Christian conversion involves winning people from treasuring anything above Christ to full devotion to Christ. Christian conversion involves turning the heart toward the true God away from wrong ideas about God and wrong affections for what is not God. Christian conversion involves being born from above, where we are born of the Spirit. God is the decisive, ultimate cause of conversion. Nevertheless, we are His agents, and He calls us to join Him in this goal. He does not need us to join Him but He wants us to, so our joy may be complete as we glory in Him alone.
“No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65)
We are instruments in bringing people to Christ (Revelation 22:17)
God opens the eyes of the spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Jesus sends Paul to open their eyes (Acts 26:17-18)
God is decisive in changing people’s affections (Jeremiah 24:7)
Paul says his aim is to win people (1 Corinthians 9:22)
God is the One who brings us back to Himself (Jeremiah 31:18; Isaiah 57:18)
Bible speaks of using us to bringing people back from sin and death (James 5:20)
God is decisive in turning the human heart to Himself (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
John the Baptist was commissioned to turn the hearts of Israel to God (Luke 1:16-17)
The Spirit of God is the sovereign cause of the new birth, blowing where He wills (John 3:8)
Peter explains that this happens through the preaching of the Word (1 Peter 1:23-25)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Memorize God's Word!
Psalm 119:11 says "I have stored up Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."
Wonder why you struggle with sin, memorizing God's Word is the first step.
Do you treasure Him and His Word so much that you will memorize it, trust what it says and change your life because of what He tells us in His Word?
If so the first step to overcome a sin in our lives is memorizing the Word of God, so then we might not will not but might not sin against our Creator our number one treasure in life. Most people will agree and then say 'but'. So God's Word in not true for us? It is true and we need it! 12 steps, support groups, sell will is all good, but the first thing needed is a relationship with God through the Word. Start memorizing God's Word in your heart. This Scripture would be a good place to start.
Wonder why you struggle with sin, memorizing God's Word is the first step.
Do you treasure Him and His Word so much that you will memorize it, trust what it says and change your life because of what He tells us in His Word?
If so the first step to overcome a sin in our lives is memorizing the Word of God, so then we might not will not but might not sin against our Creator our number one treasure in life. Most people will agree and then say 'but'. So God's Word in not true for us? It is true and we need it! 12 steps, support groups, sell will is all good, but the first thing needed is a relationship with God through the Word. Start memorizing God's Word in your heart. This Scripture would be a good place to start.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
A Sermon For Us Today
It has been a long time since my last blog. Life has been so busy it can make your head spin. Today I was thinking about the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. I challenge you to read these chapters on your own, remembering it is one sermon from our Lord and King-Jesus Christ the Maker of the universe. Despite what the name implies, the most outstanding part of this sermon is not where it took place. What sets this sermon apart is its context and content.
Jesus lived in a world where being religious meant following all the rules like the Pharisees did. With this sermon, Jesus turned their idea of spirituality upside down, and it will turn your idea of Christianity upside down as well. In fact, Jesus went so far as to say, “…unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” –Matthew 5:20. WOW, just imagine what must have been going through the minds of those that heard Him! Jesus the Savior was not saying they needed to follow the rules better like the religious elite, but His point was that they needed a completely different kind of righteousness—the internal righteousness of a conquered, surrendered heart. The same is true for us. Our treasure must be God alone, our treasure must be for Him and His Kingdom, and that is what will change our lives, change our actions. Not rules to change what we treasure, but our treasure will change our actions. This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 6: 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What would Jesus discover if He walked among us today? Would He discern hearts that are humble, broken, and poor, aware of how much they need a Savior? Or, would Jesus view us a prideful and satisfied with the kind of righteousness we can get through our own effort? What sermon would Jesus preach to us today? I think He just might preach Matthew 5-7.
With the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws a line in the sand. Hew makes it clear that the self-righteous, legalistic work of the Pharisees stand on one side of that line, and He stands on the other side. On which side are you standing? “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are meek… Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the pure in heart… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:2-12
Jesus lived in a world where being religious meant following all the rules like the Pharisees did. With this sermon, Jesus turned their idea of spirituality upside down, and it will turn your idea of Christianity upside down as well. In fact, Jesus went so far as to say, “…unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” –Matthew 5:20. WOW, just imagine what must have been going through the minds of those that heard Him! Jesus the Savior was not saying they needed to follow the rules better like the religious elite, but His point was that they needed a completely different kind of righteousness—the internal righteousness of a conquered, surrendered heart. The same is true for us. Our treasure must be God alone, our treasure must be for Him and His Kingdom, and that is what will change our lives, change our actions. Not rules to change what we treasure, but our treasure will change our actions. This is what Jesus meant in Matthew 6: 21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
What would Jesus discover if He walked among us today? Would He discern hearts that are humble, broken, and poor, aware of how much they need a Savior? Or, would Jesus view us a prideful and satisfied with the kind of righteousness we can get through our own effort? What sermon would Jesus preach to us today? I think He just might preach Matthew 5-7.
With the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws a line in the sand. Hew makes it clear that the self-righteous, legalistic work of the Pharisees stand on one side of that line, and He stands on the other side. On which side are you standing? “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are those who mourn… Blessed are meek… Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the pure in heart… Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake… Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”—Matthew 5:2-12
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Abide, Live, Remain In The Word
As He (Jesus) was saying these things, many believed in Him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
(John8:30-32)
Wow, I love these verses! Jesus was telling a group of people who He was, that He is God, that He always existed came to earth and would die and then rise from the dead for their sins. The result was that people believed in Him. Jesus also taught them that He is the Light of the world and whoever believes in Him must not walk in darkness (John 8:12).
So how is this possible? Jesus tells un in John 8:31 & 32. He says, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." Basically if you are truly a student of Christ a Christian, you will continually live in God’s Word the Bible. Then and only then can we stop walking in darkness because we know the Truth the Light and that frees us from the darkness. This is not automatic it is something each of us must be intentional to do. The word abide in the Greek means to stay in a place to live in and not depart. We all must live in the Bible the Word every minute of the day. This is possible by first by having a new heart that desires the Bible that new heart is given to us by God alone. Then you have to read the Bible and you have to study the Bible.
But you say I can’t study 24/7. Your right, but you can take a note card with a Bible verse that you studied in context and memorize it, think about it and apply it to your life by living it out 24/7. See, when we study and read the Bible we have a tendency to put it down and go through our day without even thinking about what we have studied. But when we intentionally memorize and look for way to apply what we studied and continually abide in the Word that is what will change us that will free us to live the life Christ wants us to be living.
I challenge you to abide in the Word, don’t leave it, and live it out daily, hourly no matter where you are or what you are doing. Be careful, be very carful that you do not twist or distort God’s Word. You must know the verses you are memorizing and taking with you throughout the day, you must know the context of those verses so you will not use them wrongly. Many believers in Christ memorize verses out of context and thus have false promises. When those promises do not come about they are disillusioned and become discouraged and think God failed them. You must know what you are putting in your head and the best way to do that is to discover truth for yourself. The way you discover truth for yourself in by studying the Bible inductively. To find out how to do that check out Precept International. Therefore, brothers and sisters in the Lord I challenge you to know the truth of God’s Word for yourself by constantly live in the Word of Truth the Bible. Start today and you will find yourself free to serve Christ with out any of the things of the world holding you back and that is a great way to live!
(John8:30-32)
Wow, I love these verses! Jesus was telling a group of people who He was, that He is God, that He always existed came to earth and would die and then rise from the dead for their sins. The result was that people believed in Him. Jesus also taught them that He is the Light of the world and whoever believes in Him must not walk in darkness (John 8:12).
So how is this possible? Jesus tells un in John 8:31 & 32. He says, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." Basically if you are truly a student of Christ a Christian, you will continually live in God’s Word the Bible. Then and only then can we stop walking in darkness because we know the Truth the Light and that frees us from the darkness. This is not automatic it is something each of us must be intentional to do. The word abide in the Greek means to stay in a place to live in and not depart. We all must live in the Bible the Word every minute of the day. This is possible by first by having a new heart that desires the Bible that new heart is given to us by God alone. Then you have to read the Bible and you have to study the Bible.
But you say I can’t study 24/7. Your right, but you can take a note card with a Bible verse that you studied in context and memorize it, think about it and apply it to your life by living it out 24/7. See, when we study and read the Bible we have a tendency to put it down and go through our day without even thinking about what we have studied. But when we intentionally memorize and look for way to apply what we studied and continually abide in the Word that is what will change us that will free us to live the life Christ wants us to be living.
I challenge you to abide in the Word, don’t leave it, and live it out daily, hourly no matter where you are or what you are doing. Be careful, be very carful that you do not twist or distort God’s Word. You must know the verses you are memorizing and taking with you throughout the day, you must know the context of those verses so you will not use them wrongly. Many believers in Christ memorize verses out of context and thus have false promises. When those promises do not come about they are disillusioned and become discouraged and think God failed them. You must know what you are putting in your head and the best way to do that is to discover truth for yourself. The way you discover truth for yourself in by studying the Bible inductively. To find out how to do that check out Precept International. Therefore, brothers and sisters in the Lord I challenge you to know the truth of God’s Word for yourself by constantly live in the Word of Truth the Bible. Start today and you will find yourself free to serve Christ with out any of the things of the world holding you back and that is a great way to live!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
God Loves You
God Loves You
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:31-35
It can take a long time to learn that God the Father wants to bless our lives for His glory. The Father wants to lavish all the fullness of His blessings on us. He doesn't promise that everything will always be perfect or that He won't allow difficulty, temptations, or tribulations come. He does promise to be the Giver of good gifts to His children. He did absolutely everything He could to find us, to reach us, and to forgive us. Why? Because He is holy and because He is holy He loves us. Take a look at these verses…
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son”
Romans 5:8 says, "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Romans 5:8 “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.
Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,”
Romans 8:31-32 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His Own Son but gave Him up for us all."
1 John 4:8 “God is Love.”
I John 4:16 “God is Love.”
If you've ever wondered if God the Father cares about you, look at what He did for you, He "did not spare his own Son."
Question: Did not spare Him what?
Because God loves you, God the Father did not spare His Son the humiliation of becoming a man. Jesus, one of the persons in the Trinity, Creator of the universe, became a human being. Talk about a step-down, which is not even close to a CEO becoming a Bell-boy.
Because God loves you, the Father did not spare His Son the rejection of His family not to mention the disbelief of those that listened to Him when He lived here on earth or the constant abuse of those that came to get healed and then left not even thanking Him but instead told those that hated Him. Then at the end of His life the mocking, the torture, the crown of thorns were all laid on the precious Son of God because your heavenly Father loves you.
And because God loves you, our Father did not spare His Son crucifixion. Jesus became "obedient to the point of death," Philippians 2:7-8 “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”. A cross was the most humiliating, torturous way for a person to die.
Question: But why did God our Father not spare His own Son?
Because He loves you. He gave the best for the worst. He gave the highest for the lowest. He did the most for the least. He gave the pure for the impure, the cleanest for the filthiest, the Holy for the rubbish. That is God's message of love to you and me! That gives me a reason to serve Him and praise Him no matter what I have or what I am now going through!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:31-35
It can take a long time to learn that God the Father wants to bless our lives for His glory. The Father wants to lavish all the fullness of His blessings on us. He doesn't promise that everything will always be perfect or that He won't allow difficulty, temptations, or tribulations come. He does promise to be the Giver of good gifts to His children. He did absolutely everything He could to find us, to reach us, and to forgive us. Why? Because He is holy and because He is holy He loves us. Take a look at these verses…
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son”
Romans 5:8 says, "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:6 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Romans 5:8 “but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.
Romans 5:10 “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,”
Romans 8:31-32 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His Own Son but gave Him up for us all."
1 John 4:8 “God is Love.”
I John 4:16 “God is Love.”
If you've ever wondered if God the Father cares about you, look at what He did for you, He "did not spare his own Son."
Question: Did not spare Him what?
Because God loves you, God the Father did not spare His Son the humiliation of becoming a man. Jesus, one of the persons in the Trinity, Creator of the universe, became a human being. Talk about a step-down, which is not even close to a CEO becoming a Bell-boy.
Because God loves you, the Father did not spare His Son the rejection of His family not to mention the disbelief of those that listened to Him when He lived here on earth or the constant abuse of those that came to get healed and then left not even thanking Him but instead told those that hated Him. Then at the end of His life the mocking, the torture, the crown of thorns were all laid on the precious Son of God because your heavenly Father loves you.
And because God loves you, our Father did not spare His Son crucifixion. Jesus became "obedient to the point of death," Philippians 2:7-8 “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”. A cross was the most humiliating, torturous way for a person to die.
Question: But why did God our Father not spare His own Son?
Because He loves you. He gave the best for the worst. He gave the highest for the lowest. He did the most for the least. He gave the pure for the impure, the cleanest for the filthiest, the Holy for the rubbish. That is God's message of love to you and me! That gives me a reason to serve Him and praise Him no matter what I have or what I am now going through!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
TUPOS
Tupos (too-pos') is a Greek noun with a double meaning in English.
Tupos means:
(1) to be an example or a pattern for.
(2) to make an impact on or leave an impression from one object on another.
Tupos is the word found in 1st. Timothy 4:12 "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an TUPOS/example/pattern/impact/leave an impression of those who believe".
Tupos means:
(1) to be an example or a pattern for.
(2) to make an impact on or leave an impression from one object on another.
Tupos is the word found in 1st. Timothy 4:12 "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an TUPOS/example/pattern/impact/leave an impression of those who believe".
All Must Be God's
What does it take to be a Christ-follower?
It takes all we have. We can not buy our salvation, or earn it. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. We can't receive it on our works but salvation is by God alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The cool thing is that faith alone is faith in all that God offers, His salvation, His protection, His Righteousness. We must have faith in all of God, not our works, our savings, or even our president. Our faith and trust must be in Him, He must be our treasure (Matthew 6:21). When we put our trust in money or our businesses we fall into the same trap as the rich man who asked Jesus how to be saved, Jesus responded by saying, Mark 10:21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
When we put our faith in God we must put all our faith in all of God not part. All must be God's. Yes, you may be a good man, but what is your treasure? We must do what Jesus told the young rich man to do. What are you giving up to follow God, or what are you not giving up? God must come first and everything else second.
It takes all we have. We can not buy our salvation, or earn it. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. We can't receive it on our works but salvation is by God alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
The cool thing is that faith alone is faith in all that God offers, His salvation, His protection, His Righteousness. We must have faith in all of God, not our works, our savings, or even our president. Our faith and trust must be in Him, He must be our treasure (Matthew 6:21). When we put our trust in money or our businesses we fall into the same trap as the rich man who asked Jesus how to be saved, Jesus responded by saying, Mark 10:21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
When we put our faith in God we must put all our faith in all of God not part. All must be God's. Yes, you may be a good man, but what is your treasure? We must do what Jesus told the young rich man to do. What are you giving up to follow God, or what are you not giving up? God must come first and everything else second.
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