Christ died to Save All, not just a select few

A good friend of mine said the following: "There is not a persons eyes, that I have looked into, that Jesus did not die for."

So what's this mean when it comes to the belief of predestination? For myself, I truly do not believe that before we were born, some of us were predestined to accept Jesus and have eternal life, while the rest were not. If this was the case, why are we expected to go out into the world and preach the gospel message? Why have we been given the gift of free will to except Jesus? Why did Jesus die on the cross for us if God has already chosen who will be saved and who will be lost? Why do the scriptures state that Christ died for all? Why did God use Paul, the worst of sinners, as an example that if Paul could be saved then any one of us can also be saved? No, for me, predestination in regards to our salvation does not line up with what is outlined within the Scriptures. However, I do believe we all have been given a special gift from God that we are expected to use to help spread the Good News and serve the Lord. It's when we except Christ as our Savior that this gift we carry truly begins to flourish in our lives and the lives of those around us. 

1 Corinthians, Chapter 12: 27-31
(New Living Translation) 

²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. ²⁸ Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church:

first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who have the gift of leadership,
those who speak in unknown languages.

²⁹ Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? ³⁰ Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! ³¹ So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.

But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

2 Corinthians, Chapter 5: 14-21
(The Message)

^14-15 Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.
^16-20 Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.
²¹ How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

Mark, Chapter 16: 15-16
(The Message)

Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned.
 
Just a thought. What's yours?
God Bless

"What's your thoughts on Baptism?"

I have a good friend who asked me the following question: "What's your thoughts on Baptism?"

Well to start, ... I believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior. That He came into this world to be a living sacrifice and provide us heavenly salvation and forgiveness for our sins. Jesus, who was without sin, went to the cross, taking on our sin, was crucified and put to death. Jesus died, but three days later was raised from the dead and is now seated in heaven with God the Father.

So then ... How can we be saved?
**Mark 16: 15-16:  He (Jesus) said to them (disciples), “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

I believe scripture outlines that we first need to hear the gospel message of Jesus and everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of their sins through His name. We need to proclaim it to be true, and we need to repent and be baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through our individual faith in Jesus Christ that we receive our salvation.

As I read the scriptures, I find the topic of baptism continually comes back to it being an individuals own decision. It's not one that can be made by a parent on behalf of a child. Nor by the head of the house on behalf of his/her own household. Nor is the fact that one member of a family or household believes any guarantee that the rest of the family or household will also believe. In fact, Jesus himself states that the bible will cause household division. **Matthew 10:34-36 reads: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.' "

This brings me to household and infant baptism. When it comes to the belief in household and/or infant baptism, I have found there are three main passages of scripture that are often used as a reference for this:

The conversion of Lydia and her household (Acts 16: 13-15)
¹³ On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

The conversion the Jailer and his household (Acts 16: 25-34)
²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. ³⁴ The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Salvation through marriage with a believing spouse (1 Corinthians 7: 12-16)
¹² ... If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. ¹⁶ How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Response
Again, as I read these passages, they continue to confirm for me that salvation is an individual decision. One that is made after hearing the gospel message. With the household, it only takes one member to hear the message, to believe it, and to take to the rest of the household to hear.

-- Lydia and her household were in a place to hear the gospel message from Paul. After which, Lydia and the members of her household were baptized. It wasn't until after she and her household were baptized that Lydia invited Paul and his companions to come and stay at her home.

-- Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to the jailer and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 

-- A member of the family can hear the word of the Lord and believe. This will most definitely help increase the chances that all the members of that family will at some point hear the gospel message, but it in no way guarantees that the rest of the members of that family will believe and be saved.

Conclusion
I do not know whether or not salvation can be reached through infant or household baptism. I can only speak for myself. I was raised in a Catholic home. I was baptized as an infant, and as a child I heard/was taught the gospel message and I believed it. However, as a young adult, as part of a bible study, I studied the scriptures and they outlined to me that salvation is an individual decision made by a person after they have heard the gospel message for themselves. Because my baptism took place when I was an infant, before I could hear the gospel message for myself, and before I could make the decision to believe and be baptized for myself ... I decided I would be baptized again as an adult, for I have heard the gospel message, and I do believe it, ... I did not want to have a grey area in regards to my salvation. It's a decision I cherish every single day!

So that's my thoughts on Baptism.
God Bless

Falling Away & Repentance

Here is a topic we discussed at Bible Study Sunday night ...
Can an immersed believer (baptized) who has fallen away (turning their back on God) be brought back to repentance?

Here is a piece of scripture I feel answers that question:
-----------------------------------
Hebrews 6: 4-6

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
-----------------------------------

For me, I think the key to the text is where the person is in their walk with the Lord before they "fall away" .... to have been enlightened, have shared in the Holy Spirit and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ... wouldn't that person have to have reached repentance but for some reason at some point decided to turn against God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? According to this scripture, it's impossible to be brought back to repentance.

Sure glad I'm not the one to decide & I never want to be that person who has 'fallen away'!

The Lord's Grace to Paul --- Is also The Lord's Grace to us!

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy, Chapter 1: Verse 12-17)

I like this portion of text. It's so simple to understand.

1) Christ came to save us from the our sins. To be an example of how we are to live. And to teach & spread the gospels.

2) All we have to do is accept the grace of the Lord, trust in him, believe in him and turn our lives over to Christ and be baptized in his name. We too are to be an example of how to live. We too are to teach & spread the gospels so the lost can be saved. We are also to show mercy and display unlimited patience.

I am very much trying to do all of the above but find that I come up short on a daily bases. Thank goodness Our Lord and God are so patient!

What's your thoughts on this piece of scripture?

My King ... I wonder --- Do You Know Him? (Original Style)

Speech by DR. S.M Lockridge

I have a Dream!!!

I have a dream and it's one that I like to think is realistic. As I find myself becoming more and more committed in my walk with Christ, I continually find I'm asking myself ... "Am I doing all I can do to serve God, to serve Christ, to serve the leadership in my church ... to serve my fellow congregational members ... to serve those who have not yet excepted Christ as their personal savior???"And the answer is usually the same ... "Harley, no you're not ... but don't be to hard on yourself because you are getting better at it. You are doing more. You just need to continue to grow. Grow both in your faith and in your service to God."

You see. I never would have asked myself that question before. I would have asked myself ... "What is my church doing for me? What is God doing for me? Am I getting anything out of this?" but that's not how it works. God has a plan for us. All of us. The difference is, if we do for God, in his name, God will do for us... but if we continue to focus on what's in it for us? ... Well ... If we're having to ask that question than chances are we are not doing ... and if we're not doing ... than we are missing out.

My Dream is this, as we walk with Christ and hold the hand of God ... that we stop asking what's in it for us ... because we already know ... Salvation is our reward ... forgiveness for our sins is what in it for us ... I dream that we start asking "Am I doing enough Lord? ... what more can I do to serve in your name? ... to serve you? ... to serve the family of God!"

Run To The One Who Loves Us

I find myself thinking about my four year old daughter and how she reacts when she gets caught doing something she is not supposed to be doing. It's usually very cute but of course you can't tell her that. She get this look of "Oh No ... " on her face ... then there is a pause to think ... then she pretends to either be doing something else or that what she's doing is no big deal ... but when she gets to the point that she knows she's in trouble and not going to get out of it ... she then walks over to me with her head down and lip quivering. I pick her up and she puts her face into my neck/shoulder region and just starts howling.

Funny when you think about it. She has just gotten caught. She's scared that she is going to be in trouble. First thought is to pretend it's no big deal ... and then when that doesn't work, instead of running for her life, she actual goes to the one who is about to punish her to find comfort!

Do we do the same thing when it comes to our relationship with God, or with his son Jesus. How often do we find ourselves doing something that we know to be wrong, and after we have done it our guilt factor starts kicking in. It's at this point we know that God has walked into the room, ready to punish us. Now it's decision time. Do we turn to God, to Jesus, and confess our sin and ask for forgiveness we know we don't deserve ... or ... do we pretend our sin is no big deal and move on. Do we find ourselves placing a level or degree on our sin ... justifying it by saying to ourselves .... "Well it's not like I did This or That"... Whatever way you look at it ... Sin is Sin. We can't pick and choose which parts of our sin is big enough to ask for forgiveness and which ones really aren't that big a deal.

We are human and we are going to sin. But can you imagine how much better life would be if we truly started acting like children of God. The Bible clearly points out what is right and wrong in the eyes of God our Father. If we worked harder at listening and studying the word of God, wouldn't our lives be that much better? Wouldn't we have much more clarity in regards to our actions or habits? In regards to which ones are right and which are wrong. Imagine if our relationship with God was strong enough that when we do have our weak moments in life, we are strong enough to lower our heads, turn to God, with our lower lip quivering and ask Jesus to forgive us. Imagine if we could get ourselves to the point that we are continually trying to remove all the sin from our lives ... that the next time we are faced with an opportunity to put someone down, we don't, instead we build them up. The next time we find ourselves wanting another drink when we have already had enough, we don't take that drink. The next time we're at the store and the clerk gives us back to much change by accident, we go back and return the difference rather then putting it in our pocket. This is where it starts. If we make the right decisions on the little things, it's only going to help us make the right decisions on the big things.

Well ... just a thought!

TEMPER .... Quick or Slow???

(Titus, Chapter 2:Verses 1-15)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Where do you stand on this ... do you blow your top ... or are you able to remain calm in the realm of anger? This is something that I seem to continually have trouble with. Despite what some might think, I have a hard time keeping an even keel. I have things that get on my nerves. I try to deal with them at once while I'm still under control. Then, either something else happens to test my patience or the original annoyance continues because my request has been ignored. At this point I find myself being pushed to the brink ... I try to calm down but then something I really really don't want to hear at that point is said and I loose it. What happens, I usually end up making foolish, unrealistic threats that allow those around me to know that I'm upset ... but these threats make it hard for them to take what I'm saying serious. By now you probably know that I'm talking about dealing with teenagers.

I read the above section of scripture this morning and it hit home to me. I spend way to much time giving out warns of what I want and mean and much less time leading by example. If I want my kids to grow up to be obedient, ready to do good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward those around them ... then I need to be doing this myself. I need to act like this towards them and to everyone around me. I need to be more self-controlled so that I can teach self-control. In everything I do, I need to set the example by doing what is good. In my teaching I need to show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned (or ignored). If I can lead by this example, then those who oppose me shall feel ashamed because they will have nothing bad to say about me or my actions.

I also have to remember, when I get to that boiling point and feel that it's time to explode ... rather then blow, I need to stop and pray to God ... pray that he help me get my bearings ... and them calmly address the situation. Try this ... I think you will be amazed at what happens!!!

Through your faith in God, all things are possible!!! Amen.

John 3:16

(John, Chapter 3:Verse 16)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Perhaps one of the most recognized verses from the bible ... and probably one of the most taken for granted. It's one that a lot of people recognize NOT because it's the very words of Jesus Christ, or because of it's message ... but rather because of it's biblical location ... John 3:16. For those of us who have come to know Jesus as our Saviour .... we truly believe this ... we know it's true. This is the base of our spiritual faith.

However, our church recently celebrated it's 40th anniversary and as a result we had a special weekend full of music, fellowship, fun and more importantly the sharing of the message to those already in the church and to those who are still searching. There was a theme in the message that was preached ...

Those in the church must remember we are not better than those who are not. We must remember that our purpose is to help save the lost ... we need to go out of our way to make those who are searching feel welcome and at home ... like a lost child who has finally found his way back home to his parents .

and for those who have not yet found Christ, for those who are searching for something more, something better, for those who are skeptical ... please know that you do not have to be perfect to attend church ... or to get to know Jesus. You don't have to get your life all straightened up before you can start attending. For only one man has ever been perfect, Jesus himself. We all have our problems. We all have excess baggage. We all have sinned. But with the help of God, Jesus Christ and fellowship with other Christians ... we can start to release some of that baggage, be forgiven for our sin and find a place where people care for each other. We spend enough time condemning ourselves ... we spend enough time being put down by those living for the world ... it's time to know that there is another way ... a better way!!!
John 3:17
(John, Chapter 3:Verse 17)
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Old School Direction

Today I found myself flipping through my bible looking for direction in patience. Not only did I find direction for it ... I found direction for all the areas of my live within the passage below. I also found that I have a tendency to get so caught up in looking for guidance from the New Testament that I forget that the Old Testament has a lot of good ol' direction as well.
(Proverbs, Chapter 19)
Better a poor man whose walk is blameless
than a fool whose lips are perverse.

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way.

A man's own folly ruins his life,
yet his heart rages against the LORD.

Wealth brings many friends,
but a poor man's friend deserts him.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will not go free.

Many curry favor with a ruler,
and everyone is the friend of a man who gives gifts.

A poor man is shunned by all his relatives—
how much more do his friends avoid him!
Though he pursues them with pleading,
they are nowhere to be found.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
he who cherishes understanding prospers.

A false witness will not go unpunished,
and he who pours out lies will perish.

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—
how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!

A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

A king's rage is like the roar of a lion,
but his favor is like dew on the grass.

A foolish son is his father's ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Laziness brings on deep sleep,
and the shiftless man goes hungry.

He who obeys instructions guards his life,
but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward him for what he has done.

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.

A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Listen to advice and accept instruction,
and in the end you will be wise.

Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

What a man desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar.

The fear of the LORD leads to life:
Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;
rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

He who robs his father and drives out his mother
is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

A corrupt witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools.

WOW ... How's that for direction? ... This is a passage that definitely makes you think. One that makes you evaluate how you live and who you live for! How can anyone ready this and not see that God has written it for our purpose? How can anyone read a passage like this and not want to find out more? How can we read this passage and still put ourselves first? I definitely needed this wake up call. Thanks God. You always know what to say WHEN I finally ask!!!

WWJD ... What Would Jesus Do???

I have had something heavy on my heart lately. Not heavy in a stressful way, but heavy in the way that I have something to say but I'm not just sure of the correct way to say it. You see my step-son made a comment the other day and I wasn't fully ready for how I should respond. He told us he was interested in joining the army so he could serve and protect our freedom. He wants to protect us from the Taliban and such. He wants to introduce people to Jesus. However, for those who are willing to fight us, persecute us and kill us for being Christians ... for those people the bible says put them to the sword.

This got me thinking. Right away I wanted to say ... but that was the Old Testament ... The New Testament is all about winning people for Jesus. Aren't we to feel blessed if we are persecuted for being followers of Jesus. Earth is not freedom ... Eternal Life in Heaven ... that's our true freedom. Shouldn't we be willing to try and introduce our enemies to Christ, even if it means we run the risk of being persecuted and even put to death! Wouldn't God want us to try and save the lost rather than rushing them off to Hell. What would Jesus do???

What did Jesus do?
(Matthew 26: 47-55)
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.

Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled."
(Matthew 5: 38-42)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
(Matthew 5: 43-48)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

What did Peter do? Stephen? ... What about Paul? Paul (Saul ... the very man who wanted all Christians to be persecuted and killed) the worst of Sinners saved buy Jesus so that he could be used to save the lost ... so that he would personally see how much we must suffer for the name of Jesus:
(Acts 9: 15-16)
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
Don't you think we are called to persevere ... and leave the judgment of death up to God and his Son, Jesus?
(Jude 1:17-23)
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

God Bless!

Are You an Encourager?

I have noticed this and had to deal with this more often lately. We have individuals within our congregations and the Christian community that try to build you up by pointing out what you are doing wrong. Now this is not always a bad thing ... but it can be if this is all these people ever do ... if they are constantly pointing out the negative and never giving any positive encouragement ... never pointing out what you are or have done well. I truly feel that some of these people do not even know how damaging they are being... rather they think they are being very helpful ... while others seem as if they are getting some joy out of it. However, the people around them, especially those who see them quite often can find themselves becoming discouraged, frustrated and just down right bummed out because they start to feel that no matter what they do they can never do it good enough! Do you know anybody who is like this? ... Are you one of these people? ... Am I?

As a Church and as Christians I feel it is more important that we spend our time building each other up with positive words, encouraging words, words that edify rather than breakdown. We are all human, we all make mistakes, we all sin, we all have our faults ... and I bet most of us know what these are without having to have them pointed out to us each and every week/day. I for one am going to try and make it a point to use words of encouragement in my conversations rather than words of negativity ... I challenge you all to do the same!
(Ephesians, Chapter 4:Verses 1-32)
Unity in the Body of Christ
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."
(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Living as Children of Light
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In Vain? ... or ... In Christ?

(1 Corinthians, Chapter 15:Verses 1-11)
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.
(1 Peter, Chapter 2:Verses 4-12)
As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.
But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone," and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the message—
which is also what they were destined for.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

POINTS BY PETER & PAUL:
a) We are nothing without God.
b) Christ is the Cornerstone for those who believe & a stumbling block for those who don't or whose faith is weak.
c) Through the scriptures we are built up.
d) Through Christ we are saved --- Ours sins forgiven.
e) Hold firm to the Scriptures, Live by the Word and live in Christ!

HARLEY'S THOUGHTS:
When we are baptized, we are baptized in Christ because of our faith in him --- not because we want to please man --- otherwise our baptism is in vain.

When we live our lives, we are to live a life of faith by the example put forth for us in the scriptures. We are to live a life pleasing to God, pleasing to Christ. If we are living our lives to please man, we are living our lives and faith in vain.

Today I challenge you to look at yourself, your faith, your life and truly ask yourself --- ask yourself if you are living a life that is pleasing to God ... pleasing to Christ ... worthy of the sacrifice Christ made for us ... worthy of being saved?

Congratulations Charity!!!

This is a proud day for Meredith and I. This is Charity, our oldest daughter, and she is graduating from Grade 12 today... I'm so proud of her ... way to go Charity ... I love you ... and I know that God has big plans for you. Follow your dreams, be confident, trust your heart, keep God close and always remember that your Mom & I are always there for you!

Love always,
Your Step-Dad

Who Are You???

Written so long ago ... yet we (the world) still struggle with putting our Trust and Faith in God.
(Psalm 115)
Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.

Why do the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold,
made by the hands of men.

They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see;

they have ears, but cannot hear,
noses, but they cannot smell;

they have hands, but cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them,
and so will all who trust in them.

O house of Israel, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

You who fear him, trust in the LORD—
he is their help and shield.

The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron,

he will bless those who fear the LORD—
small and great alike.

May the LORD make you increase,
both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the LORD,
but the earth he has given to man.

It is not the dead who praise the LORD,
those who go down to silence;

it is we who extol the LORD,
both now and forevermore.
Praise the LORD.

When you read this Psalm ... can you honestly say that you are a "God Fearing Christian" or are you a "Lover of The World"? ... Do you ask "Where is my God?" or do you already know? ... Do you completely trust in the Lord ... or do you just go through the motions of being a Christian? ... When others look at you ... do they see God in your reflection or just the shadow of man? We all extol something ... but is it the Lord or the World?