Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Uploaded videos (playlist)
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
True Gospel vs False Gospel
Here is the difference between the true gospel and the false gospel. The false message says that you should come to Christ “because something is missing in your life—you have a God-shaped hole in your heart. God has a wonderful plan for your life.” But there is no biblical precedent for a message of life-improvement upon conversion. None. In fact, the Bible promises us trials, tribulations, temptations, and persecution.
The reason any of us should come to Christ is because we are deceitfully wicked sinners, and we desperately need a Savior. Without the mercy of God in Christ, we will come under God’s just wrath, and end up in hell. We should come to Christ for no other reason.
The false message is very popular for obvious reasons, and that is why many who preach the false gospel have such large followings. However, some people are beginning to notice the discrepancy and asking why. It is my earnest prayer that they reform the message they are preaching.
Jeremiah 23:32“Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says theLord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
The reason any of us should come to Christ is because we are deceitfully wicked sinners, and we desperately need a Savior. Without the mercy of God in Christ, we will come under God’s just wrath, and end up in hell. We should come to Christ for no other reason.
The false message is very popular for obvious reasons, and that is why many who preach the false gospel have such large followings. However, some people are beginning to notice the discrepancy and asking why. It is my earnest prayer that they reform the message they are preaching.
Jeremiah 23:32“Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says theLord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.
No Condemnation
Read | Romans 8:1-4
Some believers are plagued by feelings of condemnation. Either they think they'll never live up to God's expectations for them or they're nearly drowning in guilt over past sins. These men and women cannot seem to shake the sense that God is displeased with their puny efforts at being Christlike.
The book of Romans confronts this lie head-on: "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). When the Savior went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders and made us righteous before God. Those feelings of condemnation do not belong to us; they are from Satan. He amplifies our guilt and feelings of inadequacy and then suggests that's how the Lord feels about His "wayward child." Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God.
Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36). Sin is a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Anyone who chooses to cling to sin instead of seeking divine forgiveness must pay the penalty, which is an eternity separated from God. Two synonyms of condemn are 'denounce' and 'revile.' Those words certainly describe Jesus' statement to unbelievers in Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, accursed ones."
There is no condemnation for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. The believer's penalty for sin is paid, and he can stand blameless before God. Trust in the Lord's love and let go of Satan's lie. God's beloved children are covered by His grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Some believers are plagued by feelings of condemnation. Either they think they'll never live up to God's expectations for them or they're nearly drowning in guilt over past sins. These men and women cannot seem to shake the sense that God is displeased with their puny efforts at being Christlike.
The book of Romans confronts this lie head-on: "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1). When the Savior went to the cross on our behalf, He lifted the blame from our shoulders and made us righteous before God. Those feelings of condemnation do not belong to us; they are from Satan. He amplifies our guilt and feelings of inadequacy and then suggests that's how the Lord feels about His "wayward child." Nothing could be further from the truth. Our sins are wiped clean, and we are chosen and loved by God.
Condemnation is reserved for those who reject the Lord (John 3:36). Sin is a death sentence (Rom. 6:23). Anyone who chooses to cling to sin instead of seeking divine forgiveness must pay the penalty, which is an eternity separated from God. Two synonyms of condemn are 'denounce' and 'revile.' Those words certainly describe Jesus' statement to unbelievers in Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, accursed ones."
There is no condemnation for those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. The believer's penalty for sin is paid, and he can stand blameless before God. Trust in the Lord's love and let go of Satan's lie. God's beloved children are covered by His grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Monday, October 29, 2012
He is our Salvation
The world needs to hear that salvation is only in the Lord. They look in vain for salvation from any other source. He alone is our salvation; it’s not a matter of what we do or what we know, but who we know: “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12).
“Every person in your personal world is on one of two lists: saved or lost. First John 5:12 says, ‘He that has the Son of God has life. He that does not have the Son of God, does not have life.’ There are two destinations for everybody we know. Think of the people you know and love as you hold their eternity in your hands. That’s why you are where you are...Do whatever it takes and whatever it costs to take the people you know to heaven with you!” Ron Hutchcraft
Jeremiah 3:23 Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.
“Every person in your personal world is on one of two lists: saved or lost. First John 5:12 says, ‘He that has the Son of God has life. He that does not have the Son of God, does not have life.’ There are two destinations for everybody we know. Think of the people you know and love as you hold their eternity in your hands. That’s why you are where you are...Do whatever it takes and whatever it costs to take the people you know to heaven with you!” Ron Hutchcraft
Jeremiah 3:23 Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.
Typography for Christ (playlist)
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Sunday, October 28, 2012
Heckled By Chance
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Friday, October 26, 2012
A Heart for the Task
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chronicles 16:9
God's choices often seem so illogical from our point of view. We tell ourselves it can't be what He really means. . . .
Would you have singled out a sun-withered, eighty-year-old shepherd to face down one of the mightiest kings in the world? Moses had been out to pasture for forty years. He had completely lost touch with his people. He'd been raising a little family, living with and working for his father-in-law. In four decades, the man couldn't scrape together enough shekels to build a little place of his own.
Admit it, doesn't he seem like a highly unlikely prospect for the job of delivering an entire people group from the clutches of a mighty nation? . . .
God's eyes roam across the planet to find specific individuals whose hearts are just right for a particular task He has in mind. And when He finds them, watch out! He plunges them into the stream of action, upholding them with His mighty hand.
The Work of the Believer
Read | Romans 12:5-7
The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.
This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.
God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.
As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.
Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.
The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.
This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.
God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.
As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.
Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Joseph foreshadows the Savior
After a lengthy imprisonment for a crime he did not commit, Joseph was called to serve Pharaoh. Pleased with Joseph’s service, Pharaoh exalted him to a high position of authority. When Joseph’s brothers later come to him for help, Joseph forgave them for their betrayal of him and saved their lives by providing the food they needed.
In these details, Joseph continues to foreshadow the Savior to come, who took the form of a slave, was crucified as a sacrifice for sins He did not commit, and was then raised from death. God the Father was “well-pleased” with Jesus (see Matt. 3:17) and exalted Him to the highest position of authority.
Compare the account of Pharaoh’s exalting Joseph in Gen. 41:40–44 with descriptions of Jesus in Eph. 1:19–22; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:7–10. And compare the risen Christ in John 17:2, “You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” with Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you . . . to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
In these details, Joseph continues to foreshadow the Savior to come, who took the form of a slave, was crucified as a sacrifice for sins He did not commit, and was then raised from death. God the Father was “well-pleased” with Jesus (see Matt. 3:17) and exalted Him to the highest position of authority.
Compare the account of Pharaoh’s exalting Joseph in Gen. 41:40–44 with descriptions of Jesus in Eph. 1:19–22; Matt. 28:18; Phil. 2:7–10. And compare the risen Christ in John 17:2, “You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” with Joseph’s statement to his brothers in Gen. 45:7, “And God sent me before you . . . to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
Wretched: The God with Whom You Must Do.
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
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