14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Love is complimentary to those who persecute you. Our natural tendency is to retaliate. To give to others what we believe they deserve. They've hurt our pride so we're going to do everything in our ability to cripple others. That is not Love. Love is constrained in its reactions toward evil. Love is held back when evil or wickedness is done to you. As followers of Christ, we must learn to love.. meaning.. learn to restrain ourselves from lashing out. We must learn to surrender all things, meaning all pride, selfishness, wickedness, to God and humble ourselves realizing that it's not us, but God who has been merciful to us.
Matthew 5:7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
We need to learn how to turn the other cheek.
When God's love is controlling you, you do nothing to retaliate. One of the primary reasons why divorces cannot be healed is because people fight back. Two people are so hostile towards each other that it's impossible to reconcile unless one decides to never repay with evil. One needs to humble oneself, to learn. Goal: to be more like Jesus.
1 Peter 2:22-25
22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1Peter 3:8 - 22
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
1. Love is constrained in it's reactions to evil.
2. Love desires peace. If it be possible, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 14:16
16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
3. Refuses to seek revenge. Avenge not yourselves. God is our avenger.
Let us overcome evil with good. Only love can stop the cycle of hurts. The sooner we surrender and humble ourselves, the sooner we mature in our walk with Christ.
"That in everything he might have first place." - Colossians 1:18
I'm going to begin with a radical statement: You will never experience the fullness of joy that you were created to know until Jesus Christ has first place in every area of your life.
Now hang onto that for a minute. First place.
First in your home. First in your choices for entertainment. First in the way you use your money. First in your career. First in your thoughts. First in your decisions. First in your marriage. First in your singleness. First in your relationships. First in your dreams for the future.
Say it now: "I will never experience the fullness of joy that I was created to know until I put Jesus Christ first in every area of my life."
I think a lot of people would intellectually subscribe to that statement, but I wonder how many of us would truly embrace it in a way that affects our behavior? Doing so doesn't come easily.
Colossians 1:16 says, "All things were created through him and for him." Through Christ and for Christ. Some people have a hard time with that. They're like, "I can handle the fact that He created the universe, but I have a hard time with Him creating the universe for Himself. Who does He think He is? His glory? His pleasure? His purpose? Is that ever prideful! How self-centered can you get?!" Listen. The amazing thing is not that Jesus Christ created us for Himself. The amazing thing is that He cares at all. The amazing thing is that He has chosen in His incredible grace to love us, to dwell with us, to forgive us—the list goes on.
Think about your life. Think about His persistent love. Think about how faithfully He pursues you in spite of yourself. The next time you sin or reject or ignore Him, how amazing is it that He just doesn't walk away and say, "Forget you!" We are here to bring Him glory and to make Him known. He is our purpose and we find our greatest joy when He is at the center of our lives.
"There are only two kinds of persons: those dead in sin and
those dead to sin."
-Leonard Ravenhill
I was actually driving to work today.. and asked God what he wanted me to post as my facebook status. I believe that the facebook status can be used to scream God's love to those who want to hear or are in desperate need of it. I want to use it to give direction to people who are yearning for a deeper purpose and who are seeking out the truth. I can't even fully comprehend how God is capable of using everything and anything.. so I'm choosing to believe and trust that God will use it for His glory no matter how small it is and non-purposeful it might seem. Facebook is pretty small. Very unimportant. But can be used powerfully by God. The message that God has been putting on my heart for the last couple of weeks is
amos 6:8.
"Seek the Lord and Live."
You can only come to life by knowing Christ. And you do not know that you're dead unless He has brought you to life. When we are dead in our transgressions, in our sins, we are like walking zombies. We're walking.. making progress... but we're not alive. Many in the world, and sadly many in the church.. could be making progress by chasing after paper money which is in actuality a debt note, going after the things of this world like sex, drugs, girls, parties, alcohol.. driving nicer cars.. wearing nicer clothes.... not only the things that are material.. but it's also living in pride, selfishness, trying to please other people to be accepted... etc.. but in the end, they do not realize that they're still dead. The main purpose of doing all these things.. for ex.. working.. making money and going after things that might temporarily satisfy the flesh.. is because many are seeking to break out of this cycle that they might be caught in. But the more you try to break out with your own strength.. the more it takes over. This is why God is the only one that can save. It's not by our strength or works that we can attain salvation and eternal life. Jesus came to give life and to live life abundantly.. which means we start today! Many of us do not know that we are dead. They are just deceived to thinking that, that is what life is.. but it's really because they haven't tasted LIFE. After recommitting my life to Christ, I felt alive for the first time! I felt as though I was renewed, born again, given a second chance to live a LIFE. To sow into Life and reap more LIFE. Life can only come from the spirit. It's not a flesh thing. Sorry you guys. The very thing many of you guys are rejecting is Life and living Life abundantly. Go ahead and go after the cars, girls, boys, careers, fame, cash.... but you will not gain the satisfaction and peace that can only be from God. That is why Amos 6:8 is still ressonating in my heart. Seek him People! Seek Him with all your heart, soul, body, strength, and mind.. There's no one like Him. Trust Him and believe in the power of His blood and His name.
Philippians 2:9-11: "Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth,and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
God, I ask you to awaken us, those who are dead in our sins. We are tired of this mundane life and want to experience LIFE that you've given us. I ask Lord that you may give clarity to those who are confused and dead. Please bring them to life that can only be through Christ Jesus. Reveal yourself to them like you have revealed your fame to those in the bible and to many across the world. I cry out for your mercy for these souls God. Save them so that they can spend eternity with us. Thank you so much for being who you are. You are a merciful, merciful God. Abounding in love. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
A Christian woman approached me recently with a rather emotional countenance and asked me if I had heard the latest news report. It was about an upheaval in Pakistan. “Can you believe what is happening?” she asked. “Every day is a bad-news day. Pakistan has nuclear capacity. Terrorists could take over and some mad Ayatollah could launch us into nuclear war.” Shaking her head, she said, “I am really scared. Things are spinning out of control.”
Right now, people are fearful all over the world. We are seeing the fulfillment of Jesus’ warning, that a day would come when men’s hearts fail for fear as they witness the things coming on the earth.
Those who have received my monthly messages know that in recent years I have cried out warnings about the coming housing crisis. I warned a crash was imminent. Yet I preached it with tears.
Now let me give you a clear word from God’s heart, a word of encouragement. In spite of all the frightening news, God still has everything under control.
Here is the Word we believers must stand upon as the storm rages around us, words given to us by Jesus: “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither be afraid” (John 14:27). These are troubling times. But in such times the Word of God becomes our strength and hope.
“The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Psalm 9:9-10).
In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).
I believe the most fearful, troubling days are still ahead. And I see nothing but growing despair for those who are not daily in God’s Word and praying and talking to the Lord. It is his Word that lifts our spirits and produces faith. Discipline yourself now to open your Bible in the morning and start your day getting encouraged with his precious promises. Then talk to the Lord, even as you prepare for the day. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your faith and hope.
There is one Scripture I repeat many times each day. I urge you also to claim it and believe it: “Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
You ought to live . . . to please God . . . For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification. - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3
As a pastor, I often hear questions about God's will. "What does God want me to do?" is the most common, but there are others: "Where does God want me to live?" "Who does God want me to marry?" "What job does God want me to take?"
This may come as a surprise to you, but the Bible doesn't spend any time on that stuff. God's focus isn't so much on the externals; He wants to change the inner you.
God's will is 98 percent about who you are. Need evidence? Check out 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3: "You ought to live . . . to please God. . . . For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification."
The word "sanctification" comes from a root word that means "to make holy." Sanctification is the process by which God takes sinful people and makes them holy. (It's not really as churchy as it sounds.) Holy is a great word; it means "set apart" or "distinct." It means "different from the sinful world around us." It means being like God.
Next time you are struggling to know what God could be doing, just say to yourself, "He's changing me," and you'll be right. Next time disappointments or heartaches come, try to recognize that God Himself is holding the hammer and chisel.
But why? Here's the hard truth that sets people free: God does not exist to fulfill our purposes; we exist to fulfill His purposes. You and I are here because God wants to demonstrate His power and splendor through our lives, and if you realize that you are not doing that very well, then you truly understand why He wants to change you. He wants to get you to the place where no matter what happens to you or what you go through, you trust Him and follow Him and are committed wholly to His goodness. And so He's coming after you, and He's trying to change you. Let Him do His work in you, and watch Him display His awesomeness through you.
Yo! Ya'll can't handle the truth in a courtroom of lies Perjures the jurors Witness despised Crooked lawyers False Indictments publicized Its entertainment...the arraignments The subpoenas High profile gladiators in bloodthirsty arenas Enter the Dragon Black-robe crooked-balance Souls bought and sold and paroled for thirty talents Court reporter catch the surface on the paper File it in the system not acknowledged by the Maker Swearing by the bible blatantly blasphemous Publicly perpetrating that "In God We Trust" Cross-examined by a master manipulator The faster intimidator Receiving the judge's favor Deceiving sabers doing injury to they neighbors For status, gratis, apparatus and legal waivers See the bailiff Representing security Holding the word of God soliciting perjury The prosecution Political prostitution The more money you pay.. the further away solution Legal actors Babylon's benefactors Masquerading as the agency for the clients Hypocritical giants Morally non-compliant Orally armed to do bodily harm Polluted, recruited and suited judicial charm And the defense isn't making any sense Faking the confidence of escaping the consequence That a defendant is depending on the system Totally void of judgment purposely made to twist em' Emotional victim blackmailed by the henchmen Framed by intentions Inventions whereby they lynch men Enter the false witness slandering the accused Planting the seed openly showing he's being used To discredit, edit, headed for the alleged Smearing the individual fearing the unsuspected Expert witness (the paid authority) Made a priority to deceive the majority Of disinterested peers Dodging duty for years Hating the process waiting to be returning to their careers Do we expect the system made for the elect To possibly judge correct? Properly serve and protect? Materially corrupt Spiritually amuck Oblivious to the cause Prosperously bankrupt Blind leading the blind Guilty never defined Filthy as swine A generation purin it's own mind Legal extortion Blown out of proportion In vein deceit The truth is obsolete Only two positions: Victimizer or Victim Both end up in destruction trusting this crooked system Mafia with diplomas keeping us in a coma trying to own a piece of the "American Corona" The Revolving Door Insanity every floor Skyscraping, paper chasing What are we working for? Empty traditions Reaching social positions Teaching ambition to support the family superstition? When the Son of Podition is Commander in Chief The standard is Thief Brethren can we candidly speak? Woe to the men Trusted in the chariots dem' Leaning on horses They run their intellectual sources Counterfeit wisdom creating the illusion of freedom Confusion consumes them Every word they speak it turns them out really white Internally they absent of light trapped in the night and bonded to the Cain of the night Under the curse Evil men waxing more worse Faxing the first Angelic being cast to the earth It's time for rebirth Burnin up the branch and the root The empty pursuits of every tree bearing the wrong fruit Turning me ill Let him who stole, no longer steal Oh it's real Surrender for Jehovah is real How long will you sleep Troubled by the thoughts that YOU keep The idols YOU heap Causing the destruction you reap Judgment has come Find it and return to the One Abandon the flesh Self-interest: Broadway to death Pride and the Greed Hide and subdividing the seed The knowledge of Good and Evil is what caused us to lie Caused us to die Let your emotions be crucified Renounce all your thoughts Repent and let your mind be re-taught You'll find what you sought...was based on the deception you bought A perception of naught Where the majority remains caught
Thanks Ant, for the wonderful email. I do believe that many need to read this.
Loved, but Lost
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READ | JOHN 3:15-18
Probably the most cherished and comforting of all God’s characteristics is His love. However, the fact that He loves us does not determine our eternal destiny; we can still be separated from Him in our lost condition.
Because the Father cares so much for mankind, He made provision to rescue us from our doomed state of alienation from Him. This offer of salvation is extended to everyone, but in order to benefit, a person must accept it. By the death of Christ on our behalf, the Lord opened the door for us to be saved, but He does not push anyone through.
Imagine that you’ve fallen into a rushing river and are about to drown. I jump in to save you, but you refuse my help. Did my diving in save you? No, you did not accept my offer of rescue. In the same way, God made every provision for your salvation, but you must respond to His offer.
Just as a swimmer stretches out a hand to accept rescue, so each of us must reach out in faith, believing that Jesus died for us. Accepting His forgiveness for our sins is not just an intellectual belief. A drowning man will not be saved if he merely knows that a swimmer can save him. He has to put his life in the hands of the rescuer and depend totally on him.
Simply relying on God’s love to save you is not enough. Our heavenly Father desires that everyone be saved, but many will remain lost because they fail to accept His offer. The next move is yours. Choose to believe in Christ, and surrender your life to the One who is willing and able to save you. John 3:15-18 (New American Standard Bible)
15so that whoever [a]believes will (A)in Him have eternal life.
16"For God so (B)loved the world, that He (C)gave His (D)only begotten Son, that whoever (E)believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
17"For God (F)did not send the Son into the world (G)to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18"(H)He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of (I)the only begotten Son of God. Footnotes:
1. John 3:15 Or believes in Him will have eternal life
Cross references:
1. John 3:15 : John 20:31; 1 John 5:11-13 2. John 3:16 : Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4; 2 Thess 2:16; 1 John 4:10; Rev 1:5 3. John 3:16 : Rom 8:32; 1 John 4:9 4. John 3:16 : John 1:18; 3:18; 1 John 4:9 5. John 3:16 : John 3:36; 6:40; 11:25 6. John 3:17 : John 3:34; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 38, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25; 20:21 7. John 3:17 : Luke 19:10; John 8:15; 12:47; 1 John 4:14 8. John 3:18 : Mark 16:16; John 5:24 9. John 3:18 : John 1:18; 1 John 4:9
- CHRIST I A N - Without Christ I Am Nothing One of my favorite acronyms given by our Pastor!
2 Chronicles 7:14 (New King James Version)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
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