For those who question the existence of God, or scoff at Christianity, or faith in God.
Archive for the ‘universal’ Category
What If I’m Wrong?
Posted: February 26, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, universalTags: agnosticism, atheism, death, destiny, disease, doubt, existence, faith, God, hope, Jesus, love, reality, Salvation, sickness, sin, Truth
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Run For Your Life!
Posted: February 25, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, universalTags: death, demons, evil ones, false prophets, false teachers, Father, God, God's Word, Holy Spirit, Run for your life, sickness, sin, Son, table, Truth
“Behold, you trust for yourself on lying words without being of use. Will you steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense to Baal, and walk after other gods whom you do not know? And will you then come and stand before Me in this house on which My name is called, and say, We are delivered in order to do all those detestable things. Has this house on which My name is called become a den of violent ones in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen, declares Jehovah.” ~ Jeremiah 7:8-11
The Power of the Holy Ghost
Posted: February 19, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, universalTags: boldness, filled, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, power, Preaching, repent, repentance, Salvation, witnesses
Those who were headed for the Upper Room loved Jesus dearly. They were compassionate, self-sacrificing, soul-loving. But they were not yet qualified to be His witnesses. It takes more than a love for Jesus and a compassion for souls to qualify you as His witness.
They had been taught in the school of Christ. They had healed the sick, cast out demons, and performed miracles. They had seen Jesus clothed in His eternal glory on the Mount.
They had been nearby when He sweat drops of blood as He prayed and then they had seen Him hanging on the cross. They had seen Him resurrected, viewed the empty tomb, eaten with Him, and talked with Him in His glorified body. They had even seen Him ascend into heaven! Yet they still were not ready to witness of Him.
Why couldn´t Peter go to those milling crowds in Jerusalem and immediately testify to His resurrection? Hadn´t he witnessed that event firsthand? It seems he could have preached, “Jesus is alive! He ascended into heaven! Repent!”
Peter makes a powerful statement to the chief priests: “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit,whom God hath given to them that obey him” (Acts 5:32).
Through the words of the Holy Spirit speaking through Peter, the priests “were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them” (Acts 5:33). The Holy Spirit also had spoken through Peter on the day of Pentecost, and all who heard “were pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37).
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached to the religious leaders: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. . . . When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth” (Acts 7:51, 54).
When you emerge from seeking God, full of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to stand with boldness before fellow workers, family, anyone, and your witness will provoke one of two reactions. They will either cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” or they will want to kill you! You will speak a word that cuts to the heart. The difference is found in the power of the Holy Spirit.
~ David Wilkerson
© 2013 World Challenge – a registered trademark of David Wilkerson
Living A Transformed Life In Jesus Christ
Posted: February 11, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, The Story, universalTags: calling, election, faith, God, godliness, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, life, love, purification, repentance, sin, transformation
“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness ofour God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble…” ~ 2 Peter 1:1-10
If your spiritual life is concentrated only on external practices and traditions, but does nothing to bring about real change, you have gained nothing. Too many people think as long as they keep the fasting rules, do their prayers, and attend the services, they are “good” Christians. Yet if there is no love, no charity, and forgiveness of others, and your life is filled with gossip and judgement, your Christian faith is worth nothing.
Christ condemned the Pharisees not because they kept the law and attended to the traditions of the Jewish faith, but because they did so while filled with pride and arrogance. Without sincere repentance and holiness of life, their encounter with God led to an emptiness of heart.
Because our Christian faith, regardless of it’s expression, is one of tradition and liturgical structure, it is easy to fall into the trap of being nothing more than a Pharisee. Being strict in one’s observance of your “Christian” practices can easily lead to pride and arrogance. If you find yourself feeling better than others and proud of your piety, you have gained absolutely nothing. The external practice of the Christian faith without love, heartfelt humility and repentance leads down the road of spiritual ruin.
The Church is the hospital of the soul, but healing can only come if we can recognize our own need for healing. If your doctor prescribes a medication for your condition but you fail to follow your doctor’s orders, you will not get well. Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross has provided all that you need for spiritual transformation, but healing only comes if you repent of your sins, and place your faith and trust in Him. This begins the healing process.
The goal is holiness (the righteousness of God in Christ) and is the direct result of our having submitted in all humility to a life of repentance. When you do this Christ changes you through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you simply go through the motions of your Christian faith, you are no better off than the Pharisees whom Christ condemned.
Alone
Posted: February 10, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, The Story, universalTags: aching, alone, envy, fight, frustrations, hurt, lost, pain, sleep
Why am I alone tonight?
Lying here, awake I fight
To sleep away frustrations plight
My body aches at times I turn
To find position most nocturne
For me to relax and be done
With the days tribulations run
To sleep away my frustration
To give up and dream vacation
It all will end with mornings light
Still alone, still I fight.
~ by Gary DeSha
“Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity—it is an unhappy business!” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:8
The Greatest Story Ever!
Posted: February 1, 2013 in Biblical, Books, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, The Story, universalTags: Bible Word of God, creation, God, Holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Lord, Salvation, Son of God, The Fall, The Rescue, The Restoration, The Story
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ “THE STORY.”
So, how does The Story answer worldview questions?
1) Creation answers, “How did everything begin?”
2) The Fall (of Mankind) answers, “What went wrong?”
3) The Rescue (of Mankind) answers, “Is there any hope?”
4) The Restoration answers, “What will the future hold?”
The Story is a beautiful, powerful, yet simple explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ using 4 major themes found in the Bible: Creation. The Fall. The Rescue. The Restoration. The Christian worldview is clearly communicated to those who are interested in what Christians believe and also provides an understanding of how to become a Christian through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
What Will You Have Me To Do?
Posted: January 12, 2013 in catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, universalTags: bondage, burden, deliverance, freedom, God, Holiness, repentance, righteousness, safety, Salvation, security, sin
No one but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty comes from Him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has the right to make men free. We saints of God, honor the justice of God, which now secures our salvation. Your liberty is dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by His power, but He bought it by His blood. He makes you free, but it is by His own bonds. You go clear, because He bore your burden for you: you are set at liberty, because He has suffered in your place.
Nevertheless, though dearly purchased, He freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us to put on the beautiful array of freedom; He saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit. When Jesus sets us free, that liberty is forever; no chains can bind again.
Let the Master say to me, “Captive, I have delivered you,” and it is done; forever. Satan may plot to enslave you, but if the Lord is on your side, whom shall you fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare you, but mightier is He who is for you than all they who bet against you. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but He who hath begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end.
The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but if God forgives us, who is he that can condemn us? How free is the eagle that mounts to his rocky mountain ledge, and afterwards soars above the clouds, than the soul that Christ has delivered? If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight.
“I am Your servant, and the son of Your handmaid: You have loosed my bonds.” “Lord, what will You have me to do?”
“Everything is Truly in God’s Hands”
Posted: January 12, 2013 in Biblical, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, Scriptural, universalTags: adversity, change, creation, death, Father, God, Holy Spirit, life, love, predestination, providence, Son, stress, tragedy, worship
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Job 1:20-22
1. When Adversity comes to us:
a. How do we react?
b. What do we do?
2. The Heidelberg Catechism asks in question 28: “What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by his providence does still uphold all things?”
Answer: “That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and that in all things, which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.”
3. Acts 17:23-31 says, “For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”
4. If we have the spiritual knowledge of God’s sovereign providence that enables us to be thankful when things are well or if adversity befalls us, we will know this, not because of the pain in and of itself, but because we know the Lord is working in it for His glory and our good.
Romans 8:28-30 declares, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
How many times have you asked why? Is there something missing in your life? Does the guilt of your sinful behavior weigh mightily upon you? Would you like to experience God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness? Jesus said I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10b The Bible says to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Here is how:
5. We must Repent – It is a command
6. We must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ – this is how we obtain eternal life
7. Why?
a. We are sinners – we are born that way
b. We are due punishment for our sin – “for the wages of sin is death.”
c. We face inevitable judgment – because of our disobedience
7. There is hope! God, through His Son, Jesus Christ is calling you today; completely trust Him with the life He gave to you. Repent, that is, turn away from your sin and unbelief, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ with all of your heart….and you shall be saved.
Rest assured, everything IS in God’s hands!
The Story of Jesus Christ
Posted: January 7, 2013 in Books, catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, universalTags: atheist, belief, believer, Christian, doubt, faith, God, Gospel, Holy, Jesus Christ, Justification, Lord, message, Messiah, redemption, repentance, Salvation, Savior, sin
The Story is a beautiful, powerful, yet simple explanation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ using 4 major themes found in the Bible: Creation. The Fall. The Rescue. The Restoration. The Christian worldview is clearly communicated to those who are interested in what Christians believe and also provides an understanding of how to become a Christian through faith in the Gospel.
So, how does The Story answer worldview questions?
1) Creation answers, “How did everything begin?”
2) The Fall (of Mankind) answers, “What went wrong?”
3) The Rescue (of Mankind) answers, “Is there any hope?”
4) The Restoration answers, “What will the future hold?”
Enjoy!
CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO READ “THE STORY.”
GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
The Gospel (Good News)
Posted: January 1, 2013 in catholic, Charismatic, Christian, Church, Evangelical, Liturgical, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Reformed, Renaissance, Repentance, Sacramental, universalTags: Good News, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Justification, redemption, Salvation, Sanctification
The Gospel is: εὐαγγέλιον – euaggelion; a reward for good tidings; the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of this kingdom. After the death of Christ, the term Gospel comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God; the glad tidings of salvation through Jesus Christ; the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Jesus Christ; as the Messianic rank of Jesus was proved by His words, His deeds, and His death, the narrative of the sayings, deeds, and death of Jesus Christ came to be called the Gospel or glad tidings.
The Gospel shall be proclaimed in all the inhabited world!
The Gospel must be preached, to the Jews; even to all, without any distinction of people, Jews and Gentiles, Barbarians, Scythians, bond and free, male and female, rich and poor, greater or lesser sinners, even to all mankind; than which, nothing was more provoking to the Jews; who would, if they could, have revoked and made null this commission of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the word of peace and reconciliation, by His atoning sacrifice; the doctrine of free and full pardon by His blood; and of justification by His righteousness; and of complete salvation by Him: even every doctrine relating to His person, as God and man; to every office of His, as prophet, priest, and king; to His incarnation, sufferings, and death, His resurrection, ascension, session at the right hand of God, and intercession for His people, and second coming to judgment; with every doctrine relating to the grace of God, of the Father in election, and the covenant of peace, of the Son in redemption, and of the Spirit in regeneration and sanctification: all which he must be published and declared in the most free, plain, and open manner, with all boldness, faithfulness, and constancy!
“Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the Gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:
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…” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
In The Hands of the Refiner 