Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Never Stop Fighting!



Just a reminder today to never stop fighting the good fight for your faith, injustices, sicknesses, godly relationships, your rights, and the gospel of Jesus Christ!

1 Timothy 6:12
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.



Tom

Obey Authority! 4-29-15

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Of the world or of God?



In a recent bible study I ran across this quote:

“I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment hasso little influence over the world is because the world has so much influenceover the church .... Put your finger on any prosperous page in the Church’shistory, and [you] will find a little marginal note [that says]: ‘In this age [people]could readily see where the Church began and where the world ended.’”Charles Spurgeon

With the events in Baltimore, the rioting and lawlessness, I ask us this morning where is the church? How many of those that took part in the riots call themselves "Christians"? If this was to take place in our home towns would the results the any different? As followers of Jesus we are to be different. Leaders, peaceful, obeying God and the laws of the land. We are to stand against lawlessness!!! Look at this scripture:

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousnesswith lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord hasChrist with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of
the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walkamong them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore
go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch
no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and
you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since wehave these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

I pray for Baltimore and other areas of lawlessness, I pray the light of followers of Jesus would shine for it is the only way these problems can be solved. A new heart, the heart of Jesus. So my brothers and sisters may we stand against the devil and do what is right no matter the cost. I applaud the few that went out last night in Baltimore and stood for whats right even in harms way! May more do the same and may we support them!

Tom

Show me your ways God! 4-28-15

Monday, April 27, 2015

Pray for Nepal



As I turned on the news this morning I seen the death toll from the earthquake was now over 3700 and it will climb. May we take time this day to lift Nepal and the surrounding area up in our prayers. 

God our Father we humbly come before you this morning first of all praising you for who you are and the love you show us each day. Thank you for you son Jesus who saves us from our sin. Lord we come with heavy hearts this morning for those affected by this earthquake. We ask you to spare as many as possible and that those trapped will be found quickly and make complete recoveries. Lord we also ask you to be with all aid workers involved. Keep them safe. We also ask for all the needed supplies to get there as quick as possible. Lord we pray that through this tragedy many souls will come to know and trust Jesus. For we know your Word says:

Romans 8:28 
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Lord may we also do what we can to help this situation. We thank you dear Lord for listening to your people and may we see your power act on behalf of these people in great distress right now. All this we ask in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen

We have victory!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

In everything for the glory of God!



I tell my kids often this verse (especially in their studies!) to remind them why we are here on this earth:

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We are here to bring God glory in everything we say or do and then give Him thanks for the ability to do so!

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

So here is the thought for this today....when you are working, studying, talking, working out, driving, hunting, fishing, baking, cooking, baby sitting, listening to music, watching tv, paying bills, or whatever you are doing today are you doing it to glorify God? Be very careful on how you answer and examine yourself to see if you really are or not. Ou actions speak much louder than our words!

I pray that day and everyday we are glorifying our Lord in everything we say and do! For He alone is worthy of all honor and praise!
Tom

I tell my kids often this verse (especially in their studies!) to remind them why we are here on this earth:

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

We are here to bring God glory in everything we say or do and then give Him thanks for the ability to do so!

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

So here is the thought for this today....when you are working, studying, talking, working out, driving, hunting, fishing, baking, cooking, baby sitting, listening to music, watching tv, paying bills, or whatever you are doing today are you doing it to glorify God? Be very careful on how you answer and examine yourself to see if you really are or not. Ou actions speak much louder than our words!

I pray that day and everyday we are glorifying our Lord in everything we say and do! For He alone is worthy of all honor and praise!
Tom

Be merciful! 4-23-15

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Cornerstone



The definition of a cornerstone is this: the chief foundation on which something is constructed or developed.

What is the cornerstone in your life? I pray this morning we can all say Jesus Christ is our cornerstone for their is only ONE Chief Foundation and He is it!

Isaiah 28:16
16 Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.

Psalm 118:22
22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.

Matthew 21:42
42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Ephesians 2:19-20
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

1 Peter 2:6
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:7
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

So what is your life like if you are built on a good cornerstone or if you are not?

Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

I am so thankful my life trusts in the CORNERSTONE! How about you? Sit back and praise God this morning with this song called Cornerstone by Hillsong:


Tom

Longing for my heavenly home! 4-22-15

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Hard times working for Jesus.



The bible is clear that when we are sharing the gospel and living for Jesus we will face problems. IF we are followers of Jesus and doing the work He has called us to do and we are never insulted or worse than chances are we are not doing much for Jesus! It is just that simple. Look at these verses:

Matthew 5:11-12
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

God actually tells us it is a blessing to be persecuted! How can that be? Because we are doing His will in our lives!

Matthew 10:22
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Many love the devil and His ways(world) more than God and will hate you because you follow Jesus, be ready for that.

Matthew 5:44
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

When they hate us God says to love them, thats what He did and expects us to do the same!! It is not easy but here is how to do that....remember this verse:

Psalm 63:3
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.

God's love is better than life!!! We must remember this is not our home we are just passing through! As soon as we die, we enter our home with God in heaven! 

So let us be serving the Lord Jesus, no matter what comes our way! As followers of Jesus it is our duty to try and share His love as He has given it to us, no matter the cost!

Tom

Word being broken?

Thursday, April 16, 2015

You can be flawless!




Another word for flawless would be perfect. For us there is only one way to be made flawless/perfect and that is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Only followers of Jesus are flawless/perfect in the sight of God! Look at these verses:

John 17:23
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Colossians 1:28
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:14
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

1 Peter 5:10
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Wow! Made perfect/flawless by Jesus! Such amazing grace offered to us! Think about these verses and listen to this awesome song by Mercy Me called "Flawless" and give the Lord some praise!



https://youtu.be/IoOPsGDZdnM

Tom

Are you one who trusts? 4-16-15

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Don't be a mule!!!



Are you hard headed? Stubborn? In some ways it can be good as in not wavering in your faith but in some ways it can be a bad thing as we see here:

Psalm 32:8-9
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

God wants us to be teachable when it comes to Him and His Word. We NEVER get to a place on this side of heaven where we know everything God wants us to know! God will continue to instruct and teach the followers of Jesus as long as we remain humble and teachable. The Bible is the #1 way God instructs us....how much of it do you know? How often do you read and meditate upon it? Don't miss the part in the above verses that says "with my eye upon you". God is watching....don't be like a stubborn animal and let His Word go in one ear and out the other!!!!!

So here is the question with a little humor maybe....are you a mule or a learning, listening, follower of Jesus????

Tom

Future and Hope 4-15-15

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

You have what you need for a godly life!



When you give your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit immediately comes and dwells inside of you. You then have the power to live the godly life God desires for you to live and hopefully you desire to live also! Look at these verses:

2 Peter 1:3-4
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

God loves us so much I don't think we can even come close to fully comprehending it! Verse 3 tells us God through His divine or godly power has given us everything we need for life and godliness! We have no excuse! We receive what we need through the knowledge of Him and His Son Jesus. Once we follow Jesus God grants us all His promises so that we ourselves take on a divine or godly nature! Verse 4. Wow! You have a godly nature by the power of the Holy Spirit because you are a follower of Jesus! praise be to the almighty God! No having this godly nature we now have the power to escape the sin or corruption of this world. We can overcome our sinful desire by our godly nature and power! Again we are without excuse!

Brothers and sisters we have everything we need provided by our great God for a godly life, may we live in the power of the Holy Spirit and bring honor and glory to our King Jesus by living godly lives! Amen!

Tom

Amend your ways! 4-14-15

Monday, April 13, 2015

Greed!



Have you taken a look around at the greed in our society? Always wanting more, more, more! We need to even look at ourselves...need the newest phone, newer car, better house, bigger TV, newest tennis shoes, and the list keeps going. What does God have to say about this?

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

We never have enough so we think! No matter what we have we are never satisfied! Matter of fact we worry so much about our greed we don't even sleep well! Wow!

So how do we cure this sinfulness?

Philippians 4:11
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Be content with what you have! Paul lived in all areas of life. He had it all, he had middle road, and at times he had nothing. He learned the key to it all in the verse above...be content with where God has you! You are there for a purpose to glorify God! Are we in love with God enough to be content no matter what? Do we trust God that much?

1 Timothy 6:6
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,

Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me?”

Here is something to think about to sum it all up. What if God was to take you and place you in third world country where you did not have clean water and wondered where your food would come from today? Your shelter is a mud hut with dirt floors with no AC and No heat and flys and misquotes every where. Can you be content? You still gonna serve God? You still trust God?

Why are we here, to honor and glorify God no matter where He places us or blesses us with!

Tom

Which voice? 4-13-15

Friday, April 10, 2015

Are you suffering for the sake of Christ?



I woke up to a text this morning from a sister in Christ this morning, Kati Prince, sharing this verse with me:

Philippians 1:29-30
29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

She went on to say are we really suffering in Christ? Wow! One of my former youth challenging me! I love it! So what about the question??

As we follow Jesus we are expected to deny ourselves and live all out for Him. Are we? There are many types of suffering for Christ. A few examples are: Moving away from family to serve Jesus and share the gospel, giving up the majority of your time to love people and share the gospel, giving the majority of your money away to meet the needs of others instead of using it to meet unneeded material things, and then there is folks like Pastor Saeed an American who went back to Iran to visit family and share his faith but was arrested and has been in prison for years now being tortured for his Faith and service to Jesus!

So I go back to the question....are we suffering for the sake of Jesus who gave it all upon the cross for you and I? 

My answer is No I am not even close to where I should be! I am way to comfortable! How about you?

Thank you Kati for challenging us with these verses this morning, may they bring glory and honor to the King!

Tom

Longest Chapter in bible? 4-10-15

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Listen to your Parents!



I am so thankful for my parents. My mom and dad raised us to work, treat people right, pay your bills, and be responsible. God places mom and dad in our lives for a purpose. That purpose is to raise us and to teach us His ways! Look at these verses:

Proverbs 1:8
8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction,
and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Proverbs 23:22
22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Sadly many don't have fathers or mothers in their live and it is the churches responsibility to stand up and be these for those who don't have them. For if the body of Christ is not raising them in the train of the Lord the world will train them for their own purposes. 

I am also thankful for the many men and women who have stepped into my lives over the years to be spiritual mom and dads to me. To train me in the Lord and to teach me God's Word. If it was not for these folks I may have never come to Jesus! 

So I say there things to say this...obey your parents first of all as God has told us to do this. Second, if you are a mom or dad train your child in the ways of the Lord. There is nothing more important than this! Nothing! Third, if you are a part of the body of Christ (church), you have a responsibility to help children grow up by the teachings of God and you have to help teach them. You may have to go out of your way to pick the child up if they have no way to church!!! In the end the rewards will be overwhelming for you and the child!

Tom

God is on our side!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

No need for fear!



Turn on the news, read the paper, listen to folks talk, we live in wicked days! Murder is common, money is scarce, sexual slavery is more common than we think, world is filled with hate, cancer is rampant, and the list goes on. It is an easy time to be fearful. If you are not a follower of Jesus you need to be scared but if you are a follower we have nothing at all to fear!

Isaiah 41:10
10 fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Our God is with us!!!!! He has us in His hand, that's all I need to know! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Psalm 27:2-4
2 When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.

I am confident in my God! One day soon I will dwell with Him forever! With that in mind I have nothing to fear!

Psalm 118:6
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

What is worst thing a man could do yo us? Take our life? If you are a follower of Jesus, that means heaven!!! Nothing man can do should make us fear! God is on your side!

Isaiah 41:13
13 For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

God holds our hand!!!! What a comforting thing to know!

Isaiah 54:14
14 In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Our righteousness is in Jesus Christ, we have nothing to fear!

Lamentations 3:56-58
56 you heard my plea, ‘Do not close
your ear to my cry for help!’
57 You came near when I called on you;
you said, ‘Do not fear!’
58 “You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
you have redeemed my life.

Aren't you thankful God heard your cry for help????? I know I am!

Joel 2:21
21 “Fear not, O land;
be glad and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things!

Oh has the Lord blessed us! He is good!

Luke 12:32
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Oh what a promise! The Kingdom for His children!

John 12:15
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey's colt!”

Fear is gone for a follower of King Jesus because He came, died, and was Resurrected!

Romans 8:15
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Fear is bondage, we have freedom from the Father through the Son Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:7
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Fear is not from God but the devil....remember that!

1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Only one way to be perfected....Jesus!

Revelation 1:17
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

oh what a time that will be when we see Jesus face to face!

There is a healthy fear though and we is here:

Ecclesiastes 8:13
13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

Matthew 10:28
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

God is God...hold Him in proper position in life. He deserves all reverence and awe! 

So do not fear today, God has got you if you have become a follower of His Son Jesus!

Tom