God spoke through Jeremiah to the false prophets of Judah, His people, and proclaimed, “But who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, that he should see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and listened? (Jeremiah 23:18) God also tells us what is the outcome or outflow of those who humble themselves to receive His counsel. He says, “If they had stood in my counsel, then they would have announced my words to my people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:22) Paul certainly was a faithful and courageous man of God who received God’s counsel and boldly declared that, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose (counsel) of God.” (Acts 20:27) May you also be encouraged and emboldened to stand in God’s counsel and declare in His power the gospel of Jesus Christ in our world today. (Hear the entire message below. Originally recorded February 13, 2013) 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 walked in a very close and intimate relationship with Jesus, and he was mightily anointed by God’s Spirit to preach the gospel to all men. His journey of faith came with a price of suffering mentally, physically, and spiritually. He was tested by God and, like so many other followers of Jesus, he was proven to be faithful to the end. At one point in the scriptures, Paul elaborated on the specific accostings and brutal punishments he experienced by the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul never would have survived such ordeals and trials if he didn’t believe that God’s grace and salvation were sufficient for such times in his life. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and, speaking from his own experiences of trusting God unconditionally for His salvation in the moment, he said, “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, 'at the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the Day of Salvation I helped you.' Behold now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of salvation'”. He also spoke these encouraging words, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” After all, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. How about you? Are you experiencing God’s salvation through Jesus and depending on Him for your salvation in every moment of your life? The Psalmist wrote, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” References: 2 Corinthians 11:23-33; 2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Philippians 4:11-13; Psalm 46:1 (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. A destiny awaits every soul that has been or ever will be born into this world. Thank God that He has given to all a free will to choose our fate. Every moment and every ounce of energy in a person’s life can be either spent running to God faithfully bound to Him through Christ Jesus bringing to pass eternal salvation— or running away from Him resulting in eternal death. Sadly, multitudes are myopic and near sighted, and choose to live in the moment to experience the temporal pleasures and enticements, and yield to the temptations that Satan, the god of this world, has to offer them. These souls have been deceived to believe a lie and are undiscerning as Satan disguises and transforms himself as an angel of light. Jesus explained that there are two ways of life, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” We have often heard the expression, “Run for your life,” and that’s exactly what the writer of Hebrews is saying, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance (patience) the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” One thing remains for sure—to prevaricate is not an option! To prevaricate means to stray from or evade the truth. The Latin root means to straddle. Doesn’t that sound familiar in today’s society? Simply put, run to live or run to die! 2 Corinthians 11:14; Hebrews 12:1, 2; Matthew 7:13, 14 (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. We continue with James 4. It is a fascinating chapter in which we are admonished as to what to avoid and then encouraged as to what to practice. It all comes down to our free will and the choices we make. But I would like to encourage you not to be caught up so much with what Christianity is against, but to concentrate much more on what it is for! That way, you’ll be so busy doing the “do’s” that you won’t have time for the “don’ts”! Sin is sin—God will deal with that. You concentrate on what God is for (Galatians 5:22-23):
Previous Messages On James - If you missed the previous three messages on the Book of James, we have included the links below for your convenience. 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. 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. It is hard to fathom that God would descend to this earth to be born of a virgin by His own miraculous seed. His name is Jesus, or Immanuel, which means “God with us.” He lived among men and was made for a little while lower than the angels. He fulfilled His mission by giving His life as a sacrifice to redeem mankind from eternal death. God was also with mankind from the beginning of creation, and Jesus was there to witness His Father’s divine power and handiwork. Paul says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Therefore, man can see the invisible God by witnessing His awesome creation, but only in Jesus Christ can a man be transformed and given a new mind and heart to know the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. In Christ alone can a soul declare, God is not only with me—He is in me! (See Hebrews 2:7; John 1:1-18, 3:1-21; Romans 1:20, 12:1-2; Colossians 1:27) (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. 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. We have all had our share of poor and foolish decisions and choices in the past. All have miserably failed and sinned in the sight of God. However, Isaiah speaks of a glorious freedom and emancipation from our sins through the redemption in the blood of Jesus Christ. He says, “'Come now, and let us reason together,'” says the Lord, 'though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.'” Paul also said that he pressed on to lay hold of Christ, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Be encouraged to press onward in your daily redemption in Jesus, and don’t let the sins of the past (which could be only one minute ago) rob you of the love, joy, peace and salvation Jesus has given you this day! [Scripture References: Romans 3:23; Isaiah 1:18-20; Philippians 3:12-13; Romans 10:9] 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. The Tampa Tribune printed an article on September 23, 2013, regarding Pope Francis’ remarks on gays, abortion, and contraception. The Pope remarked that, “the church has become too focused on ‘small-minded rules’” regarding these issues of today. Many applauded what they heard as a “message of inclusion.” One elderly Catholic lady said that the Pope was “spot on.” She went on to say, “As Catholic Christians, we do need to be more welcoming.” No one has been more welcoming to a lost and sinful world than Jesus Christ who gave His life as a ransom for all and 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.” (Matthew 11:28-30) That’s pretty inclusive IF one chooses to put His yoke on and learn from the Holy Spirit His way, His truth, and His life! Not all will enter the Kingdom of Heaven as illustrated in the parable of the marriage feast as told by Jesus in Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus also said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Yes, there are rules, ancient boundaries, established by God Himself and most assuredly they are not “small-minded rules.” God’s words are words of sober truth and need to be obeyed in the strength of the Holy Spirit. When we come to Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior, He will equip us and enable us to overcome all of our ungodly ways and habits and transform us into His glorious image. (Romans 12:2) Remember, there is inclusion for the faithful and obedient and exclusion for the unfaithful and disobedient. 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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