Can anyone tell a difference?

God makes it clear in His Word that there should be a very noticeable difference in a follower of Jesus and someone who does not. Look at these scriptures:

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

It is very easily understood here we are to be like Christ not the world. Sadly the church is failing in many ways of being different and thus I believe Charles Spurgeon was right on the money with this quote:

"I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church...Put your finger on any prosperous page in the churches history, 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'".

So think about your church and think about your self....is there a noticeable difference? If we claim to be followers of Jesus we should not even have to think about it....it should be an overwhelming YES!

Tom

The Rainbow-a promise from God! 5-29-15

This may tell where your heart is!

Are you excitedly awaiting the return of Jesus? Seriously? Or is Jesus just your ticket to heaven and nothing else? Your answer just may reveal something about your heart! Look at this verse:

Hebrews 9:28
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Did you catch that "eagerly awaiting for Him"? You see for those who have truly given their lives to follow Jesus, we are watching eagerly for Him to return because this place we are at now is not our home!

Check out these verses:

Philippians 3:20
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 13:14
14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

We must be very careful to not want to hold onto this world and the things of it. Are we eagerly awaiting Jesus or are we wanting the worldly pleasures and don't want Jesus to interrupt our plans? Ouch!

Remember what our love for is to be like?

Luke 14:26
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.

Our love for Jesus is be incomparable to anyone or anything else!

So what is your heart telling you right now? You longing for Jesus? If not you might ought to pour out your heart to God and spend sometime with Him!

Oh come Jesus come! Take me home!!!

Tom

What is my goal for today?

According to the Word of God, for the follower of Jesus our goal for each day is this:

1 Corinthians 10:31-33
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Here is what we see as our gaol each day from these verses:

1. Bring glory to God in all I do! This is the very reason we were created! To bring glory to God in everything! That is a tough task everyday as life comes our way but it can be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Live like Jesus as to cause no offense to others. This is to show love to all. Be sure to remember though when you stand for Jesus you will cause offense to some by being faithful to God. Always stand strong on the Word!

3. Try to please others by putting them first for the main purpose of bring them to Jesus for salvation. As we know from scriptures the bible teaches this order in life...God, others, you! Are you upholding that teaching?

So are these your goals? If you are a follower of Jesus they should be! With the ultimate goal of bringing glory to God in everything we do!

Tom

Murder will cost you! 5-26-15

Do you know who your help is?

So many times in life we look to all the wrong places for help! Books, TV, people, and the list goes on. The bible is clear for the follower of Jesus where our help is:

Psalm 121:1-3

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.

When things are good or bad look up!!!! That is where the help comes from! So thankful that God cares about us aren't you? In verse 2 the psalmist reminds us where our help comes from....the LORD! No one else can do what the Lord can do, so why try anywhere else??? For God is all as we see He made us and everything else. 

Not only is He our help, He also is our protector as He will not let be moved from Him. Once we are His we are His forever! Praise the Lord!!! Another important thing to remember is God never is absent for His children. He never sleeps and is everywhere all the time.

When we add all this up why in the world would we go to anyone else for help???? 

Tom

In God's timing! 5-21-15