Tag: Christ

Daily Devotional – Ways to Heaven

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death

(Proverbs 16:25)

I hear it far to often, all “religions” are the same they all lead to heaven.  Yet the bible is very clear man’s “way to heaven” is but foolishness for natural man, that is those unrepentant and unconverted by the blood of Christ can not see the kingdom of Heaven.  

 

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

In this his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul, here in Chapter 2  writes about his need for and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.  Paul knew that Christ had left the Holy Spirit for some very specific promises and roles (See series beginning here ) that included Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, and Strengthener. 

Here it is made very clear that true believers are to rely upon the Holy Spirits’ guidance while the unbeliever can not phantom the  truths that He brings. 

BREAKDOWN:

But the natural man – The unbelieving unconverted unregenerate man. 

receiveth not – will not accept, thinks them lies, 

the things of the Spirit of God:  – the teachings and wisdom of the Holy Spirit

for they are foolishness unto him: – the Holy Spirits’ wisdom is but gibberish to natural man making no sense at all to him who remains in sin

neither can he know them, – Only the born again, sanctified in the Blood of Christ can accept and understand things of God 

because they are spiritually discerned. – A  worldly man can not judge Spiritual matters he has no knowledge of such things

APPLICATION:

First to my Christians friends; every time I hear someone say ‘I do not understand how someone could do such a thing’ I want to shout “READ THE BOOK!” Our text makes it clear those who are apart from Christ are going to live in darkness because they do not want to live in the light Isaiah 9:2, John 3:19.  Our job is not to condemn, point out the error of their ways with Grace yes, but pray for conversion, pray for the Holy Spirit to act upon their harden hearts. After all we we want them in Heaven Glorifying God forever too!

To the unbeliever; The phrase “knowledge is power“ is often attributed to Francis Bacon, from his Meditationes Sacrae (1597). It was a favorite quote of Thomas Jefferson used at least 4 times.  One question that everyman asks in some form or another is ‘this all there is’ or ‘where will I spend eternity.’

There are many books claiming to have answers but only one has been published more than any other.  If I was an unbeliever and I knew that the most widely published book in the history of man was available for free to read I would be wondering what all the fuss was about. Then knowing that I was incapable of understanding it on my own accord (see our main Text) I would ask the Holy Spirt to enlighten me with the truth. Unless of course the truth is unimportant to you?  

 

Devotional Thought for Today – 9/25/20

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 1 John 2:1

AMP and RVR 1960

John here is speaking to believers referring to them as Children, inferring father ship not unlike Christ in John 13:33. I unlike many modern commentaries which skip this part, I find this significant for two reasons:

    • John is obviously advanced in his years at this point but is taking responsibility for the church and its people by calling them his own. 
    • We are all (that is True born again converts) Children of God, and as such must fight for others to come to Christ in that same manner.
      • Abortion, 
SO GOD IS SAYING BRING ME CHILDREN!
YET EVEY YEAR WE MURDER
42 MILLION BABIES WORLD WIDE.

I have but one thought for today, what are you doing about it?

Related Posts: #Diaper Run – Mission Complete

 

Devotional Thought for Today

Isaiah 40:31 - KJV - Bible verse of the day - DailyVerses.net

AMP and RVR 1960

A while back in our Daily devotional series we published this same verse seen here Waiting. The theme then and now was They that wait upon the Lord… are His chosen who would seek His guidance and will in all things. 

BUT! those that Wait cannot get comfortable in inaction, they must be doers. I have said it before God is not looking for Couch Potato Christians. He is looking for soldiers for His Army (we are at WAR) so get in the fight.   

Sunday Sermon Series – O Sleeper?

 

Jesus: The Way, The Truth, & The Life: Jonah 1:5-8 - Jonah's Sin Begins To Affect Others

Jonah 1:5-6

AMP and RVR 1960

COMMENTS AND CONTEXT:

Jonah was wrapped up in personal sin and running from God. His escape of course was useless whom are we to think that we can run from the all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present God of all creation? In our text Jonah’s sin has begun to effect others but he is refusing to do anything about it.

This sermon addresses both saints and sinners who have personal transgression against God but are just almost causally moving through life. I would also say it can be applies in another manner. 

With all the turmoil going on in America, with all the anti-Christian propaganda, anti-biblical rhetoric being spewed, one would think “TRUE CHRISTIANS” (170 million, 54% of the population claim to be) voices would be heard resonating loudly. Yet all but a few are silent, so my question for you today is simple: What Meanest Thou, O Sleeper? 

 

SERMON:

What Meanest Thou, O Sleeper?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon September 14, 1862

Scripture: Jonah 1:5-6

From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Volume 8

 

KAMALA ON LIFE

POSTED ON  by beautybeyondbones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve gone back and forth, and back and forth about publishing this post. Because, let’s be honest, a lady’s not supposed to talk about politics, religion or money.

But then, when have I ever followed the rules when it comes to that.

But my final push to publish this post came when I was having a quiet hour this afternoon, preparing to write tonight’s post…which was, admittedly, not this.

But I looked up today’s gospel reading (MT 19:16-22), and in very clear, very bold, very plain-as-day letters, I was given — nay, commanded — the “green light” to put this post out into the blogosphere.

You see, Jesus was asked what one must do to gain eternal life. To which He replied “Keep my commandments.”

And when asked “which ones?” the very first commandment out of Jesus’ mouth is, “You shall not kill.”

And in that moment, I knew I had to publish this post….

READ MORE 

 

 

 

Daily Devotional – Approved Workman

Church PowerPoint Template: A Workman Approved - SermonCentral.com

2 Timothy 2:14-16

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

This is Paul’s Second Epistle to Timothy and most agree it is written near his death. It is both a letter of encouragement for a job well done and a warning to always be on guard. 

Chapter 2 begins with Paul telling Timothy to be strong, continuously empowered by God’s grace. To focus on Christ and Him risen from the dead as King of Kings. For the eternity is what we seek not temporal things. (v.1-13)

That brings us to our main text. Here the theme(s) are apparent from the start:

Never Be ashamed of the Gospel

Study God’s Word

God approves His chosen Workers

Avoid unnecessary (unwise and useless) speech

BREAKDOWN:

v.15Never Ashamed, Approved Workman

Study to shew thyself –  In yesterday’s Devotional Who’s Approval, we asked the question who were you seeking the approval of for your actions? God or Man. Here again Paul instructs Timothy to in the same manner; he is to Study literally Greek, Spoudazo, to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence.  In other words Timothy is to make every effort humanly possible to be…

approved unto God, –  acceptable or pleasing unto God

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, – Timothy is charged with being a worker, a servant of Christ, the work is Sharing the Good News of Christ the Gospel. He must be an approved worker, never ashamed of the work or his doings to spread it. 

rightly dividing – cutting straight to the core or marrow, to hold to the truth and teach it without wavering no matter the consequences. 

the word of truth. – What is taught by God, nothing more nothing less, not man’s interpretation, but God’s. 

APPLICATION:

I have said it what seems like a million times “It is never about me (us) it is always about God.”  It is the Gospel of Christ plainly written in the bible, not watered down to some feel good message for man, but the one God wrote through man. 

To be an Approved Workman, we can never compromise the written Word of God in any manner! We do not get to pick and choose what verse we will preach and teach or skip over, which ones we will ignore and which ones we will change to our liking. God is abundantly clear on this matter from the beginning Deuteronomy 4:2 to the end Revelation 22:18-19 man is warned not to mess with God’s Word. Yet, there are hundreds, no thousands of unapproved workman out there sharing their version of the gospel. 

That is why I continue to encourage everyone to be a Berean, do not believe or trust a single think I write, your Pastor says, and certainly not those TV or Radio “Evangelists.”  Do your own due diligence and be your own Approved Workman, verifying the things we preach, teach and write. 

Daily Devotional – Who’s Approval

What Does Galatians 1:10 Mean?

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia is both passionate and admonishing at the same time.  He begins it in Chapter 1 with:

a firm declaration of his credentials. He is a servant, more specifically an Apostle, (messenger) specifically chosen and sent by Christ. v.1-2

It is written to all the churches in Galatia not just one specific church, v.3-5.

He is amazed, disappointed and  calls them out for being so easily swayed from the true Gospel, saying anyone who preaching a false Gospel is to be condemned (cursed) by their own words. v.6-9

Paul’s love and concern for the churches of Galatia can surely be seen in the manner in which he addresses this issue. He does not attack the people of the Church but the bearers of the False Gospel. Then he makes the statement in our main text…

BREAKDOWN:

For do I now persuade men, or God? – Paul makes the case why am I writing to you to persuade God of these things? Is there a need to persuade God, to convince the all-knowing, God? If so He does not deserved to be called God and glorified as such. No Paul says clearly I am writing to Persuade, convince you Galatians, that there is only one True Gospel. 

or do seek to please men? –  Or maybe you think I write to please you and get accolades from you? NEVER!!!  Here Paul makes it clear His intent was not to seek the accolades of the Galatians or anyone else. 

for if I yet pleased men, – Paul had once studied (prior to his conversion) to please man. As a Jewish leader he was expected to fall in line with “party line” of the day. After his meeting with Christ on the Road to Damascus Saul was forever changed, a new creation Paul was now not seeking the approval of man but of God only. 

 I should not be the servant of Christ. – Here is the pinnacle of Paul’s argument. He says ‘one cannot serve Christ while seeking the approval of man.’  This should sound very familiar to all of us, in Acts 5:29 Peter said we must obey God rather than man.

APPLICATION: 

While getting acknowledged for going well, is in itself not a bad thing, the reason you did something matters.  Paul is making the case that he is not admonishing the Galatians to bring praise upon himself, but to bring Glory to God. He seeks not their approval to do this, but God’s.

While we may not run into a situation like Paul where we need to scold an entire region for their lackluster adherence to the True Gospel; none the less the same message applies to us daily. Whom do you seek to please, men or God? 1 Corinthians 10:31 says we are to do everything, even eat to God’s glory. A very similar passage can be found in Colossians 3:17 here again Paul reminds us to do all for Christ for we are dependent upon His salvation. 

In yesterday’s devotional, Known Fruit, we discussed how you can know if someone is truly saved by the Fruit they bear. One way to insure you are a Fruit Bearer is to always insure Who’s Approval you are seeking; God or Mans. 

Daily Devotional – Known Fruit

Is Judging Always Wrong? - FaithGateway

AMP and RVR 1960 

CONTEXT:

The other day I was watching some political commentary on TV about the upcoming election. There were two participants in the discussion (plus the host) one a syndicated conservative commentator himself and the other a former chief aid to Chuck Shumer. 

Somehow the subject matter got around to abortion and the conservative made a remark something to the effect ‘VP Biden calls himself a Catholic but supports Abortion on demand’ to which the former Schumer aid responded; ‘How dare you question Mr. Biden’s Faith.’

I had two immediate observations: 1) He (the Schumer aid, sidestepped answering the question and 2) He (a non-believer I think) immediately imposed Matthew 7:1-5 upon the the other guy. 

Since I have Previously posted on Matthew 7:1-5, Is Judgment Always Forbidden?,The Most Popular Bible Verse Among Unbelievers, The Whole Counsel of God;  suffice it to say that Biblical Judgement (Discernment) is warranted  at all times and Mr. Schumer’s former aid should know better than to try and deflect answers. 

I will concentrate today instead on a much neglected (my opinion) aspect of our faith, that is How can we tell if someone is saved or not?

Most Bibles are sectioned off somewhat around Matthew 7:15-20 with a Heading of A Tree and Its Fruit. Here the theme is knowing the difference between TRUE FOLLOWERS and FALSE PROPHETS, we will know both by the fruit or works of God they bear. 

BREAKDOWN:

Ye shall – In v.15 Jesus said theses False Prophets would disguise themselves as gentle, innocent sheep. But YOU can see through their camouflage and distractions. 

know them by their fruits. – All false prophets lack Good Fruit. Oh they got fruit, it is just rotten to the core. It goes against the very Word of God. 

Do men gather – When you are hungry Physically or Spiritually, mankind will gather almost anything to eat. 

grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? – But even the most suborn and foolish should know enough that while Grapes and Figs are Good to eat, the little berries found on thorn and thistle bushes are not. Yet false prophets will lead men to these time and again. 

APPLICATION:

Thistles and Thorns can never never produce fruit, it is not in their nature. The same is true for those who claim to be children of God but are just great pretenders or as Jesus said Wolves in Cheeps Clothing. 

Is our “Judging” others Faith Biblical and Important? In a word YES! James dedicates most of Chapter 2:14-26 to the subject. Someone can claim to be whatever they want, in my example above Joe Biden claims to be a practicing Catholic but is pro-abortion, but if their lives (Fruits) do not bare witness to that claim they are Liars and False Prophets.  

The Apostle John in his 1st Epistle 2:3-6 makes the same point only this time with an inward focus. Are we really children of God that we claim? Are we working for the Kingdom or our own Glory? 

As always we need to take in the Whole Counsel of God and no go off half Cocked and start accusing and aggressively pointing fingers at everyone claiming they are False Prophets. Matthew 7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount and earlier in that Sermon Jesus said  “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the [b]gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. 

The Bible clearly teaches we need to be bold and point out the false prophets but doing so with a gentle spirit of humility that shows Christ in us. We need only the Word of God to be our weapon of choice and we need only use it in a manner that mortally wounds the sin while bringing peace to man. 

What type of Fruit are you known by?

 

Daily Devotional – Heart of Stone

I seem to be on a path of Devotionals with either a Heart or Peace theme of some sort. Maybe it is because at his core man (apart from Christ) craves peace while being incapable of doing anything but evil. Maybe it is just God’s way of telling me this is what needs to be said. Whatever the reason I hope they are edifying to you and Glorying to Him. 

 

Logos.com

AMP and RVR 1960 

CONTEXT:

Ezekiel is a captive in Babylon, approx 900 km or 560 miles from Jerusalem. Yet this entire Chapter concerns Jerusalem and the goings on there. It is of course Prophesy but more than that it is a testament to the Power of God and the Obedience of one man to God’s will. 

v.1-4    Prophesy against the princes of the people.

v.5-10  Reason for Judgement upon Jerusalem

v.11-13 God’s Judgement Executed  

v.14-16 God’s promise to sustain the Remnant (Faithful)

v.17-21 God’s promise of restoration materially (land) and Spiritually to the remnant

BREAKDOWN:

And I will give them one heart, – One heart not individual hearts (individualism divides a congregation) but a heart of oneness, uprightness, unified in Spirit. Note in V.18 God says they (we) must first “remove from it all [traces of] its detestable things and all its repulsive things (remnants of paganism)”  You can not be holding on to the old and expect the new. 

and I will put a new spirit within you; – This should be the desire of all who God has touched and called to be His own. It is the promise given to all who repent of their evil ways.

and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, – We can look at many example in the Bible of a hardened Heart; Pharaoh in Genesis, Balaam while riding the Mule in Numbers, Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 to name a few. Nowhere is the bible more clear than in John Chapter 3. Jesus first tells Nicodemus that the ONLY way to Heaven is with a new (unhardened born-again) heart. Later in v.19 Jesus makes it clear man has only himself to blame for all his personal woes. 

and will give them an heart of flesh: – As opposed to a Hard STONY Heart God instills in us a Fleshly (malleable, soft workable) heart capable of receiving and understanding His Word.

APPLICATION:

“Evil deeds are the fruit of an evil heart. They are not an aberration from our true self but a revelation of it.” — Sinclair B. Ferguson

But length of days with an evil heart is only length of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it. – C.S. Lewis 

But evil is wrought by want of thought, As well as want of heart.  – Thomas Hood

It should be trapper from these non-biblical quotes than man even apart from the bible recognizes the EVIL within our our Hearts. That evil is like a slow gnawing cancer, left unchecked, eating away at its victim, until one day it explodes into terminal stage 4, or biblical terms complete and full rejection of God. 

Fortunately many forms of Cancer today are treatable, and patients recover to live a “normal” life. With God’s Heart transplant procedure, our Heart of Stone is removed and a new Heart of Flesh replaces it. God is 100% successful at this, never rejecting a transplanted heart. 

As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn said “The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”  God is calling to us as individuals and as a Nation, to change (Transplant) our Hearts. It is time we reject the clear immoral evil we see going on daily and repent before God. Just as He puts before Israel on notice He is also putting us on notice Deuteronomy 11:26-28: 

26 “Behold, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse— 27 the blessing, if you listen to and obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to and obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following (acknowledging, worshiping) other gods which you have not known…

 

Daily Devotional – Firm Foundations

8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

AMP and RVR 1960

CONTEXT:

Psalm 16 is an expression of Faith in God as put forth by David King of Israel. Like all men David was not perfect, yet He was chosen by God to be the seed by which Christ Jesus the redeemer of mankind would be born. 

BREAKDOWN: 

I have set the Lord always before me: – Note that David says always not occasionally, or when I am in trouble, or indiscriminately, but always. 

Thomas Brooks Comments on this: 

I have set the Lord always before me. David did not by fits and starts set the Lord before him; but he “always” set the Lord before him in his course; he had his eye upon the Lord, and so much the Hebrew word imports: I have equally set the Lord before me; that is the force of the original word, that is, I have set the Lord before me, at one time as well as another, without any irregular affections or passions, etc. In every place, in every condition, in every company, in every employment, and in every enjoyment, I have set the Lord equally before me; and this raised him, and this will raise any Christian, by degrees, to a very great height of holiness.

because he is at my right hand, – Two things about being at my right hand first being on the right signifies a guarded position, one most protected. Second it is the position of honor, in a Kings court the most trusted of advisors always sits to the right, here David says God is always there as his most trusted advisor and protector. 

I shall not be moved. –  David says I am grounded firmly in the precepts, the teachings, laws of God and will not be moved off of them. 

Robert Crawdray comments on this: 

Even as a column or pillar is sometimes on thy right hand, and sometimes on thy left hand, because thou dost change thy standing, sitting or walking, for it is unmovable and keepeth one place; so God is sometimes favourable and bountiful unto thee, and sometimes seemeth to be wroth and angry with thee, because thou dost fall from virtue to vice, from obedience and humility to pride and presumption; for in the Lord there is no change, no, not so much as any shadow of change. He is immutable, always one and everlasting. If thou wilt bend thyself to obedience, and to a virtuous and godly life, thou shalt ever have him a strong rock, whereupon you may boldly build a castle and tower of defence. He will be unto thee a mighty pillar, bearing up heaven and earth, whereto you may lean and not be deceived, wherein you may trust and not be disappointed. He will ever be at thy right hand, that thou shalt not fall. He will take thy part, and will mightily defend thee against all enemies of thy body and of thy soul; but if thou wilt shake hands with virtue, and bid it adieu and farewell, and, forsaking the ways of God, wilt live as thou list, and follow thy own corruption, and make no conscience of aught thou doest, defiling and blemishing thyself with all manner of sin and iniquity, then be sure the Lord will appear unto thee in his fury and indignation. From his justice and judgments none shall ever be able to deliver thee.

APPLICATION:

We have two ministries, this one FSM and FSMWO which deals primarily with Issues of Incarceration, Ex-Mates, Military/Veterans, and Right to Life issues. The Other Faith Builders Ministries we build churches and do disaster relief work wherever God calls us. 

One of the keys in any smart building project is a Good Foundation, something that can not be moved about in the slightest of storms. I live in Mid Mississippi right smack in Tornado Alley and Hurricane Corridor plus we have this stuff called Yazoo Clay. To the un-educated all that means build a poorly designed foundations and the first bad storm, the wind will tear off the roof and lift the build off the foundation. Or maybe it just rains 8 inches in a day or two with no winds so to speak and you think I am good, not so fast that bad foundation just lifted 12″ because the clay couldn’t absorb the water and now its running into your home from under your slab. 

So I hope you see the point, as David made that a firm foundation based upon the biblical teachings of God are necessary for our every day stability in life. In this life we are tossed about just as in a storm here in Mississippi, yet with a solid firm foundation in scripture we can be as Paul said in Romans more than conquerors. 

It is my prayer your foundation is as firm as any saint that has ever lived.  

OTHER RESOURCES:

Sunday’s Sermon Series – Crumbling Foundations 

Daily Devotional – Foundations

Christian Foundations for a New Believer