WHO IS HE TO YOU?

The Christ posed a question to those who followed Him during his earthly ministry.

That question found in (Matthew 16:12-14) was who do men say that I am.

The question then was changed to become more personal in the manner of who do you say that I am?

A very pertinent question indeed.

 It doesn’t matter in our lives what we have been told of Jesus Christ in the form of stories, through songs, by going to our little bible studies, and hearing every twisted form of rationalization that man can formulate on the matter of what to say about Christ at just the right moment.

 The question posed in its purest form is who do you personally believe the Christ to be.

 Is He an innocent baby in some crib, is He an all tolerant aberration, or is He truly the payment of sin on your behalf and the only hope of the resurrection in your very soul?

Consider carefully for all of eternity weighs in the balance…….

TAKE TIME TODAY TO PRAY

PROMISES OF PRAYER

Many people are uncomfortable in prayer for varied reasons.

Some have never learned to pray or to talk to an unseen entity.

Some feel uncomfortable asking for help or guidance from someone else, simply because they have failed to give full control of their lives over to the one who created them.

Some have had bad or disappointing experiences concerning Gods promises as related to them by overzealous people.

While the following topics are not in any manner complete, they can bring understanding and council of many matters involving prayer.

We can approach God boldly through Jesus, our high priest, who understands our needs.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

We should cast all of our anxiety on the Lord.

“Humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, the he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

We should pray instead of worrying.

“Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.

“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Pray in faith.

“If any of your lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:5-7

Pray for healing.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.” James 5:16

The prayer of the righteous is powerful.

See also James 5:16

Dare to pray for great things as Elijah prayed.

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. An he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

James 5:17-18

God will give us guidance if we ask for it.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

God hears and answers our prayer; he is near to his children.

“The eves of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivered them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.’ Psalm 34:15-18

Trusting God to answer prayer does not mean inactivity.

“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Nehemiah 4:9

There are often times in prayer when as a human no words or thoughts that we can compose seem sufficient to relay our concerns and the desires of our inner beings, we become undone and unsure; that in itself is not such a bad thing because it is then that the Holy Spirit can intercede if we will allow Him to.

At times the Blessed Holy Spirit will pray for those things that we do not understand.

“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:25-27

The primary thing to remember in prayer is that God desires for us to talk with Him, and it is His great pleasure to hear those that come to Him only in the name of Jesus.

John 14:13-14

Thought for Today

Here is a thought. I hope it speaks something into your life.

If we want to experience the power of  the Lion,

we must bow with fear and trembling before the Lamb.

ref:   Revelation 5:5

        John 1:36

EXHIBITED CHANGE

Whenever a person claim to be saved or born again, we must ask ourselves is there any fruit being exhibited in the life of the one who makes the claim.

Too many people will say that they have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, yet there is never a moment in their lives in which they exhibit a change in lifestyle, attitude,or public conduct.

If they do not change publicly, you can be assured that there has been no private change.

In the Book of Luke ch 6 vs. 43-49  Jesus make  statement about those who name Him as Lord yet do not change.

"Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?  Luke 6:46

Simplified it is this, "No Jesus, means no change."

 While to "Know Jesus, means to know change."

WE NEED REVIVAL

RENEWAL

Call it what you like, restoration, renewal, clarity of spiritual vision, or revival.

It is all the same thing.

There are times in the life of all Christians when we become stale, empty, hungry, dissatisfied with the condition of our spirit or uncertain as to our position for service in the Kingdom. Thankfully our inner spirit at this time cries out for a closer relationship with the Savior.

We feel like a dried up twig, in a desert of despair. We long for the moisture of the water from the Spirit.

It is evident at those times that we are in need of revival.

Before the fires can come corporately, we must be consumed personally by the fire from above in the form of the Holy Spirit.

It is evident that when we have those longings that we are in need of a revival.

There are human tendencies that point to the need for revival, and if we are honest with ourselves we may see that we are guilty of one or more of the indicators mentioned below.

WE NEED REVIVAL ::::

When it become easier to stay home than to go to church.

When it is easier to work than to worship.

When it is easier to be critical than kind.

When it is easier to shirk God given opportunity than it is to do it.

When it is easier to support the civic organization, than it is to support the Church.

When it is easier to sleep in church than to stay awake.

When it is easier to grumble than to praise.

When it is easier to condemn souls than it is to pray for their salvation, and to deliver to them the truth that leads to Christ.

When it is easier to hold grudges than to forgive.

When it is easier to be worldly than it is to be holy.

When it is easier to withhold out tithes and offerings---and spend them on worldly trinkets of time than to invest them in the diamonds of eternity.

Don’t suffer from guilt or hunger spiritually.

When we recognize any of these in our life, confess it immediately and ask the Lord as David did “ Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

And then remember the precious promises found in 1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

TESTS ARE COMING

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

WE ALL WILL BE TESTED

 

 

Ending His great teaching that we call the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used a very simple illustration about two men who built two similar houses, with the only difference being the foundation that the house was laid upon. Matthew 7:24-27

In brief , His admonition to all Christians is this, At some point God will thoroughly test your spiritual condition.

Why?

Because He wants to know what kind of Christians we are, doers of His Word, or hearers only, wise or foolish believers, prepared for adversity or unprepared, over comers or succumbers.

Later in Matthews Gospel, Jesus unflatteringly implied that in the last days a large percentage of those who claim to be His will be “foolish”- thoughtlessly unprepared for His appearing- and the other part “wise” Matthew 25:2.

This is not just a casual prediction. It is the infallible foretelling, the final and authoritative, prophetic Word of the all knowing Master.

Although humbling, it is a very accurate picture, of the current body of Christians worldwide. When combined with His earlier warning, it presents a very timely and disturbing message to all of us.

Thus says the Lord to His last-day church: As these two houses were tested, so your spiritual construction-the spiritual house of character you are building daily, will be tested.

God will send powerful storms to “beat upon that house.” and Luke adds “vehemently.”

Just what will “beat” upon us? Jesus described the assault in detail. The “rains” are seasons of trouble, which will temporarily block the sunshine of peace and prosperity.

The floods” are sudden, and overwhelming personal losses or defeats, or rebellious uprisings against our authority.

The “winds” speak of the demonic “powers of the air,” the “wicked spirits…rulers of the darkness of this world,” who are set to bring down everyone who seeks and shares the Light of the world and the light that is His Word.

They “beat” upon us every time they prompt a fresh downpour, wave, or gust, of the troublesome resistance to strike the “house” of our marriage, family, ministry, or body.

Are we heedful or heedless of Jesus’ warning?

The state of our foundation will reveal this.

Are we prepared for a test of our spiritual construction, or are we procrastinating?

Are we incredulous or intrepid, disbelievingly ignoring the prophecy of Jesus, or are we fearlessly building our spiritual foundation?

Do we actually practice or only profess, all of His teachings?

Are we seeking, studying, praying, interceding, worshiping, giving, loving, suffering, forgiving, and thanking only God in all of these circumstances?

Or do we shamefully avoid the secret place, leaving Bible study to others, praying as little as possible, withholding tithes and offerings, harboring ill-will, crassly appeasing people to avoid the crosses of rejection of mankind, and complaining every time things don’t go according to our fleshly desire?

If the former is true of us, we’ve got a rock solid foundation and at the end of testing will be approved.

But, if the latter is true, and we build upon the shifting sands of the doctrines of men or of demons, then we will be found lacking and all that we have sought will be lost.

DAMNABLE HERESIES

BEST SELLER

FALSE TEACHINGS ABOUND

Last night, out of boredom, I was scanning the T.V. for some entertainment and I came across a program on T.B.N., which bills itself as the largest, most viewed, worldwide, Television Network, featuring only Christian programming.

The program that I stumbled across was apparently what T.B.N. considered to be the highlights of the year 2006.

Sitting in a chair and being interviewed by Paul Crouch Jr., was a women named Ann Coulter, she is a political observer, columnist, and best selling author of at least one book.

The latest being entitled, GODLESS-The Church of Liberalism.

During the interview, Ms. Coulter made certain that her interviewer , Mr. Crouch , fully understood that she, was Christian. She further stated that she was born into the role, and had never been anything but Christian.

Her logic and explanation was that because of the religious mixture of her family, one side Catholic, and one side Christian, that at the moment of her physical birth she was Christian, as she talked she further insisted that she had never undergone a “Born Again” experience.

This denial of a “Born Again” experience is a denial of Christ.

And yet the son of the founder of the most watched Christian Television Network in the world said not one word to help her understand the lost state that her own words had testified to.

In the Book of John chapter 3 verse 3, the Son of God, whose name is Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

If Jesus said we must experience a re-birth, then it is must be so and there can be no other way to receive your salvation, and the entitlement of the name Christian.

Ms. Coulter is misguided, as are so many others, even in the Church of the latter times.

The best selling author will convince many that she is correct, all the while, not directing others to read, the real truth, the Holy Bible, which gives perfect instruction.

PLEASE READ----2 Peter chapter 2.

It is as follows.

2 Peter 2

1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

12But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them wholive in error.

19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

What are your thoughts?

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