Month: December 2018

Give What You Have

Give What You Have

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”  (Ac 3:6) 

We can only give out of what we have received (or experienced) ourselves!

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  (Eph 4:32) 

Since God has forgiven us of ALL of our sins, shouldn’t we extend that same forgiveness to others? 

Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?  (Mt 18:32) 

This is where the master had forgiven his servant a huge debt.  Then this SAME [released] servant had his fellow servant put in jail, because he owed the released man a small amount of money!  Shouldn’t the released man have shown the same compassion that he himself had received?

Through these concepts, we can learn several things, among which are: 

  1. a) We must acknowledge the good things that we, ourselves, have received from our heavenly Father before we can minister those things to others. When we acknowledge that we have received compassion, we’re able to share compassion. When we agree that we have received forgiveness from God, we’re able to forgive those who have hurt us. 
  2. b) We’re told by the Lord in His Word that we should be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving to others, because we have received those same things from God through Jesus Christ.
  3. c) We can only GIVE out of what we DO HAVE! Are you aware of all that you have in Jesus Christ?

Study what you DO HAVE in Jesus so that you may minister those wonderful blessings and gifts to the hurting and the needy.  The world is waiting . . . yearning for the manifestation of the sons (children) of God.  (Rom 8:19)

Leaders, Shepherd the Flock

Leaders, Shepherd the Flock

Here are standards for those who are Pastors, elders, or leaders in a church.  If you would LIKE to become a Pastor, elder, or leader, study the Scriptures to discover what is required of such a person.  Then begin to live that out in your life; behave as if you already ARE a Pastor, elder, or leader.  It will not go unnoticed by God, and He will put you into the position that you desire.  (1 Tim. 3:1)

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords (masters) over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  (1 Pet 5:2, 3 NKJV)

  1. Shepherd the flock of God AMONG YOU! That means everyone that you come into contact with daily!  Make an impact for GOOD on those with whom you connect regularly—including your own family members.  (Mk 3:14; 16:15; Ac 5:42; 8:4; Heb 6:10, 11; 2 Tim 4:2)
  2. We’re to serve as overseers. An overseer is an administrator, manager, or someone who gets things done.  We were not elevated to our responsible position in order to prosper financially or to charge people fees.  We never saw Jesus give us such an example.  We’re to help people—help them receive all that they need by whatever means that the Lord directs us to use.  Whatever a person’s needs are, the salvation of Jesus Christ has already met that need!  We’re put here to help people to see this truth, and to help them to receive God’s blessings.  (Mt 6:10; 16:19; 18:19; Ac 20:28; Phil 4:19; Col 1:27; 1 Joh 5:14, 15)
  3. We are supposed to serve willingly and eagerly, with a good attitude and cheerful heart. We are called, each one of us, to BE a blessing!  (Col 3:23-24; 1 Pet 3:9)
  4. We are told not to “lord” it over people. Instead we are to sacrifice and humble ourselves even as our Savior, Jesus, sacrificed and humbled Himself to provide and secure our salvation.  (Mt 18:4; 23:12; Rom 12:1, 16; Eph 5:2; Phil 2:8; Heb 13:16; 1 Pet 2:5; 5:6; Jas 4:6, 10)
  5. The sheep have been entrusted to the care of their church leaders, and we are NEVER to harm the sheep. We are serving as an under-shepherd under the authority of Jesus, the Good Shepherd!  (Jer 50:6; Eze 34:10; Joh 10:11, 14; 1 Pet 5:4)
  6. The Word tells us that we should be examples to the flock. Jesus was our example, and we’re to follow in His footsteps.  (Joh 13:14-16; Phil 3:17; 1 Pet 2:21)

May God bless you and flood you with His love and grace, as you pursue your leadership role in the Kingdom of God.

What HASN’T Jesus Done for Us?

What HASN’T Jesus Done for Us?

Yes, I realize that this title might sound like heresy!  But I’m actually being serious.  Jesus has already provided EVERYTHING that we need.

. . . as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue . . . (2 Pet 1:3)

It is through the power of the Gospel that we receive “all that pertains to life and godliness.”  One way to receive these blessings is to study the Word of God (2 Tim 2:15), and to understand what blessings have been made available to us through God’s precious promises.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  (Rom 1:16, emphasis added)

. . . by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  (2 Pet 1:4)

Here are just some of the blessings that we have received as disciples of Jesus and children of God:

  • Wisdom, protection, preservation (Pro 2:7-8)
  • To walk in the way of goodness and keep to the path of righteousness (Pro 2:20-21)
  • A calling, an anointing, and many blessings (Mt 10:1; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:21; Lk 4:18; 11:28)

We are among the most blessed people on earth!  I don’t think that, in the midst of our earthly struggles and trials, we spend enough time reflecting upon this truth.  Take a little time each day to recognize how blessed you already are.  May God’s presence surround you during this holiday season!

Eternal Life

Eternal Life

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  (Joh 17:3)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  (Joh 3:14, 15)

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  (Joh 10:28)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Rom 6:23, emphasis added)

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  (1 Joh 5:11)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.  (1 Joh 5:20)

To gain and experience eternal life, we’re called to come to know the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent.  Eternal life is a gift from God which we receive by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  This eternal life is IN Jesus who has made a way for us to enter into a close relationship with our heavenly Father. 

It requires no striving on our part because Jesus has done all that needed to be done for our salvation.  (Joh 17:4; 19:30) 

All we need to do is to place our complete faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer. (Joh 3:16; Heb 12:2; Eph 2:8; Gal 2:16)  Glory to God! 

Come and enter into the family by faith in Jesus!  He’s waiting for you with open arms.

The Way, the Truth & the Life

The Way, the Truth & the Life

Good day!  May your day be blessed and your life enriched by the knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (Joh 14:6)

  • Jesus is the WAY . . . to peace with God, our Father, and to eternal life. (Rom 5:1) 
  • Jesus is the TRUTH . . which sets men free from sin, bondage, and judgment.  (Joh 1:17; 8:32; Rom 5:16; 6:18, 22)
  • Jesus is the LIFE . . . of God, and He gives that life to us. (Joh 5:21; 6:33; 10:11)

Jesus is the only “door of the sheep” (Joh 10:7-10); and when we enter the sheepfold through Him, we are saved! 

He provides the sheep—that’s us—with abundant life and provision. 

And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide [Jehoveh-Jireh]; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”  (Gen 22:14, bracketed content added)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  (Joh 10:10)

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”  (Deut 2:7, emphasis added)

This is Good News for all mankind!

Learn from Jesus

Learn from Jesus

Welcome!

Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”  But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”  (Mk 12:15, emphasis added)

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.  (Joh 6:15)

But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.  (John 2:24-25)

Commit means to entrust, assign, bind, or pledge.  Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to them (to men).  Why?

Jesus knew the weaknesses of human nature—the inclination to sin, stumble, and to disappoint.  He knew that mankind tends to be selfish.  The reason that Jesus understood humanity so well was because He was born fully human. 

He demonstrates to us that the only Person who can be trusted completely, without disillusionment, is God, the Father.  God’s perfect love for us is undefeatable, irresistible, and unconquerable! 

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.  (Joel 2:27)

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  (1 Joh 3:16)

Jesus taught us the greatest lesson:  It is always safe to trust in our God and in His great love.  Hallelujah!

Know God = Have Strength & Courage

Know God = Have Strength & Courage

Pursuing a deep, profound knowledge of God and His nature will impart courage and strength to your soul.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  (Josh 1:9)

. . . the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.  (Dan 11:32b, emphasis added)

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.  (Mt 11:12)

. . . strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”  (Ac 14:22)

The better you know God, which is a consequence of studying the Bible and spending time in the presence of the Lord, the greater courage, strength, and boldness you’ll have to serve Him. 

  • You’ll have boldness to be His ambassador on the earth, enforcing the will of God on earth as it is in Heaven. (Mt 6:10) 
  • You’ll have courage and authority to step out in faith and heal the sick, preach the Word, and to testify of God’s love for all mankind. (Deut 31:6; Ps 27:1; 56:3-4; Isa 41:10, 13; Mt 10:1; Mk 6:7; 10:8; Lk 9:1-2; 10:19)
  • Lastly, you’ll have the strength and perseverance needed to pass through tribulations, and to enter the kingdom of God. (Ac 14:22; Col 1:11; Phil 4:13; Ro 15:5)

Deepen your relationship with the Lord so that you KNOW Him deeply; and become bold, strong, and courageous today!

Good Things to Know

Good Things to Know

Greetings, friends!  Here are some lessons I’ve learned along my way.  These are applicable to and useful for all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

  • As soon as you receive an assignment from the Lord (which might come through your Pastor; the person who is your spiritual covering; or the Holy Spirit), you’re anointed to fulfill it!  (Isa. 61:1; Luke 4:18)  Anointed = empowered or enabled to act; set apart
  • Jesus is the Lord of your spirit, soul, and body.  (Acts 2:36; 1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:11)
  • Your anointing is sufficient for your life and your world.  (2 Cor. 1:21, 22)
  • We’re anointed to KNOW things.  (1John 2:20)
  • Decree and agree with what the Bible says about you.  (Numbers 22:35, 38; Mark 11:23)
  • Guard your heart.  (Prov. 4:23-27; Phil. 4:7)
  • Pray in the Spirit.  (Romans 8:26; 1 Cor. 14:13-15; Ephes. 6:18)
  • Walk in love; faith works by love.  (Gal. 5:6)  Daily life will test your love. 
  • A disciple of Christ performs signs and wonders.  (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8)
  • Meditation upon the Scriptures transforms our belief system!  (Ps. 19:14; 49:3; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 4:15)
  • You are delivered from the POWER of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  (Colossians 1:13, 14)

Enjoy your extraordinary, spiritual journey, friends!

Abandon the Fear of Man

Abandon the Fear of Man

Hello, and thanks for checking stopping by.  The fear of man means having a concern for men’s opinions; being affected by another person’s good opinion of you; or a desire to be popular with others.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  (Psalm 118:6 NKJV)

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.  (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV)

So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”  (Hebrews 13:6 NKJV)

The one who trusts in the Lord shall be safe.  Safe means secure or set on high.  Don’t look for man’s approval; look for God’s approval.

He will make you secure, protected and sheltered in His love and mercy.  (Ex 14:14; Ps 32:7; 46:1; Isa 54:17)

The Lord will also give you success in life. (Josh 1:8; Eccl 10:10; Ps 1:1-3; Pro 16:3; 1 Kgs 2:3)  God’s opinion should be the ONLY one about which we’re concerned!