Salvation

Understanding Faith

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UNDERSTANDING FAITH

If there was ever a word that Christians need to understand, it is the word “faith”. From Genesis 1 through Revelation 22, it is what God requires from His people. God requires people to have faith more today than when Jesus walked the earth.

I believe that some of the most important verses regarding faith are found in the following:

John 20:29 (NIV)  29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Faith is the key word in order to have a relationship with God. If you read the Bible carefully, you will see that God requires you to have faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)  6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Mark 11:22 (NIV) “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

God requires everyone who calls themselves a Christian to have faith in Him even when things are not going well or the way we think they should. If we do not understand, we cannot have true faith. If we were honest, most of us base our faith on what is seen instead of what is not seen. This is the normal concept of faith in our lives today. We limit ourselves by what we believe and have faith in. We are afraid of stepping out in faith because it is not natural. A lot of people have been taught that stepping out of the norm is impossible and scary, so they stay in their comfort zone. Many lose so many blessings because of fear to walk in faith. Some may lose their salvation.

Romans 10:17 (NIV)  Faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

The truth of the gospel comes by faith in the Holy Spirit’s teaching and causing us to believe. It only stands to reason that if the Temple of the Holy Spirit is not in order, we will not experience His persuasion. By faith learn to listen and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. His leadership will not fail you.

2 Tim 1:12b-14 (NIV)   I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you, guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

We are nothing if we do not have faith in Jesus Christ. Every Christian should desire true faith and don’t waver when things don’t go as you want. I know it is not easy when we battle the desires of the flesh but through faith we can overcome. All you need to remember is that Jesus Christ is our Savior and God is our Heavenly Father. We need to have faith in them for they both love us very much, more than we love ourselves. They are always with you.

Fill your mind and soul with Bible verses regarding faith. Hebrews, Chapter 11 is a chapter on faith. Also, the bible is full of stories about men and women of faith. Read the stories of faith regarding Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Samson, David, Gideon, Mary, Elizabeth, Ruth, Sarah, and Naomi, just to mention a few. When you are feeling low, read Bible verses about faith. When your circumstances seem like there is no light at the end, keep the faith by claiming the many promises that the Bible gives to you. Yes, Jesus said I am coming back soon and I say, Come Lord Jesus.

Love to all.

TEMPORARY

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TEMPORARY-Definition of temporary: Lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent.

When I was younger, I thought time seemed to drag by. Now that I am much older, I believe that time is going by so fast. Days seem like hours, weeks seem like days and years seem like weeks. Oh! Where does the time go? I have witnessed individuals who have lived just a few minutes and others who have lived over a 100 years. Regardless, God has a time frame for your life here on earth and it is only temporary. The moment you are born, you begin your journey into eternity and that is not temporary. It is forever and forever. Read the following Scriptures and then decide if you are prepared for eternity.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 NIV 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT   Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

Sometimes it feels that life is too short and too some it is. No one can take life for granted. We need to cherish and be thankful for what time we are given and the time we have with loved ones. Be joyful, prayerful, and loving, for life is temporary and it is only a one time experience. Seek God’s wisdom on how to spend your time here on earth. Psalm 90:12, NLT Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

This is only a temporary home regardless of whether you are a born again believer or not. Your final destiny is in your hands and you will be assigned a permanent place when your temporary life expires. Hebrews 9:27 (KJV) 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment

Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV … I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Now choose life, that you and your offspring may live.

Matthew 6:19-21, ESV Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Love to all.

EASTER

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EASTER

As we approach the time of the year where we celebrate the holiday called Easter, do we as Christians really know what we are celebrating?  The term ‘Easter’ is not of Christian origin. The word ‘Easter’ is not found in any translation of the Bible except once in the the King James Version and it is a mistranslation of the Greek word ‘pascha.’. This is only found in Acts: 12:4. The correct translation should have been ‘Passover’.

So where did the term Easter come from? It originated from European traditions. The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre or Eostre who was celebrated as the goddess of spring. The festival called Eastre was held in the spring by those that honored her.

A majority of the modern day population celebrate Easter out of context with how it is actually related to the story of the Passover. The feast includes an Easter Ham in place of roasted lamb, decorated eggs, colored chickens and stories about the Easter Bunny or chocolate rabbits. Some churches even put on Easter egg hunts.

I ask, are we worshipping our Holy God in vain with all the mixed representation of Christian Holidays that we are faced with today? Are Christians expected to be teaching the ‘truth’? Is the Church falling away from what God expects? Let us briefly look at what Easter is meant to be.

Easter should actually refer to the Passover. The Passover is the first of God’s seven annual festivals. The Passover in the Holy Land is a reminder of how God saved His people from death in Egypt. God spared His people from death by the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the door frames of their home. The complete story is found in Exodus Chapter 12. Jesus always observed the Passover while here on earth.

The blood of the Passover lamb foreshadowed the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus passes over the sins of those who repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is very clear in the New Testament that Jesus Christ is our true Passover lamb, who spared us from eternal death.

Matthew: 26: 26-28, Jesus observed His last Passover with His disciples where the symbols of bread and water represent His body and blood with what we refer to as communion. With this symbol Jesus offered us forgiveness (or passing over) our sins and the penalty of death. Have you received this free gift?

The death of Jesus actually took place during the daylight hours that followed the Passover evening. Christ was crucified on the day of the Feast of the Passover. He was declared dead that same afternoon and was buried just before sundown.

We need to read and study the Scriptures. John: 8:32 NIV: Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 1Thessalonians 5:21 KJV: Prove all things; hold fast that which good.

Thank you Jesus for passing over my sins.

SALVATION

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SALVATION

Since one of my main concerns is, where will people especially family, friends and acquaintances spend eternity, I believe that I should discuss how salvation is explained in the Bible. First of all we need to understand that salvation is a free gift. It is the most important gift you will ever receive. It is a gift that will last for eternity.

What is eternity? Most people do not understand the meaning of eternity. To most it means a long, long time. Eternity is the fullness of time, past, present and the future all experienced at once. There is no end. When you take your final breath here on earth and you cross over, your final destination will be spent in eternity. Where that will be is going to be your choice. God has given us a free will to make choices especially regarding salvation.

Let us look at what the Bible says regarding salvation. I believe that the salvation that God provides in Jesus Christ is a continual process and not just a one-time experience. I base this on the fact the Bible tells us that we must be born again according to Gospel of John 3:3 that says: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. When a person is born physically, they start out as an infant and continue to grow into maturity. When you are “born again” in Jesus Christ you become a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. When a person is “born again” they begin a new life in Jesus. We are all sinners and when we invite Jesus into our life, we get saved by believing on Jesus Christ and recognizing that we do not have the righteousness to get by God’s judgment. That is why God provided a Savior for all mankind who put their trust in Jesus Christ and believe in Him for their salvation. Romans 3:10 says “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”. When you are born physically, you continue to grow. When you are born again, you begin to grow in your new life in Jesus. Salvation through Jesus Christ is the main topic in the New Testament of the Bible. This is God’s way of delivering us from sin and death.

To be born again is to undergo a “spiritual rebirth” (regeneration) of the human spirit. Regeneration comes through the working of the Holy Spirit. The biblical truth is that we are saved by God’s grace through our faith (believing and trusting) in Jesus, the Savior that God provided thru His grace.

Let us look at additional scripture that refers to our salvation.

John 3:7-8: Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. / The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

ACTS 4:12: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Also – Romans 10:9-13, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Titus 2:11

Individuals who profess to be born again often state that they have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Old and New Testament are full of passages that say we are saved by God’s grace through our belief in His Savior. I challenge anyone who can show me in scripture where anyone or anything besides belief in God’s Savior, Jesus Christ, is required for salvation.

If you have invited Jesus into your life, praise God. If not, confess you are a sinner and invite Him into your life. Remember that eternity awaits your presence. Don’t put off something as important as your salvation because of stubbornness, earthly desires, or I will do it tomorrow, or I am not worthy attitudes. God loves each one of us and wants us to enjoy His salvation. He showed us His love by the sacrifice and suffering of His Son who died and shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary for our sins. Give up those selfish worldly desires and join me in eternity with my Savior Jesus Christ. Love to all.

IS THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGE?

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IS THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGE?

I have been thinking about the message the Christians Community has been sending to the lost regarding salvation. How are we attempting to reach those who we believe are not saved? For some time, have we been sending the wrong message regarding God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit? It is evident that something is not right regarding our redemption plan. Otherwise we would be in a worldwide revival. It appears that we are working a dead horse with spreading the Gospel. Is it time for a new message or going back to the messages that drew people to Jesus Christ?

One thing I notice is that the messages we hear today about religion is more about church membership, baptism, involvement, commitment, dedication and of course tithing or giving. Don’t misunderstand, all of those have their place in salvation if presented properly. The most important factor regarding salvation must focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His death, burial and resurrection and the precious blood that saved us sinners. I have noticed an increasing trend toward messages that make people feel good. There is also the guilt trip message. Also, I notice that churches are neglecting Bible study and old fashion prayer meetings and replacing them with a social atmosphere. I believe that anyone who leads a flock, whether it is one or a thousand, may they be reminded of what it says in Jeremiah, Chapter 23.

People are being introduced to excitement and hype. Success is counted by numbers. I believe that the natural man and even the evangelicals do not completely understand what a personal (distinctive to a certain person), intrapersonal (inside or within), and interpersonal relationship (relationship between persons) with Jesus Christ is all about. I believe that if we did, there would be more people seeking Jesus. If a person does not understand the relationship connection, how can they explain it to others correctly? How can we begin to understand the function of the Lordship of the Living Lord Jesus? Not just accepting an opinion that He is Lord, God, and Deity, but as the acceptance of the fact that my life is no longer mine to determine, but is entirely at His disposal and determination. In Luke 6:46, Jesus rebukes those who addressing Him as Lord. He said, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Another contributing factor to the decline is the one on one contact with the lost. One of the many reasons people shy away from personal contact is fear. Does this have something to do with the relationship a person has with Jesus? I notice that many individuals communicate through the use of banners. Again, don’t get me wrong, banners for the most part encourage and support the saved and we all need encouragement. I ask you, are they reaching the lost and winning souls for Jesus Christ? Beware of Satan’s deceitful ways when approaching lost souls. Modern technology cannot replace the old fashion personal contact. Believe it or not, people love personal contact.

Could our churches be teaching that a person can be a Christian and not be a disciple? Is man changing God’s plan? My understanding is that when you follow Jesus Christ, you become a disciple. I believe that if you use the name Christian, you are a follower of Jesus. Don’t use the name in vain.

I ask my true brothers and sisters in Christ, are we allowing converts to become disillusioned and confused by what we are presenting as salvation? Are we presenting half-truths and not the whole truth as presented in the Bible? They then fade away and turn back to the way of the world or seek out a feel good church. I can assure you that a feel good sermon is only temporary. True blessings from God only come when a person believes wholeheartedly from his or her heart on Jesus Christ and follows the instruction of the Bible as God teaches. Are we failing to teach the Word of God and its truth?

Is your salvation based on a carnal nature and carnal wisdom? When you have to make important and even non-important decisions, do you follow God’s instruction or your own carnal way? Are you afraid that you cannot live as God wants you to because of guilt (which comes from the devil) of past sins? Let go and let Jesus save you and be set free. Give all to Him and receive the peace and understanding of a loving God and Savior. Let the Master of Life take over and be blessed.