2 classes of people

The bible is clear there are only two classes of people. JC Ryle puts it this way:

“The Word of God always speaks of only two classes of people....

The living--and the dead in sin

The Believer--and the unbeliever

The Converted--and the unconverted

The Travelers in the narrow way--and the travelers in the broad way

The wise--and the foolish

The children of God--and the children of the devil

and between these two classes there is an enormous gulf...

as life--and death

light--and darkness

Heaven--and hell”

Matthew 22:32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

2 Corinthians 6:15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

So what class of person are you? Converted or unconverted? Saved or unsaved? It is of utmost importance you find out for only two destinations await...Heaven or hell.

Tom

Do you love me?

Don't cover sin. 7-28-16

Conformed to Christ

We have touched on this subject before but it is something we need to return to often. In very area of your life are you in the process of conforming to the image of Christ? It is a lifelong process but a process we must be working on!

Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We tend to compartmentalize our lives. God you can have this part but I will control this part. This is not what God desires, He wants all of us! 

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

The bible is clear we are to be like Christ in work, play, speech, attitude, parenting, love, and helping others! 

So are you conforming to Christ more and more each day? As a follower of Jesus it is not an option! Get in the Word and pray, then conform!

Tom

Need some peace? 7-27-16

Jesus follower????

If you are a Jesus follower, trust me you need this reminder this morning! Give God the glory!

Do the work of the Lord! 7-26-16

Can a Christian be perfect?

This can be a little tricky to answer. I will do my best. In Jesus Christ we become perfect in the eyes of God. How is that possible. When you become a follower of Jesus, when God looks at you the shed blood of Jesus has covered your sin and you are righteous in the sight of God, not because of anything you have done but all because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus! 

Now in day to day life as a believer, no one is perfect. God even tells us this in His Word:

1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

But we are to strive for perfection and be like Christ in every area of our lives! Look what the Bible says about this:

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Did you catch those important words? Perfecting holiness, go onto perfection, become complete! All those are talking about a continuing action of working towards being like Jesus!

So we are perfect in Christ by His work, but on this earth we work for that perfection everyday by imitating Christy to the best of our ability. We fail often but we confess our sin and dust ourselves of and get back to work! May we do as Paul instructed:

1 Corinthians 11 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Tom

The days we live in. 7-25-16

Love and Faithfulness

These two characteristics are important in one’s life towards both man and God!

Proverbs 3:3-4 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Of course as a follower of Jesus we must be faithful to Him. He is our King and Savior! We also must have a love for Him like no other! He gave His life for us after all! I am always reminded of where our love for Jesus should be compared to man by there verses:

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Jesus does not want us to hate anyone especially our own family but He does expect our love and faithfulness to Him be way above what we have for anyone else! Can you say that?

We also need to be a person of love and faithfulness to our fellow man. We are no better than our words and our actions. Jesus tells us to be the light of the world and this involves being a person of love and faithfulness to others.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus was all about love and faithfulness and as followers of Him, we are to imitate Him! He is our example of a godly life! Are you a faithful person and a demonstrator of love to others?

God tells us when we are faithful and a lover of Him and our fellow man blessings will come in the proverbs verse at the beginning of this devotion. Are you reaping those blessings?

Tom

Where do we go on a bad day? 7-21-16

It takes faith as well as work!

One of my favorite authors J.C Ryle reminds us that being a true Christian takes two things: “Surely the Scriptures teach us that in following holiness, the true Christian needs personal exertion and work--as well as faith.” Now Faith is the key to salvation and is the only thing that saves, but once we are saved it takes work to live and grow in our faith.

Paul said: “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” Gal.2:20 and He also said “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2Tim.4:7. And 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

So we see in the Word that as followers we must first have faith in Jesus! But then it takes work as a follower to be obedient to the works God has called us too.

Are you working? It really isn’t an option for the true Christian!

Tom

Peace? 7-20-16

Be faithful to the Word!

Titus 2:10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
At first glance this verse may seem strange to you. I want you to focus on the last part of the verse: “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” Doctrine is a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by the bible for the followers of Jesus. The church of today does great harm to itself by not following the doctrines of God as stated by the bible but man taking his own interpretations and living in what he deems as right. This is why the lost see the church as hypocritical. 

J.C. Ryle said “Sound Protestant and Evangelical doctrine is useless--if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does positive harm.”
So this morning I want us to look at our own lives and ask ourselves, am I putting on and wearing the doctrine of God our Savior in everything in my life? Or am I picking and choosing parts of the bible I want to follow and disobey the other parts?

Be faithful....obey God in all areas of doctrine and faith! It is of the utmost importance to us and the lost!

Tom

Slow down, God has got this!

Most days are hectic and seem out of control in our personal lives as well as around the world! When you re a follower of Jesus we need to just slow down and KNOW God is in control.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Stop! Get the Word out, read it, spend some time in prayer, be still and allow the Holy Spirit to talk with you. Then live and obey Christ and find the peace that is beyond understanding. KNOW in the end God wins and we have nothing to worry about!

Thank you Jesus, I feel better all ready!

Tom

Put on right clothes? 7-19-16

Pray to spread gospel

I just got back from camp for the younger kids. This was the main verse for the week:

Ephesians 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

We learned about spiritual armor for the everyday spiritual fights we have leading to the main point which was to pray for one another so we may boldly spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ providing salvation to all who will surrender!

Are you praying for the spread of the gospel and are you doing your part by telling the gospel yourself?? Do it boldly!

Tom

Gospel is power of God! 7-18-16

Brag on God! 7-13-16

Do you help the poor?

We are blessed in the United States! God has put us in this position for a reason, to help others. If you don not help the poor you are not doing what God has told us to do! I wish all could go to another country and see how blessed we actually are! Look at this verse:

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

What have you done to help the poor? It is not a once a year thing, it is a lifestyle of looking to be Christlike and help all you can. Think about this today!

Tom

Trust the Lord! 7-12-16

Restrain our lips!

God has much to say about talking and keeping our mouths under control. Each of us needs to watch what we say and how much we say and determine if we need to say anything at all!!! We hurt so many people by our words! 

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

The media is destroying our country right now in front of our eyes. They report on a matter before they have all the facts, which gets people stirred up, then the whole story comes which usually paints a different picture, but it is too late the damage and problems are already raging by then! 

We must keep mouths under control which can only be done under the power of the Holy Spirit!

James 3:5-9 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
Lord help us control the tongue, lips, mouth, or what ever you want to call it!

Tom

We are all one! Pray!

When scared or hurting go here.

Remember the devil is busy trying to tear us apart as a nation and as individuals, God is with us,humble ourselves, Be strong, give God the glory, and stand together in Christ. Turn to the Word, it has the answers!

1 Peter 5:6-11 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 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. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Tom

Remember!

Not sure who needs this today other than me but remember the followers of Jesus win in the end no matter what the world brings our way! Praise Jesus! Listen and worship!

Be a person of integrity!

pic.twitter.com/u0YD6kCWp0

With the scandals in politics right now with Hillary and others it is a great time to be reminded by the followers of Jesus to be a person of integrity no matter the cost! God’s Word is full of reminders to be a person of integrity, a person of your word, honest and truth full. Are you? If you a follower of Jesus there is no choice!

Proverbs 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

Job 31:6 Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.

Psalm 7:8 The Lord shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.

Psalm 26:11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me.

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.

Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

As a follower of God, integrity is very important, be a man or woman of integrity at all times!

Tom

How to handle this crazy world! 7-6-16

Foundation

Since the day you were born you choose the foundation to build on. What have you chosen?

You can choose the worlds foundations which is useless:

Psalm 82:5 They do not know, nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are unstable.

Or you can choose the only foundation which lasts:

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If your foundation isn’t right, you will be destroyed and hell awaits but if the foundation is in Jesus everlasting life in heaven awaits!

Proverbs 10:25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of our foundation! Are you building on Him?

Ephesians 2:19-21 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, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

If you have Jesus as foundation this is how you build:

1 Timothy 6:18-20 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Works don’t save you Jesus does remember that, the works come to show your love and obedience to Christ!

Being on our foundation Christ, flee sin:

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

So what is your foundation? It is clear there is only ONE good choice to build on which is The ROCK , Jesus. But many choose the sand of this world for their foundation and it will come crashing down soon!  

Your choice!

Tom

Fear not! 7-5-16

Is Christ you main gain?

Read this verse and then answer the question in the title.

Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Can I honestly say this is true for me? We live in the USA where we have everything at our finger tips. What have I lost because I follow Jesus??? If it doesn’t cost you to follow Jesus are we really following Him? The bible says deny self and follow Jesus. Hmmm. When is last time you denied yourself something for the cause of Christ? 

Chew on that today.

Tom