Dear Readers around the world! May the Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Heavenly Father, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you all, now and forever! Amen!
So precious are the greetings that are given from one Christian to another! Christians have abundant measures of Grace, Mercy and Peace! These are wonderful gifts given to each person that has believed in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ by Faith for his own salvation. These are given to each one that has repented and believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Do we understand the difference between Grace and Mercy? Grace is when God gives us what we do not deserve. It is the unmerited favor in the sight of God. Ephes. 2:7-8
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Such a wonderful word is Grace! All the riches and glories of heaven above are given to the believers! What could be finer than that? Nothing at all!
Mercy is a similar but yet very different word. Mercy is when God does not give us what we do deserve. 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
We have deserved nothing but punishment. Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.
We all are all together unworthy. However, Jesus Paid it All, all to Him we owe!
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
What a wonderful word Mercy it is when we understand that it is of the Lord’s Mercy that we are not consumed. Jesus died for us as sinful men so that we can be saved! What never ending Mercy for mankind!
Peace! Now believers have such a peace! When we understand God’s Grace and Mercy, then we surely can be at peace. Philip. 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
There is no other peace worth having in this world, other than this peace of God! If you not have this peace, turn to His Word. Turn to the Christians around you! Pray often for the comfort which comes from the Holy Spirit according to Jesus promise when He said in John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
The Holy Spirit which is the comforter abides in the hearts of all true believers! Scripture tells us: 2 Cor. 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
This Liberty is for the believers only. This is not liberty for our flesh to do as we wish, but rather this is Liberty to have peace, joy, happiness, in the Holy Ghost. The children of God are free, and they have every right to be the most joyful people on earth.
Do you dear reader, have this Peace and Liberty today? I pray that you are a possessor of this Peace and Liberty. Remember however, that if you are not counted among the elect of God today, or if someone you know is not yet a believer, today is the day of Grace. Today is a day of Grace and Mercy if man would humble himself, repent, and believe by Faith. Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
May these few verses from God’s word find a lodging place in the hearts of one or many of the people that God Loves, which as we know is everyone!
May God Bless your week!
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Who are you?
WHO ARE YOU?? IN CHRIST JESUS
Dear Readers around the World. Last weekend, I did a Foreign Mission presentation for about 200 young people. As I was wondering what to share with them, the Lord gave me a thought that it is so important for all of us to be encouraged as to who we are in Christ Jesus. This thought led me to many questions. These questions started with our very creation.
I will share today with you, some of the questions that I asked these Christian youth, and God’s Holy Word that answers these and all of the questions that we may have!
Remember that we know that many reading this article around the world are not yet believers in the one true God and in Salvation through the Redemptive work of His Only Son our Lord Jesus Christ! To all of those readers I say, please keep reading this blog even if you do not believe it yet. Just remember that the Bible is the Word of the God of the universe, and what it says is the absolute and unerring truth. Man can and will often make mistakes, but God’s word is never incorrect!
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Now on to the questions!
HOW WERE YOU CREATED?
Genesis 1:26 (KJV)
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:.
THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
WHAT MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS?
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…
HOW DID WE BECOME WHO WE ARE NOW THE WE BELIEVE?
2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
WHO ARE WE NOW, ONCE WE HAVE REPENTED AND BELIEVE?
Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Ephes. 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
WHAT KIND OF MIND DO WE NOW HAVE?
Philip. 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
BECAUSE OF THIS WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
Philip. 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NOW YOUR NEW NAME?
Philip. 4:21
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
ARE WE ALONE IN THIS BATTLE?
Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
WHO CAN HARM YOU?
Romans 8:39-9:1
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Cor. 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,
WHY ARE WE HERE? (on earth)
Ephes. 1:12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. .
Ephes. 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
WHAT MINISTRY DO WE NOW HAVE?
2 Cor. 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
I pray that the Word of God would work in the heart of all those reading this article according to His Will and Purpose. When we speak, write, or talk to any group, we do not know each person’s heart. However, God does! Let us continue to search God’s Word prayerfully.
May God Bless Your Week!
Dear Readers around the World. Last weekend, I did a Foreign Mission presentation for about 200 young people. As I was wondering what to share with them, the Lord gave me a thought that it is so important for all of us to be encouraged as to who we are in Christ Jesus. This thought led me to many questions. These questions started with our very creation.
I will share today with you, some of the questions that I asked these Christian youth, and God’s Holy Word that answers these and all of the questions that we may have!
Remember that we know that many reading this article around the world are not yet believers in the one true God and in Salvation through the Redemptive work of His Only Son our Lord Jesus Christ! To all of those readers I say, please keep reading this blog even if you do not believe it yet. Just remember that the Bible is the Word of the God of the universe, and what it says is the absolute and unerring truth. Man can and will often make mistakes, but God’s word is never incorrect!
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Now on to the questions!
HOW WERE YOU CREATED?
Genesis 1:26 (KJV)
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:.
THEN WHAT HAPPENED?
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
WHAT MUST BE DONE ABOUT THIS?
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…
HOW DID WE BECOME WHO WE ARE NOW THE WE BELIEVE?
2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
WHO ARE WE NOW, ONCE WE HAVE REPENTED AND BELIEVE?
Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Ephes. 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
WHAT KIND OF MIND DO WE NOW HAVE?
Philip. 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
BECAUSE OF THIS WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
Philip. 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NOW YOUR NEW NAME?
Philip. 4:21
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
ARE WE ALONE IN THIS BATTLE?
Romans 12:5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
WHO CAN HARM YOU?
Romans 8:39-9:1
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Cor. 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,
WHY ARE WE HERE? (on earth)
Ephes. 1:12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. .
Ephes. 3:11
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
WHAT MINISTRY DO WE NOW HAVE?
2 Cor. 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
I pray that the Word of God would work in the heart of all those reading this article according to His Will and Purpose. When we speak, write, or talk to any group, we do not know each person’s heart. However, God does! Let us continue to search God’s Word prayerfully.
May God Bless Your Week!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Indenity in Christ
Dear readers around the world. God's Peace!
Today our article is penned by a brother in Christ, Mark Sunnarborg. He has a prison ministry that he faithfully attends to. I asked him if he would share some thoughts with us, so today I have decided to share one of his writings. I agree with Mark that it is most important to know our identity. I have shared with many of you in the past about this identity is Christ.
This is the actual reality of being found in Christ. We then know who we are, where we came from, and where we are going! What a joy this is! We are so blessed to know all of these things! The unbeliever is still wondering if they evolved, or if there is a God, or will they come back after they die as a pig or goat or something. The unbeliever does not know the one true God, but may think that there are many Gods. We thank God that through the great redemptive work of His Son Jesus Christ, we as believers have a new identity. We are found in Jesus Christ! When we are found in Him, we have not only this new identity, but we have a new life, and eternal life in glorious heaven above waiting for us! Here is Mark to continue!
Who are you?
Who are you and where did you come from?
Are you what you do for a living? Master home builder, big shot in some business? Or rather, are you a new person in Christ Jesus? The new man in Christ must go forth, for old things are passed away. You can be defined by what you do as to who you are. Before you were in Christ you were defined by what you did or by your works. You were only defined by what your works were (deeds are filthy rags). Is that who you are? I think not!! You are new each day in Christ and are not defined by what you did in the flesh, which is to sin. Each day the new man in Christ must rise above the old man defined by his deeds which are sin. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Do not sin for you are not of the devil. Sin is what you are, not who you are. From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, yes both feet. Remember who you are in Christ.
Isa 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. You came from your parents and that also defines who you are. Red and yellow, black and white, in Christ Jesus we are all brothers, and we are defined by the faith that he has given to us. By faith each day we are to put on this definition. Remember where you came from, the pit of hell, but now as believers soar to the skies or heavens. Isa 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. This is who you are. See what God has done he has raised you up from sin to faith in his Son Jesus and to eternal life forever with him in glory (heaven).
I asked who are you, not who you are. There is a difference. Look and examine what Jesus has done for you already, not what he will do. It’s not what Jesus would do it’s what he has already done. Have you examined who you are today?
Your brother in Christ
Mark Sunnarborg
Rhinelander, WI
Today our article is penned by a brother in Christ, Mark Sunnarborg. He has a prison ministry that he faithfully attends to. I asked him if he would share some thoughts with us, so today I have decided to share one of his writings. I agree with Mark that it is most important to know our identity. I have shared with many of you in the past about this identity is Christ.
This is the actual reality of being found in Christ. We then know who we are, where we came from, and where we are going! What a joy this is! We are so blessed to know all of these things! The unbeliever is still wondering if they evolved, or if there is a God, or will they come back after they die as a pig or goat or something. The unbeliever does not know the one true God, but may think that there are many Gods. We thank God that through the great redemptive work of His Son Jesus Christ, we as believers have a new identity. We are found in Jesus Christ! When we are found in Him, we have not only this new identity, but we have a new life, and eternal life in glorious heaven above waiting for us! Here is Mark to continue!
Who are you?
Who are you and where did you come from?
Are you what you do for a living? Master home builder, big shot in some business? Or rather, are you a new person in Christ Jesus? The new man in Christ must go forth, for old things are passed away. You can be defined by what you do as to who you are. Before you were in Christ you were defined by what you did or by your works. You were only defined by what your works were (deeds are filthy rags). Is that who you are? I think not!! You are new each day in Christ and are not defined by what you did in the flesh, which is to sin. Each day the new man in Christ must rise above the old man defined by his deeds which are sin. Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Do not sin for you are not of the devil. Sin is what you are, not who you are. From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, yes both feet. Remember who you are in Christ.
Isa 51:1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. You came from your parents and that also defines who you are. Red and yellow, black and white, in Christ Jesus we are all brothers, and we are defined by the faith that he has given to us. By faith each day we are to put on this definition. Remember where you came from, the pit of hell, but now as believers soar to the skies or heavens. Isa 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. This is who you are. See what God has done he has raised you up from sin to faith in his Son Jesus and to eternal life forever with him in glory (heaven).
I asked who are you, not who you are. There is a difference. Look and examine what Jesus has done for you already, not what he will do. It’s not what Jesus would do it’s what he has already done. Have you examined who you are today?
Your brother in Christ
Mark Sunnarborg
Rhinelander, WI
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
United by the Bond of Love
Dear Readers around the world! God's Peace! Our article this week is by a Pastor who was at our annual convention! I hope we all can learn together more about love! The title of the article is:
United By The Bond Of Love
(Article written by Pastor Chuck Bylkas, who is also a Central Board member)
Dear Friends,
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”John 17:20-22
At our recent church convention there was considerable discussion on the subject of unity in the Body of Christ. The Kingston congregation had selected “Bind Us Together in Love” as the theme for the convention. While this sounds like an obvious goal for Christians, how do we go about achieving such unity? Because we are selfish by the old nature, we tend to get along only with those who agree with us. We agree to unity if others see things our way. We try to come to a sense of compromise or general agreement on matters of principles or practice, but such efforts only result in a cosmetic unity, or it fails because we rarely agree completely with anyone on anything.
We cannot solve this problem. True oneness cannot be achieved by the efforts sinful human beings, but rather by the work of the One Man, Jesus Christ. When Christ prays the High Priestly prayer in John 17, He is not praying for something that He hopes may happen, but rather what He knows will happen. God the Father answers the High Priestly prayer, and His answer is the Cross. Because of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are united with Him and one another by faith.
The Apostle Paul asks the question to a church in Corinth that was selfish and divisive “Is Christ divided?” The answer is a resounding “No!” Indeed, we are all uniquely different, but we are all part of the same body; the Body of Christ. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all…Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. ” I Corinthians 12:4-6, 27
As members of the Body of Christ we are united by the bond of love and called to use our gifts to edify one another. To paraphrase Dietrich Bonhoeffer, unity is not something that we hope to create, but rather a new reality in which we are allowed to participate. May God grant us grace to recognize the unity that He has established in the Body of His Son and enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to build one another up in love.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:17-19
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chuck Bylkas
United By The Bond Of Love
(Article written by Pastor Chuck Bylkas, who is also a Central Board member)
Dear Friends,
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one: and that the world may know that Thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”John 17:20-22
At our recent church convention there was considerable discussion on the subject of unity in the Body of Christ. The Kingston congregation had selected “Bind Us Together in Love” as the theme for the convention. While this sounds like an obvious goal for Christians, how do we go about achieving such unity? Because we are selfish by the old nature, we tend to get along only with those who agree with us. We agree to unity if others see things our way. We try to come to a sense of compromise or general agreement on matters of principles or practice, but such efforts only result in a cosmetic unity, or it fails because we rarely agree completely with anyone on anything.
We cannot solve this problem. True oneness cannot be achieved by the efforts sinful human beings, but rather by the work of the One Man, Jesus Christ. When Christ prays the High Priestly prayer in John 17, He is not praying for something that He hopes may happen, but rather what He knows will happen. God the Father answers the High Priestly prayer, and His answer is the Cross. Because of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are united with Him and one another by faith.
The Apostle Paul asks the question to a church in Corinth that was selfish and divisive “Is Christ divided?” The answer is a resounding “No!” Indeed, we are all uniquely different, but we are all part of the same body; the Body of Christ. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all…Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. ” I Corinthians 12:4-6, 27
As members of the Body of Christ we are united by the bond of love and called to use our gifts to edify one another. To paraphrase Dietrich Bonhoeffer, unity is not something that we hope to create, but rather a new reality in which we are allowed to participate. May God grant us grace to recognize the unity that He has established in the Body of His Son and enable us by the power of the Holy Spirit to build one another up in love.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation: to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:17-19
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chuck Bylkas
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