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Posts tagged ‘Jesus’

The Truth About Picking and Choosing in Christianity

Why do some many Christians look more like the world than a Christian? It seems that Christians think that they can pick and choose what they want from the Bible. Do they not know that the Bible is not a buffet? In order to go to heaven, you must put your trust in Jesus completely. The evidence of your trust in Jesus is walking in his statues. If you come and simply say some words and then pick the parts of the Bible that you like, you will still go to hell. 
Example the Bible clearly says that a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. God may allow you to live that way because of your disobedience to him. However, that means you will go to hell. Plain and simple. Revelation 21:8 says, “But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Another example, the Bible says that being drunk is wrong. If you have been drunk in the past, repent. Otherwise, the Bible says, “the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”


For those who do not know what orgies are below is the dictionary definition.
wild, drunken or licentious festivity or revelry.
2.
any actions or proceedings marked by unbridled indulgence of passion
3.
orgies, (in ancient Greece) esoteric religious rituals, especially in the worship of Demeter or, characterized in later times by wild dancing, singing, and drinking.
4.
Informal. a boisterous, rowdy party.
 
This means that those who like to have or go to parties that include drinking and wild dancing will not go to heaven, unless they repent. 
Repent means to turn from the sin. In other words, stop doing it. In addition, during this process you ask Jesus for forgiveness. 
 
Notice that this scripture says that you will not inherit the kingdom of God. That means you will go to Hell. Also, notice that sexual immorality is included in this scripture. Those of you will practice such activity will go to hell unless you repent. I would like for everyone to go to heaven that is why I am trying to warn people. I have noticed that some Preachers have started sugar coating the truth. Unfortunately, the same rules still apply. Therefore, sugar coating the truth only causes more harm than good. It is wrong to pat someone on the back and tell them everything is OK, when they are obvious living in sin. 
 
For those Preachers who still preach all of the Bible, keep up the good work. Just remember that Jesus said to love the people. All people need to know that they are loved and cared for. Many people do not like to hear that their lifestyle is not acceptable. Often times they will get very angry with you. That is OK. Just remember to keep praying for them and trying to show the Love of Jesus. 
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Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

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Easter Victory: Embracing Jesus’ Resurrection

When I think about Easter Sunday many scriptures come to mind. Those scriptures are I Corinthians 11:24-26, I Corinthians 15:54-57, I Peter 2:24, John 3:16, and John 20:12-16. All of these scriptures have special meaning to me. The New Covenant was created by the death of Jesus. The elements of the Lord’s supper are only symbolic representations of the bigger picture. Jesus gives everyone the opportunity to be included in the New Covenant. Only Jesus was victorious over death, Hades, and the grave. Therefore, my trust is in him. It is wonderful that God loves me so much that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus. This great love was demonstrated by Jesus dying and three days later being resurrection. In addition, he endured a beating for my healing. I am greatly encouraged by the determination of Mary Magdalene. Despite the discouragement from the other disciples she stayed behind to look for Jesus’ body.Jesus is Victorious
On Easter Morning, Jesus rose from the dead. I Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “… “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Thanks be to God I do not have to fear death. The fear of death is sin. Jesus took away the power that sin had over us when he did and rose again. Now it does not matter what anyone says or does to me, I have victory over everything through Jesus.

Many years ago, my ex-stepdad was always threatening to blow the house to kingdom come because my mom and I was late getting home from church. After reading this scripture, it occurred to me that if he carried through on his threat, I would go straight to heaven because I have put my trust in Jesus. Therefore, I should not be afraid of dying. Jesus has already concurred death.

God Loves the World
John 3:16 says, “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.” Jesus rose again on Easter morning. That is my guarantee that the promise of everlasting life is true. Only someone who defeated death can fulfill such a promise. Therefore, I can be confident that as long as my trust is in him, I will not perish. I can also be confident that God really loves me. I have a son and in my human capacity, I could not give him up for anyone. Therefore, I know that God really loves me. He was willing to give up his son for 3 days so that I could be saved.

Healing
Every time I think about Easter, I cannot help but remember the pain and suffering that Jesus endured. I Peter 2:24 says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” Just to think that someone loves me so much that he would endure a beating so that I could be healed. He had to die to be resurrected, but he did not have to be beat. He could have chosen no to endure the beating before he died. However, I would not have the added blessing of healing.
Because Jesus endured the beating, I was able to go to Jesus and ask for healing for my husband. My husband is a construction worker. One day he came home with severe muscle pain in his shoulder. Because our trust is in Jesus, we were able to ask Jesus to heal the muscle. Because Jesus’ promises are true, my husband has not had any more problems with his shoulder. Sometimes Jesus gives doctors the knowledge to solve problems and other times he supernaturally solves the problem. This time he just healed the shoulder.

Determination
Lastly, I think about Mary Magdalene. She went to the tomb early on resurrection morning. She discovered that Jesus was not there. She then told the other disciples. They came and saw that the stone had been rolled away and then left. She stays behind. As she was weeping, “she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).” (John 20:12-16). Unlike the men, she was determined to find Jesus. They went back home to hide, but she asked everyone she saw “where have you taken him?” At this time, she did not know that he was alive. She only knew that she had to find him.
I think about her and her determination. It did not matter to her that some people believed that he deserved death, nor did it matter that there was still people that hated anyone who closely followed Jesus. The other disciples were afraid that people would remember that they were closely associated with Jesus. We should all have the determination that Mary had. She stood by her friend even though she thought he was dead. He rewarded her determination by coming to her and talking to her. O joy, she must have felt to know that he was alive and was concerned about her tears.

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Universal Problems: Biblical Parallels to Modern Struggles

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Some people find this hard to believe. Others do not see how they can find an example of their specific problem in the Bible. Everyone is always looking for the “newest” thing. However, there is nothing new. How is this possible? There have been so many inventions, new ideas, and new technology. Is there really nothing new?

Let’s look at some different issues that we face today and see if there is any examples of those same issues in the Bible.

  • Food- everyone needs food. The problem is how to get it. Today the issue is no money no food. Money is the means by getting the food. People have always needed food to eat. How did people get food in the Bible?
    • They planted the food. “I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits” (Ecclesiastes 2:5)
    • They bought the food. Jacob said, “Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die” (Genesis 42:2).
    • They worked for charity. Back then the poor was allowed to go behind the field workers and collect some food to eat.  “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.” (Deuteronomy 24:19-20).
    • Today we buy the food, plant the food, or receive charity. Not much has changed.
  • A Place to live- people has always needed shelter.
    • People in ancient Israel used two types of housing:
      • tents for nomadic or semi-nomadic herders
      • houses, either large or small, in villages or cities
    • Today will live in houses, mobile homes, or apartments. Some houses are large and some are small. Some people live in the city while others live in some communities.
  • Sibling jealousy
    • Today anyone that has more than one child knows that siblings can be jealous of one another. This problem can wreak havoc in families. Did this problem exist in the Bible?
      • Yes, just look at Esau and Jacob. They wanted to kill each other. Does that sound familiar? “And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him : and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand ; then will I slay my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41)
      • Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers.
        • “Judah said unto his brethren; What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” (Genesis 37:27).
  • Difficult Boss
    • So, you think that your boss it difficult; try working for some of the bosses in the Bible.
      • Have you ever been put into prison for offending your boss?
        • Genesis 40:1-3 says, “And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers , and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.”
    • Have you ever been thrown to the lions for breaking the rules?
      • Daniel was thrown to the lions by his boss after getting caught praying.  (Daniel 6:1-28)
  • Unruly Children
    • David’s son raped his sister (see 2 Samuel 13:1-19)
      • “And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel do not this folly…Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her” (2 Samuel 13:11-12 & 14)
    • Samuel’s children took bribes
      • “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.” (1 Samuel 8:3).
  • Trouble with N-laws
    • David’s father-n-law sent an army to kill him. (See 1 Samue124:1-22; Psalm 57).
  • Homelessness
    • Son of man does not have a place to lay his head.
    • “Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).
Bible Studies for Overcoming Life’s Challenges

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Remembering the Importance of Prayer in Busy Lives

 
Songs tell stories about the way that we feel. In the 1950’s – 1960’s the people came to church early. Also, many people went to the backside of the field to pray.  Often, they sung the song “Sweet Hour of Prayer”. They prayed an hour of more each and every day. During this time, people saw God work in mighty ways and people frequently came into the church and gave their lives to Jesus.Now we sang “Just a Little talk with Jesus”. Most people are too busy to pray an hour a day. It is funny that now we are too busy when we have modern technology that is supposed to make our lives easier and save time. Examples are wash machines, dryers, and microwaves. How is it possible that we are too busy and the people back then had time?

I sometimes wonder if you think to pray. Now a few people sang “Do You Think to Pray?”. Most people now days only call on God when trouble comes. They never think to pray. They seem to forget God and his blessings.

One day your life will end. Did you think to pray, or will it be too late to pray? “Too late to Pray” is the title to another song that some people sang. It explains how that when your life is over it will be too late to pray. Some people live like they are indestructible. They seem to not realize that God does not promise them a tomorrow. Babies, children, teenagers, young adults, and senior citizens die. This is evident by the fact that there are small, short and long graves. God sets your time here on earth. It is only too late to pray after you are dead. While you are alive think about your blessings and who gave them to you.

“Sweet Hour of Prayer” is better than an hour or so praying after something has gone wrong. Many times, God allows bad things to happen so that we will remember him. If you are one that prays only after trouble comes, then God will allow you to experience more problems.

Please pray or talk to God each and every day. Then when problems come, God will know you and you will know your Heavenly Father. You will be able to “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

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Why We Celebrate Easter: Reflections on Jesus’ Sacrifice

Every year we celebrate Easter. When you think about Easter, many things come to mind. However, I wonder if the most important reason for celebrating Easter makes the top of your list. Easter should be a time of reflection. We should think about what Jesus did  before, during, and after the cross. Some of his greatest work was done during this time.
  1. He fulfilled the requirement of Passover.
    A spotless lamb was required to atone for sin. He paid the price permanently. John 1:29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
  2. He changed the way Passover is celebrated.
    I Corinthians 11:24-26 “and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
  3. He took away the fear of death
    I Corinthians 15:54-57 “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  4. Through his stripes (beating), we are healed.
    I Peter 2:24 “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
    Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
  5. Through him, we can boldly approach the throne of Grace
    Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
  6. On resurrection morning, his rose again. Now we can have eternal life through him.
    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 have everlasting life.”

As you are making plans to celebrate Easter, remember that there would be no Easter without the work of Jesus. Let us lead others to Jesus by putting Jesus first in all of our celebrations.

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How My Mother’s Faith Weathered Hurricane Camille

Real faith always has a child-like aspect to it. The follow story tells about my mother’s child-like faith during before, during and after Hurricane Camille. Like most five-year olds, she did not know theology. She simple trusted in Jesus. My mother told me this story a few years ago. It illustrates what Jesus was talking about in Mark 10:13-16, “…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Every one that comes to Jesus must come as a child. God the Father is our heavenly Father. When we come to him through Jesus, we are adopted into his family.

Because she had been listening to the word of God, she had some faith. According to the word of God, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Do babies and young children have enough knowledge to have faith in God? Read the story below. I think that you will come to the same conclusion that I have. This is why I try to tell my son about Jesus daily. I am also working to instill the idea of praying to God everyday.

I, Karen, started going to church when I was about 6 months old. My daddy, Marcus, worked but he was also a Preacher.

When I an about 5 years old, my parents start going to a Bible school at night. They did not have any money for a babysitter. Therefore, my brother, Paul, and I go with them. We are given crayons and paper to play with. Paul colors, but I just sat and listen as the Bible is taught.

I begin to understand some of the Bible. Everyone said, “God writes your name in heaven”. Every time I ask, “Where is heaven?” I am given the same answer. They would always point to the sky.

At this time, we live out in the country in a ranch style house. It has a porch that goes across the front of the house. At the end of the porch was where I would go to alone to talk to God. I picked a spot in the sky to be my spot where my name was written.

We did not have a television or radio at this time. One day I went to talk to God at my spot. Looking up at my spot, I saw that it was very dark. This greatly disturbed me because it was so dark. I thought that God must be very angry with me for blotting out my name. I told God that I was very sorry for everything that I had ever done wrong. Nothing happened. My spot was still very dark.

I started crying and saying, “Please God, what have I done so bad? You have always cleared my spot before. Please God, don’t be mad at me!” With tears still rolling down my face, I asked, “Why?” I then said, “Fix it, please!” The whole sky was dark, but my spot cleared. I thanked God. He loved me. I was now happy.

Later that day, daddy came home from work. He said, “Hurricane Camille is coming. It is going to hit the Gulf Coast. This is going to cause very strong winds and rain.” I did not get upset or scared, because I had talked to God early and he had cleared my spot.

Later that same night, we loaded our car and left because of the storm. The storm hit our house. It took off the roof and porch. Most of the windowpanes were blown out. Everything in the house got soaked. The American Red Cross came. They gave us new beds and a new sofa. People came from far away to help fix the roof and windows. The man that we rented from paid for the materials. People that I did not even know was there helping and giving to us. God had heard me! He cleared my spot.

I continued talking to God for many months looking up into the sky. Later, we moved to a new location. By that time, I knew that I could talk to God anywhere. At the darkest times of my life, I go alone and talk to God. He always clears the way for me.

My mother told this story to me. This is a true story. It illustrates a very important principle. Babies and young children can understand in their own way. They can talk to God. However, it is often in a child-like way with child-like understanding. This child-like “Talking to God” helped Karen to know that everything would be o.k. God cleared the spot. He heard Karen.

Is not this kind of child-like faith we should all have faith. Jesus said, “

“…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-16).

Exploring Family Stories of Faith and Life Lessons

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Understanding Jesus as the Bread of Life

Grains are one of the main food groups. In the past, it was always located on the bottom of the Food Pyramid. This was because you needed to eat more grains than the other foods. Many of our basic everyday foods come from the grains group. According to the dictionary, the staff of life is “a staple of diet; especially: bread”.  Just as bread is important today, it was a vital food source in Jesus’ day. For most people of Jesus’ day grains were the main food that they ate on a daily basis. “Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). This was a major thing to say. When the Israelites where traveling in the wilderness they ate manna from heaven. Manna was a type of bread that was given to them by God. They collected it 6 days a week. On the 6th day they collected enough for the Sabbath, because they would not allowed to work on the Sabbath day.  Jesus said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven” (John 6:41). Later Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Here Jesus is referring to spiritual bread. One way of eating this spiritual bread is by reading the bible. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In the book of Mark, “Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake [it], and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body” (Mark 14:22). Since Jesus is the word, we can “eat” his body by studying his word and developing a closer relationship with him. It is wonderful to know that Jesus is our daily bread. He will provide physical bread and spiritual bread for each of us, because he is “the same yesterday, to day, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

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Stay Vigilant: Protect Yourself from Spiritual Danger

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Look at the loins in the wild. They never go after the big strong animals or even the baby animals that are in the middle of the large herd. They try to separate the weak sickly animals from the herd or get a baby off by its self. It does not even have to be very far from the group. It only has to get a few feet from safety then the lion is able to sneak in when no one is looking and take the baby or sick animal.

Many times we think that the devil is out to tempt us with big things. However, that is not what he does. Just like with the animals in the wild, he tries to make you think that going just a couple of feet away from safety is ok.  Remember Jesus says that it is the little foxes that spoil a whole vineyard.  The big things you can normally see and recognize from a mile away. The little things are not so easy to see or recognize.

However, this is why God says “… be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (I Peter 4:7). This means that you are suppose to stay alert, be mindful, watch out, and pray. Someone who is not sober has problems walking, talking, and thinking. Jesus wants us to be able to think. He gave us a brain so as we can read and think about his word. He wants us to pray for many reasons. One reason is because he can know things that we do not know. He knows where the loin is hiding and what we need to do in order to stay safe. Jesus knows what little thing will pull us away from safety, therefore he wants us to pay attention to the warning signs that he gives us.

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Stay Vigilant: Guarding Against Subtle Temptations
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). Look at the loins in the wild. They never go after the big strong animals or even the baby animals that are in the middle of the large herd. They try to separate the weak sickly animals from the herd or get a baby off by itself. It does not even have to be very far from the group. It only has to get a few feet from safety then the loin is able to sneak in when no one is looking and take the baby or sick animal. Many times, we think that the devil is out to tempt us with big things. However, that is not what he does. Just like with the animals in the wild, he tries to make you think that going just a couple of feet away from safety is ok. Remember Jesus says that it is the little foxes that spoil a whole vineyard. The big things you can normally see and recognize from a mile away. The little things are not so easy to see or recognize. However, this is why God says “… be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (I Peter 4:7). This means that you are supposed to stay alert, be mindful, watch out, and pray. Someone who is not sober has problems walking, talking, and thinking. Jesus wants us to be able to think. He gave us a brain so as we can read and think about his word. He wants us to pray for many reasons. One reason is because he can know things that we do not know. He knows where the loin is hiding and what we need to do in order to stay safe. Jesus knows what little thing will pull us away from safety, therefore he wants us to pay attention to the warning signs that he gives us.

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Is Football Becoming an Idol in Our Lives?

The other day I was in Wal-Mart and saw something very disturbing. It was a cross with the NFL logo on it. They had used two different types of drink boxes to make the cross with the logo.
I often wonder if Football has not become and idol for many people. They talk about football more than Jesus. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:35). Therefore, you are going to talk about that which you love. Anything that you place about God is an idol. Some people would rather stay home from church on Superbowl Sunday. That sounds an awful lot like they are placing football before God.  I do not think it is wrong to play football or watch football. However, we need to be careful that football does not come between God and us. It would be a shame to miss out on the blessings of God because we are too busy watching football to go to church, witness, or read the Bible. 

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