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Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Peace I Give You

06 Oct

John 14:27 – 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

When we trust in Jesus we have peace. 

I fully believe that for anything major to happen, God has to put his stamp of approval that it’s okay.  Does that mean that everything appears to turn out hundred percent the way we think that it ought to? 

No. 

Do I believe that He is in charge and that we don’t always know the whole story?  

I do.  I take comfort that if God says tomorrow you’re coming home with me into Heaven then it’s time to go.  Since He knows my future already, I trust that whatever happens to me it will be okay if He says it’s okay to happen.  God is in charge and the more we turn our lives around the better it is for the Kingdom of Heaven and ourselves. 

There is a peace that comes in knowing the ultimate Being in the universe has your back. 

Now you can say, wow Pat, I’m glad you feel that way, must be a great mind over matter tool you got there.  Or that’s quite an effective crutch. 

No, I have the promise of my God and Creator that if I seek and serve Him to the best of my ability, there will be no regrets for eternity. 

On the flip side there appears to be much remorse for those who are saved, but gave God nothing of themselves.  If one thinks about it for two seconds, you’re in Heaven and it dawns on you I’m here, everything I put into life is down there and past, and I didn’t do much for Him which is all that matters.  

There is a lot of unrest and problems the world gives to its followers.  Not much peace in that. 

Jesus gives us all our needs here, but He doesn’t give as the world gives.  He’s waiting to give you as your King will reward you at the allotted time.

 
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We Need A Loving Reverent Fear Of The Lord

05 Oct

Here’s a good one for us all to remember.  If God only cared about himself, you wouldn’t have a chance to be saved from destruction.  The second death results in a lake of fire.

Revelation 20:13-15 – 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Now I’ve heard people tell me that the negative doesn’t help them any regarding their pursuit of God.

Are you kidding me?  That’s very brave, but if someone came up to you and threatened any kind of real harm it’s going to become very real, very fast.  Now if you’re saved, that ends upon death.  The lake of fire is the second death that one is told to fear.  Clearly if you are going into the lake of fire, you’re not saved.  People always hate it when you speak for them, but I will boldly do that now.

“If you are not concerned about the second death now, you will be right after the first one.”

Proverbs9:10- 10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

If you love God, you have this Reverence already.  It’s a respect like children should have for their parents.  They love them and they should respectfully realize that if they step out of line they receive correction.  Notice I don’t use the words sheer terror.  If you Love someone there is respect involved.  However there is only one that controls your destiny.  That Individual also loves you more than anyone or anything even when you’re not that lovable.  

Why don’t we jump into the middle of a fire or off a 10 story building.  There is an intelligent fear that is built in.  This same fear should equally be there in a respectful way when it comes to angering the most High God.

Remember that when we sin against God, He loves you, even had His own flesh and blood die for you.  When we knowingly sin against the Lord it’s disrespectful.  Let’s work the best way we can to not disrespect the Lord.

 
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Posted in Motivation

 

Literally Correct

04 Oct

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

For some when they partake in communion, they are remembering the fact that Jesus died for their sins.  That’s where it ends for them.  They are missing the last part of verse 26.  He’s coming back. 

We’re not in the Millennial Kingdom yet, that’s why we’re still doing communion.  He is going to rule and reign 1000 years.  Not the good ole spirit of Jesus, but the King Himself.  There is a literal understanding of the bible.  A literal Tribulation period is coming around the corner.  He is literally coming back or no flesh would be saved at the end of it.  That may have been hard to fathom 65 years ago but is it really hard to picture today?

God allows wisdom in time.  He has brought up great men of God to be able to share what’s coming ahead.  Those men are being led to understand what the Holy Spirit had the others 1900-2500 years ago write.

God has literally made promises.  Jesus is literally coming back to rule and reign 1000 years as the Messiah.  There is going to be a literal rapture.  There is going to be a literal tribulation.

Stay tuned into God and the understanding is there.  Trying to force square pegs into round holes to make it what you want it to be or think it is, only leads to problems.

The bible is literally happening the way God inspired men to write it. 

Most published book, Most bought, Least read per copy. 

You see no one for the last 400 years who has had freedom can say finding God was like finding a needle in a haystack.  They just chose to listen to the wrong voice speaking to their hearts.

 
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Quote – D L Moody

02 Oct

We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
Dwight L. Moody

One of the most asked questions from non-believers as well as some believers:

Why do bad things happen to good people? 

First of all no one is good.

Romans 3:10-12 – 10As it is written:  “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Luke 18:19 –  19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Not only is no one good, but just as DL Moody quoted, people tend to seek God when they have been brought to their knees.

People are confused.  God didn’t create us to be individuals with no need for Him.  He created us for relationship, to worship Him, and to love Him.  ALL THE TIME!

 
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Posted in Quotes, Reflections

 

To SON, Or Not To SON, That Is The Question?

01 Oct

Hal Lindsay recently inspired this post.  It is a very powerful reminder.

John 3:16 – 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Believes!  Don’t confuse this word.  The devil believes in Jesus and he isn’t saved.  You need to believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior.  If all you had to believe is in his existence then this scripture wouldn’t exist.

Matthew 7:21-23 – 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Actions speak louder than words!  If Jesus is your Lord it shines through.  If something else is your Lord, it will also shine through.

Next is the old killer of the gray area.

John 3:36 – 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

This scripture makes it pretty clear that life begins after this one.  Many people are trying to live their life right now to the fullest, but according to scripture God says they will NEVER see life.

If one rejects the Son, God’s wrath remains on that person.

UPDATE:  As one reader stated, I left people hanging.  He is right.  To get to know Jesus, it starts by one accepting Him as Lord.  I have a page over in the right hand upper column that will run you through on how to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  God Bless.

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Salvation

 

God Offers The Promised Land, But…..

30 Sep

God offered the Promised Land to those he brought out of Egypt. 

Deuteronomy 1:19-21 –  19 Then, as the LORD our God commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites through all that vast and dreadful desert that you have seen, and so we reached Kadesh Barnea. 20 Then I said to you, “You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. 21 See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

After all that the Lord had shown them, did they take Him up on His offer?

Deuteronomy 1:26-28 – 26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ “

The land was theirs.  The Lord had paved the way.  He already delivered them out of the great nation of Egypt.  What happened when they doubted Him and didn’t respond to this free gift?

Deuteronomy 1:34-36 – 34 When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

They didn’t inherit the Promised Land.  They remained out in the desert until they died off and then a believing generation came along and accepted the promise.

You’ll find many parallels in the Bible.  We have been rescued from death, by the blood of Jesus.  The promise of eternal life with the King awaits.  However, if one doesn’t accept the sacrifice and promise, one does not enter into the eternal Promised Land.

It’s not enough to acknowledge God exists.  The Israelites were not a bunch of atheists after watching miracle after miracle.  They were a stiff necked bunch of individuals who didn’t act upon their faith.  They didn’t trust God.  Do you trust Jesus? 

So what does one have to do?  One needs to accept Him as Lord.  Can you refer to someone as Lord if you never pay attention to Him?  Can you refer to Him as Lord if you don’t make an attempt to live your life according to His plan for you?

Luke 6:46-47 – 46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.

You don’t enter the Promised Land because you believe it exists, you enter by accepting the gift and taking the action.

Make Him Lord.  You won’t lose your life, you’ll find it.

 
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Posted in Inspiration, Motivation, Salvation

 

We Need The Right Mindset

29 Sep

Colossians 3:1-2 –  1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

The devil has had a heyday distracting the church.  Get you a great job.  Go for the big house.  You can be anything you want to be.  Work hard and get what you deserve.  You control your own destiny.  Don’t worry about the big pie in the sky you may be hearing about from that dreamer Jesus, besides you can worry about that right before you die.

The Bible doesn’t read like this at all.  Probably why today it’s the most widely bought and least read book in the entire world.

Do I go for the bag of peanuts or do I seek out the One who loves me, created me and wants to be my King.  If I seek Him there is an eternal reward and it won’t be peanuts.

Do I serve the one who completely hates me or the One who is love, and loves me completely?

Man is a cheap sell out and easily distracted.  If you have accepted Christ as your Savior and King, you have been given the Spirit and strength to avoid the pitfalls and distractions laid out there by the enemy.

Who will you serve?

 
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Faith Is Putting Belief Into Motion

27 Sep

Galatians 3:6 – 6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

If Abraham had heard God’s voice and said, “Yes I believe that is God”, and left it at that, would it have been considered righteousness?

If Noah heard God tell him to build an ark and he acknowledged it, but built no ark, would that have shown faith?

No.

Faith is putting your belief into action.  This is what the Lord blesses. 

When Paul was thrown into prison, he had faith that the Lord was with Him and still in charge.

When Joseph was thrown into prison, he had faith that God was in charge.

When Stephen was about to be stoned, he knew that the Lord was in charge.

Faith is putting your belief into action. 

Belief with no action reveals little to no faith.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation, Reflections

 

Quote –Billy Graham

26 Sep

If we had more hell in the pulpit, we would have less hell in the pew.
Billy Graham

Amazing quote and definitely true.  This country for the last fifty years has preached that all you need is grace and then go on your merry way and do whatever you want from there.

However, that has led to what seems to be a popular last day spirit in the church.  

Revelation 3:15-18 – 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

The church of Laodicea does have a message for those who wish to break out of this rut.

Revelation 3:19-21 –19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Be an overcomer and choose the side of God, because being vomited out of His mouth isn’t where you want to be.

Side note here:  He’s talking to the Church, not to unbelievers in the above-referenced scriptures.

 
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Posted in Quotes, Reflections

 

What Is God Like?

24 Sep

Have you ever paid attention Christians who never read the Bible or listen to God’s Word from others?

You’re not going to believe this, but God thinks exactly the way they do!

That’s really strange, because the more I read God’s Word; the more I realize He doesn’t think like I did at all.  The only reason I think even somewhat like Him today is because of what I have learned in His Word and applied it to my life.

God explains to us who He is in His Love Letter to us.  It’s called the Bible.  He’s the Creator and we’re the Creation.  To watch man, one would get confused on that issue.   

Isaiah 55:8 –  8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

So if are ways are not His ways, then how can we possibly know God?  Through His Word!

If you never get to know somebody, how will you know what they like?  You won’t. 

Most people don’t know who God is because they don’t take the time to try and get to know Him.  They’re not hurting in the “Me time” though.

Do you want to show the Lord you love Him and help yourself at the same time?  Read His Word.  Read the love letter He gave us.  Don’t stand in front of the Creator and try to explain you didn’t have time to read His book.

Pick up a One Year Bible.  I find the NIV allowed me to read it as a story and understand it as I was going along.  You make it a goal to get through it.  I can tell you one day a day and you’ll quit before you’ll finish it from front to back. 

Don’t stand in front of God without reading His Word from front to back at least once.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Motivation

 
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