Truth.com: Halloween

Today's Halloween. As a Christian, I won't be celebrating.

This gentleman (SetFree21 on YouTube) drops some good research and scripture on why:

No matter what the world is calling today, it is still the day that the Lord has made! Rejoice in it!

Verse of the Day: ...for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14b

Wednesday's Word: You Must Be Born Again

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.
He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.
"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him."

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John 3:1-21 (NIV)

 

 

Have you been born again? Are you living in the light? The word is clear: we must be born again. God sent His only Son so that we could have eternal life. Eternal life comes when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus has been lifted up on the cross. Believe on Him and find eternal life.

 

Have a blessed day!

Reminder: We Serve An Unconventional God

Below is a post that I did a while back on how we serve a unique God. Our God is never average or boring. He does everything in a spectacular way!
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We serve an unconventional God. He doesn't do things normally. He likes to be creative. He loves to show off His power and might.

When He wanted to bring forth His chosen people, He selected a previously barren couple who were well into old age. In looking for a leader to help deliver His people, He chose to use a scared young man who only had 300 men to fight with him. God plucked a shepherd boy off the country hills and turned him into a mighty man of valor and Israel's greatest king.

Our God can take nothing and turn it into greatness.

What situation are you facing? What's looking impossible in your world? The very thing you think can never come to pass is the very thing that God may use to show off His spectacular power. Your crazy situation can very well be an amazing testimony in the making.

You serve a God that can do anything with anyone! Plus, He's always looking for opportunities to show off. He's just looking for someone who believes that He can make it happen. All God needs is your faith.

Don't let your circumstances tell you that you've lost. Don't allow your surroundings to say what you can't do or who you can't be. God Almighty is your Father! The King of Kings is your Lord! You can do and be anything.

Verse of the Day: Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 1 Corinthians 1:27, 28

For God's Glory

When Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus died, they were rightfully devastated. Of course they were upset with the death of their brother, but it hurt even more because they were close to Jesus. While Lazarus was still alive they sent word to Jesus for Him to come and minister to their brother. Yet, by the time Jesus showed up, Lazarus had been in the grave for a couple of days.

Martha voices her distress to Jesus: "...Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." (John 11:21b) Mary reiterated the same view when she saw Jesus. However, Jesus was unfazed.  Even as he worked through his own emotions, Jesus pointed out that the occurrence was a prime opportunity to see God's glory.

Jesus had the family roll away the stone, and He called Lazarus back into the land of the living.

Sometimes we feel like Mary and Martha. We consider ourselves to be close to the Lord, but it seems as if our prayers have gone unanswered. We sought the Lord in times of true need, and it seems like He didn't show up for us.

Could God possibly be working something out in a way that will allow you to see His glory?

The Bible says that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. He will never leave us hanging. He will always answer when we call. Even if your situation now seems unsolvable... even if it seems like the subject is dead... even if you have buried away the thing that you cried out to God about... don't let your faith die.

Continue to trust in believe in the God that can do exceedingly, abundantly, and above all that you can ask or think. It's never over, until God says so.

Verse of the Day: Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:40-44

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Friday!

God is great and greatly to be praised! This is the day that the Lord has made, and I'm definitely rejoicing!

Today I'm thanking God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I love that every day I wake up is a new opportunity for me to learn something new. It can be about God, myself, someone else, or the world around me. Whatever way it comes, I welcome growing in wisdom and knowledge.

I'm also thanking God for open doors. This weekend I have another opportunity to minister in a church outside of my own, and I am psyched to be walking in my calling! Thank You, Jesus, for opening doors for me!

I'm also thankful for you today. You all bless me more than you know. Just when you come and visit this blog, you bless my heart. I want to encourage you to walk in your calling as well. Do what the Lord has called you to do. Someone (me included) will be blessed when you are obedient to the Lord's will for your life. Don't be afraid to step out. God created you ready.

Verse of the Day: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Free From Sin!

We can't help being born sinners. It is our natural birthright being born human. As hard as we may try to be righteous, our own efforts will always cause us to fall short of God's glory.

Abraham chose to sleep with Hagar instead of keeping the faith with his wife, Sarah. Ishmael was born and brought dissension and resentment into his home.

Moses allowed anger to overrule his obedience to God's instructions. He missed out on reaching the Promised Land as a penalty.

David allowed lust to reign in his flesh and he committed adultery with another man's wife which led to murder when she became pregnant. The child born out of that union died as God's punishment.

All of these men were great men of faith. They believed God, followed after Him, and obeyed the Lord's commands. Yet they still sinned. They still had to deal with the consequences of those sins.

What I love about these examples is that their stories do not end with their sin. They went on to seek - and find - forgiveness from God. The Lord saw their contrite hearts and forgave them of their errors.

Abraham and Sarah eventually had their own son who went on to found the Israelite nation. Moses may have missed out on reaching the Promised Land, but he lived to witness the nation he led walking into God's promise for them. David married the widow and they had a son together who went on to be one of the wisest and richest kings in Israelite history.

Maybe you have sinned and are dealing with the consequences of your choice. Yes, you can't avoid the results of choosing to sin - every action has a reaction. But, you have God's grace and mercy with you as well. You don't have to live in bondage. You don't have to be cast down. You don't have to think that the Lord no longer loves you.

When you come to the Lord seeking His forgiveness, He is ready and willing to give it to you. He knows you're human. He knows that you aren't perfect. What's so wonderful is that God forgives and forgets! He won't hold it over your head, He won't throw it in your face down the road... It's as if you never made the mistake.

Today, bask in the power of God's forgiveness. Realize that God's grace and mercy are with you. Release yourself from the grips of guilt and gain your freedom in the Lord's love for you.

Verse of the Day: The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:8-12

Wednesday's Word: Meditate on This

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

 

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

 

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

This is a trustworthy saying:
If we die with him,
we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny who he is.

 

Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

 

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

1 Timothy 3:1-14 (NLT)

 

Paul's words to Timothy are applicable to all saints in their walk with Christ. We should always remember who we are in Jesus and do the necessary preparing, thinking, and actions to make sure we are living and preaching the Good News on a daily basis. Meditate on what Paul says in these verses as you go about your day today. "...the word of God cannot be chained"!