Jesus made a most profound invitation to all mankind when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my load is light.” As we grow and mature in a life-imparting and spirit-led relationship with Jesus Christ, the old man with all the old ways, bad habits, worldly mindset and ideologies, must become things of the past and dead to us. We must let go and let God enable us to fret less and rest more in Him. Someone has said that, “A dead man doesn’t get hurt.” I might add neither does a dead man fret, worry, doubt, and fear, nor is he anxious for anything. In fact, as believers we are to have this confession, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me.” David spoke these words to God’s people and said, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Remember, we can experience rest through commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ OR we can fret due to doubt, fear and unbelief. What do you choose? See: Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 2:20; Psalm 37:5, 7 (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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The King of Aram, an enemy of Israel, had finally caught up with his nemesis, Elisha, at the city of Dothan. The king’s horses and chariots surrounded the city and Elisha’s servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do!” Elisha answered and said, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” These words of Elisha may were not shallow and pretentious because Elisha was faithfully and fearlessly devoted to the Living God and prayed to God to have his servants eyes opened to see what he saw. God answered and opened his servant’s eyes, “…and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.” We must understand that as followers of Jesus Christ, we belong to God. We therefore have access to His throne of Grace which includes all His blessings and gifts. We are children of the King! John wrote, “You are from God, little children and have overcome them. Because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” He spoke the same encouraging words in his letter that Elijah had spoken to his servant over 500 years before. David prevailed over Goliath –“You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.” He was faithfully and fearlessly devoted to God. May we cry out to God, through Jesus, like Elijah did and beseech him to open our eyes to see and understand the power, provision, and resources of the Holy Spirit He has for all His children. The “chariots of fire” are still at God’s command to come to the aid of His chosen ones during this time of our spiritual warfare with Satan. Let us be determined to be faithfully and fearlessly devoted to our God! (See NASB: 2 Kings 6; 1 John 4:4; 1 Samuel 17; 2 Chronicles 20) (Hear the entire message below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. In seeking God for a theme for this new year of 2014, I heard several times, “Stand By Me.” I asked God for the meaning and understanding of these words. I understood that it is a clarion call to diligently draw near to God, to listen and receive revelation and be built-up in Christ Jesus, because the enemy of God’s people, Satan, has greatly increased his evil and malicious assault on His glorious church. I also received further clarification and amplification that these words and message are calling God’s people to stand in Him, on Him, for Him, near Him, and to abide faithfully committed to obey His voice. The devil is a master at deception and we, as believers, are encouraged to not be deceived but to know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. We have heard it said, “knowing what you stand for limits what you fall for.” There is a sense of caution and admonition in this year’s theme to draw near to God that He may draw near to us. Paul wrote the Philippians and encouraged them to “STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents – which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.” (Philippians 1:27,28) This is a time for renewal and commitment to prayer, devotion and communion to Jesus, the Great Shepherd of our souls. It is imperative that we, God’s children, exhibit spiritual discernment of good and evil, and allow the very power of the Holy Spirit to pierce the dark and deceptive assaults of Satan. May we stand by Jesus in the fullness of the meaning and implications thereof and see the salvation only He can impart in every moment of our lives. This year, let us declare along with David, “But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3) (James 4:8; Philippians 1:27,28; Romans 12:1,2; Psalm 3:3) (Listen to entire sermon below.) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. God’s providence is for those who will humble themselves before Him and depend upon Him at all times and in every circumstance. Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, was not perfect but he was determined to reform God’s people and turn them away from paganism and idolatry to serve the Living God. In this spiritual warfare, he also said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the Lord who is with you when you render judgment.” When Jehoshaphat came under attack by Moab and Ammon, he called for a fast, gathered Judah together to seek help from the Lord, and said, “We are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee.” The Spirit of God responded and said, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s….You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.” Similarly, we also may not know what to do at times, but may we be quick to turn our eyes on Jesus and see deliverance and the salvation of our Mighty God! (See 2 Chronicles 19, 20) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed. Peter insisted that he would never fall away nor deny the Lord, and that he was willing to die with Jesus. Peter’s devotion and zeal for Jesus seemed to be proven true when he cut off the right ear of Malchus, one of the servants of the high priest who came to arrest Jesus. However, when Jesus was arrested and taken away, Peter followed “at a distance” and when questioned about being a follower of Jesus, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus—three times before the rooster crowed. This account proves to all of us how vulnerable we are to the temptations of Satan to deny Christ in our daily lives in any given situation. Peter was greatly humbled through this experience, and from that time on he was never the same but was more ardent to receive and welcome the divine power of God in order to become a partaker of Jesus’ divine nature. Be encouraged like Peter, apply all diligence, and run with a godly passion the race before you in the strength, power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God. [Scripture References: Luke 22:31-34; Matthew 26:33-35; 2 Peter 1:1-11; I Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:8-16] Listen to entire sermon by audio below. If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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The prophet Habakkuk was greatly troubled as he addressed the wickedness and disobedience of Judah. “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and you will not hear? I cry out to thee 'violence!' Yet thou dost not save.” Although he was disturbed, he remained faithful to God and in his distress he said, “I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and will keep watch to see what he will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved.” God responded and instructed Habakkuk to write and record the heavenly vision on tablets so that all who pass by could read it in order to compare the vision with the actual future events of Judah’s and Babylon’s punishment. God told the prophet, “Though it tarries, wait for it. For it will certainly come, it will not fail.” Similarly, God’s people today are to be diligently watching to see and hear what God will reveal to them through Jesus Christ. They are also reminded to write His commandments and truths on their hearts, and wait faithfully upon God knowing that His word and His plans will all be fulfilled at the appointed time—for the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 1-3; Proverbs 3:1-6; 2 Peter 3; Hebrews 10:35-39; Luke 12:35-40; Galatians 3:11 If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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There are so many things, causes and people to be devoted to in this world. Satan, the god of this world who comes as an angel of light, desires, covets and actively seeks ways and means to stealthily and deceitfully garner the affection and devotion of every soul on earth. His mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. After all, he is also known as, “the Grim Reaper.” However, he can’t just appear with his deadly scythe and carry souls off to hell unless they exercise their God-given free will to choose him for their master. God earnestly desires for man to choose life eternal through His Son Jesus, and forsake the scheming and devious ways of Satan. Affection does determine destiny—Heaven or hell. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (that is, deceitful riches, money, possessions or what is trusted in).” Paul said, “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind (affections) on things above, not on the things that are on earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Peter was enabled supernaturally to walk upon the stormy sea because he set his affection on Jesus alone. He began to sink because he looked to the threatening waves of fear, doubt and unbelief. But here is the good news—for those who continue in their affection and faithful devotion to Jesus, though they may stumble and fall, like Peter, He will pluck them up from the storms they encounter and carry them safely to their heavenly destiny to be with Him forever. Scripture References: Matthew 6:24 (Amplified); Colossians 3:1-3 If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Jesus, immediately after performing the miracle of feeding multitudes with five loaves and two fish, compelled His beloved disciples to launch out to sea to get their spiritual “sea legs.” We understand this nautical term as meaning the ability to walk on board a ship with steadiness especially in rough seas. Jesus knew their journey would be perilous and life threatening and, therefore, went off by Himself to pray and intercede for them. Perhaps it was calm when they departed, but when they were about 3-4 miles out to sea by themselves at 3-6 a.m. and darkness was all around, they encountered a violent and vicious storm with waves battering their boat. Jesus, knowing their perilous situation, came to them walking on the water intent on saving them all. Peter was so bold to ask, and then was granted permission by Jesus, to come to Him on the water. He was so full of confidence! Here I come, Jesus! His focus was on Jesus alone—not on the water. But at some point, he looked away from Jesus, down at the water, maybe thinking it was incredible that he was actually walking on it in this raging storm. This was when he lost his focus and began to sink. However, like you and me today, we know in our hearts and minds that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us, but too often we look to the storm, our faith lacking, and we begin to sink. We find ourselves under a “sea of circumstances” and not looking to Jesus who lifts us above these battering waves of fear and doubt. Perhaps our “sea legs” are in need of more training like Peter’s and the disciples with him. When Peter cried out to Jesus to save him, like we must do, Jesus reached out and took hold of him and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. See Matthew 14:13-33. All God’s people will also be sent out in our world today (the sea of life) to be trained and disciplined—to trust Him and have faith in Him in every circumstance we may encounter. R. W. Schambach, for more than five decades, boldly declared, “You don’t have any trouble—all you need is FAITH IN GOD.” If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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Paul considered himself the foremost of all sinners. He said he was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor and a violent aggressor against the faithful followers of Jesus Christ. He later became a recipient of God’s grace and found mercy through Jesus Christ. Paul said that Jesus demonstrated His perfect patience toward him as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Paul expresses his gratitude to Jesus for saving his soul as follows: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me (KJV, “enabled” me) because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” Like Paul, all who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and savior have been commissioned and enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God and glorify His holy name. Paul said he learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. He gives us the “secret” and says: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, you also have been lavished with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus in order to serve the living God. Are you experiencing the ability to do all things through Jesus Christ who enables and strengthens you to serve Him daily? (I Timothy 1:12-17; I Peter 5:10, 11; Phil. 4:12, 13) If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.
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A number of years ago, Rick Warren wrote a book called, “The Purpose Driven Life”. That little book really made me think about many things back then…and now. Dwelling on the fact that God knows me and made me for a purpose, gives me a reason to get up each day. Knowing I’m not just some cosmic happenstance gives me hope and a future. Knowing God loves me so much He was willing to die for me to make peace with my fallen nature and take me back into His family gives me great joy and a sense of belonging. Today’s world is full of people “longing for belonging”. But they often reject the very thing they need and pursue the vanities of the earth instead of the values of the Lord. God made us so He could love us. Cozy up to Him and find out your real purpose in life. Don’t be a floater…rather, know why on earth you are on earth! Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16. If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS. |
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