Tuesday, February 28, 2017
God wants to save you!
May we be reminded the morning that God wants to save all! I pray you are already saved from your sins and a place called hell into a glorious relationship with the true and living God, Jesus Christ! If not I want you to know God desires to save you and is the only mighty ONE who can!
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
He desires that none should perish!
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Come to Jesus today! Message me if I can help you in any way or pray with you!
For those of us that are saved let us be about the Father’s business and be sharing the gospel!
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
My God is Mighty to Save!
Tom
Monday, February 27, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
For followers of Jesus...
A little reminder that we win! This is not our home, heaven is!!! So keep that in mind and realize you are a conqueror in Jesus! Live like it!
Romans 8:31-38
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Oh how God loves us! Let us love and serve Him with all we got in return!
Tom
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Looking back or looking forward?
Jesus is coming soon. It is a fact because Jesus said so. That is all I need to know. So am I looking back like Lot’s wife did or am I looking forward in anticipation of Christ’s return?
Luke 17:28-33
28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.
30 “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.
When we become followers of Jesus the old life needs to be left behind. No looking back it is gone and we have a new life in Christ. We look forward every day for His return and look for opportunities to love others by meeting needs and sharing the love of Jesus by telling them the good news of Jesus providing salvation to all who will believe!!!
So this day where are you looking....any where else than Jesus is the wrong place!
Tom
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Even if...
A cousin of mine shared this this morning and it sure did speak to me. I hope it does you as well. Here is some scripture to go along with the song.
Daniel 3:15-18 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
MercyMe “Even if”
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Don’t linger!
Do you remember the story of Lot? He was told by angels to get out of Sodom as it was going to be destroyed by God of its wickedness. What did Lot do? He lingered.
Genesis 19:16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.
My first thought was Lot must not have been a very godly man if he lingered here but look at this verse:
2 Peter 2:7-8 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);
That verse says Lot was righteous so he was a godly man. So why did Lot linger?
One thing we do see from the verses in 2 Peter is that the wickedness did bother Him greatly which is a good sign. If we can be around wickedness and it doesn’t bother us then something is bad wrong!
Why did Lot linger? Perhaps he cared greatly for some of the people there and did to want to leave without them. Perhaps he may have been disgusted by the sins of the people but grown to overlook it. Perhaps his wife liked it there and did not want to move so Lot did not want to rock the boat with her. Perhaps Lot still likes the pastures for his flocks and did not want to leave the pasture land. Perhaps Lot thought he could still win some hearts to the Lord but up to this point it appears he had not done so in many years of dwelling there. It even appears he had little effect on his own family!
We can only speculate why lot lingered but we can see ourselves in many of the actions of Lot, and it is a warning to us not to linger in a place of wickedness. We are responsible for our families walk with God and we need to make a difference there and then move outside our family walls and make a difference there as well.
It is interesting note we know very little about lot after he left here and arrived at Zoar. He was declared righteous in the 2 Peter verses we read before but it appears other than being right with God He did little else! I believe this is also a warning to us because if we did not have the 2 Peter verses we may just declare Lot was a lost man but that it not so!
Let us not linger but be a mover and a shaker for the Lord!
Tom
Friday, February 17, 2017
Do you love Jesus?
According to the words of Jesus this will prove your love:
John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Are you striving on a day to day basis to follower the teachings of Jesus? This is what proves our love for Him. Pretty straight forward isn’t it? Also if you don’t read your bible how do you know what His teachings are? You don’t! So get in the word and keep the commandments of Christ as that is what truly sets you free!!!
Tom
Thursday, February 16, 2017
What are you living for today?
This is a question for you to ponder this day. Be honest. Then read this verse:
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
There it is brothers and sisters. Plain and simple. If you are living this day for anything other than Jesus you are off base! Chew on that this day for Jesus is all we should want to live for!
Tom
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Live blessed!
Everyday is a blessing from God regardless of what the day brings. May we remember this verse:
Psalm 126:3 The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Today will likely bring a stressful time but today will also bring many great things. Another breath, another heartbeat, a child’s smile, God’s love, a spouse’s kiss, a bed to sleep in, a job to go to, a warm house, food, drink, salvation, and you can add to the list. God does great things every second of everyday, let us be thankful and filled with the joy of our Lord.
God loves you!
Tom
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
God over the world.
Yesterday we looked at the choices Moses had to make To follow God when He could have chosen to stay in the easy life of Egypt under the household of Pharaoh. Moses chose God over the world. We are called to do the same thing. Let me ask you this day....are you choosing God or do you choses the things of the world on a daily basis. Think hard on that before you answer.
Consider these verses from the Word of God:
John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 16:26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 12:25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
There is so much scripture that could be added to this, let us be sure we are chasing God each day over the world. The devil is good at his foolishness so we must be in the Word to recognize it. Stand as Moses soon against the world and with the ways of God!
Tom
Monday, February 13, 2017
3 Things we may have to give up for our souls sake!
Looking at the life of Moses we can see three things very easily he gave up that we may as well have to give up for the sakes of our souls best interest. So let’s jump in!
1. A high place in society.
Remember Moses was under Pharaoh’s care! He was in the palace of the Pharaoh and treated like a son! But “Hebrews 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.”
He chose God’s way not man’s way to be great! Great in the eyes of God not man!
2. A life of pleasure.
How easy it would have been for Moses to stay under the Pharaoh’s care and life a life of every kind of pleasure. He gave it up to lead the people of God (Israel) out of bondage. He went through so much ridicule, bashing, emotional harm, physical struggles, and so much more to be pleasing to God! Moses knew this side of heaven was not his home and thus lived a life of obedience to God forsaking the easy pleasures of life!
Do we live our lives seeking pleasure or seeking to be obedient to God?
3. Riches of Egypt.
Would you leave great riches to follow God? Moses did. Hebrews 11:26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
Money has a great hold on many. Look around and see the hold it has on this world of ours. People kill for it everyday! Many would not have done as Moses and left the riches of Egypt for anything not even God. You may be thinking Moses must not have been very smart....ohhh how wrong you are! Acts 7:22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. He was a very smart man!
So let us think about the example of Moses and learn there are things we will have to give up when we are called by God, the question is are we willing?
Tom
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Are you condemned or not?
That is the question we all must ask ourselves. We are all condemned to a place called hell unless we have called upon Jesus to be our personal Lord and Savior. God tells us in His word that if we are in Christ we are not condemned to that place called hell but to an eternal life with Him in Heaven!!!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Matthew 7:23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Remember God desires that none of us perish in hell:
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
God loves you and gives you a choice. What are you going to choose?
If I can be of any help feel free to contact me!!!
Tom
Friday, February 10, 2017
Examples of Faith and Assurance. #5
Today we will wrap up our looks at the difference in jus plain faith and having true assurance of your faith. We have been taking some excerpts from JC Ryle’s book “Holiness” and will continue in this devotion.
In the last example Ryle says: “Faith is Saul praying in the house of Judas at Damascus, sorrowful, blind and alone.” Acts 9:11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
Ryle continues: “Assurance is Paul, the aged prisoner, looking calmly into the grave, and saying, “I know whom I have believed. There is a crown laid up for me”” 2 Timothy 1:12,4:8.
2 Timothy 1:12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Do you see the difference? Faith is believing in Christ, assurance is knowing with little doubt about the outcome no matter what this world brings your way!!!
I pray for you this morning, that you have the child like faith in the Messiah and that you also have the assurance that all His promises will come true!
Tom
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Examples of Faith and Assurance. #4
Today we continue to look at the difference between simple faith and full assurance in Jesus. I am pulling samples from the book “Holiness” by JC Ryle.
Ryle teaches: “Faith is the anxious, trembling voice: “Lord, I believe--help my unbelief” Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Ryle continues: “Assurance is the confident challenge: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Who is he who condemns?”” Romans 8:33-34 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
So faith is I believe but need help still. Assurance is knowing we are saved and nobody can take it away because Jesus is the ONE who makes intercession for us. He is God and undefeated as our advocate!!! Praise Jesus!
Tom
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Examples of Faith and Assurance. #3
Let us this morning look at the third example of having just faith versus having full blown assurance as shared by JC Ryle from his book “Holiness”.
“Faith is Peter’s drowning cry, as he began to sink: “Lord, save me!”” Matthew 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
“Assurance is that same Peter declaring before the council in after times, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:12
This shows how our growth in Christ should be! When we first come to Christ we tend to not always keep our eyes on Jesus and we sink from time to time. As we growth in our studies of the scriptures and our faith deepens we become assured of what we believe and thus become bold and stand upon the Rock and can not be moved! Knowing the truth of Jesus!
Once again I ask this day you have the assurance of your faith???
Tom
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Examples of Faith and Assurance. #2
Let’s look at another example from scripture about the difference in simple faith and blessed assurance!
JC Ryle says this in his book “Holiness”, “Faith is the penitent their, crying, “Lord, remember me””Luke 23:42. Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
Ryle continues: “Assurance is Job, sitting in the dust, covered with sores, and saying, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”” Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Ryle continues on about Job: “though He slays me--yet I will trust Him” Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
So we see here the thief has faith and thats it but Job knows without a doubt in whom his trust is placed!
I pray we all have the assurance of our faith!
Tom
Monday, February 6, 2017
Examples of Faith and Assurance.
JC Ryle in his book Holiness pointed out the difference between faith which saves us and the assurance in which we live knowing we are going to heaven. Over the next few days I want to give you a few examples of this from the scriptures.
Ryle says “Faith is the root and assurance is the flower. Doubtless you can never have the flower without the root; but it is no less certain you may have the root and not the flower.”
This is the difference between faith and assurance. Think on that for a bit.
Now for todays scripture example:
Ryle once again says: “Faith is that poor trembling woman who came behind Jesus in the press, and touched the hem of His garment in Mark 5:25”:
Mark 5:25-34 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
Ryle continues: “Assurance is Stephen standing calmly in the midst of his murders and saying in Acts 7:54-60”:
When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Do you see the difference? The woman had faith but no assurance. Stephen had faith and assurance! Do you?
Tom
Friday, February 3, 2017
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Are you ashamed?
I have a question for you to think about this morning and think about it a bit before you answer? Are you ashamed of Jesus?
At first thought most would say “NO WAY!” Let us think about it another way....how many times dose the Holy Spirit convict us to speak to someone about Jesus and we don’t? We talk ourselves out of it because of 100 different excuses. Hmmmm Can it be said then that we are ashamed of Jesus? Check this verse out:
Romans 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
What about Peter, when he denied Jesus three times?
Let us be bold as Peter and John were after receiving the Holy Spirit and speaking no matter the cost because we are not ashamed of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Tom
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