What is God saying to you?

Greetings,

I hope this message finds each of you doing well and your relationship with Christ is strengthening daily.  I have come to realize that although I try to put a date on these weekly submissions, I have to remain open to following God’s timing.  This message maybe considered your weekly version of Wednesday or Mid-Week Bible Study.  I ask that you please bear with me, the beginning of this message will be all over the place, but will end with a clear message.   

Over the past two weeks I have listened to the following messages:

1.     Pastor Lon Solomon, Senior Pastor, McLean Bible Church, Vienna, VA – Who spent the last two weeks discussing the importance on “A Praying Church”. 

2.     Pastor Charles Swindoll, Insight for Living Ministries, Plano, TX – Covered “What if” – What if you are meant for something great. 

3.     Pastor Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative, Dallas, TX – Covered “Shaking Things up for Revival.”

4.     Pastor Steven Rummage, Moving Forward Ministries, Brandon, FL - Covered “Temptation and the Book of James.”

5.     Police Chaplin MC Williams, The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry, Denver, CO – Covered “Understanding Your Calling & Purpose.”

Each of these messages had a different effect on me.  I spent the past several days in prayer and meditation requesting the appropriate message to provide to the readers.  I found something in common throughout all of the messages.  Prayer and lack of faith, was the common factor.  The mathematical equation stayed the same throughout each, faith + prayer + God = change.  We have all heard the saying, life does nothing but repeat itself.  It is my opinion, in today’s society we are experiencing a combination of repetitive ages; a mixture of the 1920’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  Our society is in a crisis that places believers and non-believers alike in a state of fear, shock, acceptance, apathy, or compromise. 

What I mean is that we lack prayer; we are afraid to accept God’s mission for us; our nation is in need of a revival; our constant acceptance and actions on temptation has destroyed our marriages, families, and personal lives; and our lack of a personal and effective relationship with Christ has caused us to miss our calling and purpose in God’s overall plan.  These are all due to a lack of faith, payer, and direct sincere communications with Christ our Lord.   Please take a look at the scriptures below and consider reviewing the comments afterwards.  As always, comments are always encouraged on the Blog Site.

Book & Verse(s): Romans 1:16-32

Author:  Paul is considered the author of Romans

Time: About 57-58 A.D.

Purpose: According to Bible Hub Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Rome, hence the name “Romans”. He wrote it to give them a concrete theological foundation on which to construct their faith and to live for and serve God effectively.  The book of Romans reveals the answers to important questions and supplies information on many topics, such as salvation, the sovereignty of God, judgment, spiritual growth, and the righteousness of God. Many scholars also describe it as The Gospel and the Righteousness of God, which can be received only by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16-32 - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Professing to be wise, they became fools,23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (New King James Version – Bible Study Tools)

Matthew Henry Commentary (BST):

Verses 16-17 In these verses the apostle opens the design of the whole epistle, in which he brings forward a charge of sinfulness against all flesh; declares the only method of deliverance from condemnation, by faith in the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ; and then builds upon it purity of heart, grateful obedience, and earnest desires to improve in all those Christian graces and tempers, which nothing but a lively faith in Christ can bring forth. God is a just and holy God, and we are guilty sinners. It is necessary that we have a righteousness to appear in before him: there is such a righteousness brought in by the Messiah, and made known in the gospel; a gracious method of acceptance, notwithstanding the guilt of our sins. It is the righteousness of Christ, who is God, coming from a satisfaction of infinite value. Faith is all in all, both in the beginning and progress of Christian life. It is not from faith to works, as if faith put us into a justified state, and then works kept us in it; but it is all along from faith to faith; it is faith pressing forward, and gaining the victory over unbelief. 

Verses 18-25 The apostle begins to show that all mankind need the salvation of the gospel, because none could obtain the favour of God, or escape his wrath by their own works. For no man can plead that he has fulfilled all his obligations to God and to his neighbour; nor can any truly say that he has fully acted up to the light afforded him. The sinfulness of man is described as ungodliness against the laws of the first table, and unrighteousness against those of the second. The cause of that sinfulness is holding the truth in unrighteousness. All, more or less, do what they know to be wrong, and omit what they know to be right, so that the plea of ignorance cannot be allowed from any. Our Creator's invisible power and Godhead are so clearly shown in the works he has made, that even idolaters and wicked Gentiles are left without excuse. They foolishly followed idolatry; and rational creatures changed the worship of the glorious Creator, for that of brutes, reptiles, and senseless images. They wandered from God, till all traces of true religion must have been lost, had not the revelation of the gospel prevented it. For whatever may be pretended, as to the sufficiency of man's reason to discover Divine truth and moral obligation, or to govern the practice aright, facts cannot be denied. And these plainly show that men have dishonoured God by the most absurd idolatries and superstitions; and have degraded themselves by the vilest affections and most abominable deeds. 

Verses 26-32 In the horrid depravity of the heathen, the truth of our Lord's words was shown: "Light was come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for he that doeth evil hateth the light." The truth was not to their taste. And we all know how soon a man will contrive, against the strongest evidence, to reason himself out of the belief of what he dislikes. But a man cannot be brought to greater slavery than to be given up to his own lusts. As the Gentiles did not like to keep God in their knowledge, they committed crimes wholly against reason and their own welfare. The nature of man, whether pagan or Christian, is still the same; and the charges of the apostle apply more or less to the state and character of men at all times, till they are brought to full submission to the faith of Christ, and renewed by Divine power. There never yet was a man, who had not reason to lament his strong corruptions, and his secret dislike to the will of God. Therefore this chapter is a call to self-examination, the end of which should be, a deep conviction of sin, and of the necessity of deliverance from a state of condemnation. 

As I stated earlier, this message would be all over the place.  I am sure that you are wondering why I mentioned the multiple messages above.  It is my belief that God wanted me to bring to your attention the many ways he tries to reach out to you.  I continue to state that I may not know your relationship with Christ, but there is someone out there who does not have one or is trying to figure how to get back to Him.  They or you are in the midst of a series of trials and you are trying to understand what’s going on.  We are all sinners and I am not saying that all of the previous words fit your current life.  However, what I do know is that each of us, at one time or another, lack faith and a good prayer life in our own way.  As a matter of fact, some have neither. This world has us believing that free will means you have the right to do whatever you want and no one has a right to say anything about it. Each of those messages provides a Biblical outline on how to live your life.  The question remains, how do you plan to live yours?  

Reference(s): http://biblehub.com/summary/romans/1.htm

The Greatness of Water

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ, I pray that this week's message finds you doing well.

Even in the midst of pain, fear, or trouble, I pray that you are able to accept that God's grace is sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 7 -9). Over the past couple of weeks the days have been extremely long and the nights even longer. I have spent more and more time in prayer and reached out to my family for their love and support. A few days ago, I spoke with God and requested help in clearing my path and helping me get closer to him. I rediscovered meditation and prayer. I asked God for a way to clear my head when praying and focus on Him. Immediately, my martial arts training came to mind. When we would prepare for training we would begin with meditation and the Sifu (Chinese word for teacher), would talk to us about the cleaning qualities of water. We would close our eyes and be asked to allow water to flow from the top of our head then through our body, then through our soul to the feet.

"The imagery of God's Word also includes the idea of cleansing power. It is likened to water because water cleanses, as Psalm 119:9 shows: "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word." Jesus adds in John 15:3, "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." Paul says in Ephesians 5:26, ". . . that He might sanctify and cleanse [the church] with the washing of water by the word." (anonymous)" Yesterday our Pastor spoke about the importance and power of prayer. In my personal opinion, prayer is what allows the water to flow. Prayer turns on the faucet, opens the valve, or makes way for the canal. Cleansing comes by the Spirit of God. Please take a moment to review the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.

Book: Psalms

Psalm writers: Did King David write all of the Psalms? No. He is, however, the most prolific writer of songs found in the Bible. David, who lived from 1040 to 970 B.C., wrote roughly 80 songs in this Biblical section. Other writers include Moses, Heman the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite, Solomon, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. Several of them do not come with any credit.

The original structure: No overt structure of the Psalms, other than numbering them, exists in almost all modern Bible translations. In the original Hebrew manuscripts, however, there are five major sections of the book. Section (or book) 1 contains Psalm 1 to 41, Section 2 has songs 42 to 72, Section 3 has songs 73 to 89, Section 4 contains songs 90 to 106 and Section 5 has 107 to 150

Overview: Understanding the overall characteristics of this section of the Bible can help us fully appreciate what they say and teach.
• The purpose of many of the songs is public worship in Israel's temple, although some are more suited for private devotion. They all, however, ultimately lead people to worship the true God.
• They were a part of Israel's daily life. The Bible records a number of times when the people spontaneously responded to God with a Psalm of praise.
• They passionately record a person's response to God given their situation and circumstances at the time. Some songs cry out to God during a trial and others seek his intervention in their (and others) affairs. Some focus on God's blessings or curses, while others sing his praises and thank him for what he has done.

(Psalms 51:1-7) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of your loyal love! Because of your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts! 2 Wash away my wrongdoing! Cleanse me of my sin! 3 For I am aware of my rebellious acts; I am forever conscious of my sin. 4 Against you- you above all - I have sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. So you are just when you confront me; you are right when you condemn me. 5 Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me. 6 Look, you desire integrity in the inner man; you want me to possess wisdom. 7 Sprinkle me with water and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Matthew Henry Commentary: Psalms 51:1-7 David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. Whither should backsliding children return, but to the Lord their God, who alone can heal them? he drew up, by Divine teaching, an account of the workings of his heart toward God. Those that truly repent of their sins will not be ashamed to own their repentance. Also, he instructs others what to do, and what to say. David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he flees to God's infinite mercy, and depends upon that alone for pardon and peace. He begs the pardon of sin. The blood of Christ, sprinkled upon the conscience, blots out the transgression, and, having reconciled us to God, reconciles us to ourselves. The believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; he would be thoroughly washed from all his sins; but the hypocrite always has some secret reserve, and would have some favorite lust spared. David had such a deep sense of his sin that he was continually thinking of it, with sorrow and shame. His sin was committed against God, whose truth we deny by wilful sin; with him we deal deceitfully. And the truly penitent will ever trace back the streams of actual sin to the fountain of original depravity. He confesses his original corruption. This is that foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child, that proneness to evil, and that backwardness to good, which is the burden of the regenerate, and the ruin of the unregenerate. He is encouraged, in his repentance, to hope that God would graciously accept him. Thou desirest truth in the inward part; to this God looks, in a returning sinner. Where there is truth, God will give wisdom. Those who sincerely endeavour to do their duty shall be taught their duty; but they will expect good only from Divine grace overcoming their corrupt nature.

Verses 7-15 Purge me with hyssop, with the blood of Christ applied to my soul by a lively faith, as the water of purification was sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop. The blood of Christ is called the blood of sprinkling, ( Hebrews 12:24 ) . If this blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin, cleanse us from our sin, then we shall be clean indeed, ( Hebrews 10:2 ) . He asks not to be comforted, till he is first cleansed; if sin, the bitter root of sorrow, be taken away, he can pray in faith, Let me have a well-grounded peace, of thy creating, so that the bones broken by convictions may rejoice, may be comforted. Hide thy face from my sins; blot out all mine iniquities out of thy book; blot them out, as a cloud is blotted out and dispelled by the beams of the sun. And the believer desires renewal to holiness as much as the joy of salvation. David now saw, more than ever, what an unclean heart he had, and sadly laments it; but he sees it is not in his own power to amend it, and therefore begs God would create in him a clean heart. When the sinner feels this change is necessary, and reads the promise of God to that purpose, he begins to ask it.

Book: John 3: 5-8

Author: The Apostle John

Time: Likely between AD 85 - 95

Purpose: Christianity.about.com, says "The Gospel of John was written to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. As an eyewitness to the love and power displayed in the miracles of Jesus , John gives us an up-close and personal look at Christ's identity. He shows us that Jesus, though fully God, came in the flesh to distinctly and accurately reveal God, and that Christ is the source of eternal life to all who believe in him."

(John 3:5-8) 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must all be born from above. 8 The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Matthew Henry Commentary: John 3:5-8 (Excerpt) Our Saviour spoke of the necessity and nature of regeneration or the new birth, and at once directed Nicodemus to the source of holiness of the heart. Birth is the beginning of life; to be born again, is to begin to live anew, as those who have lived much amiss, or to little purpose. We must have a new nature, new principles, new affections, new aims. By our first birth we were corrupt, shapen in sin; therefore we must be made new creatures. No stronger expression could have been chosen to signify a great and most remarkable change of state and character. We must be entirely different from what we were before, as that which begins to be at any time, is not, and cannot be the same with that which was before. This new birth is from heaven, ch. 1:13 , and its tendency is to heaven. It is a great change made in the heart of a sinner, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It means that something is done in us, and for us, which we cannot do for ourselves. Something is wrong, whereby such a life begins as shall last forever. We cannot otherwise expect any benefit by Christ; it is necessary to our happiness here and hereafter. What Christ speak, Nicodemus misunderstood, as if there had been no other way of regenerating and new-moulding an immortal soul, than by new-framing the body. But he acknowledged his ignorance, which shows a desire to be better informed. It is then further explained by the Lord Jesus. He shows the Author of this blessed change. It is not wrought by any wisdom or power of our own, but by the power of the blessed Spirit. We are shapen in iniquity, which makes it necessary that our nature be changed. We are not to marvel at this; for, when we consider the holiness of God, the depravity of our nature, and the happiness set before us, we shall not think it strange that so much stress is laid upon this. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water. It is also probable that Christ had reference to the ordinance of baptism. Not that all those, and those only, that are baptized, are saved; but without that new birth which is wrought by the Spirit, and signified by baptism, none shall be subjects of the kingdom of heaven. The same word signifies both the wind and the Spirit. The wind bloweth where it listeth for us; God directs it. The Spirit sends his influences where, and when, on whom, and in what measure and degree, he pleases.

(John 4:13-15)13 Jesus replied, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Matthew Henry Commentary: John 4:13-15 (excerpt) Christ asked a woman for water. She was surprised because he did not show the anger of his own nation against the Samaritans. Moderate men of all sides are men wondered at. Christ took the occasion to teach her Divine things: he converted this woman, by showing her ignorance and sinfulness, and her need of a Saviour. By this living water is meant the Spirit. Under this comparison the blessing of the Messiah had been promised in the Old Testament. The graces of the Spirit, and his comforts, satisfy the thirsting soul, that knows its own nature and necessity. What Jesus spake figuratively, she took literally. Christ shows that the water of Jacob's well yielded a very short satisfaction. Of whatever waters of comfort we drink, we shall thirst again. But whoever partakes of the Spirit of grace, and the comforts of the gospel, shall never want that which will abundantly satisfy his soul. Carnal hearts look no higher than carnal ends. Give it me, saith she, not that I may have everlasting life, which Christ proposed, but that I come not hither to draw. The carnal mind is very ingenious in shifting off convictions, and keeping them from fastening. But how closely our Lord Jesus brings home the conviction to her conscience! He severely reproved her present state of life.

I am not sure where you are with your relationship or even if you have one with Christ, but here is what I do know. You or someone you know is experiencing something difficult in life and are not sure where to turn. As I said before, if you do not see the corrosion in our society, from the breakdown in the schools, families, economy, national unity, the Church, you are in need of a revival.

Unfortunately, this has been going on for many years, the advent of social media, reality television, political correctness, and the assault on Christianity, has widened the gap. You may not agree with my thoughts, but what I can only say is that there is one sure way to address the problem you or the person you know is having, that is Jesus Christ. Consider this, if your most favorite clothing article was soiled, how would you clean it? If you want to grow your favorite plant, how would you keep it alive? Your body is made up of 98% of it, without water, you would die. If water is so important to us in every way, wouldn’t it be better to have the best and purest water? Try Christ, pure and never ending water!!! Have a blessed week.

For further study on Psalms see - http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/who-wrote-the-psalms.html

Is There Any Comparison

Greetings, 
In the middle of preparing my message for the week, I became somewhat compelled to do a little research on the activities that took place on the celebration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Unfortunately,  the one thing I expected to take place did. As I have tried to explain to many people, the social issues of today, have no comparison to the Civil Rights issues of the 60s.

Sexual orientation, the right to marry, and this belief that police are out to kill black people,  is not the same, nor accurate.  If you aren't paying attention to the crumbling society in which we live, you need a wake up call and quick.  Every society requires order, the moment you remove it, to allow for feel good economics and a fair share community; initiative and self responsibility are out the window.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/thousand-across-us-march-to-remember-king/2015/01/19/520b5870-a01c-11e4-b146-577832eafcb4_story.html?tid=HP_national?tid=HP_national

If you desire to see someone or a group of people who went through a time of trouble,  take a look at the background of Maggie Walker, http://www.nps.gov/mawa/index.htm. Consider her struggle. She and people of her day were stopped from progress. Just because you are hanging on a corner and the police stop you at 2 AM,  it is not always because you are black. Or, if you know that police consider a particular area a high crime area, and you feel the need to go there, what progress are they stopping you from? 

The biggest question I ask everyone,  if you are the smartest person in your group of friends, it's time to move on. Ask yourself (I did),  did you not fulfill your goals, complete high school, college,  or obtain a career because of your skin color?  Is God part of your life, have you considered how your life has been going without Him?

Acceptance, Rebirth, and Eternal Life, Why Do You (They) Doubt It?

Greetings everyone,
I hope that this week will be one of blessings, encouragement, relationship building and other great things provided by God. This message is as usual, developed over a series of questions and answer sessions with our Lord and Savior, my wife and children.  While considering the discussions and thoughts, I remembered something my wife said regarding her concern for humanity and how it appears that it is getting harder and harder to publicly profess the name of Christ. She mentioned how odd it was, that if you disagreed with immoral behavior, you are the evil one or one who is considered intolerant.  But, if you believe that it's ok for people to have the freedom to do whatever they please, no matter what the end affect, then you are the better person. I think the word today is called tolerance. It is amazing how speaking against abortion and sexual orientation is considered an abomination, but to criticize religion is freedom of speech. This message comes from the book of John. Consider the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus, how does this affect you?  Please take a moment to review the information and read the comments afterwards.

Book: John 3: 1-21

Author: The Apostle John

Time: Likely between  AD 85 - 95

Purpose of Writing: The Book of 1 John seems to be a summary that assumes the readers' knowledge of the gospel as written by John and offers certainty for their faith in Christ. The first epistle indicates that the readers were confronted with the error of gnosticism, which became a more serious problem in the second century. As a philosophy of religion it held that matter is evil and spirit is good. The solution to the tension between these two was knowledge, or gnosis, through which man rose from the mundane to the spiritual. In the gospel message, this led to two false theories concerning the person of Christ, Docetism—regarding the human Jesus as a ghost—and Cerinthianism—making Jesus a dual personality, at times human and at times divine. The key purpose of 1 John is to set boundaries on the content of faith and to give believers assurance of their salvation. (GotQuestions.Org)
 
Conversation with Nicodemus

1 Now a certain man, a Pharisee named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council, 2 came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mothers womb and be born a second time, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, a unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must all be born from above. 8 The wind blows wherever it will, and you hear the sound it makes, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered,  “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you dont understand these things? 11 I tell you the solemn truth, we speak about what we know and testify about what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you people about earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven - the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. 21 But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God.

Matthew Henry Commentary: John 3:1 - 21 Nicodemus was afraid, or ashamed to be seen with Christ, therefore came in the night. When religion is out of fashion, there are many Nicodemites. But though he came by night, Jesus bid him welcome, and hereby taught us to encourage good beginnings, although weak. And though now he came by night, yet afterward he owned Christ publicly. He did not talk with Christ about state affairs, though he was a ruler, but about the concerns of his own soul and its salvation, and went at once to them. Our Savior spoke of the necessity and nature of regeneration or the new birth, and at once directed Nicodemus to the source of holiness of the heart. Birth is the beginning of life; to be born again, is to begin to live anew, as those who have lived much amiss, or to little purpose. We must have a new nature, new principles, new affection, new aims. By our first birth we were corrupt, shapen in sin; therefore we must be made new creatures. No stronger expression could have been chosen to signify a great and most remarkable change of state and character. We must be entirely different from what we were before, as that which begins to be at any time, is not, and cannot be the same with that which was before. This new birth is from heaven, ch. 1:13, and its tendency is to heaven. It is a great change made in the heart of a sinner, by the power of the Holy Spirit. It means that something is done in us, and for us, which we cannot do for ourselves. Something is wrong, whereby such a life begins as shall last for ever. We cannot otherwise expect any benefit by Christ; it is necessary to our happiness here and hereafter. What Christ spoke, Nicodemus misunderstood, as if there had been no other way of regenerating and new- molding an immortal soul, than by new- framing the body.

But he acknowledged his ignorance, which shows a desire to be better informed. It is then further explained by the Lord Jesus. He shows the Author of this blessed change. It is not wrought by any wisdom or power of our own, but by the power of the blessed Spirit. We are shapen in iniquity, which makes it necessary that our nature be changed. We are not to marvel at this; for, when we consider the holiness of God, the depravity of our nature, and the happiness set before us, we shall not think it strange that so much stress is laid upon this. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water. It is also probable that Christ had reference to the ordinance of baptism. Not that all those, and those only, that are baptized, are saved; but without that new birth which is wrought by the Spirit, and signified by baptism, none shall be subjects of the kingdom of heaven. The same word signifies both the wind and the Spirit. The wind bloweth where it listeth for us; God directs it. The Spirit sends his influences where, and when, on whom, and in what measure and degree, he pleases.

Though the causes are hidden, the effects are plain, when the soul is brought to mourn for sin, and to breathe after Christ. Christ's stating of the doctrine and the necessity of regeneration, it should seem, made it not clearer to Nicodemus. Thus the things of the Spirit of God are foolishness to the natural man. Many think that cannot be proved, which they cannot believe. Christ's discourse of gospel truths, ver. 11- 13, shows the folly of those who make these things strange unto them; and it recommends us to search them out. Jesus Christ is every way able to reveal the will of God to us; for he came down from heaven, and yet is in heaven. We have here a notice of Christ's two distinct natures in one person, so that while he is the Son of man, yet he is in heaven. God is the "He that is," and heaven is the dwelling- place of his holiness. The knowledge of this must be from above, and can be received by faith alone. Jesus Christ came to save us by healing us, as the children of Israel, stung with fiery serpents, were cured and lived by looking up to the brazen serpent, Numbers 21:6- 9. In this observe the deadly and destructive nature of sin. Ask awakened consciences, ask damned sinners, they will tell you, that how charming soever the allurements of sin may be, at the last it bites like a serpent. See the powerful remedy against this fatal malady. Christ is plainly set forth to us in the gospel. He whom we offended is our Peace, and the way of applying for a cure is by believing. If any so far slight either their disease by sin, or the method of cure by Christ, as not to receive Christ upon his own terms, their ruin is upon their own heads. He has said, Look and be saved, look and live; lift up the eyes of your faith to Christ crucified. And until we have grace to do this, we shall not be cured, but still are wounded with the stings of Satan, and in a dying state. Jesus Christ came to save us by pardoning us, that we might not die by the sentence of the law. Here is gospel, good news indeed. Here is God's love in giving his Son for the world. God so loved the world; so really, so richly. Behold and wonder, that the great God should love such a worthless world! Here, also, is the great gospel duty, to believe in Jesus Christ. God having given him to be our Prophet, Priest, and King, we must give up ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. And here is the great gospel benefit, that whoever believes in Christ, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and so saving it. It could not be saved, but through him; there is no salvation in any other. From all this is shown the happiness of true believers; he that believeth in Christ is not condemned. Though he has been a great sinner, yet he is not dealt with according to what his sins deserve. How great is the sin of unbelievers! God sent One to save us, that was dearest to himself; and shall he not be dearest to us? How great is the misery of unbelievers! they are condemned already; which speaks a certain condemnation; a present condemnation. The wrath of God now fastens upon them; and their own hearts condemn them. There is also a condemnation grounded on their former guilt; they are open to the law for all their sins; because they are not by faith interested in the gospel pardon. (Note: There is more to this, but I shortened it, for this discussion.)

Okay, this is where I went to the Lord in prayer and asked for guidance.  While continuing my two-week study of Jesus Christ, I came across John 3: 1 - 21. This really made me feel sad that so many people are willing to forego eternal life with Christ, for what Dr. Charles Stanley calls "A good sensation for a season".  Think about it,  as much as you (or Atheist) fight the truth of God's existence,  consider the blessings afforded to you to be able to not believe. Remember Matthew 5:45 "so that you may be like a your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."  Of course, everyone may have a season of good times and pleasure, but at what cost. God will bless even the unbeliever, in order to get their attention.

The problem with this is that when the day of judgment arrives, Jesus will confront you.  Also remember, Phillipians 2:9-11 "9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,  10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  So at the end of the day, I figured the scriptures have been the same for more than 2000 years.  As much as we may dislike the dysfunction of the human race and those who believe scripture should change to meet the times, unfortunately we both have to  suffer. What I mean is that Christians have to put up with a population of people who aren't willing to accept Christ or change their ways. While they (unbelievers) have to deal with a God, who is the Alpha and the Omega.  He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Matthew 24:34-35 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away". Therefore, I pray that you chose today whom ye will whom serve, will it be God or man.  May God richly bless you

Reaching Out or a Stumbling Block

Greetings everyone,  

Well, this is a new year and God has a lot in store for us all. I am sure that many of you are or have or made your New Year's resolutions. I pray that building a, or increasing your relationship with Christ is first on your list.

Recently at dinner with my family, my oldest son brought up a discussion regarding what would you do if you lost one of your senses. I told him that I would be willing to give up my sight. When asked why, I said that because I know that when I get to heaven everything would be restored. He said that everyone would say that, but why would I really give up my sight?  I also told everyone that my other reason is because I could not give up the ability to feel the the touch of my wife (thier mother), her beautiful voice, the taste of her cooking, or the smell of her hair or perfume.  Her beautiful face would always be etched in my mind.  This forced me to consider the blessings afforded me by our Savior. It also called into question the process I have been using to put God's word across to each of you.  I will continue to say that we are in Era where we are in need of a Revival.  Many of us struggle daily with what appears to be a dramatic shift in morality, community  and political governance.

The hardest part of putting such information together, is trying to reach everyone where they are. How does someone who wants to share God's word find a way to tell a today's society that they need Christ.  It is easy to say to someone, "Allow God to work through you and He will give the words." The hard part is moving your humanity out of the way and letting Him use you.  Please read the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.

GotQuestions.Org:
Book: Mark 9:38-50

Author: Although the Gospel of Mark does not name its author, it is the unanimous testimony of early church fathers that Mark was the author. He was an associate of the Apostle Peter, and evidently his spiritual son (1 Peter 5:13). From Peter he received first-hand information of the events and teachings of the Lord, and preserved the information in written form.

It is generally agreed that Mark is the John Mark of the New Testament (Acts 12:12). His mother was a wealthy and prominent Christian in the Jerusalem church, and probably the church met in her home. Mark joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey, but not on the second because of a strong disagreement between the two men (Acts 15:37-38). However, near the end of Paul’s life he called for Mark to be with him (2 Timothy 4:11).

Date of Writing: The Gospel of Mark was likely one of the first books written in the New Testament, probably in A.D. 55-59.

Purpose of Writing: Whereas Matthew is written primarily to his fellow Jews, Mark’s gospel appears to be targeted to the Roman believers, particularly Gentiles. Mark wrote as a pastor to Christians who previously had heard and believed the Gospel (Romans 1:8). He desired that they have a biographical story of Jesus Christ as Servant of the Lord and Savior of the world in order to strengthen their faith in the face of severe persecution and to teach them what it meant to be His disciples.

OliveTree - Mobile App: (New English Translation)
On Jesus Side:
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, because no one who does a miracle in my name will be able soon afterward to say anything bad about me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For I tell you the truth, whoever gives you a cup of water because you bear Christs name will never lose his reward. 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone tied around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  47 If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out!  It is better to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies and the fire is never quenched. 49 Everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”

Matthew Henry Commentary: Mark 9:38-50 Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence men who have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ's name, because they follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles, reminding them that he who wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believe in the Savior, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we then see that the Lord works by the preacher.

Vs. 41- 50. It is repeatedly said of the wicked, Their worm dieth not, as well as, The fire is never quenched. Doubtless, remorse of conscience and keen self- reflection are this never- dying worm. Surely it is beyond compare better to undergo all possible pain, hardship, and self- denial here, and to be happy for ever hereafter, than to enjoy all kinds of worldly pleasure for a season, and to be miserable for ever. Like the sacrifices, we must be salted with salt; our corrupt affection must be subdued and mortified by the Holy Spirit. Those that have the salt of grace, must show they have a living principle of grace in their hearts, which works out corrupt dispositions in the soul that would offend God, or our own consciences.

Nelson ' s New Testament Survey: Mark 9:38 - 50 "... Fellowship is based on one's attitude towards Jesus Christ rather than the personal styles or philosophies of ministry  among those who would seek to serve Him.  All service done in the name of the Lord and for the glory of God  will be rewarded." "Jesus then warned about causing "little ones" to sin.  Physical death is to be preferred to the discipline or judgement of Jesus will execute on the offenders.  Any stimulus that could cause offense should be removed.  Those who cause stumbling blocks are unbelievers who will suffer eternal judgement in hell.  Jesus used such expressions as "where the fire never goes out," "their worm does not die," and "the fire is not quenched " to speak about the punishment and permanence of hell.  While some may not think he'll is real, Jesus certainly did."  

Let's consider a few things; do we understand what stumbling blocks we put before others?  In a society where Christ is being removed from everything or if you are a believer, you are ostracized, marginalized, and or criticized.  People treat Christians today worse than many dictators; heck in some cities, animals have more rights than Christians. To you this may seem a little drastic in what I am saying, but consider that a Satanic Temple Unveils Design For 7-foot Statue In Oklahoma(http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4551499); or Satanists Win the Right to Place ‘Grossly Offensive’ Holiday Display Next to the Nativity Inside Florida’s Capitol(http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/12/03/satanists-win-the-right-to-place-grossly-offensive-holiday-display-next-to-the-nativity-inside-floridas-capitol/). Obviously, this is minimal compared to the numerous articles I can find regarding, no prayer in school, kids in elementary schools who are requesting use of opposite sex bathrooms because at the age of 5 -12, they believe that they are in the wrong body. If you don't see this as an issue, what can I do to let God use me reach you or others? Many of us have put on blinders because we are worried about how we fit in or how they way we believe may affect those around us. I can only pray, that somehow or some way, you are open to what Christ has to offer you.  If what I have said or done prohibits you from accepting Christ or I am a stumbling block to anything that would even introduce you to Him, then I humbly apologize and pray that God has another way you.

God bless and Happy New Year.