Saturday 21 April 2012
No Other Way
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Repentance Matters
2 Corinthians 7:2-16
vs 10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
Repentance is a very crucial part of the Christian life. In fact it is important to get into a lifestyle of repentance. Inevitably we will all sin, because nobody is perfect; which is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live a life that pleases GOD without Him (His power working in us). For the Christian living a holy life is the 'rule' and sin is the 'exception'. However, when we do sin we must show remorse and this is demonstrated through repentance and true repentance is demonstrated through change. In simple terms: to make a U-turn. To turn around and change direction. To no longer follow in the pattern of your former lifestyle. To be so astranged from it that people will hardly recognize you. Jesus Christ does that to you (Romans 6). But first we must confess our sins (1 John 1:9-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) and admit that we need Him. And this requires being humble. (1 Peter 5:6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
When we do this He will lift us up. He will elevate us; promote us to higher standard of living. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, 2 Corinthian 4:16 ) Whenever we sin we must be truly sorry for what we have done: bearing in mind that GOD knows our thoughts. If our sorrow is genuine it will lead to change and the rest is history.
Poem
vs 10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
Repentance is a very crucial part of the Christian life. In fact it is important to get into a lifestyle of repentance. Inevitably we will all sin, because nobody is perfect; which is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live a life that pleases GOD without Him (His power working in us). For the Christian living a holy life is the 'rule' and sin is the 'exception'. However, when we do sin we must show remorse and this is demonstrated through repentance and true repentance is demonstrated through change. In simple terms: to make a U-turn. To turn around and change direction. To no longer follow in the pattern of your former lifestyle. To be so astranged from it that people will hardly recognize you. Jesus Christ does that to you (Romans 6). But first we must confess our sins (1 John 1:9-If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) and admit that we need Him. And this requires being humble. (1 Peter 5:6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
When we do this He will lift us up. He will elevate us; promote us to higher standard of living. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, 2 Corinthian 4:16 ) Whenever we sin we must be truly sorry for what we have done: bearing in mind that GOD knows our thoughts. If our sorrow is genuine it will lead to change and the rest is history.
Poem
Father GOD we give you now
Every action, thought and word
In complete submission we
Will let Your voice be clearly heard.
Govern our thinking, our lives, our heart
Let a precious fire start
Burning in our hearts within
Notifiying us of sin.
Tuesday 10 April 2012
Committed: Come rain or shine
One time I was in Watford walking down the high street and I saw a man running in the cold. It was truly cold weather. I was cold. And he had on shorts and t-shirt in the cold weather! He obviously had a commitment whatever the weather. He was clearly dedicated to what he had set out to do. Christ calls us to be this way. He expects us to be commited to Him and in all areas of our lives. When the world says: "What's the point?" We say: "I have a Saviour who loves me. He died for me and I will live for Him." Sometimes that is what following Christ is like. You will do things that will make you seem crazy or people will question you but if you’re truly committed to Him, if you have made a commitment then it won’t make any difference whatsoever.
Poem
No matter how difficult it may be
Take up your cross and follow Me
Chameleon Christians
Have you ever seen a chameleon at work? These lizards change colour when placed in different environments. Are you someone who changes with the environment or is your character and integrity fixed and steady? Do people recognise you as you everywhere you go? Or have you split your identity? Who do you change in front of in order to impress? Who do you change your true colours for? These may seem to be uncomrfortable or confronting questions but something we should consider in our daily walk with Christ. Are we being true to Him or do we change with the tide and go with the flow? Our Saviour wants us to be consistently upright and true to Him. To out off falsehood and to live in His truth. Lies don't just come out of mouths. They spring from the heart and the Bible has a very interesting view of it. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Or from the King James Version-"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Jesus spoke of the heart in a similar way.
18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” (Matthew 15:18-19).
Monday 9 April 2012
Bad News, Good News
1 Corinthians 15:47 "The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven."
All of us enjoy hearing good news from time to time. But before we can truly appreciate the magnitude of it we must first know it's counter part; the "bad news". When Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden of Eden all of humanity sinned (Romans 5:12-15) and death came as a result of it. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In order to truly appreciate the Good News of the Gospel of Christ you must first know what was at stake. When GOD created the world in 6 days He created it perfect. He said "it was very good"(Genesis 1:31). But then something happened. GOD had told Adam and Eve that they may eat of every tree of the garden apart from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For in the day they eat of it they "shall surely die"(Genesis 2:17). Despite GOD's clear warning Eve was deceived by the serpent and took of the fruit and she gave some to her husband and he ate it (Genesis 3:6). In that very day they did infact die: both physically and spiritually. They could no longer enjoy sweet fellowship with the living GOD. Their relationship was severed and they had to leave the garden of Eden. However, this is not the end of the story! Thanks be to GOD, He sent Christ Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. To pay the price we could not afford to pay.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4)
The Good News is this: You can receive eternal life by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. Jesus Christ was the Substitute for your sins and mine. He died in our place. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Will you accept GOD's offer of forgiveness today? The Bible says it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) The only way to be ready for this is to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Will you do this? See restoration, have your sins covered, be assured of a certain hope, be eternally secure? GOD-who does not lie-is faithful. And He will keep His promise. 'For,(Romans 10:13)"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
All of us enjoy hearing good news from time to time. But before we can truly appreciate the magnitude of it we must first know it's counter part; the "bad news". When Adam and Eve first sinned in the garden of Eden all of humanity sinned (Romans 5:12-15) and death came as a result of it. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." In order to truly appreciate the Good News of the Gospel of Christ you must first know what was at stake. When GOD created the world in 6 days He created it perfect. He said "it was very good"(Genesis 1:31). But then something happened. GOD had told Adam and Eve that they may eat of every tree of the garden apart from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For in the day they eat of it they "shall surely die"(Genesis 2:17). Despite GOD's clear warning Eve was deceived by the serpent and took of the fruit and she gave some to her husband and he ate it (Genesis 3:6). In that very day they did infact die: both physically and spiritually. They could no longer enjoy sweet fellowship with the living GOD. Their relationship was severed and they had to leave the garden of Eden. However, this is not the end of the story! Thanks be to GOD, He sent Christ Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. To pay the price we could not afford to pay.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4)
The Good News is this: You can receive eternal life by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. Jesus Christ was the Substitute for your sins and mine. He died in our place. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Will you accept GOD's offer of forgiveness today? The Bible says it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) The only way to be ready for this is to have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Will you do this? See restoration, have your sins covered, be assured of a certain hope, be eternally secure? GOD-who does not lie-is faithful. And He will keep His promise. 'For,(Romans 10:13)"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Sunday 8 April 2012
Flame On!
If I mentioned to you the human torch, what would be the first thing you would think of.
Have you ever noticed that the more that the more time you spend with someone the more like them you become? Like married couples for example, they spend so much time together that they develop the same characteristics, pull the same facial expressions and generally become so much alike that even their faces begin to forge into the same likeness. So we too in Christ are ever being conformed to His likeness. Becoming more and more like Him each day. Time in His presence leaves you radiant and allows you to radiate His glory to others. They will notice the change in you.
Something very similar happened with Moses; a man who experienced true intimacy with GOD and "whom the LORD knew face to face." The Bible says that Moses face shone so that the Israelites could no longer look at it. He resorted to wearing a veil over his face. That's what happens when you meet the radiance of GOD; you come out glowing. The only other account in the Bible where something of this sort happened was Jesus' transfiguration. When His appearance changed and His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (Mark 9:3)
How close are you to the Lord? How much time are you spending with Him? If you want to shine brighter than the Sun, spend time with the Light of the world. Get closer.
Have you ever noticed that the more that the more time you spend with someone the more like them you become? Like married couples for example, they spend so much time together that they develop the same characteristics, pull the same facial expressions and generally become so much alike that even their faces begin to forge into the same likeness. So we too in Christ are ever being conformed to His likeness. Becoming more and more like Him each day. Time in His presence leaves you radiant and allows you to radiate His glory to others. They will notice the change in you.
Something very similar happened with Moses; a man who experienced true intimacy with GOD and "whom the LORD knew face to face." The Bible says that Moses face shone so that the Israelites could no longer look at it. He resorted to wearing a veil over his face. That's what happens when you meet the radiance of GOD; you come out glowing. The only other account in the Bible where something of this sort happened was Jesus' transfiguration. When His appearance changed and His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (Mark 9:3)
How close are you to the Lord? How much time are you spending with Him? If you want to shine brighter than the Sun, spend time with the Light of the world. Get closer.
Why Cry: Christ has Risen!
Happy Easter everyone! He has risen. Whatever you may be experiencing today, whether you're happy or sad remember that Jesus is alive and well. He's not sleeping, He's not dead, He's alive. Now there's a reason to sing. Jesus Christ the Son of GOD died on the cross for your sins, spent 3 days in the grave freeing the lost souls, rose from the dead on the first day and appeared to many of His disciples and then was taken up into Heaven; where He remains now to this very day at the right hand of the throne of GOD interceding for us. Christ defeated death. The Bible says in John 3:16, "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus Christ cares about you! GOD loves you. He loves you so much that He would die for you. No greater love was shown (John 15:13). Jesus suffered and died an excruciating death with one thing on His mind.. YOU!!! Will you accept His sacrifice this Easter. He paid your sin debt in full. He gave His life that you might live. He tasted death so that you never would! Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Further Reading from Luke 24
"..but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words."
Have a blessed Easter everyone. Bye for now!
Have a blessed Easter everyone. Bye for now!
Thursday 5 April 2012
HE died for me
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16As many of you know it's Good Friday tomorrow. But have you really thought about the implications of that. It is the day when we call to rememberance what our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did for us in dying on the cross in our place. The Bible says in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This is what Jesus did for us. The greatest expression of love ever to be shown was in Christ laying down His life for us. He paid our sin debt in full. He took the blame for all the wrong things we have ever done and He willing submitted Himself to the Father and died in our place; taking the punishment we deserve. That is why it is important to know why it is we celebrate Good Friday. GOD the Father sent His Son into the world, born of a woman (Galatians 4:4) to die in the place of sinners. Now isn't that just wonderful.
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