Month: August 2020

Think About Such Things

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Paul was writing this letter to the church in Philippi from prison. A man in prison was encouraging others to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. The easiest thing for Paul to do would be to complain about his circumstances. To dwell on the fact that he was in prison, far from home, and without his friends. But Paul had trained himself to put those thoughts out of his mind and to only think about helping others become closer to Christ.

What are you feeding your mind? What books, t.v. shows, and movies are you putting into your mind each day? What conversations are you having? What websites are you searching? What are you looking at on social media? What music is playing in your car? Is it true, noble, right, and pure? Perhaps it is time to replace it with something that will help you to think about that which is excellent and praiseworthy. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. Paul did it and so can you. It just takes practice to “think about such things”.

Dear God, please help me to focus my mind on what is good and pure. When I have a choice, lead me towards that which is pleasing to you. Amen.

The End Times

Are we in the “End Times”? This is an exceedingly difficult subject for some people to discuss. There are some who believe in the rapture and tribulation and some that do not. I am one of those people who never really cared either way because I know that I am saved by grace. I know that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to conquer Satan and death so that I may have eternal life. I don’t really care when Jesus comes again because I am ready any time. But what about my friends and family? Are they all saved? When Jesus comes again, will they be with me in paradise? Honestly, I really don’t know…and that scares me.

I like the way they have translated Jesus’s word in The Message from John 12:47-48.  It says:

“If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection.”

The Bible is full of prophetic words about the End Times. There are many passages that can be linked to current day events that are happening in our generation. But whether you believe in the End Times or not, it is time to take Jesus’s words seriously. Do not put Him off. Believe in Jesus. It is time to give your life to Him. It is time to make him the king of your heart. Romans 10:9 says:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

So, if you are ready to start a new life and begin a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, say these words out loud:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.  

Light My Path

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Navigating through life is not easy to do. Everyday you make hundreds of little decisions about where to go and what to do. Decisions about how to react to things that happen to you, decisions about how to treat others, decisions between doing what is right and doing what is wrong.

The world we live in today tells us to do whatever makes us happy. If you can make more money or it feels good, you should do it! If someone else gets hurt in the process, well that is unfortunate for them. It seems like the world’s moral compass is broken.

So, do not look to the world for guidance. Turn to God. Psalm 119:105 says that God’s word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When the world says, “Do it”, what does God’s word say? Check for yourself. Study the Bible. When you spend time with God’s word, you will be able to see clearly and stay on the right path.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your precious word and for lighting the path that you want me to follow. Amen.

Why Do You Need Jesus?

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

I am not the kind of person that you can just say, “Go do this” and I will do it. I need to understand the WHY behind what I am doing so that it makes sense to me. Lately I’ve been struggling with the “why” behind “Why do I need Jesus?” I believe in God; I know I am filled with the Holy Spirit. But what part did Jesus play in all this? I’ve been reading the Bible, listening to sermons online and watching documentaries about the Holy Gospel and yesterday I finally heard something that made it all fit together for me. So, I want to share it with you.

When man first sinned, we were separated from God because of our sin. So, we were given laws to follow in order to bridge that divide. But because we are sinful, we could never follow those laws perfectly. Everyone has lied, everyone has put something before God, everyone has dishonored their parents, and everyone has had lust in their heart for another person or thing. No matter how hard we try to be good, we sin. This creates despair.

But God. God does not want us to be separated from him. So, he gave the people of Israel the ability to atone for their sins through sacrifices. The blood of a lamb could be shed to wipe away their sins. But then they sinned again. So, they would make another sacrifice. But then they sinned again. So, another sacrifice was made. It would never end. So, God sent Jesus. The Lamb of God. The ultimate sacrifice. The final sacrifice. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and then he died on the cross to shed his blood for our sins.

You see, every sin ever committed by every person who has ever lived will be punished. That is required. It will either be punished everlastingly by the sinner (you) or that punishment will be borne by the blood of Jesus Christ.  His death was sufficient to pay for all your sins. Trust in Jesus. Abandon all the hope you put into your good works and what a great person you are and trust in the person and works of Jesus Christ alone. This creates peace.

Give your heart to Jesus. Today! Then tell your friends and family about Jesus. Today! Without Jesus there is no eternal life with God. There is only eternal punishment. I choose life!

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross to save me from eternal punishment. I give my heart to you today. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me the courage to tell others about you. Amen.