"Enter in at the strait gate; for it is the wide gate, and broad way that leadeth to destruction; and many there be that go in thereat. Because the gate is strait, and the way narrow that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits..." --Matthew 7:13-16a. (Geneva Bible)
There is much talk these days against Christianity and the Bible and how "antiquated", "archaic" it is. But don't believe it. These are lost, unbelivers or deceivers (wolfs in sheeps clothing) that will do anything to discredit God's Word. There is so much animosity toward the authority of the God's Word because of man's rebellion. They deny the cross and God's authority so they can do what they ought not do.
They will eventually pay the ultimate price even if they don't believe there is a hell and many don't. I hear it all over the place and it is very sad and disconserting. But God will not be mocked.
"For there on one God and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ Jesus." --I Timothy 2:5
If anyone thinks there is any other way to be saved other than through Jesus Christ, they are sadly mistaken.
The scriptures tells us that: "All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. And are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God has set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness, by the forgiveness of sins that are passed." -- Romans 3:23-25
We all have been sinned against by somebody. We all have been offended. So where then, OTHER THAN Jesus is there any forgiveness or justification for those offenses? Taking revenge into our own hands still dosn't make up for the wrongs that have already been committed. All that does is compound the problem, thus it never ends.
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. " Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ died once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive in the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the Ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. "
--I Peter 3: 13-22 - 4:1-5,8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." --Romans 12: 1-21
These are hard lessons for all of us. But IF we can learn to live as God tells us to live we will overcome evil with good. These are difficult times for all of us and it is easy to just toss aside what God tells us because it is too hard to follow his instructions. It is painful. Like I said in part of my poem "The Call" at the beginning of this blog:
Oh yes, my Lord, I’ll gladly come—
The cost? – What cost?
It’s going to cost me pain?
I didn’t count on this—my Lord!
Is there any other way?
No, my child, but I’ll be there—
To walk you through the strife—
And the joy of life will come to you
For I AM THE WAY,
THE TRUTH,
THE LIFE
By Lynn Self - 12/18/96
I hope that this day you will consider what it truely means to be a Christian and be willing to obey Him no matter what the cost. I would like to recommend a wonderful book to you that illustrates what it means to FOLLOW JESUS no matter what the cost and that is "Evidence Not Seen" by Darlene Deibler Rose, a dear friend and mentor of mine who has since passed on. I considered her to be my spiritual mother and she graciously prayed with me, laughed and cried with me, sat with me, shared with me through a very difficult time in my life. Her story was featured on Focus on the Family for several years in a row and was considered one of the top 10 in their 25 years of broadcasting. Both Darlene and Jerry have n
ow passed on as has one of their sons, Bruce.
(The photo on the left was one of the last photos taken of them before before they both died in the same year. The photo
on the right was take of Darlene and I on June 15, 1996, the last time I saw Darlene before they left for Australia.)
I guarentee you won't be the same after reading her story. I know I wasn't after I heard it, as the Lord himself confronted me and told me to park all my excuses at the gate that they were no longer valid, but to "Come, Follow Me" he said. And I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on and I said "Yes, Lord, I will follow you!" It wasn't easy but I have since found my peace and joy in Him and I am grateful for every day God lets me live. Each day is a gift.
There is much talk these days against Christianity and the Bible and how "antiquated", "archaic" it is. But don't believe it. These are lost, unbelivers or deceivers (wolfs in sheeps clothing) that will do anything to discredit God's Word. There is so much animosity toward the authority of the God's Word because of man's rebellion. They deny the cross and God's authority so they can do what they ought not do.
They will eventually pay the ultimate price even if they don't believe there is a hell and many don't. I hear it all over the place and it is very sad and disconserting. But God will not be mocked.
"For there on one God and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ Jesus." --I Timothy 2:5
If anyone thinks there is any other way to be saved other than through Jesus Christ, they are sadly mistaken.
The scriptures tells us that: "All have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. And are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God has set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness, by the forgiveness of sins that are passed." -- Romans 3:23-25
We all have been sinned against by somebody. We all have been offended. So where then, OTHER THAN Jesus is there any forgiveness or justification for those offenses? Taking revenge into our own hands still dosn't make up for the wrongs that have already been committed. All that does is compound the problem, thus it never ends.
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. " Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
For Christ died once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body, but made alive in the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the Ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. "
--I Peter 3: 13-22 - 4:1-5,8
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." --Romans 12: 1-21
These are hard lessons for all of us. But IF we can learn to live as God tells us to live we will overcome evil with good. These are difficult times for all of us and it is easy to just toss aside what God tells us because it is too hard to follow his instructions. It is painful. Like I said in part of my poem "The Call" at the beginning of this blog:
Oh yes, my Lord, I’ll gladly come—
The cost? – What cost?
It’s going to cost me pain?
I didn’t count on this—my Lord!
Is there any other way?
No, my child, but I’ll be there—
To walk you through the strife—
And the joy of life will come to you
For I AM THE WAY,
THE TRUTH,
THE LIFE
By Lynn Self - 12/18/96
I hope that this day you will consider what it truely means to be a Christian and be willing to obey Him no matter what the cost. I would like to recommend a wonderful book to you that illustrates what it means to FOLLOW JESUS no matter what the cost and that is "Evidence Not Seen" by Darlene Deibler Rose, a dear friend and mentor of mine who has since passed on. I considered her to be my spiritual mother and she graciously prayed with me, laughed and cried with me, sat with me, shared with me through a very difficult time in my life. Her story was featured on Focus on the Family for several years in a row and was considered one of the top 10 in their 25 years of broadcasting. Both Darlene and Jerry have n
ow passed on as has one of their sons, Bruce.(The photo on the left was one of the last photos taken of them before before they both died in the same year. The photo
on the right was take of Darlene and I on June 15, 1996, the last time I saw Darlene before they left for Australia.)I guarentee you won't be the same after reading her story. I know I wasn't after I heard it, as the Lord himself confronted me and told me to park all my excuses at the gate that they were no longer valid, but to "Come, Follow Me" he said. And I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on and I said "Yes, Lord, I will follow you!" It wasn't easy but I have since found my peace and joy in Him and I am grateful for every day God lets me live. Each day is a gift.
If you wish to listen to Darlene's story click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9k5WuqIuSQ It will take about an hour and 17 minutes so be prepared. It is an awesome story.
I pray that each one who took the time to read this today will be blessed and will choose to FOLLOW JESUS with your life.
God Bless!
I pray that each one who took the time to read this today will be blessed and will choose to FOLLOW JESUS with your life.
God Bless!
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