God's Command to Parents

God commands us as parents to teach our children about lest they forget and go astray later.

Psalm 78:4 (New King James Version)

⁴ We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

Deuteronomy 4:9 (New King James Version)

⁹ Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren,

Deuteronomy 6:7 (New King James Version)

⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 102:18 (New King James Version)

¹⁸ This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

How the Holy Spirit gives us Life

Romans 8:11 (New King James Version)

¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

2 Corinthians 4:16, 18 (New King James Version)

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Titus 3:5 (New King James Version)

⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 51:10 (New King James Version)

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 37:16

A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.

How We Sinners Bring Trouble on Ourserlves

Psalm 7:14-16 (New King James Version)

¹⁴ Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity;
Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.
¹⁵ He made a pit and dug it out,
And has fallen into the ditch which he made.
¹⁶ His trouble shall return upon his own head,
And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.

Stay Spiritualy Minded

Romans 8:6 (New King James Version)

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The Raging War of our Sinful Flesh

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Romans 7:18-25 (ESV)

What about Hebrews 6:4-6

Q. Can you explain Hebrews 6:4-6? A friend has rejected his faith. Does this mean he has no hope? Should we not bother trying to persuade him to return to the fold?

A. It is extremely heartbreaking to see people we care about making decisions to sever themselves from church and abandon the truths of God’s Word. Many of us know people who — having been in the church for years, taking an active part in reaching the lost, and personally experiencing miraculous divine intervention in their lives — inexplicably walk away from God.

Can they be reclaimed in light of Hebrews 6:4-6?

Let’s take a fresh look at the verse in question; “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (NKJV).

Depending on how you look at it, this could certainly be a very difficult and very scary passage for anyone to read.

But first, I think this verse is reminding us of the sobering truth that it is possible for enlightened believers — those who have received the Holy Spirit — to fall away from their faith. For instance, Balaam was a Spirit-filled prophet of God who eventually sold out for money. “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam … who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15 NKJV).

We also learn in the first book of Samuel that King Saul was filled with the Spirit too, but he grieved it away through stubborn pride and rebellion until “the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6 NKJV).

So the next big question is: When a real believer falls away, is it hopeless? Or can they return to the fold? We might simply answer this question by looking at the many case studies found in the Bible — regarding great men of faith like Jacob, Samson, David, Solomon, and Peter. Each of these souls listened to the devil for a time, but then they repented and returned to God to do wonderful things.

We also find a quick answer in Ezekiel 18:21: “If a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die” (NKJV).

Can a backslider repent and return to God for forgiveness and acceptance? We have just read a resounding yes! There are too many other verses we could cite in support of this, but here are just a few more: Jeremiah 3:22 promises, “Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings” (NKJV). Hosea 6:1, 2 adds, “Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight” (NKJV).

So what about Hebrews 6:4? We need to remember that this book is written to the Jewish nation, who had just been exposed to the wonderful truth that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. If they rejected the clear evidence of the Word and Holy Spirit regarding this precious truth, there was nothing more that God could do to convince them. This is what Jesus referred to when He said, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31 NKJV). In other words, if we reject Jesus and the Holy Spirit after knowing them, we are turning away from the best that God has to offer us. There is nothing better He can send to convince us to follow His Word.

This truth is borne out more fully a little later in Hebrews: “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). God cannot save us from continuing in willful sin and rejection of the Holy Spirit.

But when a backslider repents of his sins, will God simply reject him? Or can he still be saved? The straight answer is yes, so don’t give up on your friend. Always remember the prideful prodigal son, who went to live with the world for a time. The Lord humbled him, and he returned to his father’s house. Likewise, the Lord is saying that your wondering friends can return to the grace of the Lord.

What can you do? Here are three things:

First, his stubborn will must be softened by prayer if he is going to re-open his heart to God’s truth again. Pray that he will be touched by the Holy Spirit, and that you will be given opportunities to show him how much you still care about him despite any bad decisions he has made.

Second, when and if he is willing, share information. We have many resources you can use to help people realize that they have wandered from the path of salvation.

And finally, be a good example.

Have faith — and trust in the goodness of the Lord. At Amazing Facts, we thrill at all the testimonies of lost sheep returning to the fold and praise our heavenly Father for His mercy and long-suffering toward all of us. It is possible for your friend to find his first love again.

Being Dead to Sin

Paul's letter to the Romans concerning the explanation of sin and grace is one of my favorite of his letters. I first had this chapter told to me by a pastor during an evangelistic seminar and it was great. He starts off by making a question statement. Since through Christs victory on the cross over sin, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds for us.

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Romans 5:20 (ESV)

Now this can have a false sense of security for a Christian if not fully understood. Some would say that because of this state of abundant grace, we are are now living under grace and can freely sin. That is what I always heard but never understood. But Paul clarifies this for us. By accepting Jesus Christ's free gift of salvation which came through his death on the cross, we are baptized into his death. (vs.3) Likewise as his resurrection to life, then we are also born again to new life in Christ Jesus. So then the question now stands. If we are dead to sin then how much sin can a dead man commit? None. This ties in with baptism and the symbolism it portrays. We are batpized. We go into the water, symbolized as the death of our old sinful bodies. And we come up out of the water, we are raised up into our new bodies, that is the body of Christ to a sense that we are now free from the bondage of sin. (vs 6,7) Oh what a wonderful life it is to be a Christian.

A wise man remains calm

27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Prov 17:27-28 (ESV)

Listen to your heart beat. Listen to its constant beating. Every beat is grace from God.

God Is Among Us

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matt 18:20 (ESV)

Acts 19:11-20 The Seven Sons of Sceva

At a time when Paul was in Tyrannus, God was doing specctacular miracles by his hand. (vs.11) Even pieces of cloth that had touched Paul's skin was being trasported to the hospitals and used to heal the sick and demon possessed. He was so popular in fact that Jewish excorcists were beginning to invoke Jesus name to aid them in their practices. In particular were seven sons of the Jewish high priest Sceva. I found 2 points mentioned in this particularly interesting.

1. The sons would only invoke the name of Jesus in conjunction with Paul's proclamation. (vs.13)
   
2. The evil spirits did hear them but say, "Jesus I know, Paul I reccognize, but who are you?" (vs.15)
   

Now the way in which these men were proclaiming Jesus name I believe was flawed and therefore would not produce their desired result of driving the evil spirit out of the patient. The did not proclaim Him as their Savior and source of power and authority but rather as a lesser tool handed down and used by Paul's work. It was no wonder that they were quickly rebuked by the evil spirit, wounded, and driven away. If Jesus is not our captain and source of strength then we are no match for the enemy.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

Mark 16:17 (ESV)

Now the opposite example of this was Paul. In him Jesus had full control to the point that the evil spirits themselves recognized his name. As I write I also come to mind that all the evil spirits in the world know Jesus and do not deny that he is Lord of all. After all they dwelt in heaven with Him before they fell with Lucifer. The devil and his angels know that their time is coming to an end.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 (ESV)

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Rev 12:12 (ESV)

What a glorious day taht will be when I see my Lord and embrace Him.

All humanity is designed with a God shaped vacuum in our hearts that can only be satisfied by the love of God.

God's Way Above Our Ways

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)

The Parable of Lazarus the beggar & the Rich Man

Luke 16:19-31

I have figured out this parable that has for a long time confused me. This story was about a poor beggar named Lazarus who lived at the gate of a certain rich man whom the Bible does not name. I never understood why Jesus' parable seemed to portray that when we die we go directly to heaven or hell.

The Bible clearly teaches otherwise:

11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.”
12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died,
15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

John 11:11-15 (ESV)

But Jesus told this popular fable story at the time to teach us a very important lesson about our faith and how it is gained, and sadly for some, how it is lost. Now it says that Lazarus would stay their daily and try to eat the crumbs that fell off the rich man's table. The Bible does not say that the rich man was ever cruel to Lazarus nor does it mention that he ever removed Lazarus from his property. However, it also does not mention the rich man ever helping Lazarus in any way. (See Sins of Omission)

45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Matt 25:45 (ESV)

The parable continues, and tells that eventually both men die, whether separately or around the same times it does not say. Now Lazarus is taken up to heaven while the rich man is sent down to hell. Now again this seems to contradict the truth about what the Bible teaches of what happens when we die. When we die, our souls are returned to God which gave it to us.

4 Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

Ezek 18:4 (ESV)

After death we neither go up to heaven or hell but sleep in our graves till the resurrection unto eternal life (for those saved) or unto the 2nd death, eternal death (those who are lost).

28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:28-29 (ESV)

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Heb 9:28 (ESV)

Now the rich man is being tormented in Hades, and he sees far off in the distance Abraham and Lazarus is with him in heaven. And he calls out to Abraham in desperation, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool me tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." (Lk. 16:25) But Abraham denies his request and reminds the rich man of all the great possession he had in his lifetime yet all the evil things in Lazarus lifetime. However now Lazarus is comforted and he is tormented.

24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

Luke 6:24 (ESV)

Abraham's statement here rings true. For how often is it that all of us in our lives can get so busy gathering up temporal possession in this world or money yet how much of that can we take with us when we die? Nothing!

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matt 6:19-20 (ESV)

21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21 (ESV)

Also, in vs.26 Abraham tells him that their is a great gulf distance that cannot be passed by anyone on either side. Realizing the hopelessness of his situation, he remembers his 5 brothers which are still alive in the world. "Then he said, 'I beg your therefore, father, that you would send him (Lazarus) to my father's house, 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment." (vs.27,28) The rich man wants Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead as a sign to his brothers expecting them to be converted by this miracle event but he is denied his request once more. Abraham tells the rich man that they have the prophets and the Word, let them hear the truth of salvation that way. Alas, miracles will not make someone a believer. It may amaze or fear them for the moment, but miracles alone do not lead to everlasting life. The only road to eternal life is faith through our Lord Jesus.

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 (ESV)

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12 (ESV)

Besides, even historically it shows that miracles alone will not turn a person or people to God. An example of this is the people of Israel during their Exodus from their Egyptian captors. And through the many miracles of Jesus. They were continually given miracles and signs, daily, of God's presence, His power, His love, His grace.

“How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.

Num 14:27 (ESV)

37 Though He had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,

John 12:37 (ESV)

False Prophets

Theudas - Acts 5:36

• He appeared, according to Luke's account, at the head of about four hundred men. He was probably one of the insurrectionary chiefs or fanatics by whom the land was overrun in the last year of Herod's reign.—Smith's Bible Dictionary

Simon Magus - Acts 8:9

• Tried to buy Peters power of the Holy Spirit w/ money & Peter rebuked him.
• The preaching and miracles of Philip having excited his observation, he became one of his disciples, and received baptism at his hands,—Smith's Bible Dictionary
• He is said to have followed the apostle to Rome. His death is associated with this meeting. According to Hippolytus, the earliest authority on the subject, Simon was buried alive at his own request, in the confident assurance that he would rise on the third day.—Smith's Bible Dictionary

Bar-Jesus - Acts 13:6

• 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

  Acts 13:6 (ESV)

49 “ ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? 50 Did not my hand make all these things?’
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Acts 7:49-53 (ESV)

The Stubborn Children of Israel

Today I was reading the last chapters of 2 Kings and it still amazes me how the people of Israel constantly did evil in the sight of Lord over and over again. Also, back in old times they did not have the mediums of communication that we have and primarily relied on word of mouth to carry the Word of God and the Law of Moses through the generations.

Now 2 Kings describe a rather long era where that means of communication was either blocked, forgotten, or disregarded thus provoking the Lord to anger against them. And this continued and generation after generation and king after king of Israel led their people farther away from God and deeper into the hands of idols.

¹² therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. (2 Kings 21:12)

Up until the rise of King Josiah. The Bible says that he did what was right in the sight of the Lord and did not not falter.

² And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (2 Kings 22:2)

Now during his reign a prophet by the name of Hilkiah found the Books of the Law of Moses in the temple which must have been lost for many years since the old kings reigned and were busy with their idols. So Hilkiah brings the Law to king Josiah and he reads it and realizes all the evil that has been ans id being committed against the God of Israel. Knowing this he set out on a long campaign to utterly remove all traces of idolatry from his kingdom and bring his people back to the true worship of God.

After reading these chapters, I come to the realization how important it is as Christians to not only spread the Word of God to the lost, but also we can not neglect our own households. Strengthening our children early and continuously instructing them in righteousness. Most often we are too busy with our own personal lives and salvation that we can overlook the importance of planting those seeds early as possible in our youth.

Deuteronomy 11:19 (New King James Version)

¹⁹ You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

King Solomon & his dream with God

King Solomon loved the Lord and walked in the statutes of his father David. One night, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Ask, what shall I give you?"

1 Kings 3:5 (New King James Version)

⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Now the good king could have asked God for anything that normal people would have asked. He could have asked for riches, power, longer life, or any number of mortal things. Isn't this what we all are guilty of when we come to God? We find ourselves asking our Lord to give us these temporal things thinking that these "blessings" will solve all our problems. Truth is that the temporal things of this world that we cling to are most often the root of our problems. The Bible tells us not to dwell on the treasures of this world.

1 John 2:15 (New King James Version)

¹⁵ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Luke 12:30 (New King James Version)

³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.

But good king Solomon asks the Lord to bless him with a wisdom that he seems already to possess partially through his request. He only asks the Lord to grant him an understanding heart to judge truthfully.

1 Kings 3:9 (New King James Version)

⁹ Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

And what a great, great God we indeed have! The Lord blesses him according to his request and also bestows upon him all the blessings that he did not even ask for. How wonderful it truly is to serve the Lord that truly cares for all our needs.

1 Timothy 4:16

1 Timothy 4:16 (New King James Version)

¹⁶ Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

John 12:31 (New International Version)

³¹Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

Jesus is speaking to the disciples about how close is the time that he will be die on the cross. But in doing this, the prince of darkness, will be defeated and Jesus will be victorious over sin. 2 Corinthians tells how the devil has cast his veil of darkness over the earth to hide the good news of the gospel and the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (New International Version)

³And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The devil is working nonstop to do his best to hide the gospel and by this leave the unbeliever with a sense of hopelessness leaving them to try to save themselves but salvation comes only through Jesus and not by the works of man.

John 14:6 (New International Version)

⁶Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Yet another reason why the Great Commission is of such great importance for the believer. To bring the good news to every living soul, pull back the veil of darkness, and show the wonderful goodness and grace of God.

Matthew 9:37 (New International Version)

³⁷Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

Jesus Declares Himself

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees you were yet again accusing Him. He declares to them that He is God and has always been.

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 8:58 (KJV)

In this he is quoting from the Old Testament also.

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

Ex 3:14 (KJV)

The Devil - the Father of all Lies

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

John 8:44 (KJV)

Jesus defends the adulteress

24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 8:24 (KJV)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:31-32 (KJV)

Jesus is warning the Pharisees when they are testing Him becasue of their disbelief. This instance occurred after they brought him a woman caught in the act of adultery and Jesus defended her.

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

John 8:7 (KJV)

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:10-11 (KJV)

1Samuel 2:6-10

6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.

1 Sam 2:6-9 (ESV)

Here in 1st Samuel we see Hannah praying to the Lord giving him thanks and glory. She had been depressed for a long time for she could not have kids and was constantly provoked and ridiculed by her rival, her husbands other wife. But the Lord answers her prayer and she gives birth to Samuel who will be the last judge and first prophet of Israel. I really like the way she contrasts the Lords power.

Jesus Glorious Arrival

27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:27-28 (ESV)

God works all things for His glory

I was reading Luke 21 today. Here the disciples inquire of Jesus what signs will come to help notify them beforehand of the end of days. Jesus gives them many illustrations starting in vs. 8 to about vs. 36. But it is so marvelous and amazing how Jesus tells us that amidst these troubling times and all the strife and persecution that will come to pass that he still calls us to witness. Even when we are handed over to persecution for standing for the Lord.

12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.
13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.

Luke 21:12-13 (ESV)

Therefore we must keep our minds & hearts focused daily on heavenly places and stay buried in the Word to strengthen our faith and knowledge of the truth.

17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.

Luke 21:17 (ESV)

We have not to fear for our Savior promises us that if we remain faithful and steadfast in the Word that He will protect us and deliver us unto eternal life.

18 But not a hair of your head will perish.
19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.

Luke 21:18-19 (ESV)

Luke 15:7 "Heaven Rejoices Over the Saved"

Jesus' parable about the lost "sheep" of the pasture. When even 1 out of 100 becomes lost, he searches to find him. And when he finds him, he goes to tell all his neighbors to rejoice with him.

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:7 (ESV)

You see, the Bible writes of Jesus' own words spoken that he loves all of us even the sinners and unbelievers. Once a person comes to the Lord and accepts the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ the entire host of the heavens rejoice! That is how important, special, and loved we are.

Luke 14:12 on Giving & Building up earthly treasures

Another excellent lesson taken from the parables of Jesus was about a banquet.

12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Luke 14:12-14 (ESV)

As I read, I perceived that as we often do things for others we tend to have an underlying theme of getting something back in return to better ourselves. Jesus rejects this way of giving to others and rather teaches us to give freely without thought of reward or repayment. In doing we receive no earthly reward but our Father in heaven takes note and knows our heart and we will indeed receive a heavenly reward that cannot possible compare.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Matt 10:8 (KJV)

Luke 14:7 on Being Humble

As I read this chapter of Luke today, I was convicted by the Lord about my pride. Jesus told a parable starting in vs. 8

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:8-11 (ESV)

Jesus uses the example of a party to convey how we see ourselves as matters of importance and automatically put ourselves at pre-defined levels of honor. But Christ makes an excellent point that we are to humble ourselves everywhere we go. The man who humbles and forsakes himself will in the end be risen up and exalted whereas the man who marvels and puts himself highest in moral and social stature has only one direction to go and that is down.

If we have accepted Christ's free gift of salvation than we accept his death as our own. Likewise we are reckoned to be dead to sin. How much sin can a dead person commit?

The only way life works is God's way.

You cannot run from God

Life certainly takes on new meaning. To know that we are constantly in the immediate presence and proximity of our all-knowing and all-powerful God. How then are we to be day to day. He relentlessly pursues us.

Matthew 7:15-23

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matt 7:15-23 (ESV)

Jeremiah 28:9

9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

Jer 28:9 (ESV)

Mark 11:24-25

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Sometimes when u r on ur back. You can only look up. And finally see the light.

When you are at the end of your rope. Know that God is holding the other end.

Romans 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Romans 8:22-25

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 8:22-25 (ESV)

Matt 12:36-37 (ESV)

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matt 12:36-37 (ESV)

Desire of Ages, pg.238, par.4

Jesus did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost. He left the heavenly courts for a life of reproach and insult, and a death of shame. He who was rich in heaven's priceless treasure, became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich. We are to follow in the path he trod.

Desire of Ages pg.233, par.2

Among the followers of our Lord today, as of old, how widespread is the subtle, deceptive sin. How often our service to Christ, our communion with one another, is marred by the secret to exalt self!

Desire of Ages pg.232, par.1

Enmity against Satan is not natural to the human heart; it is implanted by the grace of God. When one who has been controlled by a stubborn, wayward will is set free, and yields himself wholeheartedly to the drawing of God's heavenly agencies, a miracle is wrought; so also when a man who has been under strong delusion come to understand moral truth.

Matthew 6:25-27, 34

Do Not Be Anxious

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matt 6:25-27 (ESV)

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matt 6:34 (ESV)

Matthew 5:11,12

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matt 5:11-12 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

2 Cor 4:16-17 (ESV)

Romans 7:18-20

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Romans 7:18-20 (ESV)

Desire of Ages, pg.210, par.4,5

So when you are surrounded by souls in need, know that Christ is there. Commune with Him. The means in ous possession may not seem to be sufficient for the work; but if we will move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before us. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment.

Desire of Ages, pg.210, par.2

Too often the worker for Christ fails to realize his personal responsibility. He is in danger of shifting his burden upon organizations, instead of relying upon Him who is the source of all strength.

Desire of Ages pg.209 par.6

We can impart only that which we receive from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart to others. As we continue imparting, we continue to receive; and the more we impart, the more we shall receive. Thus we may be constantly believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Cor 3:18 (ESV)