Category: Blog

I John 1: 1 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;

² (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;)

³ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

⁴ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

⁷ 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.

⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

John had walked with Jesus Christ as one of His apostles.  He had listened as Christ taught the people.  John had seen the miracles.  John was there when Christ was shackled, beaten, and condemned by the crowd.  John stood before the cross and watched His Messiah die while the earth turned suddenly dark.  Then, John saw the resurrected Christ as He appeared again to the apostles.  Therefore John begins this letter by reminding his readers that he had seen the Word of life which was Christ.  He had seen the truth of the eternal life which Christ had secured to all who would believe in Him through Christ’s conquering death by His resurrection.  John wanted to tell the world that the only way to have fullness of joy is in a relationship with God, bought and paid for through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God is light and the glory of His righteousness shines deep into the hearts of man and displays the sin which prevents a relationship between a just and righteous God with sinful mankind.  Christ had paid the price for that sin on a cross so that all who would believe could be justified, declared righteous by Christ imputing His righteousness.  Only through this means can man find the fullness of joy that only comes by a relationship with God.  The only one who can fill man’s heart with real joy is God–man’s creator.  John was a witness who was willing to be imprisoned and die for the truth He had seen.  He continued to proclaim the truth he had witnessed and seen first hand.  Do you know Christ? 

What great joy to sing–In Christ Alone.  "No guilt in life, No fear in death–this is the power of Christ in me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZYpjBeM0To

 

1 Corinthians 13:  13 If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.+

I had a very interesting excursion yesterday evening.  As I relate to you this story, please keep in mind that as I describe the events and reactions; I must be ever conscious of the fact that I have also been guilty of the same.  So, I am off to drive across Florida nearly 2 hours so that I might go to fundraising event for a worthy christian organization who help the needy.  I was running as usual barely on time; well, actually late in departure underestimating the traffic.  My tickets to the event had not arrived in the mail so I headed to the address on my written confirmation of reservation.  I was so excited to see Alistair Begg in person.  I just wanted to thank him for his ministry.  Well, I arrived about 10 minutes late to my destination only to find that no one is there; and the doors are locked.  Since it appeared to be housing for homeless, I quickly looked around to see that there was a church steeple on the next block; so I walked.  Soon I realized probably not the safest neighborhood; but God was with me.  I arrived at the back of the church and peered through locked doors and saw a brochure that had Alistair’s face on it announcing the event on the 21st though the notice was too far to read it.  I proceeded to walk the entire block trying each door only to find them all locked.  As I made my way fully around the building, a tall large man opened the back door obviously irritated that I had disturbed the bible study class he was in.  I asked if he knew where the event was and he told me another church across town.  He was further agitated as I looked up the other church on my gps before I left to again walk two blocks in a very bad neighborhood and he let me walk it alone.  I hurriedly arrived at the second church to find a few scattered people in the parking lot, none of which wanted to be bothered.  Again I tried the doors to find them locked.  One man busy on his cell phone saw me approaching him and turned his back not to be bothered.  I found a door open and heard church bells down the hallway and rushed there.  These poor people were very kind; though, they did not know anything about the event.  They all seemed to truly wish me well despite my interrupting their practice.  By this time, I am certain Satan is trying to prevent my arrival and with even greater determination I returned to the original destination and began to peer through windows.  Finally, a brochure that I could read.  I put the address into my GPS  on my phone and found that it was across town in the other direction and if I arrived it would be over.  I knew whatever delays, God had a plan; so once more, I was off.  Sure enough, I arrived as the first departing cars departed.  I rushed inside, gazing from side to side in hopes to locate Pastor Begg and at least thank him as I had planned.  I gazed at faces who all saw me searching and would then turn their heads away. I hurried to the front where a group stood talking, once more to be ignored.  I waited politely for their conversation to end at which time they turned their back to walk away.  So I called after one lady who stopped, seemed concerned; went to see if Pastor Begg was in the back {he had just left in a car}

She then said she should rush off and left me with another gentlemen I assumed was a pastor whose face showed his desire to leave, though his voice tried to understand.  I wondered why God had ordained the evenings events to be as they were; but I knew God had a reason.  So quickly I pulled a copy of my book "Ultimate Inspiration God’s Plan of Love" and handed it to the man who without glancing stuffed it into a sack which I assumed would never be emptied.  As he too starts to leave me there, I said is there no one here that I can leave a donation for the mission?  He said that he was from the mission.  So as I wrote the check, I kept talking about God’s omnipotence in our lives; even when we don’t understand such as what purpose was there of my not arriving in time to see Pastor Begg who is unaware of any of this story.  He looked again at the book and the card which was cast into the bag and now places the card in his shirt pocket.  All the way home I listened to a sermon by John Piper regarding the fact that our justification and our righteousness are imputed to us by faith alone and not works.  The events and the sermon stood to remind me not to get so busy working to please God that I get in the way of His overflowing love being able to be poured through me to the world.  If I do anything right, it is His power in me and not me performing the work.  I must humbly get out of the way so He can be Glorified by performing His Works through me.  I have no right to boast of anything that I have accomplished for God.  On the contrary, the works I have performed of my own power may at times appear to be good; but are only wood, hay and stubble.  The works that are truly of any value are the ones when I have died to self and He has reigned Victorious through me.  In no way did I mean this to rebuke those of last night, I truly do not know their hearts nor yours; but I mean this to rebuke my own heart for the times I have displayed a disinterest or tuned a deafened ear or thought the work I am doing for Christ as important without acknowledging first that I am not the performer—He is.  To God be the GLory for great things He has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O9DZNFAmz0

Jeremiah 17: ⁵ Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.

⁶ For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.

⁷ Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

⁸ For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Psalm 107: ²¹ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

²² And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

²³ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

²⁴ These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

²⁵ For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

²⁶ They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

²⁷ They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.

²⁸ Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

²⁹ He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

³⁰ Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

³¹ Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Are you being choked by the desert that has become your life?  When we become so busy with our lives and the worries that surround us; so often we neglect to spend time with God in prayer and Bible study.  So often when we are succeeding and happy we again take our eyes off of God and forget to praise God for His Goodness.  Either way we take our eyes off of the only source of our joy and then our lives and heart become like a barren desert that is unable to yield fruit.  Then the rains and storms come and we become frightened–suddenly, God whom we laid on a shelf while trusting ourselves and mankind; become ever important as we begin to pray.  He, being ever so patient with us, calms the storm and we praise Him as He once more carries us into His haven of rest, joy, and peace.  Our lives become fruitful once more.  Yet, the foolish people that we often are, once more we take our eyes off of Him as we glory in our comfort; and He sends the healing rain within the storm.  Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness.  Are you in a desert today?  Pray and seek Him.  Are you in a storm today?  Pray and seek Him.  Are you in a lush and beautiful field of happiness?  Pray and seek Him.  Praise Him always for His Majesty, His Glory and His Love.  Let His Joy overflow from your grateful heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpSgrn5hFiA

 

Hebrews 10: ⁹ Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

¹⁰ By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Jesus willingly left His Throne in Heaven where He was surrounded by love, joy, and comfort to come to this earth and suffer that He might be the Great High Priest offering once and for all the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind’s sin.  Because of His sacrifice on my behalf, my sinful soul has been set free.  Because of the sinless Savior’s Sacrifice, the Just and Righteous God can look upon the payment of my sin and then pardon me.  This gift is offered to all who would believe and accept this gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  In the days before Christ’s coming, faith looked forward to His coming and was demonstrated by the sacrificial offering of a lamb without blemish.  As is noted when Paul is comparing the salvation of Abraham through faith (not works) and that of ours. 

Romans 4:

²⁰ He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

²¹ And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

²² And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

²³ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

²⁴ But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

²⁵ Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Any of us know that have studied the Bible, that Abraham did not gain Salvation because of his own works; but because of faith in God righteousness was imputed to him.  In other words, God received the faith of Abraham and declared Abraham as righteous–covering all the sins of Abraham with the future sacrifice that Christ would pay.  Even Abraham’s faith was grown up by God over a lifetime.  Since our salvation is by faith and not by works; then why should I even bother to fight against sin in my life?  If I have been declared righteous, then why not just go about my life in whatever manner I please?  If I do not desire to lay down my life into His for Him to do as He will with my life; then, do I really understand the sacrifice He gave, the Glory of who He is, nor the depth of love it took for Him to die for me.  That kind of love woos me to love Him above and beyond anything I could desire on this earth.  Paul throughout Romans is pleading just this case and point; that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, we who are saved, must not look lightly upon the ongoing sin in our life.  If we do so then we do not understand salvation; nor do we appreciate the sacrifice of Christ.  If we understand His love, we willingly fall before Him in praise.

Romans 6:

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Titus 2: ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

¹⁴ Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

When you think of Jesus, do you see His Magnificence?   Is there anything or anyone that you desire more than Him?  Do you desire to walk in the righteousness that He has given to all who accept Him as their Savior? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnHlBxmZzvg

 

Just to let all of you know.  Sunday at one pm EST, you may hear my radio interview at http://toginet.com/

 

Mark 16: ¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

We are commanded to go into all the world and to preach the gospel.  For many the world they are to teach are those in their immediate circle–family, friends, and co-workers.  Some are to go as missionaries to foreign lands.  Some are to teach in local churches.  Others are preachers to lead the churches forward.  Where is God calling you?  Over the years I was called at times to teach only those who are in my immediate circle.  For a time I was called to go into the jail to teach.  Then, I was called to write the books I have written.  With some fear and trepidation regarding my own inadequacies, I did as I was asked.  Then I was asked to write this email and post the daily blogs to a website which is now being viewed worldwide.  So often, I have awoke and prayed, "God, please give me some word for today.  Take my life and search out, destroy the sins of this covetous heart that my testimony of you stand to show your Glory."  Often, Satan presses in with words of discouragement and doubt because of my imperfections and inadequacies; but, God has been my power and strength as I must always keep my focus on Him.  Today, I have a radio interview–so once more I am being asked to step out of a comfort zone.  My desire is to lay aside all of who I am so that God might be glorified and God speak.  I remember when God had told Moses to go and speak.

Exodus 4: ¹⁰ And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

¹¹ And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?

¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

So, Lord be my mouth and teach me what to say.  As I am called to step out into the water.  The raging waters that surround me desire to pull my focus from you, so Lord let me be reminded to keep my focus upon You that I may walk on this water in Your strength and Your Voice; then let Your word go out to whomever you desire, that Your work be performed in their life.

Matthew 14: ²⁹ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

³⁰ But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

³² And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

So dear friends, take a moment today and say a prayer for me today.  Listen to this beautiful song Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Hillsong. 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders.

Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you would call me.
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my saviour.I will call upon your name

Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in your embrace
I am yours and you are mine"  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8mZpGj29qw