southoftheclouds.com
  • Welcome
  • Music
  • Writing
    • Poetry >
      • Quotes
  • A Strong Foundation (Book)
  • Videos

The Presence of The Lord

10/6/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
When it comes to this term or idea of God’s presence, we need to understand that when The Bible talks about the presence of the Lord it doesn’t always mean the same thing, because we know that God is omnipresent which means that God is everywhere but then the Bible talks about God being in or not being in specific locations.

I would like to give you 3 different types or aspects of God’s presence.
The first is the aspect of God’s omni-presence.

God is everywhere, that prefix ‘omni’ just means all. All present. Omnipotent means all powerful all potent.

‘Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’
Psalm 139:7-12

In verse 7 The Bible uses the word wither which means to ‘to where?’ The Psalmist here is asking a hypothetical question for it is impossible to escape the presence of the Lord.

We see in these verses The Bible using extreme examples on this matter, like ascending into Heaven, making your bed in Hell, or going right out to the middle of the ocean...it is impossible to escape God’s presence
for God’s presence exists everywhere.

‘The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.’ 
Proverbs 15:3

‘Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth?
saith the Lord.’ Jeremiah 23:24

Unsaved people in this world are in spiritual darkness and yet God is never far away.
‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’
Matthew 7:7-8

In Acts 17:26-28 the context is the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill, preaching to the philosophers and epicureans.
Paul tells them 'in Him, we live and move,' our physical life is powered by God.
‘And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel 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; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.’                        
Acts 17:26-28
​
God is the author of life and originally created the first living beings. Life is a Divine act.
Even the unbeliever in God lives and moves and has his/her being, physically not spiritually, for the The Lord sustains the whole universe. So, we understand His omnipresence. God is everywhere.

Then there is God’s physical presence.

In Genesis 3:8 we see God’s literal, physical presence. Let’s read
‘And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.’
Genesis 3:8

And in Genesis 4:16
‘And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.’
Genesis 4:16

Then in the New Testament, John 1 tells us In the beginning was the Word.
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’
John 1:14

Jesus Christ is the Word made Flesh, He was with The Father and The Holy Spirit literally before the foundation of the world. He later became flesh and dwelt among us, paying for the sins of the whole world so that we may have salvation through Him and inherit eternal life.
‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’ Matthew 1:23
​
God is already with us. Yes, though it is in a different capacity when he is bodily, physically among us.
Jesus Christ is God and he dwelled among us. In John’s first Epistle we see in 1 John 1:1 ‘and our hands have handled of the word of life’ and in verse 2 they touched him and checked out the holes in his hands and the wound on his side.
Jesus was physically amongst them.

'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)'
1 John 1:1-2

This is a physical presence of God with us. The Word made flesh. Jesus Christ came in the flesh as an actual, literal human being who lived among us.

In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel talked about being in the presence of God.
'And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.' Luke 1:19

God the Father has also come to the earth (not in a bodily form like Jesus the Son) He showed up at the burning bush and speaks to Moses and tells him that no man can man see the Father’s face and live.
'And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:'
Exodus 33:20-22

Some more verses on the literal, physical presence of the Lord.
‘Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.’
1 Chronicles 16:33

‘And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.’
Job 1:12

‘So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.’ Job 2:7

‘The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.’
Psalm 97:5

‘Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;’ Psalm 114:7

‘I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by his fierce anger.’ Jeremiah 4:26

So, this is beyond omnipresence as this is God actually showing up. Whether it is Jesus Christ in the flesh or whether it is God the Father there is a physical presence.
The Holy Spirit is literally present in the Book of Acts when the day of Pentecost is fully come, and there is a mighty rushing wind and they are baptised in the spirit.

So, we see, there is God’s omni-presence (He is everywhere) and as we have seen there is God physically showing up and Jesus Christ is the best example of that.

Then there is a 3rd aspect which is God's spiritual presence.

In Matthew 18:20 Jesus tells us that where two or three are gathered there am I in the midst of them.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20

That isn’t God's omni-presence and it isn’t a literal, physical presence either, as in we start praying and Jesus is physically there in the room with us! This type of presence is that He is present with us in spirit. It is His spiritual presence.
Let's examine this verse from the Gospel of Matthew.
'And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.' Matthew 28:18

This means that if we go out to fulfil the Great Commission, Preach the Gospel, Baptise converts etc, Christ goes with us.
He will always be with us in terms of omni-presence but he’s not always with us spiritually, if for example we become backslidden, walk into a bar, or casino etc.

The Bible says to the believer that Christ is in you, the hope of Glory, that you may be filled with the fullness of heart.
He lives in our heart but is He physically located there? No that is a spiritual presence.

Is He in the hearts of unsaved people? No for the lost are in spiritual darkness.
When Jesus said 'he that is not with us is against us' this is the kind of ‘with us’ that Jesus meant.
Jesus Christ went out to save and reach the lost. Showing love, being kind to them. We should do they same, follow in His footsteps. The lost are not the enemy, rather they are victims of the enemy.

In Exodus 33:12 My Presence shall go with thee The Bible reads
'And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.' Exodus 33:12

Moses says if God is not going with me I’m not going! Why does he say this?

Because if God’s not with you it’s a jungle out there. Do you really want to go about your daily life without God with you?
That would be hard. That would be scary who knows what’s going to happen.
Going to work and God’s not with you? Going to Church and God’s not with you? Going into marriage and God’s not with you? Going to see a doctor and God's not with you? No thanks! 
But when God is with you, you fear nothing.

'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' Psalm 23:4

At least if God’s chastening me I know He’s with me.
‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’          
Hebrews 12:6

If God is with us even when things go wrong, then we know God is with us.
He is with you, supporting you, all is good.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?                 
Romans 8:31

So, there are 3 levels of God’s presence, God’s omnipresence, God’s physical presence and God’s spiritual presence with believers who are walking in the light.

And finally, you say, how do I get this presence? Well first of all you pray and invite Jesus in.
'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.' Revelation 3:20

Next, get involved in the things of God, go to Church, go and try and reach the lost, encourage other Christians, pray often, read your Bible, listen to and sing songs of praise to God, show Christian love and charity.

Even on your worst day as a Christian you're still better off than the unsaved person who is without hope. But let’s get out and try and reach that lost person, and others and try our best to live for God.
‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’
Proverbs 3:6

0 Comments

Fruit of the Vine

8/2/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.'
John 15:1-5

Grace comes to us through a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is by abiding in Him that we bear much fruit. What does to abide mean?
The English dictionary defines abide as “to remain; continue; stay” and “to continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship, etc.”
This verse in John 15 emphasises a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
To abide in Christ means to intentionally remain in an ever-growing relationship with Him that transforms our character to be more like His.

Jesus is the Vine, we (believers) are the branches. Without Christ we can do nothing, through Christ, who strengthens us, we can do everything. The verse is a rich metaphor.
Abiding in Jesus will, of course, always lead to action, but the abiding must come first.
When we abide, the Holy Spirit will fill us and prompt us to act.

Normally when we think of fruit related to the Christian character we think of the fruit of the Spirit.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.’ Galatians 5:22-23

Much like branches that are grafted to a vibrant vine in order to produce better grapes, we are grafted to Christ who is our life-giving vine. A branch flourishes and produces fruit when it remains connected to a healthy vine. We too will flourish and become fruitful when we remain in close relationship with Christ, our source of spiritual health and life.

We might call it the fruit of abiding in Christ through the Holy Spirit who unites us to Him.

The fruit of the Spirit that works in us is not apart from Christ rather it is bound up in Christ.

We abound in that fruit through abiding in Christ. The fruit of new life that comes about through union with Christ flows from the inside out. Growth that comes from a changed heart that is transformed by God’s Spirit. This new life takes place at Salvation and is further cultivated in our daily walk with God.

In Paul’s charge to Timothy, Paul speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost says
‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’

Humility is an essential attribute in discipleship.
‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’ John 3:30

Growth is always a good thing: physically, spiritually, intellectually, and relationally.
We grow as Christians by taking in the nourishment of God’s Word, enjoying relationships with other believers (fellowship) and through our prayer life. Through this walk we can experience the joy of becoming Holy (sanctification) as our Father is Holy.
‘But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.’ 1 Peter 1:15-16

The fruit of our new life should flow organically and not artificially. There will be a natural desire to serve and reach others after salvation, even if it starts with just wanting to reach our immediate family and friends.

Salvation happens in a moment of time. It is easy to get saved you just have to put all your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and understand that He gives to you eternal life and that you could never lose it. (The eternal security of the believer)
'And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.'
John 10:28-30

What takes place after salvation is an inner-battle, to either wither and be spiritually fruitless or to flourish, to serve the Lord and produce much fruit!

We have to try to die to sin and live to righteousness. Put on the new man. Exhibit a changed life which flows out of being partakers of the wonderful new life found through Christ.
Abiding in Christ produces fruit of eternal value.

We want to see fruit of a changed life to grow from the inside out by the Hand of God.  
A vineyard of life exploring God’s design for our spiritual development and growth in grace.

Abundant and enduring Christlike character will grow naturally by abiding in Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We are to love, to rejoice, to exercise peace wherever possible, to be patient and to be kind and forgiving. We have been released from servitude to sin and empowered to the new life.
'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.' Galatians 5:1

We have freedom from bondage of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord. Why not then attempt to walk in the light and grow. The alternative is to go back to the world, live a miserable and almost meaningless life down here until we go home. The enemy opposes fruitfulness, he wants Christians to do nothing for God. But we can choose what we do once we are saved. Work out your own salvation the Bible says.    

Our relationship with the Saviour is not merely mechanical but relational. We abide in the person of Christ, who is the Personal Christ for He lives within our hearts.
‘Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.’ John 15:8-9

We have access to the very creator of the universe through prayer. Prayer is essential.

The fruit of God’s grace, the fruit that flows from the new life in Christ is it defining you?                    Do others see it and give Glory to your Father in Heaven?
Is it leading or at least pointing others to Christ?

God is in the gardening business! (metaphorically speaking) If He sees something in your life that is damaging your ability to bring forth fruit He will purge it, He will saw it off like a withered branch. It could be the rock music, the old films you used to watch, maybe visits to the bar or sporting events. Friends that want to remind you of the old life. God can find a way to remove them from your life. He will weed out sin and cultivate fruit in our lives as our Father.

It can be very painful but it’s worthwhile as you see more people come to know Christ.
This is something that truly matters.

You see sin is what’s keeping you from being productive. Sin is what’s stopping you from bringing forth fruit. God might have to take hold of you and cut out some of the things that are holding you back, so that you might bare more fruit in the new season.
A good tree bringing forth good fruit.
‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.’                        Proverbs 11:30

We must go out and reach the lost. Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in. This is a commandment and yet more and more Churches are downplaying this essential work.

Some people say they first want to get right with God before they attempt this work, but the truth is you can only be right with God if you’re already doing the work.
Evangelism is an essential part of the discipleship journey.
​
By putting Him first, God promises us a rich and fulfilling life.
‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’         Philippians 4:19

God not only wants us to have joy He wants us to have full joy.

So, to conclude, how do we abide in Christ?
Here are some practical ways we can do so

1.)Pray regularly
‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;’ Ephesians 6:18

2.)Read and meditate on God’s Word.
‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.’ Colossians 3:16

3.)Glorify God in everything you do.
‘And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men’ Colossians 3:23

4.)Participate in Church.
‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!’
​Psalm 133:1

5.)Listen to the Holy Spirit who flows through us as we remain connected to Christ and His Word. 
‘Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.'                        2 Corinthians 3:17

6.)Listen to Christian music that edifies.
‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;’ Ephesians 5:18-19

7.)Start evangelising! Even if it's just trying to reach one new person a week with the Good News of Jesus Christ. That is a start.
'And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' Mark 16:15

Produce fruit, grow spiritually, be more usable by God…all this comes by Abiding in Christ.
All Glory to Him!

‘Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ Hebrews 12:1-2

0 Comments

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

6/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

‘Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.’ Hebrews 9:21-22

We are saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Without the Blood there can be no remission of sins. Nothing could be clearer in scripture that what saves us is the Blood of Jesus.

‘It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:’
Hebrews 9:23

In Heaven there is a Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies. Jesus Christ, after He died on The Cross and was buried and rose again, in His role as High Priest, one-time entered into that most Holy place in Heaven and sprinkled His Blood on the mercy seat before taking His place at the Right Hand of The Father. That Precious Blood is still there to this very day.

The Bible tells us ‘And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.’ Hebrews 12:24

In the famous Old Testament story of Caine and Abel, Abel’s blood cried out from the ground for justice and revenge. The Blood of Jesus cries out Forgiveness, Mercy, Salvation, Redemption.

People living in Old Testament times were saved by looking towards The Cross, today a person is saved by looking back at The Cross. All the Old Testament animal sacrifices point to the Blood of The Lamb. Jesus Christ is the Lamb slayed from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

The blood of animal sacrifices was an outward showing of the Old Testament believer’s inward faith towards God and His redemptive plan to send a Messiah. In the same way that nowadays we should get Baptised after Salvation and share the Lord’s Supper with other believers after Salvation. This is an outward showing or demonstration of our faith and new life in Jesus.

Those animal sacrifices were a picture of the Blood of Jesus Christ who would one day die on the Cross for the sins of mankind and become The Lamb of God. They were merely a foreshadowing of the perfect sacrifice to come. They were symbolic of what was to come.

‘And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.’ Exodus 12:13

‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.’
Leviticus 17:11

The whole of the Old Testament points towards the coming Messiah and the saving power of His Blood. People back then were saved by trusting in God's redemptive plan.

There is a false belief system that teaches that people were saved by works in the Old Testament (Dispensationalism) and/or that they will be saved by works during the end times. This is not true. Salvation has always been by Grace through Faith. There has never been, nor will there ever be, Salvation outside of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look at some verses.

‘Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,’ 2 Timothy 1:9

‘To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.’ Acts 10:43

‘For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.’ Romans 4:3

‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.’ John 8:56-58

‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’ John 5:24

Jesus spoke these words before He died on the Cross. ‘Hath everlasting life’ means present tense. When we come to Christ for Salvation through repentance and faith, we hath everlasting life, again present tense. Salvation is not a process (Sanctification is) rather it is a one-time event where in a moment of time we are passed from death unto life.

We are washed in the Blood of the Lamb. We are reconciled unto God through His Blood.       
The Blood of Jesus is Divine.

‘But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:’
1 Peter 1:19
‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:’ 
Colossians 1:14

We are living in a time when many ‘preachers’ want to de-emphasise the Blood of Jesus.          While a simple bit of research reveals that many of the modern Bible versions remove the reference. (Colossians 1:14 being a prime example)

One particular ‘denomination’ is known to have said ‘we don’t want to have a bloody religion’ and so they removed many of the hymns about the Blood from their hymnal. But many of the best loved and powerful Hymns to this day are ‘Are you washed in the Blood?’ ‘Nothing but the Blood’
‘There is Power in the Blood’ ‘There is a fountain filled with Blood’ 'Saved by the Blood of The Crucified One’ and many more that emphasise the Saving Power of the Blood of Jesus.

Jesus had to shed Blood, He had to die on The Cross, He had to be buried, He had to rise again. He had to be born of a virgin, He had to live a sinless life. He had to do good works here on earth (For His righteousness is imputed onto us as believers) It’s His role as High Priest, It’s His Second Coming, it is the whole redemptive work of Christ that saves us and keeps us saved and of upmost importance is His precious Blood.

‘But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.’                  Isaiah 53:5

By His stripes we are healed. These are Stripes of Blood.
Verse after New Testament verse The Blood of Jesus is emphasised by many different Biblical authors.

‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ Acts 20:28

‘For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’ Matt 26:28

‘And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.’ Mark 14:24

‘Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.’ Luke 22:20

‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;’ Ephesians 1:7

‘But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.’ Ephesians 2:13

‘And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.’ Colossians 1:20

‘Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;’ Romans 3:25

It is the Blood of Jesus that saves us…we have to put our faith in it. It is the object of our faith; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and we are saved through faith in His Blood.

‘Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.’ Hebrews 13:12

‘Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.’ Romans 5:9

‘For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.’                                    Hebrews 10:14

Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh, He is Holy and yet He tasted death for every person that ever lived. There is a false belief system called Calvinism and at the heart of it is a doctrine called ‘limited atonement,’ which teaches that somehow Christ only died for a special group of people known as the ‘elect.’ But the elect are so according to the foreknowledge of God, who already knows the beginning from the end. For God sits outside of time.

The final chapter in The Bible (Revelation 22) has already happened as far as God is concerned.

‘Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.’ 1 Peter 1:2

The elect are simply the saved. God already knows who will come to Him through repentance and faith and who will not, but this does not take away our free-will and capacity to decide on whether to call on Christ or not. It’s a decision we have to make. Let’s look at some verses.

‘…And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’
Revelation 22:17

‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ 2 Peter 3:9

‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’                                        Romans 10:13

‘But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.’ Hebrews 2:9

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16

Salvation is freely available to everyone.

Another great hymn is ‘To God be the Glory’
One of the verses goes:
Oh perfect redemption, the purchase of Blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Now let’s focus on the Holiness of God.

‘There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee:
neither is there any rock like our God.’ 1 Samuel 2:2

What does the word Holy mean? Set apart, Sanctified, Special.
Jesus Christ is Holy, He is without spot, without blemish, without sin.
                                             
The Holy Spirit is different from any other Spirit.

‘To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,’ 
Hebrews 12:23

For now, we are in our natural/mortal body which is fuelled by our blood.
Just as Jesus Christ’s mortal body was fuelled by His Blood.
The life of the flesh is in the blood the Bible says.  

When we (believers) die physically, we don’t enter Heaven filled with blood, rather our new body will be fuelled by our Spirit. Our resurrected body shall be bloodless.

‘Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.’ 1 Corinthians 15:50

We are made in God’s image. 3 in 1. We have a body, soul and spirit. When we reach the age of accountability and then commit sin, (as we all do) our spirit dies and is only brought back to life (reborn) when we put our trust and faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. This regenerated spirit fuels our new identity and allows us to reconnect with God and will later fuel our new Heavenly bodies.


’But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.’ Romans 8:11

‘This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.’ 
​1 John 5:6

We need the Blood, the Water and the Spirit. All 3 left Jesus’s Body when He died on The Cross.     The Blood which saves, the Water that the Holy Spirit washes and covers us with every day that cleanses us in this physical life, (the sanctification process) There is a washing of water by the Word. Spiritual cleansing through the Word of God  
The Spirit gives us the power and that comes from prayer, hearing preaching, singing Psalms. Hymns and spiritual songs, fellowship with other believers, reading our Bibles and meditating on the things of God. The Spirit is the Power that comes from The Holy Spirit. 

'That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.'
John 3:6
​
'God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.'
John 4:24

‘It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ John 6:63

It is Jesus’s Blood that is of upmost importance. We are saved by faith in His Blood, by believing in His Blood. Through faith in His Blood we are justified, we are redeemed, we are forgiven, we are saved! That is why we could never lose our salvation once we are born again.
We are cleansed from all sin, past, present and future.

‘For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.’ 1 Corinthians 1:18

‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7

‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,’ Revelation 1:5

Salvation is not a process; it doesn’t come from something happening out of the ordinary in our lives that may seem like an act of God. (It may be an act of God designed to wake you up!)
These things can help guide you on your spiritual journey, they can be seeds planted that are cultivated along the way and that lead you to the door of Jesus. The Holy Spirit has a ministry in this world to lead people to Christ.
Being born again is a one-time event, it comes from a decision to call on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, to let him into your heart.
In a moment of time then you are passed from death unto life.
New life that comes through the Blood of Jesus.

All Glory to Him.
0 Comments

A Christian response to Fear and Anxiety

10/8/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.' 2 Timothy 1:7

I would like to write about fear and anxiety, let’s start with what the world says about the issue.
This is taken from a psychology website and is a fairly good explanation.

Fear is a reaction to a specific observable danger whereas with anxiety there is no clear cue.
Anxiety is a ‘diffuse, (no clear cue) objectless apprehension'.
Some disagree, and say that yes, there is a clear, tangible threat that triggers anxiety,                 
usually something deep rooted and unresolved.

One other characteristic of fear is that it ‘involves a quick and acute reaction to the imminent threat' (the here and now) whereas anxiety involves a more sustained, longer-term pattern of vigilance.(the future)

Fear involves the narrowing of attention, (for example focussing on the very real danger of walking through a dangerous neighbourhood at night) that subsides when the threat is gone whereas anxiety develops more slowly and is sustained for a longer-term pattern of vigilance.
Fear is associated with narrowed attention, but anxiety is associated with a vigilant broadening of attention to detect threats if they do in fact exist (often they do not really exist)

Fear focusses on the threat at hand while anxiety will broaden in anticipation.
Anxious people begin scanning their environment to detect potential threats. 
Anxiety will remain consistent whereas fear elevates quickly and subsides dramatically once the source of fear is removed.

Fear is more objective/rational, anxiety is more subjective.
Fear arises with a threat of harm. either physical or emotional or phycological, real or imagined.
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease typically about something with an uncertain outcome. Often people faced with anxiety feel like they cannot breathe.

While traditionally considered a negative emotion, fear also serves an important role in keeping us safe as it immobilizes us to cope with potential danger.
The differences noted above are relative. Either way fear and anxiety are 2 sides of the same coin.  They both stem from a lack of trust and faith in God and in His ability to protect.
 
Fear
Fear is a huge subject in the Bible, and it is almost always shown in a negative light,
fearing God being the only time it is ever positive. The Christian who fears God is not fearful as the world would see it. Fearing God is good. Fearing God is right. Fearing anyone or anything else is negative. If you are trusting in God you need not be afraid.
‘I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ Psalm 3:6


‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;’ Psalm 23:4

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.’ Proverbs 9:10

God made us with an emotion of fear, we are to fear Him, The Mighty God creator of all things.
'I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.' Psalm 139:14

If we are not in awe of God we are missing the importance of our existence.
Let all the world fear the Lord!
The fear of Hell is often the reason people turn to The Lord.

The Lord takes pleasure in those that fear Him.
'For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.'
Psalm 103:11

'He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.’                                                        Psalm 115:13

There is a consequence of the wrong type of fear. Fear and unbelief often go hand in hand.
Wrong fear diverts the direction of our faith. Fear can hinder our ability to reach others with the Gospel. When fear creeps in the mind can imagine every worse thing. Most of the time what you most feared never came true anyway. Do not be paralysed by fear.

Wrong fear pushes us away from God and closer to the things of this world.
People can become dull to the things of God.
‘The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe’       Proverbs 29:25

Wrong fear can lead us to be dissatisfied.
Fear spreads like a virus. When you complain, in effect you are complaining about God.
Abolish all wrong fear! Fear is not of God unless you’re fearing God.
The mature Christian needs to trust God and encourage others to trust in God.

‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’                  Romans 8:31

In order to love God as we should, we should first fear God.
If we fear God and love God we will try our best to keep His Commandments.
When you have perfect love that will cast out fear, for perfect love replaces fear.

'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.' John 4:18




 
Anxiety
'Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.                                              Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' 
Philippians 4:5-7 

Whenever there are times of anxiety people go to extremes, but The Bible says 
'Let your moderation be known.' When someone is moderate, they are not extreme.

The opposite of anxiety is peace. When we get saved, we have peace with God. Jesus said
'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' John 16:33

We overcome the world by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16


'But my God shall suppy all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'
Philippians 4:19

God has promised us so much. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us, He promised to protect us. He said that All thing work together for those that love God. Why be burdened with anxiety? God is our keeper, our protector.

These are challenging times no doubt,
the health of the people, the economy and various restrictions etc
But we can avoid the spread of despair.

Here are 4 things that may help with anxiety

1.) Choose to worry about nothing. 'Be careful for nothing'
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to do what we can.
'And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;'                            Colossians 3:23
It’s not saying don’t take care of things you can control, for you should do that.
We ought to plan, we ought to think and take care of that which we can control and leave the rest up to God.

Don't try and control things you don’t have power over.
Don't worry about what you can’t change or influence.
No amount of worry or stress changes or improves things anyway!

In His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6 Jesus astonished when He said ‘take no thought for your life.’ God will take care of the essential things in your life if we are right with him.
Later in the sermon He goes onto say this 
‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.’ 
Matthew 6:33-38

If we honestly believe in God, then we believe that God can control, that He can provide for and protect us, bring safety, bring security.
 
2.) Choose to pray about everything.
Take that anxiety as a reminder to pray. 
When you begin to feel that anxiousness use that as a reminder to pray to the Lord about whatever it is that’s on your mind and heart. Use it as a reminder. Choose not to worry. Choose to pray.

Paul told the Philippine Christians
'Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.' Philippians 4:6
Pray for boldness and courage and rest on the promises of God.

3.) Choose to be thankful. Choose gratitude. Be content.
'Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.'                                                                       
Philippians 4:4
Learn to rejoice in The Lord allway.
Have a grateful and thankful spirit.

'And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.'
Romans 8:28

Notice, He doesn’t say all things are good. He says All things work together for good.
We can have this confidence. All things might not be good but all things can work together for good. God will work it out.

'In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.'
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in everything. Not for everything like culture, sinful elements of society etc 
Be thankful in everything, be thankful through everything, God is in control so choose to be anxious for nothing. Be grateful for all the good things in your life.

'A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.' Proverbs 15:13

Anxiety is an attack of the heart and the mind, but we Christians have the advantage because we have the Holy Spirit providing us with an inner tranquillity that only those who know God can experience.


'And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:7


4.) The way to deal with anxiety is choose to focus on the good things.

The Bible commands us to control our minds. Bringing into captivity every thought.
Stop thinking about things that make your anxious.
Dealing with bitterness? Let it go. Life gets better when you don’t get bitter!
Get your mind under control.
Focus your minds on that which is true.
‘For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…’ Proverbs 23:7

How do you stop being anxious? Change your thoughts. Think on positive things.
'Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;' Ephesians 5:20

 We are saved by Grace through Faith in Christ alone. Praise God for our Salvation!
'For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Romans 10:13  
 
'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9

'But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Romans 5:8
         
If you’re saved already, Amen! The next step is the sanctification process, for peace with God does not necessarily mean you have the peace of God. The peace of God comes from the sanctification process. (After salvation)
This comes through much prayer, spending time in The Bible, singing Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual songs, attending a great Church and fellowshipping with other believers, cultivating your walk with God daily and trusting in His riches and His promises to make the best possible use of your time here. Choose growth over fear.

'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'
​Philippians 4:13
 
        
 

0 Comments

Believe, Belong, Overcome

6/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
I was always looking for something real. I can remember in about year 7 at school, a history teacher encouraging us to look deeper into things, to not always trust what the man on T.V or the politicians said. I was raised in a very lukewarm Christian home, none of us were saved, it was more a Christmas, Easter and special occasions thing. I always believed in God but didn't truly know the Lord Jesus Christ. And so it went on, throughout my teenage years, 20's and well into my 30's.

Intuitively I knew that something was missing, things were going OK I suppose, I had a good job, some friends, lived in a fairly good part of town and liked music, travelling and playing/watching soccer, but deep in my heart I knew there was a longing, a sense that something was not quite right.

I suppose looking back you could say that I would pray to a God I didn't truly know.
Of course God being all knowing and full of mercy and love and being able to foresee that in time I would come to Him through repentance and faith, kept me safe through those years I spent in the spiritual wilderness.

As Christians, we don't always like using the word 'lost' about those that do not know God, but I can see now that I am saved and know Jesus Christ on a personal level that the term is a fitting description of those without Christ. You see Christ shines hope into an otherwise hopeless world.

When you come to know Jesus and understand what He has done for you, and you decide to call upon Him as your Saviour. It is as though a veil has been lifted from your eyes.
Whereas before you where blind, now you can see.

We've all heard those famous lyrics from the much loved hymn, Amazing Grace:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see...

What can you see? You can see truth! The Scriptures start to make perfect sense, life begins to make perfect sense! You start to switch your thinking from the temporal cares of this world to the bigger picture of eternity. You're mind is renewed, God gives you a new heart, a new life.
You are regenerated. Born again the Bible says.

There is a great quote that goes something like...When Jesus was on The Cross it wasn't the nails in His hands that kept Him there, but rather His love for mankind, His love for you and I.
You see, Jesus was God manifest in the flesh, God being 3 in 1, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit (who you shall receive if you call upon Jesus) He could have broken free and escaped at any time but He knew His Father's plan and with great honour He followed it through.

Jesus was completely without fault, He committed no sin yet suffered greatly to set us free.

The Bible says 'For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God;' Romans 3:23
​When you trust in Jesus Christ and what He's already done for you, you are forgiven for all your transgressions, every sin you've ever committed, every thing you've ever done wrong and ever will, (past, present and future) paid for in full.

'But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' Isaiah 53:5

This is the bit that some people miss, it's not about how good we are or what we can bring to the table, it's about what Jesus has already done for us through His death, burial and resurrection.
As Jesus was up on that Cross and about to die physically, He cried out It is finished.
Belief in His finished work is what brings us forgiveness, salvation and redemption.

Your debt is paid for in full through the Blood of Jesus.
The Saviour of the whole world to those who would simply come to him by faith.
'For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.' Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans 6:23 tells us '...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.'
The only thing you have to do to receive a gift is to accept it.

It was a gift to great for me, and millions of others before me, to refuse!

The Bible reads in John 3:3 'repent ye, and believe the Gospel.'

Repentance in a salvation context means simply turning from unbelief or trusting in your own dead works or whatever it was you were trusting in before to now changing your mind and heart towards God and calling upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.

'...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.' Acts 20:21

Once you are saved you have eternal security and complete peace of mind that you are on your way to Heaven. The Spirit bears witness The Bible says and in John 3:16 The Bible tells us
'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'

Everlasting life meaning it's eternal, it's forever.

Upon Salvation, you will still feel the same in many ways. Spiritually everything changes, you are reborn, regenerated and brought from death to life, A new person whereas physically we remain the same.

The Apostle Paul spoke of the ongoing battle that continues in the Christian between the spirit and the flesh. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 26:41 'Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' 

Friend, Christians are not automatically delivered from sin at salvation, we are delivered from the penalty of sin and so the sanctification process begins. The Bible tells us that we are given a peace that passes all understanding. Thankfully, you will have the Holy Spirit helping you, guiding you and protecting you. Through His work you have the ability to overcome the struggles of this world.

I hope so much you will put your trust in Jesus and receive the free gift of eternal life.
It has been the greatest thing I ever did. If you do that you will truly belong in the greatest community of all...God's family.

'For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus'
Galatians 3:26

Here is a prayer to consider.

Dear Jesus,
I know I am a sinner and that I fall short,
but I believe that You died on The Cross for me.
Please save me and take me to Heaven when I die.
I'm trusting only in You, Jesus.

Amen



​
0 Comments

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God

2/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus astounds the crowds with His preaching, today I would like to focus on the famous verse:
'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.' Matthew 6:33

The 'all these things' specifically refers to food, drink, clothing, a spouse, a home, a job etc all the things we need in life. 

The Old Testament book of Haggai others a great illustration as to what happens when people fail to put God first. In chapter 1 verses 2 though to 13 the people of Judah are putting their own well-being first and are neglecting the works of the Lord and God basically says look how hard you're working and yet you are not getting ahead. It's as if you are putting your wages in a bag full of holes! God is not only refusing to bless them, He is actively working against them.
Let's read...

 '2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built. 3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord. 13 Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord.' Haggai 1:2-13 

Just as these people were doing, many seek after their own prosperity and desires first and are more interested in their own welfare. But we should always put the things of God first.
We should put The Lord Jesus Christ first.

If God is against you, if God is not blessing you, you simply can not get ahead.
You will fail. You will experience one set back after another.
But if we seek first the kingdom of God, He will bless us.

Many people go to college or university to learn a trade or skill set that will allow them to make a living and don't get me wrong I am for working hard to get ahead 'Six days shalt thou labour,'
the Bible says, But we need to first learn how to live our lives and then focus on how to make a living.

If you know how to live you will always be able to make a living.
God knows of our needs. He knows we have bills to pay and that we need food and shelter and He promises to provide for us when we walk with Him. 

Many people, Christians even, will put their career first. Once again, I'm not saying not to study hard and strive for a better job, 'learn the skills to pay the bills as it where' what I'm saying is before you do all that, pray to God daily, read your Bible daily, do some kind of evangelising (reaching the lost) or work within the Church and put the Lord first.

God can make you fail in any aspect of life.
In verse 5 of our chosen chapter God says 'consider your ways'
Verse 7 He says  'consider your ways.'

We've all had times in our lives where God has just blown upon our plans (verse 9)
Sometimes God will not let us succeed at something to keep us humble, yes that can happen too, but most of the time when you fail in life it's because you're not right with God.
I can tell you from experience (when I wasn't considering my ways and had my priorities all wrong) that if God doesn't want you to succeed at something, there is nothing you can do to get ahead.
No matter how hard you work or how good you think you are, If God wants you to fail you're going to fail. God can blow upon your plans anytime He wants.

If God is working against you it is impossible to succeed.
Whereas if God is with you and is blessing you it is impossible not to succeed.

In verse 13 when the people repent (change) it pleases the Lord and He simply says those beautiful words  'I am with you' that is all we need in life! God to say 'I am with you.'

From there the spouse you've always wanted, the home you need, the ability to earn an income that will provide your essential needs will be given to you. 

Don't get so busy with the things of this world that your walk with God suffers. God is the one that gives you the power, talent and ability to succeed. I'm not talking about some fake prosperity gospel that says 'hey touch the screen and send in $1000 and God will bless you!' I'm saying that if you do right by God and put Him first then God will provide for you your everyday needs.

God will give you what you need. He will give you the talent and ability to do well at work and get ahead in life. I've experienced more of His blessings recently myself, as I've learned to put God firmly in first place in my life.

If God says I'm with you that is all you need. '...If God be for us, who can be against us?' Romans 8:31 If God is on your side nothing can fail, nothing can end in defeat for you.

So we need to spend more time working on cultivating our walk with God rather than trying to get ahead on our own merits.

Many people might think I just want to do a few things in my life first and seek the Lord later on.
But the Bible says 'Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,' if you're a young person reading this don't put off getting saved now thinking you can do so down the track. Remember '...seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you' Get your priorities right!

If you're not saved, get saved today. Make the decision to call on the Lord Jesus Christ as your saviour by putting all your trust and faith in what He has already done for you and you will be given eternal life. If you're saved but not putting God first in your life then now is the time to do so.

Don't neglect the local Church, in the New Testament it's not a physical building but a group of believers. Don't get so busy with the cares of this life that you neglect your true purpose and your walk with God. You need God's blessings.
If God is on your side you are always going to conquer. You will always have the victory.

As we see in verse 11 God can make farms fail to produce, He can send droughts and floods whenever He chooses.
If people forget the Lord God they are in danger of suffering any number of disasters in their lives.
Get right with God and all things you need will be added to you.
...all things work together for good to them that love God,

Finally, It's not just the things we do in our actions that counts but how we feel in our heart.
God needs to have the preeminence in our hearts and minds.
He must increase and we must decrease.

God must come first. If you're a Christian that should be the first way you identify yourself.

In my case Christian first, husband second.
Christian first, son second.
Christian first, brother second.
Christian first, friend second.
Christian first, business owner second,
Christian first, soccer coach second etc etc

'He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.' Matthew 10:37
This is a clear command in the Bible, to put God first, in doing so you will become better at those other things as God will bless you.

God love us, He cares about us. He wants to bless us.
It is an incredible thing we enter into when we get saved, we enter into a loving relationship with God who truly loves us and wants to see us succeed.

'But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.'
Philippians 4:19


0 Comments

God's Plan B for our lives

2/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
When I was young, I did a lot of stupid things. Nothing exceedingly wicked or sinful but just stupid, dumb things that unsaved people do. I guess my philosophy was to eat, drink and be merry.
I tried to live life well, stay in the present and to do right unto others and hopefully they would do right unto me in return. I always believed in God but didn’t truly know Jesus Christ.

I was brought up in a lukewarm Christian environment, officially our religion was Anglican, but in real terms we would only occasionally discuss religious matters on special occasions like Christmas and Easter, meanwhile all the school’s I attended were very secular.

For years I suppose you could say I prayed to a God I didn’t truly know. God of course, in His foreknowledge knew I would come to Him by faith later on and so I strongly believe He kept me safe and protected in those early years of my life.
​
So, I didn’t have a solid grounding or a strong foundation to anchor myself to, subsequently I didn’t see things through the lens of faith and made the mistakes that any lost, young person with a fair amount of freedom would make.

I used to go out and party and drink alcohol not because it was really that fun or entertaining but as a way to try and fit in and be accepted, likewise I used to think that chasing female attention at parties and bars was ok as that was a vehicle to potentially meet a girlfriend who may end up being my wife, I kind of thought there was always some random element to meeting Miss Right but it never worked out that way for me.

There is a Paul Kelly song that says I did all the dumb things and I can totally relate to that song!    
I even pawned my rings as it where, if it meant I could go out with my friends on a Friday or Saturday night rather than staying in, saving what money I had, reading a book, doing something productive, taking stock and waking up refreshed the next day.
I seemed to have a fear of missing out. Really what I was missing out on was a loving relationship with Jesus and a group of committed Christian friends to help guide me through.

Naturally, there was a fair share of disappointment and failure as well, but I say to you don’t just throw in the towel after every major failure. For God always has a Plan B for our lives.

You may have missed out on God’s perfect will for your life, but God can always use you.
You may have done irreparable damage, but there is always a place to for you in His Family, in the Church, in this great community of believers.

Look, whether you like it or not God is going to use you one way or another.                       
Whether that be to use you as a kind of byword as how not to live your life, for example If you’re not saved and are living a worldly, sinful life God may use you to demonstrate to a Christian looking in, how not to do things or if you’re a saved believer, serving God and trying to live your best life possible, He may use you as an example of someone living life well, according to His ways. He may bestow extra blessings on you if He feels it will draw more people to Him.

This is the God we serve; He is a God of love; He is a God of wrath and He is also a jealous God.

‘(For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.’
Deuteronomy 6:1
 
Now there are consequences for our actions, for instance a divorced person could not still be the Pastor of a Church. For the Bible says ‘A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;’ 1 Timothy 3:2
Some people mistakenly think that plan A is still on the table, when they have moved past that option now.

God is the perfect judge so your Plan B might not be someone else’s Plan B but there is always hope though prayer and repentance when you’re a child of God.
The story of Samson is a great illustration of someone who messed up big time and missed out on the ultimate rewards in his physical life but in the end, he defeated his enemies and so God’s plan B for him still worked out well.
‘For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.’ Proverbs 24:16

To the saved person who is perhaps backslidden, I want to encourage you to get back up and get right with God. You can serve Him in a different capacity than you once envisaged but get up and get back in the fight for we are outnumbered down here, and we need you!
I say to you, don’t go back to the trash. There is still so much work to do in reaching the lost and many rewards for you should you come back onboard.

To the unsaved person, I say please, before it's too late, come to God through Jesus Christ and secure your eternal destiny today. We serve a risen saviour He’s in the world today!

I may of done a lot of stupid things in my younger life, things that I am sorry about and regret and I’m sure there were lots of good things I did too, but the one thing I got 100% correct was calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I’m here to tell you that there is nothing as exhilarating or liberating as being in fellowship with the Lord and walking in the light with Him. There is nothing more enlightening than having the Holy Spirit inside you leading you into all truth. I now have God’s very own DNA running through my veins and you can have it too!

‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Romans 10:13

My friend, Jesus didn’t just pay for the sins you’ve already committed, You might have moved passed God’s perfect plan for your life and that's ok, Jesus paid for sins you will commit past, present and future.
'But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.' Romans 5:8
​
When Jesus Christ died on that cross over 2000 years ago, you hadn’t committed any sins or done anything wrong yet! My point is His sacrifice covers every sin you’ve ever committed or ever will if you’ll simply call upon Him by faith alone. Just accept His free gift, and except it through faith, this is the Good News. This is the Gospel.

If someone gives you a gift and you agree to receive it there is no work on your behalf involved.    You simply accept the free gift, receive it gratefully and enjoy the fruits of it. That is the best picture of Salvation I can give. God offers you a gift, completely paid for and you receive it.

It is that simple. The very moment in time you call on Christ as your Saviour is the moment you are set free from the bondage of sin. All your sins then, past, present and future are forgiven.
‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Ephesians 2:8-9

Once you make that call by faith alone through trusting in Christ alone you enter God’s Family.
You are saved and can never lose your salvation. It’s done! You will no doubt still sin, mess up from time to time and God will have to bring you down a notch or two when you do, but you have been reborn, regenerated spiritually and have complete security in Christ.

‘For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’
Romans 8:38-39

And to end with a bit more of my own testimony, I’m sure that if all had of gone perfectly in my younger life and someone had of given me the Gospel of Jesus Christ at a young age, I would have lived life very differently. Maybe I would have married young, had kids and gone onto pastor some idyllic Country Church somewhere! But likewise, I wouldn’t have met the people I did and had the experiences I’ve had so far. I wouldn’t have met my wife who I love, be able to attend and serve in a great Church and perhaps wouldn’t live in such a beautiful place as I do now.
God has been so very generous to me throughout my life, particularly after coming to Him through the Blood of His Perfect Son, almost 4 years ago now.

So maybe this life as some kind of Singer/songwriter, Evangelist and Preacher is God’s plan B for me. Well it’s a very good Plan B and I thank Him daily. And I know that I’m going to be a lot better at getting people saved if I’m living a better/cleaner life myself.

​If I mess it up though I’ll be sure to get back up again and have a go at Plan C, Plan D, Plan E etc and this is the message I’d like to finish with here, if you’re a Christian and you’re still breathing God’s air, God can still use you mightily.
So why not go and give a lost person the Gospel today? Pull them out of the fire and show them God’s incredible and life changing Love.

‘Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.’
2 Corinthians 9:15
 

0 Comments

A plea to the unsaved this Christmas

12/23/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

Over the past few years, on very much a part time basis, I have been studying towards a Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology, this has proved useful as I have been able to study and read a variety of different texts and perspectives from Christian writers and authors etc.

The most recent module was the study of apologetics, which is basically a study in how to defend the Christian faith, whether that be from someone trying to propagate their own religion or beliefs on you, or more usefully (as the Bible says to avoid foolish debates) to answer any questions a non-believer may have as you work towards presenting them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, with Christmas fast approaching and people often demonstrating a heightened interest in Christianity at this sacred time of the year, I decided to share with you some things I picked up on this component of the course.

Apologetics is essential for the disciple today as it deals with defending and commending the Christian faith. I wanted to therefore demonstrate Christ’s incredible and life changing sacrifice to you, first and foremost through scripture, as ultimately it is the power of God’s Word that saves,
but also, with something historic, scientific, anecdotal and tangible. (as the world would see it)

The attacks from the enemy are fiercer than ever. People are being told lie after lie about their true purpose, human life, evolution, the big bang theory etc. While essential Biblical truths are being distorted and even removed from key areas of society like schools and the workplace.
​
In the media, we are seeing an increased censorship of God's Word. Even major Christian events like Christmas and Easter are coming under attack more aggressively than ever, under the guise of 'equality.'

False religion is a major issue too, people will often say ‘how do you know that Christianity is the right way and all the others are wrong?’ Usually non-believers will blame ‘religion’ for much of the trouble in the world today and throughout history. 

Even The Bible itself is under attack, with most of the modern versions removing, twisting and changing the meaning of many key scriptures. The NIV for example, one of the most popular Bibles in the world today, removes over 16 entire verses from The New Testament and over 5000 words, many of them affecting key teachings on salvation, repentance, baptism and the deity of Jesus Christ. This is why I will always use a King James Bible.

". . .man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD of God." Luke 4:4
 
Before I start working towards some Biblical truths and overwhelming support from other sources,
I would like to break down some common misconceptions.

You see, every other belief system is about your good works saving you, (usually in tandem with believing in some kind of 'higher power') whereas Christianity is not about how good you are or what you can bring to the table, it’s what God has already done for you.

Once you put your faith in Jesus Christ and trust in what He’s done for you, that’s it,
it's done..you’re saved forever!
 
The Bible says in John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but hath everlasting life.’

It's simple, we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ.

Your good works are still vital as they will determine whether God will use you for ministry and will likely determine your level of future blessings and rewards in this physical life and beyond, but they are not requisite to making it to Heaven. Salvation is completely a free gift.

‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Ephesians 2:8-9
 
You don’t even have to change your lifestyle, go to Church or get baptized (although The Bible says you should do all those things!) Your ticket to Heaven is already bought and paid for when you put your faith and trust in what Jesus has already done for you.
 
The Bible says that you can’t make it through on your own.
‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;’ Romans 6:2

We all fall short and need a Saviour.
I, like millions before me, and surely millions more to come, can testify that Jesus Christ is that Saviour.

The world will try and tell you that you don’t need God, that The Bible is just an archaic book that isn’t relevant anymore, but I can tell you that it’s more relevant than today’s newspaper!
Look how people and nations fall when they turn away from God and look how they prosper when they turn to God and actively seek and follow Him.

Every great society was built on trust and faith in God’s plan and words.

Look at the great cities and cultures throughout history in this world. You see, where Christianity is, people and countries flourish. God’s people have always got up and built stuff and made things happen.

This world was made by God for us to inhabit, to experience community together, and to live peacefully with one another. God has promised to preserve the earth for us.
'One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever.' Ecclesiastes 1:4

The devil and his minions have attacked and that is where all the troubles in the world stems from.
As nations we need to turn back to God with our values and laws and ways and through this repentance He will open up the Heavens and let it rain for us! He will bless us if we turn back to Him!
 
The Bible says in Psalms 111:10 ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;’
You see friend, without the Holy spirit inside us, the Comforter as Jesus refers to Him, we are blind. Like a boat lost at sea with an irreparable leak, destined to sink.
When you receive Christ as your saviour your spirit is brought to life. This is a permanent indwelling and an everlasting change that can never be undone.

'Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' John 3:3
 
There is another scripture I must quote before I go into some historical and scientific reasons why you should put your trust in Jesus and the Bible, and that is in Romans 1:22
‘Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,’

You see most of The scientist and physicists of this world aren't even saved. They are as blind as the next unsaved person and no authority to tell you anything about the true wonder and beauty of this planet, which we Christians know God literally spoke into existence.

‘But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.’
1 Corinthians 2:14   
 
True science marries up with The Bible. Something can’t come out of nothing, even a year 10 high school science student can tell you that! There must have been an intelligent designer and that designer is the God of the Bible, the one true God. (manifested in 3 persons; The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit) Only God can truly breathe life into anything.
 
Many people think that this planet evolved over millions or even billions of years depending on who’s fairy tale you believe! But the Bible tells us that just as God made a mature man and woman in Adam and Eve, who were both approximately 30 years of age when God created them,
God also made a mature planet. So, when ‘scientists’ try and work out how old the earth is without factoring in this Biblical truth, it makes no sense.

You must also remember that God got angry at the depth of man’s sin and pretty much wiped things out with a great flood very early on in human history. (the story of Noah’s ark)
He just about started again, yet scientists rarely factor this in with their carbon dating etc
 
Sometimes it takes mankind a long time to catch up to God and Biblical truth.
For example using clean running water rather than still water for hygiene reasons, the fact that the world is round (a globe) the paths of the sea that allow for maximum sea transport and marine navigation, the fact that dinosaurs and man co-existed on this planet at some point, this is all shown in the Bible. It just took man centuries to catch up!

Even then, many did not want to admit that God was right all along. You see God is always right.
He is the perfect judge, full of mercy and love which is why He allowed His perfect Son to come into the world and give fallen man the opportunity to be reconciled to Him.
 
‘And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;’ 2 Corinthians 5:18

There is much historic proof too, Sources other than the Gospel writers recorded the darkness that covered much of the earth on the day that Jesus was crucified.

Even historians who don’t believe that Jesus is God, recognise him as a great historical figure, while many false religions will recognise him as a prophet or great teacher and philosopher.   
Of course, us Christians see Him as far more than that, the Saviour of the entire world no less, but my point here is that there is no question that the person Jesus Christ existed and was crucified. Even your average atheist will acknowledge that!

With regard to the preservation of the Greek text of the New Testament, we have copies dating from within a couple of generations from the writing of the originals whereas in the case of other ancient texts the corresponding time-gap can be up to ten centuries or more. God promised to preserve his word and there is no question that The Bible continues to change life’s today.

The biggest evidence that I can possibly offer outside of quoting scripture and showing you from The Bible itself is the testimonies of literally tens of millions of people that have received His grace. No matter what the time in the history of mankind, there has always been a multitude of people that have believed on The Lord Jesus Christ and have been steadfast in their belief often in the face of adversity. Look at The Apostles themselves, (excluding Judas who was unsaved and chosen by Jesus to fulfil scripture) Bible scholars conclude that all but 1 of them was martyred for their beliefs.

People don’t allow themselves to be killed or even persecuted unless they are convinced that what they are believing is the truth. During the dark ages, Bible believing Christians died horrific deaths for their beliefs, but it was all worth it. You see we only have a relatively short time on this planet. Yes, science and medicines are improving and perhaps the average person can hope to live to 85 years old now. But what is that in the scheme of things? It really is just a vapour when you look at the eternal picture.

Do you want to be spending eternity in a horrible, terrible place?
Then keep trusting in your works and ‘good’ character to get you to Heaven for you will fall short friend. Your works are as filthy rags to Him the Bible reads. If you want to make it to Heaven then humble yourself, admit you fall short and choose Jesus to take you there through belief in His death, burial and resurrection.

'He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.'
1 John 5:12

Then there are the arts, literally tens of thousands of beautiful pieces of art, film and literature dedicated to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thousands of beautiful songs written and continue to be written that bring glory to our incredible and gracious God. Just recently I heard these lyrics from a famous hymn and I thought only a saved believer could write those words, someone who has truly encountered His forgiveness and grace.

’Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it pure as snow.’

Here are some lyrics from another beautiful hymn we all know and love

‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see’

In finishing I just wanted to say this, when you do come to Christ with a humble heart and receive the free gift of salvation it is like a veil has been removed from your eyes. You can see truth!

The first thing you will often think is how could I have been so blind for all those years?
Don't worry this is a completely normal reaction, and one other piece of advise I would give to a new believer is don't continue to dwell on past sins and mistakes that you made before you came to know Christ, you where just a human being trying to navigate your way through. Let it go.

The Bible says that as far as the east is from the west those sins have been forgiven and forgotten. So move on. Jesus already paid for those sins on the Cross at Calvary.

'As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.'
Psalm 103:12

My question to you now is friend, are you going to accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour? Who paid for all our sins on that Cross at Calvary so all who believe can make it to Heaven someday?

Being saved is as easy as drinking a glass of water, eating a piece of bread or walking through a door the Bible says. God wants you to be saved!  
‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ 2 Peter 3:9

Jesus said in Mark 1:15 ‘…Repent ye and believe the Gospel.’ Repentance is that lightbulb moment of recognising that you are a sinner, are lost and on your way to hell, it is turning from trusting in your own works or whatever else it was you where trusting in to accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and receiving the free gift of eternal life.

It is a moment of truth. Where you change your mind and heart to now fully believing and trusting in Jesus and what He has done for you.

It is that supernatural event where the Holy Spirit comes flooding in and you are passed from death to life spiritually in a moment of time.

Friend, you can be secure for all eternity by making this decision now. In 1 John 5:13 The Bible reads ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Son of God.’

So, you can know this today The Bible says. You can have this wonderful, eternal security, this assurance that God so generously gives to all those that believe.

I hope you make the decision to call on Him as I did. It is the best decision I ever made. I now have an inner peace that Transcends all understanding and an optimism that many can not understand.
In Romans 10:13 The Bible says ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’  It really is that simple, it’s just man wants to complicate it!

The laws of God are written on the hearts of man the Bible says, intrinsically you know what is right. The evidence is overwhelming really, it’s on our hearts, in our conscience and everywhere you look through nature and the skies. This, along with His word and His perfect Son, is how God reveals Himself to us, and so the unbeliever is without excuse the Bible says.

And if I can finish with 1 more scripture, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 ‘Behold, now is the day of salvation.’ So, my question to you is…would you call on Him today?

Please consider this prayer...
Dear Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and that I can't make it though on my own.
But I believe that You died on the Cross for me.
Please save me and take me to Heaven when I die.
I'm trusting only in You Jesus.
Amen

0 Comments

West Tamar Baptist Fellowship

12/22/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
I am pleased to announce that I will be involved in the growth of a Baptist fellowship in 2020 and hopefully beyond. Held the first Sunday of each month out of Sidmouth Hall, West Tamar.

West Tamar Baptist Fellowship is an outreach of Coastline Baptist Church which is based in the North West of Tasmania. Under the direction of Pastor Dave Westbrook we hope to create a thriving ministry with old fashioned Baptist preaching from The King James version of the Bible, music consisting of hymns, psalms and spiritual songs to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and an evangelistic approach to reaching the lost.

We would love to see you at one of our meetings, for now meeting the first Sunday of each month at 2:30pm at Sidmouth Hall, 255 Batman Hwy, Sidmouth, Tas 7270. 
​
For more info please visit www.westtamarbaptist.org 

 

0 Comments

Obstacles

2/17/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
What are the some of the obstacles or hindrances that stop a person getting saved?
Why in a world of approx 8 billion people do so few find the truth?

Jesus said in Matthew 7 
"for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction"

Some reasons that spring to mind are pride, living a sinful life, science falsely so called
and false religion. Let's go through and look at some of those hindrances that might stop a person putting their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

There  is a famous story In Mark 10:23-25 where The Bible reads:

"And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
 
A proud/rich person will struggle with the true Gospel because they are proud and think they deserve to make it to Heaven on their own merit.

They are Prideful and are used to trusting in themselves.
The proud person wants to have to pay for salvation.
But The Bible is clear, you go God's way or you don't go at all!

A person has to realise that they need Jesus Christ and He gets all the Glory for Salvation. 
Jesus paid it all, all to Him we owe!

During Jesus's earthly ministry it was the pharisees, so full of pride, that were the hardest to get saved.
It takes a humble person to admit they are broken and a sinner and can't make it to Heaven on their own. 

Sin is a big factor, and this works both ways as living a particularly sinful life can prevent a lost person coming to Christ and likewise a sinner's refusal to give up sin can mistakenly prevent them from getting saved as they think that they are saved by cleaning up their life.

On the issue of people living a particularly sinful and wicked life, this much is true,
People who love darkness, unrighteousness and evil don't often come to the light, whereas
people who are honest and love truth will often come to the light.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6

Some people probably think Hell is a great place, merely separation from God, who they don't like anyway. They probably think it's a place where the party continues and they can have fun with their friends. But The Bible makes it clear that those flames are real!

The Bible tells us that, until death and Hell are thrown into the lake of fire, Hell is in the centre of the earth. Have you ever stopped and wondered where all that volcanic ash comes from?

The other way sin can prevent a person coming to the truth is that 
there are people who don't get saved because they think they have to give up their sins
or they don't want to admit that the things they do are sinful and wrong.
They don't want the light shined on their sins.

But if you had to give up your sins to be saved no one would be saved.
If things were truly just in this world then we'd all be going to Hell for the Bible makes it clear
that there is none righteous no not one!
 
There is a false doctrine of works salvation that prevents many people getting saved.
"You have to be willing to give that stuff up" the false teacher would say.
But we're not saved by cleaning up our life.

Faith alone in Christ is all it takes for salvation.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

You can clean up your life later, you can get in Church, hear some great preaching, get to know
The Bible and become sanctified later! First and foremost though let's get you to first base...
Let's get you saved!

False teachers will try and add to the Gospel...being willing to turn from sin, being prepared to clean up your life, repenting of sin etc but that is works salvation. 

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9

We are saved by Grace alone, Faith alone, Christ alone.

There is no grey area when it comes to salvation, You must become child like here, the humble lost sinner is more likely to see the truth than the puffed up, prideful theologian who wants to add to the Gospel and make salvation difficult.

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:3

Another hindrance when it comes to people getting saved is science or what the Bible calls "science falsely so called"
There are people who profess truth when it comes to science that it is almost a religion in it's self.
Atheism is a religion then, as it takes faith in scientists and professors ect and their theories.
People trust in these people and that their claims are correct.
That is a belief system.

But something can't come out of nothing, there has to have been a Creator.
Only a fool would believe otherwise.
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
Psalm 14:1

The Bible is scientifically correct. Always ahead of it's time.
True science marries up perfectly with The Bible.

"He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing."
Job 26:7
"It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth"
Isaiah 40:22
"The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, 
and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas."
Psalm 8:8
"The sea is His, for it was He who made it, And His hands formed the dry land."
Psalm 95:5

Most people deep down believe there is a God.
They know there is a God on a deep, intrinsic level,
For the laws of God are written on the hearts of man.

The sincere and rational person understands there has to be a Creator,
Someone who designed this incredible and beautiful planet, Someone who designed man.
All this could not happen by accident.

Which leads me to my next point.

False religion is a major obstacle in getting people saved.

There are people who are so steeped in a lie it is very difficult to break through that exterior.

Whether it is a so called Christian denomination that promotes works based salvation or baptism based, or it is any other belief system that denies that Jesus Christ is The Eternal Son of God and
The Saviour of the world, false religion leads people away from Biblical salvation and into darkness.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"
2 Corinthians 4:3

Some people are so brainwashed by false religion it is hard to break through with the truth.
This can spill over to culture or nationality, which can also be a hindrance.

People don't have to ditch their entire culture to receive Christ.
God split the people at The Tower of Babel. God made the nations!
But don't put your nationality, culture or ethnicity above Biblical truth.

Indian people for example can keep some of the wonderful things in their culture such as music, food, family values, colourful clothing and sport but they would have to forsake Hinduism and turn to Christ alone as their saviour. You can't combine trusting on Christ with any other belief system to make it to Heaven. It has to be all your faith and trust in Him alone.

Biblical Christianity can not co-exist with any other belief system.

The Bible says that Christ tasted death for all man.
Christ died for Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Atheists, Pagans alike. 
He died for the sins of the whole world. We love these people and want to get them saved!

For God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

There is a saying that says, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, many a compromising 
preacher or televangelist has lead souls to Hell by trying to be too inclusive, too watered down.
By deceiving people by saying that there are many ways to make it to Heaven when
The Bible says there is One.

The Bible is clear, if you don't know the Son you don't know the Father.
It is clear then that in order to be saved you have to put all your trust and faith in what Jesus did for you. All other ways will fail you.

Jesus said if you have Faith as big as a mustard seed you can move a mountain!
Your Faith may be minuscule, but as long as it is in The Lord Jesus Christ, His finished work on
The Cross and what He did for you, and is in Him alone, then The Holy Spirit will come upon you
and you will inherit The Kingdom of Heaven and have Eternal life!

Jesus said "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." 
John 14:18

When you preach the Gospel some people are going to get saved some are not.
You can try your best to present it as best as you can and pray for them to get saved,
​but ultimately it is up to them,
For God has given each person freewill to make their own choices.

The power though is in God's word.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God".
Romans 10:17

The last thing I will say is that many lost people don't even know they are lost.
They are so busy with all the distractions of life that they lose site of what really matters.
They know something is missing, something is not quite right, they are unfulfilled
but they don't know that what they need is The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don't claim to be a theologian or academic, Just a sinner saved by Grace through Faith like millions of others before me. I was lost for years myself, I saw the world through the eyes of a lost person, before my journey towards truth led me to The Cross, led me to the feet of Jesus.

It is easy to get saved, as easy as taking a drink of water or walking through a door.
If you're lost right now why not call on Him today?
You can settle this now, The Bible says salvation happens in the blink of an eye.
In a moment of time we are passed from death to life.

Jesus said "Repent ye and believe" 
Repentance in a salvation context just means to turn, to change your mind about whatever it was you were believing or trusting in before to accepting the free gift of Salvation through
The Lord Jesus Christ and receiving Eternal Life.

The Bible says now is the day of Salvation.
Please read on for more scripture

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. 

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
​
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Acts 3:19-26

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Written by Phillip Ragan

    Archives

    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    October 2020
    June 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    February 2019
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    July 2016
    March 2014
    May 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.