You are the preferred of God. We need to start acting like it. You are exalted above the rest of humanity because He chose you. The rest of mankind will not sit at the wedding feast of the lamb.

Leia Mais…

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Handed Over

Something to think about.

Handed Over

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Matthew 24:9

In some Bibles, this part of Scriptures is under the heading of "End Times." This is Jesus speaking, and He is referring to events that will occur before His return. The question is, is this our destiny? For many in the Middle East, this is their reality today. The Christian population in many of  Middle Eastern Countries have been annihilated. There is a genocide being committed in the Middle East, but of course, our press has ignored it. ( see https://adfinternational.org/detailspages/press-release-details/never-again-un-side-event-on-genocide-in-the-middle-east )

Here in the USA the former bastion of Christianity we are under constant attacks from many sides. We are being attacked either openly or subversively. Our freedoms religious and civil are under constant assault. The writing is on the wall to the suppression if not eradication of Christianity.  People are openly pushing for the censorship of our views. If you're against homosexuality, you are ostracized, humiliated and labeled ignorant or intolerant. If you support Biblically based marriage, you are closed and simple minded. If you are against the continued murder of the unborn otherwise known as abortion you are a misogynist. If you hold any traditional religious views, you are regarded as a simpleton not worthy of serious consideration.  If you expose the impossibility of evolution, you are called a crack pot. All of these things do not constitute what Jesus was referring to when He spoke the words contained in this verse. What He was referring to is what is happening in the Middle East. What we are now seeing in this country is the precursor is what is taking place in the Middle East. 

I don't know if it is too late to turn from this path of self-destruction. Granted I do not see any hope in returning to where we came from. But I pray and hope that we can turn to the path that has been the only hope for the world and that is the path to Christ. If we can not turn the tide of anti-Christian persecution we will fulfill his end time prophecy.  We will be "handed over to be persecuted and put to death."

Leia Mais…

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Commonplace

Something to think about.
Common place
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6
"For he is risen" the four most important words ever spoken. The world has been shaken to its core at these four words. An actual change in the history of man occurred on account of these words. A new hope and reality came into existence when they were uttered. A whole new way of living was validated because of these words. 
The crucifixion of Jesus was not the single most important event in history. His resurrection was. Jesus was dead, Christ was resurrected. This man died. He was resurrected as King and Savior. His resurrection was by the God of the universe. Have we lost sight of this event? 
We are so busy with our lives. With doing for God. We try to flourish and excel in our gifts, jobs, lives, have we lost sight of why we do what we do. Have we turned the resurrection into a commonplace event? Has it become a historical event that we lump together with all others? Has it become something that is not life altering. Something commonplace? Something that we have become so accustomed to we don't give it the importance it requires?
"He is risen." Have you ever seen the dead come back to life? I'm not talking about CPR or any rapid resuscitation protocol. I mean someone who has been dead for an extended period of time being brought back to life. No other such event has been recorded or claimed by anyone in History. Do you realize this event was witnessed by hundreds of people? It was reported by his followers. These twelve men went on to change the world. Not based on a conspiracy or on Jesus's religious philosophy but on His resurrection. His inner circle never recanted their claims. Even when threatened with death. Even as they were killed
The most important aspect of this event is this. Jesus the Christ is alive. He was not resurrected to die again. He was not resurrected to be lost or hidden from humanity. That reality should be paramount in your mind every day through every situation. God or bad. He was the first to be resurrected.  His resurrection gives us hope for the future. It validates all of His claims. It solidifies His claims of eternity. It turns an interesting philosophy into an undeniable reality. Every Christian belief hinges on this one event. His resurrection validates all of the claims about Him. From His virgin birth to being the sacrificial lamb for the world. Without the resurrection, we diminished Christ to an interesting person in human history. He becomes as so many others without eternal consequence. He is then an enigma without substance or value. 
Christ is everything. There is before His resurrection and after. Before is hopelessness and futility. After is eternity and victory. He is resurrecting every day the lives of those who believe. "He is risen."

Leia Mais…

Friday, August 11, 2017

Repent Revival



Something to think about.

Repent Revival

17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Mathew 4:17

I have repented. Yes, I'm still working on it. I am still in the process of receiving all that is associated with repentance. This commandment of Christ still haunts me. It rattles me to my core because it is still a valid call. There are those around me that have not repented. I am not talking about those in Hollywood or in politics or business. Nor any other category of people, I am talking about my brother, sisters, nieces, nephews in short my family. There is an entire world living all around me that have not repented that have not accepted Christ. I pray for revival in this country, state, and city. I need to start praying for revival in my family.  Is it possible that we have not seen a great revival in this country because we are praying for someone else? The next great revival needs to begin at home. The great field of harvest is not in some far away city or country. It is within our homes. With the people, we break bread with. With those that will no longer listen to our message. If they won't listen how can we reach them? We need to pray for them. We need to stand in the gap for them. What that means is we need to chase after God on their behave. We need to cry out to God for their salvation. We need to get into the battle for their souls. They may not listen to us, but God has the resources to reach them He has the means to touch their hearts. 

Have we given up on our families? Have we written them off as unreachable, unworthy, hopeless unforgivable? Have we become blase about their eternal destination. Have we accepted them as a lost cause? Have we turned them over to eternal death? If we are to see revival it needs to start at home. If we have written off our families do you really think we will care about the lost of the world? This is a call to action to pray for your family to begin a revival in your home.

Leia Mais…

Thursday, August 10, 2017

There Are No Civilians

Something to think about.
 
There Are No Civilians
 
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
 
We've heard this verse quoted, preached, and expounded upon. Yet have we heard what it says? We miss the first three words.  "For we wrestle" It is written in the present tense. Not just something that has occurred in the past or something that will happen in the future. It is happening now.
 
The spiritual forces that are aligned against us are not excluding the unbeliever. They are using the unbeliever to subvert and attack the will and purposes of God. This battle that we are involved in is all-consuming. It affects every area of our lives. The world is losing this battle, immorality is being exalted as the new way. 
 
We are our own worst enemies. We have kept silent for fear of being offensiveness. We have allowed political correctness to define our boundaries. We have silently consented to the removal of God from our public lives. We have permitted the rulers of darkness to identify and control the battle lines of righteousness. Our enemies the spiritual forces of wickedness are disguised in our presence. They have been renamed and rebranded as something less than wicked. We have submitted to our enemies. By allowing wickedness to restrict our beliefs to the four walls of our churches. We have allowed ourselves to be placed in a room of obscure access. We have cowered under the pressure of societies insistence on our silence. We should be the vanguard of righteousness not a secret society of nostalgia. We are becoming the outdated pariah of society. 
 
As a result of expecting someone else to wrestle for us. We are losing ground to the secular anti-God forces in society. We honestly believe that the laws of this country will defend us against the attacks of the enemy. While the enemy finds ways to use these very laws to promote unrighteousness. 
 
We must put on the armor of God and valiantly press the battle for humanity with the word  God and our testimony. God never said thou shall be silent. 

Leia Mais…

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Real Life

Something to think about.

Real Life 

48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48

We Christians want, even portray Christianity as being a wonderful harmonic belief system. We do everything we can to make it as attractive as possible. We try to accentuate the great things about Christianity.

The reality is Christ was betrayed by one in His inner circle. His disciples were persecuted and killed. His believers were hunted, tortured and killed. His followers to this day are being abused, persecuted and murdered. His teaching are under attack. There is infighting among us.

Why am I writing this? If we deal with the reality, we might not lose so many to the deception that is our enemy. If we better prepare ourselves for these conflicts and realities, we will be in a better place to help the lost. 

Christianity is a mess. It is a mess because we are dealing with flawed humans and we are flawed humans.  There is no fault with the bible and its teaching. The fault is with us who have turned the word of God into a mirage of a painlessness utopia. 

We should be telling everyone the truth. Christianity is hard. You will be disappointed you will be hurt. The biggest blows will come from those you learn to love. You will fail you will hurt someone either out of ignorance or with intent. We need to tell each other and everyone we are not perfect, we don't have all the answers. Please forgive us when we fall short. Do not judge Christ by what we do judge Christ by what he has done. Forgive us for our misrepresentation of the gospel. Let it be known we will make mistakes. Christ has made a way despite our errors to redeem the lost and restore the broken hearted. Let us tell the world we will mess up but there is still a Christ that can fix it, but only He can fix it. Let us stop trying to portray a clean conflict free Christianity. Let us display a true Christianity with all of its faults and short comings. Let us allow the God we proclaim to be glorified by His restorative power and grace. Let's point others to the one that is perfect and true.

It is in our weakness that He is strong. It is in our faults that He shines. It is when we fall that He can pick us up. It is in our battles that He can bring peace. It is in our hurt that He can bring healing. It is in our defeat that He can bring victory. It is in all the things we hide that He is visible. Christianity is indeed a mess, But Jesus Christ died to clean the mess. To bring order to confusion peace to those at war and life to those that are dying. Jesus is in the business of cleaning up our mess. If we hide it, deny it, cover it or ignore it, Christ cannot be glorified by it.  Remember Christ came for those that need a savior, not for those who are saved.
  • Mark 2:17 (NKJV) When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Leia Mais…

Friday, July 28, 2017

One Day

Something to think about.

One Day

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10

Somewhere along the life of Christianity, we've allowed the devil to upstage this reality. I have lived the life the devil has to offer I have received the best he has, I know the lies he has perpetrated against us. It is better to enter into the kingdom God and be as far away from his presence as possible and still receive his glory. Than to be in the center of the devil's demise.  We've allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truth and accepted as desirable accomplishments. 

Our country our world is in the shape, it is in because we have allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truths.  There isn't anything the enemy has sold us that compares to being in the presence of God.  All the world's accomplishments combined can not equate to being in the presence of God.  not even for an instant.

God's presence is where you are fulfilled to overflowing. It is where you will find love, peace, joy, happiness. It is where you will be filled with the water of life, and you'll never be thirsty again. Today, now these things are available to those who choose Christ. You can have a meaningful, purposeful and joyous life now. You can have the love, security and the companionship of God now, here today. You can have everything that makes life worth living. You can experience the presence of God.

Then when we are in His permanent presence when He dwells with man. There will be no more war, famine, hate, disease. No more lack, hurt, loss, exclusion, rejection, loneliness or empty promises. You will have security, peace, love, and acceptance. You will be washed and cleansed from the filth of sin.  You will be given a new perfect body. You will share in His glory.

We need to turn the tide of evil and let the world know, God has a better way, a better life. Instead of selling the world the lies of the devil we need to give them the truth of the joy of living the life of Christ. It is better to live life in the love of Christ than to live the life of lust and lost without Christ. We have a much better life to live here and now and into eternity, Far better than anything the devil has ever offer. If we show the world what it is like to live one day in His courts, we will revolutionize the world. 

Leia Mais…

Monday, July 24, 2017

You Have Not Seen Him

Something to think about.

You Have Not Seen Him

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 1 Peter 1:8 (ESV)

We can't see Him, we can't have a physical relationship with Him. We believe in Him because of the evidence of His existence and His presence in our lives. We see Him clearly through our spiritual eyes we know him intimately through the Holy Spirit. His Spirit in us.  This verse, concept, idea is foreign to the rest of the world. The world can't know Him or have an intimate relationship with Him. They have not been born again they have not been born of the spirit. The world may know of Him, about Him but they can not comprehend Him because they have no direct access to Him. They live in a land without the bridge call faith. Which would allow them to traverse the divide that will bring them from the land of darkness to the light. We who know Him live in inexpressible joy because of the promises He has fulfilled in our lives. We live believing in the promises He will fulfill in eternity.  We rejoice because He has brought us out of the valley of darkness to the mountaintop of light.  Because He has claimed us, and no one can take us from His hand. We rejoice because He first loved us. We who are born of the spirit know that His promised are unstoppable and can't be unfulfilled. We know that He is our assurance of victory through all life's trials and tribulations. We know that whatever we may lose in this life is of no value compared to the inestimable value of living eternally with Him.  We rejoice because the war is won and we are on the victor's side.

Leia Mais…

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Listen to My Voice



Something to think.

Listen to My Voice

6 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:6

Not of the sheep pen. Though no one likes to think of themselves as sheep. This is the analogy that Jesus uses in describing humanity. The thing about sheep is they are pretty much defenseless. They don't have large horns. They do not own superior speed they are not particularly fierce, and they're  easily led. When you think about the analogy, it sticks pretty well.  Spiritually speaking that is who we are. We are naked and blind in a spiritual world most don't even recognize. We are lead about by any ideology that suits our fancy. We will follow anyone that appears to have an intelligent idea even if we don't understand it. 

Jesus came to save, protect and defend the sheep. His intent is to provide for those who follow Him. His sheep will listen to His voice. Why? Because it is a voice, we know. It is the voice of God that is within you that has always been with you. It is the breath of God breathed into you that gave you life. It is the essence of who you are, and you already recognize it. It is a voice that you will know because it is part of you. The part that only understands the truth. The part of you that yearns to reconnect with the God that created you. It is the voice of God singular and clear that cuts to your very soul. It is the only voice that can touch the deepest recesses of your heart. It is the only voice that can fill the emptiness of your soul. And He the great Shepherd wants to take you home.

Leia Mais…

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Set Us Free

Something to think about.

Set Us Free 

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin. Freedom is not the absence of law or the exemption  from obeying an established set of principles. Freedom is the absence of debt. Christ has liberated us from the debt of sin. We are instructed not to enslave ourselves to the debt of sin. Sin is not without cost and the debt must be paid. The price of sin is not one that you can pay, you do not have the resources. Christ has, and He has made full payment for you. Accept your account as paid in full and sin no more.

Leia Mais…

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Would You Go?

Something to think about.

Would You Go?

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. Genesis 12 1:4

Seventy-five years old! I am sixty years old. I have absolutely no intention of starting over in a land I have no knowledge of. I have no intention of starting over in a land I know.  At my age, you start thinking of downsizing not starting over. Even with all the promises of God, at age seventy-five would I pack up my family and go? Would I hit the road without a roadmap or destination? Solely based on the belief, I have heard the word of God. If God were to tell me that now would I go? The point is, He is.  For some of us, He is asking us to do exactly that. For others, He is asking you to do something else but be assured He is asking something of you.  For me, He has a particular call right where I am. It requires just as much faith for me as it did for Abram. The promises, blessings, and protections are the same. Will we acknowledge the call will we pack up and go whether figuratively or literally?  "So Abram went" will you go? Will you go forth and receive the blessings that are promised to you in the promised land of God's calling?



Leia Mais…

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Who is The Liar?

Something to think about.

Who is The Liar?

22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22-23

This is one of those uncomfortable Bible verses we would rather not confront. We would prefer to keep it quiet. It is unsettling, uncomfortable to think that anyone who denies the deity of Christ is diametrically opposed to God.  We want to believe that those who are our family and friend's can somehow be accepted by God while they are in direct opposition to Him.  We want to believe that there is a provision we are not aware of that will allow them to be with God. We want there to be a way that is not consistent with His word that will allow them to be saved. However, my friends, there is no other way. We will all, friends and family face God on judgment day and those that have denied Christ will be denied by God.


Leia Mais…

Monday, June 26, 2017

The Spirit of God

Something to think about.
 
 
The Spirit of God
 

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

This exhortation, suggestion command is very difficult to follow.  Primarily because we have delegated the spirit of God to a vague window of existence.  We acknowledge His existence, but we deny His involvement.  We know that He existed before the world began because the Bible in Genesis has him hovering over the earth. Genesis 1:2 We know we were promised the Holy Spirit by Christ.  Acts 1:4 We know that He lives in us. 1 John 4:4 I could go on and on with biblical reference about the person and the work of the holy spirit. But would it make a difference? To be lead by the spirit of God and to walk in the Spirit of God requires more that acknowledgment and acceptance. It requires obedience and submission.  Without the outpouring of the Spirit of God Christianity may have died on the cross with Christ. This is why Christianity is under attack now. Because we have denied the power of God through the Holy Spirit of God. Without the Holy Spirit alive and influential in our lives all we do is thrash about. Without any ability to influence the world around us.

6 Then he answered and spoke unto me, saying, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:5-7 

A Spiritless Christianity is a powerless Christianity. 

Leia Mais…

Friday, June 23, 2017

When I was a Child

Something to think about.

When I was a Child

11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NLT)

I have always wondered how do you know that? We hear of conclusions based on supposed facts. For instance dog behavior. You have a dog expert, and he or she explains how a dog behaves. As if they had a conversation with the dog and the dog told them. Or in a crime drama, the pursuer determines without question why the serial killer, killed. The pursuer identifies some perceived injustice done to him in his childhood.  The fact of the matter is that we make decisions and come to conclusions based on limited and flawed data.

That is what this verse is saying, we do not have all the facts. We are as children not completely aware of our surroundings. We behave as if we have a complete picture of God as if we understand the laws that correspond to His existence. Yet, we don't. He has not revealed all of Himself to us, He has revealed as much as we can understand. There will come a time when He will reveal Himself to us. It will not be at this present time in this body or in this reality.

How do I know that you might ask? Because I believe in the Bible as the word of God and it promises us as much.

Leia Mais…

Thursday, June 22, 2017

One Body


Something to think about.

One Body

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

What this verse is saying is that it takes all of us to make up the body of Christ. Are we the body of Christ? Are we working in unity to contribute to the growth and function of the body of Christ? Or are we still behaving as independent agents? When the world looks at us, do they see the face of Christ or the ambitions of man? Do they see the love, leadership, passion, forgiveness, and the salvation of Christ? When the world looks at us, they need to see Christ, not anything else. Only as a unified body will we be able to show the wondrous glory of God. Only when we come together and use the gifts He has entrusted to us will we be able to represent Him as the body of Christ. 

Leia Mais…

Saturday, June 17, 2017

“Truly you are the Son of God”

Something to think about

“Truly you are the Son of God.”

33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33 (NIV)

After walking on the water and calming the storm the disciples on the boat wordship Jesus and recognize Him as the Son of God.  We have written records of the life and and work of Christ. We have the documented death and resurrection of Jesus Christ . We have testimonies of what Christ has done in the lives of His disciples of old as well as present day followers. There is no viable evidence that He is not who his witnesses say He is. His claims and promises have never been disprove or negated. What more has to happen before you will say “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Leia Mais…