Do Not Let Fear Take Control of your Life

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Tracy K

With the current government shutdown and the economy on the verge of a collapse, it is easy to become fearful. Some people have constant fear or worries that bring on stress, therefore interrupting their joy and happiness. Most people usually worry about money, health, safety. So many people talking about negative things, no wonder why people are depressed and fearful. So I wanted to make this a post of encouragement. Something that might help you with your everyday life. First, lets look at things that make a person joyful and happy.

1. Contentment is something that can bring you happiness. If you are not content with your life, you will never fully be happy. My grandmother didn’t have money or riches or material possessions but she seemed content with herchurch1 life. She never questioned or wavered on her beliefs in Christ.

2. Trust in the Lord and cast all your worries and cares to Jesus. I heard a sermon about “Casting All your Care Upon Him for He Careth For You”, found in 1 Peter 5:7. The preacher stated that this verse has several different meanings. One meaning is to give all your worries or cares unto the Lord for he cares for you and will help you to overcome them. By trusting in the Lord, he will help you to overcome your worries.

3. Accepting Christ can make a person happy. No greater joy can a person feel than when they first accept Christ as their Savior. If you have never heard about Jesus, it might take you some time to fully trust in him. I have been a Christian since I was fifteen years old. That is when I accepted Christ. At that moment I felt a true sense of peace that cannot be understood by the unbeliever. I say that if you surrender to Christ, he will help you with all your cares. Take that leap of faith and surrender to him.

4. Casting away all doubt can keep you from fearing life. I know that not one person can really control their life or health. You can diet, exercise, and stay stress free but God is the one who controls your life. I’m not saying those things are not important because they really are. It is when you place your life in God’s hands then you can truly become healed. One thing I quote when I start to worry about something is: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

5. Prayer is still the number one way to relieve fear. Prayer can help you overcome anything. How do you talk to God? We can wish for a care free world, but that is not always going to happen. We can pray for a better world and God may help us to live in this world with more peace in our lives. With Prayer one can overcome all life’s obstacles. God does not answer prayers always the way we want him to, but he will answer them. Remember he is all-knowing and he is God. He knows what you need before you ask but he is waiting on you to talk to him.

6. Attending church and associating with other believers can bring you joy.  Find a church to go to and make friends with other Christians.  Attend church events such as Bible study or Ladies meetings.  Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation (Psalms 111:1).

7. Learning more about God by studying his word.  Let God talk to you through his word.  When you read more about God, Jesus and his disciples, it helps you realize that you are not alone.  There were things that Jesus and his disciples went through that wasn’t easy.  We have it so much easier than they did.

Everyone has experienced some form of fear in their life but, realize God is in control. When you realize that, you will not have fear but trust. Fully trust in God and allow him to have control of your mind, soul, body and your life. God says in Revelations, I am alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I am he that was, and is, and is to come the almighty. He controls the world. He controls the wind, clouds, and waves. He has been to the depth of the sea and to the outmost part of the universe. He numbers the hairs on your head. He can create life and he can take it. When you realize how almighty he is, then you can fully put your trust in him. He can help you with your problems, but you have to ask him to. Then allow him to take control of your life and you will become a happier, fearless person.

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Shaping the Future Generation

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Tracy K

The joy and innocence of a child is something beautiful and such a blessing to witness. We can all aspire to be like them in many ways. Children are innocent but are at an impresssionable age. They absorb information like a sponge. They are easily influenced and do things that they observe. If a child sees someone stealing, they will think it is perfectly acceptable until someone tells them that it is wrong. Innocence of a child is precious and many can learn from them. They do not judge, love others without question and do not try to hurt or defraud others. But innocence doesn’t remain in a child forever. They become older, and their innocence is lost.

Many parents strive to help their child to be a successful, productive citizen with a good career and a happy family. I want to teach mine to respect authority, love others, and give to others. The only way to insure this is to teach them the right path that they should take. So when they are older, they will not depart from this. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:5-7.) Please keep in mind the condition our world is in. Everything in today’s society is an influence. Either an influence of things that are right or things that impact us negatively.

One day our children will grow up to be lawyers, presidents and doctors. Physicians have to make life and death decisions everyday. There are many that are decent but some are in the medical field just for filthy lucre. Look at some of our past presidents. We have had only a select few that you could say had moral standards.

Children are gifts from God and are here for a reason.  Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward (Psalm 127:2-4). Each person has value and each person has a purpose designed for them. Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 says, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Now is the time to set the example and help mold your child into an honorable individual. I am urging you to be involved in your child’s life. A child left to his own, will bring his parents to shame. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. (Proverbs 29:14-16)

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Pride Goeth Before a Fall

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Tracy K

Pride is defined two ways in dictionaries. One is a positive type of pride and the other is negative. A positive type is when one is honored by one’s accomplishments whether it is himself or his children. The negative aspect of pride is feeling a high regard or self esteem for oneself which makes one have an ego or thoughts of self entitlement making them appear arrogant. This is the type of pride that God hates. A prideful person usually lacks compassion.  They usually look the other way when someone is in need.

Pride will keep us from humility which is the complete opposite. Humility is a quality of being modest, lacking pretense, not thinking oneself is superior to others. Some look at humility as being timid and lacking self esteem. Humility is an honorable trait that can help everyone in all aspects of their lives. Whether in our personal lives or in our business lives, humility is something that will help us to maintain our customers, drive more sales, and build lasting friendships. Without humility it is impossible to love others the way they should be loved. We cannot love others because we care only for our own happiness and not the happiness of others. Pride can be a stumbling block to others if we use it to overpass someone else’s worth. Pride makes it hard for a sinner to receive Jesus Christ. To find out if you have pride in your life that needs to be resolved, lets ask ourselves these questions.

  • Are you one of those who thinks that you deserve more than someone else?
  • Do you think you are better than another person?
  • Do you think that you contribute to the world more than someone else?
  • Do you turn up your nose at someone because of lack of fortune or the clothes they wear?
  • Have you ever found yourself backing away from someone because you thought they were nasty?
  • Do you think you deserve more than someone else?
  • Do you look at other races as beneath you?
  • Do you catch yourself hiding things from others because you think they will steal from you.
  • Do you have a hard time accepting something from someone else because you think it is dirty or the person is dirty?
  • Do you have praises of men?

You might think that these are weird questions and that no one would say yes to these.  I hate to inform you but these questions resemble people that I have met in life.  These questions represent real people.  People who judge themselves above others, people who think they deserve more in life.  Do you think that Jesus judged others as beneath him?  Did he say to Peter, don’t bother telling the Gentiles about me, for they will not be able to receive salvation.  No.  God said go out and preach the gospel to all.

Another example of pride is when someone refuses to say I am sorry when they have wronged someone. Asking someone to forgive us is probably the hardest thing to do in life.  Without humility it is hard to have forgiveness.

Religious scholars tell how Pride is written as a deadly sin throughout the Bible.  A person with too much pride lacks compassion. It is hard for a person with pride to show compassion on the needy because they thing they are beneath them. Here are some examples from the Bible that teaches us about Pride and how Jesus showed compassion on the poor.

  1.  Proverbs 16:17-19-  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
  2. Proverbs 6:16 -These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
    A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
  3. Psalm 10:2 –The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
  4. Psalm 10:4 –The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
  5. Proverbs 8:13 –The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
  6. 1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  7. Mark 7:21-22  –For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
  8. Galatians 3: 14,28-  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
  9. Luke 14:23- And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
  10. Matthew 15:32- Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
  11. 1 John 3:17-  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
  12. Luke 16:15- And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
  13. Romans 12:3- For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
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Saved by Grace

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Tracy K

What is grace?

Grace is a huge topic. Someone could talk about God’s Grace for a while and not cover the whole topic. God is a forgiving God. We are all sinners and don’t deserve the grace of God. Grace is unfavorable merit. It is unearned forgiveness of God. God’s grace allows all men that accept Christ to obtain eternal life.

How do we obtain grace from God?

To obtain God’s grace all we must do is accept his son, Jesus Christ.—-Acknowledge that he died for the sins of the world by praying and asking for his forgiveness for your sins. God is willing to forgive all those that come to him in prayer. Romans 3: 23-25 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

What happens when we sin?

When someone sins, and God forgives them, that is grace. God is without sin and hates it. God sent his only begotten son to die for the sins of the world. After you accept his son, then God forgives you of your sin. He loves us enough to forgive us when we ask. We are not perfect, but God knows this. That is why he give us grace. He tells us in Ephesians 2:2 that we were once the children of disobedience. We fulfilled the lust of the flesh, and the desires of our mind. We were the children of wrath. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for this great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in our sins, hath quickened us together with Christ”, Ephesians 2:4,5. “He is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish”, 2Peter 3:9.

What can we do to lose God’s Grace?

There is nothing you can do to lose God’s grace, unless you totally deny him. Mark 3:29, “But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.” That is the only sin that God does not forgive. He redeems us by his grace through Jesus Christ, Romans 3:24.

How can we obtain Salvation?

If we believe in his son’s death on the cross and ask for his forgiveness, than we become sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. That is pretty amazing isn’t it. So don’t delay, ask God for his forgiveness today. Romans 10: 9-10 says, “ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Poem: GRACE

GOD GIVETH MORE GRACE
TO ALL THAT BELIEVE IN HIM.
OUR SINS HE DID ERASE,
BECAUSE HIS SON PAID THE PENALTY.Silhouette of the beautiful statue of Christ the Redeemer at sunset in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

GOD REMEMBERS OUR SINS NO MORE,
CASTING THEM FAR AWAY,
NEVER TO REMEMBER THEM ANYMORE,
HIS GRACE LASTS FOREVER.

EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD,
WHAT HE IS PREPARING FOR YOU AND ME,
HE GIVES US A SAMPLE IN HIS WORD,
OF A HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH.

HE CARES ABOUT ALL FOR HE GAVE HIS SON,
TO DIE FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
FOR ANYONE THAT ACCEPTS HIS SON,
HE GIVES HIS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.

MANY TIMES WHEN WE ARE WEAK,
HE FORGIVES US FOR ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE.
If TO ABOVE THOSE THINGS WE SEEK,
AND BY READING AND STUDYING HIS WORD.

BY FORSAKING THE THINGS OF THE EARTH,
AND LOOKING TOWARD HIM, OUR FATHER,
WE MAY OBTAIN A HEAVENLY BIRTH,
AND JOIN GOD’S FAMILY ABOVE.

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Living in the Flesh (Carnally Minded)

Posted on September 21, 2013 by Tracy K

Many choose to go about their everyday business saying, “I can do as I please and I don’t care what you say about it.” Christ did not save man to live life as a heathen. This is a hard topic to cover because this should not be the representation of the believer.  Christians should be set apart and appear different from the world.  I know that I will not cover everything in great detail. So to begin, if I had to define what a “carnal” man was, I would look at the definition of the word and then the qualities of the carnal man.

  1. A carnal man is usually a “new babe” in Christ.  1 Corinthians 3:1, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”
  2. Or one who receives Christ but his fruit does not show it. His character is usually the opposite of the spiritual man and he is therefore living in the flesh.

Qualities of a Carnal Man

  1. Jealous – envious of others and what they have, including their accomplishments.
  2. Prideful – arrogant of self and accomplishments
  3. Double-Minded (Two Faced)- says one thing and does another
  4. Gossiper- talks from person to person and causing strife
  5. Trouble-maker- looking for something to stir up trouble among others or looking for something to gossip about.
  6. Uncompassionate- non caring about the feelings of others
  7. Worldly- cares more for the things of the world instead of God.  Worries about pleasing man instead of God.
  8. Fleshly-minded- worries more about self and things that will please his flesh.
  9. Self-willed- does things he wants to do without listening to the advice of others.
  10. Lustful- looks on things that he shouldn’t including money, opposite sex or worldly things.
  11. Boastful- arrogant and toots his own horn. (similar to prideful)
  12. Forward (Outspoken) -lacks humility and often speaks out when he should be silent.

Let’s look at the Scriptures and see how they define what Carnal means.

  • James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
  • Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
  •  Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
  • Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
  • 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  • Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
  • 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  • Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
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Do not Render Evil for Evil

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Tracy K

It is human nature for someone to want to strike back at someone when they are offended. I didn’t say it is the right thing to do, but MM900043730usually the  first thing a person wants to do is get even. No one likes to be mocked, ridiculed or hurt by someone else. One thing that a Christian must work on is self control. They should present themselves to others as a Christian and not as someone who is worldly.  Christians should not retaliate against others but have forgiveness. Lets look at examples in the Bible to show us how we should act.

  • Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
  • 1 Peter 3:9 says, “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
  • James 4:11 says, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
  • James 3:2 says, “2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
  • Romans 12:19 says, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

God is just and he is the judge of all men. I did not say we could not be angry for the sake of the gospel, but we should watch our actions.  We are to be angry because of the sins of the world and stand up for what is right, but we are not to retaliate by doing something that is wrong.

If you are a Christian and stand for the name of the Lord, you will have persecution.  Anyone that is righteous will be persecuted, mocked and ridiculed because they are living for Christ.  Satan does not like it when a Christian does things for the name of the Lord.  He will use every means possible to try to discourage you or prevent you from doing God’s will.  He will use family, friends, other believers to discourage you.  He will cause jealousy to rise in others because of your work for the Lord.  Ephesians 6:13-15 says, “ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

1 Peter 4:14 says, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

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Redeeming the Time- Judgment is Coming!

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Tracy K

Silhouette of the beautiful statue of Christ the Redeemer at sunset in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
God warns us that judgment is coming and to redeem the times. What this means to the Christian is that our days on this earth are few. It is a glorious and happy occasion to know that God will come and rapture his church and that we will ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

The Lord is waiting on the remaining people to be saved that will accept him. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Judgment is coming and now is the time to repent and accept Jesus as your Lord. For in this day in age, evil is all around us. We need to ask for God’s forgiveness today and repent from our sins. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” We must not wait and say “tomorrow I will repent or let me go first and clean myself up and then I will repent.” You are not able to clean yourself from your sins, you are as a filthy rag in the eyes of God without Jesus. (But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags: Isaiah 64:6). Allow God to save you and make you clean (Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool – Isaiah 1:18).

The Bible tells us that in the Last Days, there are going to be mockers of God “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. – Jude 1:18,19”.

Today sin is masked. It appears to be glamorous and desirable. We should be aware that sin doesn’t usually represent itself as evil. Satan has blinded people’s eyes that they cannot see sin for what it is. He wants to fool people into believing something that is not true. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them- 2 Corinthians 4:4,5). That is why it is important to read your Bible and attend church. Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, that if we forsake our sins and turn to Jesus, we can be found blameless, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

But, if you continue in your sin, you will be judged. 1 Corinthians 6: 9,10 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 6:7,8 says that whatever we do on this earth, we will receive a reward, whether good or bad. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 1 Corinthians 15:50 says, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” “So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin”- Romans 7:25)

So one day, God will judge this earth and deliver his servants into a better place called Heaven. 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” MP900178928

Revelation 19:11- And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Revelation 19:14,15- And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

If only the ones who trust in Jesus go to Heaven, where are the ones who don’t accept Jesus go? Psalm 9:17
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

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Saved by the Blood of Jesus

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Tracy K

Crucifix on a Wall
What is the importance of the blood of Jesus? Why is the blood necessary for the remission of sins? If these questions come to mind, then this post is for you. Today I hope to give you simple and clear explanations on why Jesus died on the cross for the remissions of sins, and why his blood is the only thing that can cover your sins.

Years ago God gave Moses and the children of Israel an ordinance to follow. The children of Israel were in bondage as slaves in Egypt. God chose Moses to bring his people out of bondage and bring them into a new land. The Pharoah of Egypt refused to let the people go, so God caused plagues to come upon Egypt, therefore warning the Pharoah. One plague was that the first-born of men would die. God told the Israelites that they could sacrifice a Lamb without spot or blemish and smear the blood upon their doorpost at a certain time. During Passover, if they had the blood on their doorpost, their firstborn would be spared. (Exodus 12:1-13). So the Israelites did as God commanded and none of their people were killed.

Then when the Israelites were freed from Egypt, God told them to continue this ordinance throughout their generations (Exodus 12:14 and Leviticus 17:11). He often reminded Moses and his people of this ordinance and told them that the blood was an atonement for the soul. So the Israelites carried out this ordinance for many years. Then God sent a lamb, which was Jesus Christ, as the atonement for sin. 1 Peter 1:19 says that we are redeemed by “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

Why was Christ able to die for our sins?  He was able to be the sacrifice because he was without blemish; he was without sin (1 Peter 1:19, Hebrews 4:14,15 and Hebrews 7:26). God said that without shedding of blood is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22.) His blood was able to cover the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:10-12, 1 John 2:2). Christ died on a cross for the world’s sins and arose from the grave after three days (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).

Who has sinned? Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” But God loved us and sent his son to die for us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8-9). Jesus was God’s son and through him we can have eternal life. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31).” 1 John 5:11-13 says, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Without Jesus as your savior your wage is death, but through Jesus Christ you can have eternal life (Romans 6:23).
Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

All scriptures were taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Related links:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2012&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%207:22-28&version=KJV

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Let Faith Be Your Guide

Posted on August 30, 2013 by Tracy K

Many things come to mind when I think of things that I could have done better in my life. I think about all of my past failures, things that I shouldn’t have done, things that I could have done differently. There is no way to undo the past. There is only today and the future to come that a person can live for. After I looked at all of my past mistakes, I am reminded that God forgives us of all transgressions if we only we ask him to. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

We can look at the terrible things that others are doing but we must look at our own mistakes too. We need to examine our own lives first, then we can see God’s love and forgiveness….places where God has forgiven us. Did we deserve his forgiveness? I dare say we do not. God forgives us when we don’t deserve it. God is willing to forgive those that sin against him if we only they would ask. This is the only thing that comforts me from all my past failures.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

If a person truly examines their own lives, they will see that they fail daily. Not one person was perfect in their life except, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our job is to help others realize their mistakes, their sins, and help them come to Jesus for forgiveness. We are to hate sin, not the person.

Sometimes it is hard not to worry about things that you cannot control in your life, but God tells us not to fear, for he will help us and lead us into the way we should go.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)

The only thing that can help us to move forward and to live a life that will be well pleasing into God is our faith in God. Your faith and trust in God will help you overcome evil and guide you in your everyday walk.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The closer you come to God, the more you try to live godly, the more Satan will come against you. He wants you to make a mistake. He wants you to sin. When you do, he will “throw darts” at you and remind you of all your past failures.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)

faith

With your faith, you can accomplish great things for God. Look at what some great men in the Bible did with their faith. They stopped the mouth of lions, won battles, won kingdoms, parted the red sea, killed giants, obtained promises, escaped the edge of the sword, etc…. (Hebrews 11:33)  They believed that God was able to do all that he said he would do. They didn’t fear man or Satan. They knew God would protect them. They knew it was more important to fear God, than man. They chose to suffer affliction than to enjoy sin for a season. (Hebrews 11:25)

If we have accepted Christ as our Savior, he forgives us of our sins and we are therefore justified by faith. (Romans 5:1)
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)

God’s thoughts are much higher than our thoughts.  We should not question anything that he does.  Look at Jonah.  God told him to go to  Nineveh to preach.  Jonah didn’t want to go for he knew the people had lived wickedly.  Once the people repented, Jonah was angry because God did not cause evil upon the people. God taught Jonah a lesson about his love and forgiveness. He realized that “Salvation was from the Lord” in Jonah 2:9.

Trust God and allow him to be in control of your life. Pray and ask him to guide you and to forgive you of all your sins. He loves you and will help you if only you trust in him. Allow him to be your master and Lord.

Related information: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jonah%203&version=KJV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%203&version=KJV

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Who is God?

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Tracy K

god
For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? (Psalm 18:31).
God is the creator of everything from the sun and moon to man and woman.
Psalm 8:3-4 says, When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
This is a very powerful statement. Who is man to God? Why does he care anything about us?
God is all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, righteous and loving.

For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. (Psalm 96:4,5)
His voice and words are powerful. He spoke everything into existence. Psalm 29:4 says, The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. In Genesis Chapter One, God tells us that he spoke and things happened. He formed the earth, moon, light, man, animals by his voice.

Who can know God? Deuteronomy 4:39 says,
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (Deuteronomy 7:9). The Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth: Psalm 14:1.

God protects his children from harm and heals them.
(Psalm 18:2) The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 34:17 says, The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God is a God of love! Psalm 8:17: I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. John 3:16 says, 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.
1 John 3:16 says, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.
1 John 4:7-8 says, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God is a God of righteousness and judgement!
Psalm 7:11 says, God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalms 50:6 says, And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Psalm 116:5: Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
Ecclesiastes 3:17 says, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

What does God require of us?
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 1 John 5:2 says, By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1 John 3:23 says, And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

All scriptures were taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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