We all take personal pride in things we accomplish. You may well be the greatest in your field, and there is nothing wrong to feel good about what you have done, it is when you allow it to overwhelm you above what you really are. The Bible specifies in Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." The apostle Paul stated he could boast about many things, but would not do so--then went on to say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord". The Proverb declares that pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride is mentioned as one of the signs of the last days, whereby men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, unthankful... (2 Tim. 3:2).
Pride is most evident in many venues today. Athletes in sporting events display pride in various ways and the public spectacle they radiate is emulated by the younger wannabe sport enthusiast in their particular sporting genre. Not to mention the nations who no longer hold to God as their protector, but rely upon their great might of accumulated weapons, or the proud parades that now grace many nations of the world today.
The Bible says, "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." Jesus said in Matthew 23:12, "Whosoever shall exalt (pride) himself shall be brought low, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
The signs abound everywhere that the last days have arrived. Soon the man of sin (pride); the Antichrist, will deceptively appear on the scene. The wrath of God shall suddenly come upon the world as a snare, when they least expect it (as occurred on 9/11). The sand in the upper chamber of the hourglass is about to empty its last few grains into the lower hourglass chamber. Will you be ready when the trumpet sounds its alarm and the shout goes out to the wise virgins - "The Bridegroom Cometh" - "The Bridegroom Cometh". Will you say right now -- "My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." - (Ps. 34:2)
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. - (1 Peter 5:6)
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The Religion of Love
Some religions attempt to propagate what they ain't. But that is not so with true Christianity. First, let's look at, "What is true Christianity?" Some are led to believe today that Hitler was a Christian. Those who believe that are not really Christians themselves, nor have any idea of what true Christianity comprises. It has been said there are three types of believers -- the Believer, the Non-believer, and the Make-believer. Only the true believer has made Jesus their Lord and Savior.
Jesus said we would know them by their fruits. An apple tree doesn't bare lemons, nor does a lemon tree bare apples. He went on to say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Then He said something both startling and amazing -- He said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you." Whereby we might say to that, "Wait a minute Lord, I can deal with the love your neighbor stuff, but love my enemy? You don't know what he did to me Lord -- You don't know the names he called me and how he assaulted me when my back was turned. How Lord, can you expect me to love this person?"
Well, loving your enemy is another characteristic of the true believer. In another place; Jesus said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses." The Apostle John reported in 1 John 4:7, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
Why all this about love? The very next verse in 1 John 4:8 declares, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Jesus displayed the ultimate love for us in that He died in our place so we might spend eternity with Him in heaven. The Church is the reflection of Christ's love to others while we remain here on earth. To become joint heirs in eternity with Christ begins with how we love and treat others, even our enemies. By the way, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is called the Love Chapter. If you get a chance, it would be worthwhile to check it out. Till next time -- remember, a religion of love does exist, but if you are confused which one it is, just look at its fruit -- may God bless.
George T.
Jesus said we would know them by their fruits. An apple tree doesn't bare lemons, nor does a lemon tree bare apples. He went on to say, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Then He said something both startling and amazing -- He said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you." Whereby we might say to that, "Wait a minute Lord, I can deal with the love your neighbor stuff, but love my enemy? You don't know what he did to me Lord -- You don't know the names he called me and how he assaulted me when my back was turned. How Lord, can you expect me to love this person?"
Well, loving your enemy is another characteristic of the true believer. In another place; Jesus said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses." The Apostle John reported in 1 John 4:7, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."
Why all this about love? The very next verse in 1 John 4:8 declares, "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Jesus displayed the ultimate love for us in that He died in our place so we might spend eternity with Him in heaven. The Church is the reflection of Christ's love to others while we remain here on earth. To become joint heirs in eternity with Christ begins with how we love and treat others, even our enemies. By the way, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is called the Love Chapter. If you get a chance, it would be worthwhile to check it out. Till next time -- remember, a religion of love does exist, but if you are confused which one it is, just look at its fruit -- may God bless.
George T.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Do You Do What They Do?
Today it seems everyone wants to do what everyone else is doing. When I was young and wanted to go or do what my friends were doing, I remember my mother asking me--"If they all jumped in a lake, would you jump in also?" After hearing that several times I vowed to be my own person and not do what the crowd did or said. Now that I have grown and have a good knowledge of the Bible, I realize Momma was right. Today, a great majority have fallen away from God to follow the crowd. The crowd is telling them things that in years past were shocking and unthinkable. Today those same unthinkables are both applauded and considered normal.
The Bible tells of a time coming when men will be without sound judgment, having their conscience seared as with a hot iron, falling away from the truth, giving heed to seducing spirits, without natural affection, all the while the love of many will wax cold. Certainly we have delved deeper and deeper into sin without even giving consciousness to the fact.
In this hurry up and wait, instant gratification mentality society we live in today, many live their lives in the fast lane without realizing where their life has gone until it is too late. The good news is--it is not too late to wake ourselves up before we take that last breath.
God is a God of love and of second chances. He never gives up on us no matter what we go through. However, the first move is up to us. God gave us a free-will to choose. We have two choices-- to follow after the ways of the world (the crowd) - or to follow after God. If we follow after the ways of the world, the Bible declares that the ways of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the Father. The ways of the Father are summed up in these two commandments - love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The important thing about those two commandments is that you cannot keep them by yourself. The only true way anyone can keep them is by making Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of our lives. Then we become reconnected or reconciled back to God (the Father), our creator. You will no longer want to follow after the crowd again, but your desire will be to follow after God and His Word. Take the time to do it now while it is fresh on your mind. You will be glad you did.
George T.
The Bible tells of a time coming when men will be without sound judgment, having their conscience seared as with a hot iron, falling away from the truth, giving heed to seducing spirits, without natural affection, all the while the love of many will wax cold. Certainly we have delved deeper and deeper into sin without even giving consciousness to the fact.
In this hurry up and wait, instant gratification mentality society we live in today, many live their lives in the fast lane without realizing where their life has gone until it is too late. The good news is--it is not too late to wake ourselves up before we take that last breath.
God is a God of love and of second chances. He never gives up on us no matter what we go through. However, the first move is up to us. God gave us a free-will to choose. We have two choices-- to follow after the ways of the world (the crowd) - or to follow after God. If we follow after the ways of the world, the Bible declares that the ways of the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the Father. The ways of the Father are summed up in these two commandments - love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The important thing about those two commandments is that you cannot keep them by yourself. The only true way anyone can keep them is by making Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of our lives. Then we become reconnected or reconciled back to God (the Father), our creator. You will no longer want to follow after the crowd again, but your desire will be to follow after God and His Word. Take the time to do it now while it is fresh on your mind. You will be glad you did.
George T.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Revelations in these Last Days
In the Old Testament, God revealed many things to us through the prophets. Today, in both the Old and New Testaments, God is revealing to us through His Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that whatsoever was hidden or covered, shall be made known and revealed. When Jesus asked His apostles who do men say that I am, Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said, "Flesh and blood had not revealed that to you (Peter), but My Father, which is in heaven."
Notice that it was the Father who revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ. It is significant to note that the Father revealed it to Peter and not the Holy Spirit. Why? Because this incident happened before Jesus ascended back into Heaven. Thus, the Holy Spirit had not been poured out at that time. Jesus promised to send His Holy Spirit to us, which occurred on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ's ascension. Today it is through the Holy Spirit we receive revelation of the things of God and of the testimony of Jesus - (John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).
The Book of Daniel also has an interesting prophecy about the end-times. In Chapter 12, an angel told Daniel to shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end when many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased. Most Bible scholars took the meaning of knowledge for the things of the world such as technology, medical, inventions etc. However, we are finding that God is also pouring out knowledge in abundance over His Word. Such is the case with the things hidden from us that were referred to as mysteries. A book by Jonathan Cahn called "The Mystery of the Shemitah" is a prime example of new revelations unfolding for us in these last days just as predicted in Daniel.
These things were always in the Bible, but they were covered or hidden from our knowledge, and therefore they must be made known and revealed to us just as promised. "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" is another prime example of a doctrinal truth once hidden from us, but is now revealed to us in these end-times. The best way to find those hidden gems from God's Word is to study and seek for them on your own. However, you can always take a shortcut and get copies of the books that have done all the reseach for you. In any case -- happy seeking and may God bless.
Notice that it was the Father who revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ. It is significant to note that the Father revealed it to Peter and not the Holy Spirit. Why? Because this incident happened before Jesus ascended back into Heaven. Thus, the Holy Spirit had not been poured out at that time. Jesus promised to send His Holy Spirit to us, which occurred on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Christ's ascension. Today it is through the Holy Spirit we receive revelation of the things of God and of the testimony of Jesus - (John 14:26 & 1 Corinthians 2:10-14).
The Book of Daniel also has an interesting prophecy about the end-times. In Chapter 12, an angel told Daniel to shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end when many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased. Most Bible scholars took the meaning of knowledge for the things of the world such as technology, medical, inventions etc. However, we are finding that God is also pouring out knowledge in abundance over His Word. Such is the case with the things hidden from us that were referred to as mysteries. A book by Jonathan Cahn called "The Mystery of the Shemitah" is a prime example of new revelations unfolding for us in these last days just as predicted in Daniel.
These things were always in the Bible, but they were covered or hidden from our knowledge, and therefore they must be made known and revealed to us just as promised. "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" is another prime example of a doctrinal truth once hidden from us, but is now revealed to us in these end-times. The best way to find those hidden gems from God's Word is to study and seek for them on your own. However, you can always take a shortcut and get copies of the books that have done all the reseach for you. In any case -- happy seeking and may God bless.
Monday, February 6, 2017
"Born-again" Through Wisdom
Proverbs 1:7 declares, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and thereby from wisdom we also get understanding and knowledge. In a broader sense, Wisdom is the application of how the "Born-again" experience is realized.
1.) When we realize who God is and the power of His might, the fear of the Lord is ignited and initiated within our heart.
2.) By seeking out the attributes of God through His Word or the witness of His people, the beginning of Wisdom (the fear of the Lord) turns into a desire for more Wisdom. In the search for more of who God is provides us with the confrontation that God is not only just, but also a loving God who desires our love and fellowship in return.
3.) When we yield our love and fellowship over to God by making Jesus the Lord of our lives, it opens up a new and greater understanding of who God is. That understanding of God in return, stimulates us to continue to seek for an even greater understanding of who God is and His love for us. As Proverb 9:10 points out, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Thus, understanding is gained through wisdom.
4.) Understanding of God then provides knowledge. When we have understanding of how something operates, we store that information into our database called the heart, and when a situation comes up concerning a specific situation, we recall our knowledge from the database that applies to that particular circumstance. So it is with understanding of God's Word. The more you study it, the more the Holy Spirit reveals to you and the more He reveals to you, the more you understand and therein knowledge is attained and retained.
Here we see how Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding from the Book of Proverbs is activated in the "Born-again" experience as mentioned by Jesus in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Notice, you do not see the Kingdom of God by growing up into a church or by becoming a member of a church or merely stating that you are a Christian--you first must become "Born-again." We have other articles about becoming "Born-again" in this blog site.
In the above illustration, it must be mentioned that the secular mind cannot teach you the things of God, because they are foolishness to him as 1 Corinthians 2:14 clearly points out. When you seek out knowledge from a secular viewpoint, you are seeking knowledge from someone who has never received the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of who God is. In other words, the love of God has never permeated his heart because the world and the flesh remains embedded therein and not the Word and the Spirit. Without the fear of the Lord activating a desire to know who God is and knowledge of His Word, understanding cannot motivate the individual to become a "Born-again" believer in God's Kingdom. John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." You cannot see the wind, but you can fell it. Likewise, you cannot see the Spirit, but you can feel Him -- and it all begins by making Jesus Lord and believing in your heart that God raise that same Jesus from the dead. Yes, God has made it that simple for us
1.) When we realize who God is and the power of His might, the fear of the Lord is ignited and initiated within our heart.
2.) By seeking out the attributes of God through His Word or the witness of His people, the beginning of Wisdom (the fear of the Lord) turns into a desire for more Wisdom. In the search for more of who God is provides us with the confrontation that God is not only just, but also a loving God who desires our love and fellowship in return.
3.) When we yield our love and fellowship over to God by making Jesus the Lord of our lives, it opens up a new and greater understanding of who God is. That understanding of God in return, stimulates us to continue to seek for an even greater understanding of who God is and His love for us. As Proverb 9:10 points out, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Thus, understanding is gained through wisdom.
4.) Understanding of God then provides knowledge. When we have understanding of how something operates, we store that information into our database called the heart, and when a situation comes up concerning a specific situation, we recall our knowledge from the database that applies to that particular circumstance. So it is with understanding of God's Word. The more you study it, the more the Holy Spirit reveals to you and the more He reveals to you, the more you understand and therein knowledge is attained and retained.
Here we see how Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding from the Book of Proverbs is activated in the "Born-again" experience as mentioned by Jesus in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." Notice, you do not see the Kingdom of God by growing up into a church or by becoming a member of a church or merely stating that you are a Christian--you first must become "Born-again." We have other articles about becoming "Born-again" in this blog site.
In the above illustration, it must be mentioned that the secular mind cannot teach you the things of God, because they are foolishness to him as 1 Corinthians 2:14 clearly points out. When you seek out knowledge from a secular viewpoint, you are seeking knowledge from someone who has never received the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of who God is. In other words, the love of God has never permeated his heart because the world and the flesh remains embedded therein and not the Word and the Spirit. Without the fear of the Lord activating a desire to know who God is and knowledge of His Word, understanding cannot motivate the individual to become a "Born-again" believer in God's Kingdom. John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." You cannot see the wind, but you can fell it. Likewise, you cannot see the Spirit, but you can feel Him -- and it all begins by making Jesus Lord and believing in your heart that God raise that same Jesus from the dead. Yes, God has made it that simple for us
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Are You Going To Heaven?
Heaven? Is there any way to know for sure that Heaven will be your new home when you die? Jesus gave us the answer to that question in John's Gospel in chapter #3. Simply stated, you must first be Born-again to enter into the Kingdom of God. But what does that term mean and how is becoming "Born-again" accomplished?
First of all you must be aware that the Bible tells us that sin cannot enter into heaven. Therefore, most people believe you can get into heaven by keeping the ten commandments or other laws. As you are probably aware -- no one can keep the commandments and laws. Simply stated, since no one can keep the commandments or laws, no one will ever get into heaven. Romans 3:20 states that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for the law is the knowledge of sin. Can you then go to a priest and confess your sins to him? By no means. You are still attempting to be justified by the law.
Can a man under the law forgive another individual who is also under the law his or her sins? The Bible says that only God can forgive sin. In any case we cannot be saved by the works of the law even if we confess our sins to a thousand priests. If we could, then Jesus died in vain. We are saved by grace and not by the works of the law or by any deeds of the flesh. We are save by grace through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and in that fact alone takes away our sins by His shed blood and opens the door to heaven for us. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He has saved us.
Let's carry this a little further and consider a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes 9:3:
Ecclesiastes goes on to say that: "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more reward; for the memory of them is perished. Also their love, their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they any portion of any thing that is done under the sun."
All of our hurrying and backbiting is over in the grave. So, did God just haphazardly put us on this earth without any reason or purpose? The Bible says "God made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Why did He do that? The next two verses tells us -- "So they should seek the Lord, if haply they seek after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being...for we are also His offspring." - (Acts 17:26-28) We are His offspring, but sin has kept us apart. What is the answer? "Born-again"!
So back to the question, "Are You Going To Heaven?" The primary answer to that question is "Have you been Born-again?" Jesus said: "Unless a man is Born-again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." The next question is: "How do I know I have been Born-again?" Two things are necessary to be Born-again. First - repentance. The Bible states in Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake their ways." Second - Romans 3:23 states: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." and Romans 6:23, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus." Therefore, by repentance, (which is the forsaking of our sinful ways) and calling upon the name of Jesus Christ and invite Him to become Lord and Savior and believing in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead. This is how we become born-again. After that happens the following verse kicks into play.
First of all you must be aware that the Bible tells us that sin cannot enter into heaven. Therefore, most people believe you can get into heaven by keeping the ten commandments or other laws. As you are probably aware -- no one can keep the commandments and laws. Simply stated, since no one can keep the commandments or laws, no one will ever get into heaven. Romans 3:20 states that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for the law is the knowledge of sin. Can you then go to a priest and confess your sins to him? By no means. You are still attempting to be justified by the law.
Can a man under the law forgive another individual who is also under the law his or her sins? The Bible says that only God can forgive sin. In any case we cannot be saved by the works of the law even if we confess our sins to a thousand priests. If we could, then Jesus died in vain. We are saved by grace and not by the works of the law or by any deeds of the flesh. We are save by grace through faith in what Jesus did for us on the cross and in that fact alone takes away our sins by His shed blood and opens the door to heaven for us. It is not by works of righteousness that we have done, but by His mercy He has saved us.
Let's carry this a little further and consider a passage from the Book of Ecclesiastes 9:3:
- "There is an evil among all things that are done under the sun...the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead."
Ecclesiastes goes on to say that: "The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more reward; for the memory of them is perished. Also their love, their hatred and their envy is now perished; neither have they any portion of any thing that is done under the sun."
All of our hurrying and backbiting is over in the grave. So, did God just haphazardly put us on this earth without any reason or purpose? The Bible says "God made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Why did He do that? The next two verses tells us -- "So they should seek the Lord, if haply they seek after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being...for we are also His offspring." - (Acts 17:26-28) We are His offspring, but sin has kept us apart. What is the answer? "Born-again"!
So back to the question, "Are You Going To Heaven?" The primary answer to that question is "Have you been Born-again?" Jesus said: "Unless a man is Born-again, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." The next question is: "How do I know I have been Born-again?" Two things are necessary to be Born-again. First - repentance. The Bible states in Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake their ways." Second - Romans 3:23 states: "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." and Romans 6:23, "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus." Therefore, by repentance, (which is the forsaking of our sinful ways) and calling upon the name of Jesus Christ and invite Him to become Lord and Savior and believing in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead. This is how we become born-again. After that happens the following verse kicks into play.
- "But scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." - (Galatians 3:22)
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