Dear Readers around the world! God’s Peace and Blessing to you. We are living in the days of the King! The King is the Lord Jesus Christ! Glory be to God!
This week, I come to you with a prayer request. Myself and a group of 5 other Christians will be leaving on Sunday for a three week mission trip. Please pray for this journey, for health and safety for all. Please pray that the Word of God would be preached in truth and purity and that God would be glorified during this time that is made possible through His Grace.
If some issues of this weekly blog get missed, it is because I am out in the Mission field and may not be able to write or post issues. Today our article is written by Pastor Wayne Juntinen. Please enjoy!
May God Bless your week! John
The Evidence of a True Christian
Many call themselves “Christians.” Being called a Christian began at Antioch. Paul had been preaching and teaching there for a whole year. And people who were not believers in Christ began to call these disciples, or learners, “Christians” (Acts 11:26) because the Holy Spirit, through the preaching and teaching of Paul, gave these hearers who responded to the Word of God the grace to believe in the crucified and resurrected, Man-God, Jesus Christ, as their Savior and Lord.
This change in the spirit of these disciples is the evidence of being true Christians. We all, if we call ourselves “Christians”, have this inner testimony. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote in his epistle to the Romans saying: “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Ro. 8:16).
This witness of the Holy Spirit within us works in our mind, will and emotions. We have the mind of Christ (2 Cor. 2:16). But because we are still real humans who still have a fallen nature, we do not always live in obedience to the will of God. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans that by the mercies of God we would be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Ro. 12:2).
The Holy Spirit, also, works in our will. But in order that we would do what God wants us to do and not do what he does not want us to do, even if it might be something good, we are to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Read Galatians 5:16-26. Thanks to God there is forgiveness for us when we sin, but we don’t have to sin. God, the Holy Spirit, works within us both to will and to do his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
And as we live in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our emotions are also affected. We have an inner joy. In fact, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Furthermore, we have an inner peace; a peace that passes understanding. It is the peace that Jesus, Himself, gives (Jn. 14:27). It is a peace that cannot be taken from us (Jn. 16:22), even though we go through suffering, sorrow, and want.
All of this points to the greatest truth in all world--that God loves us! And it is this love that is to flow out of us as the external, or outward, evidence of being a true Christian. Jesus, Himself, said: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Jn. 13:35).
The Apostle John, in his first epistle confirms this by saying: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God” (1 Jn. 4:7). This love towards one another is not merely in words, as John also writes: “My little children, let us not love in word neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18).
Our heavenly Father desires that our love would be a true expression of His love. Paul describes this as being “without dissimulation.” or “without hypocrisy” (Ro. 12:9). That means that it is an expression of love that is genuine. It has no selfish, self-centered motives, impure, or wrong reasons. It is a love of another because God loves him or her. We don’t love so we can get some benefit for ourselves because true love never loves to “get” but only to “give.”
Also, true love speaks “the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); especially when sin needs to be brought into the light so it can be confessed and forgiven in the name and through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 1:9; Jn. 20:23).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may the inward testimony of Christ living within you fill your hearts with righteousness, peace, and joy. And may the love of God flow out from you as a fountain of water to refresh and bless one another. Amen!
"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, February 9, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Rightful Ownership
Dear Readers around the world. God’s Peace and Blessings to this day of our Lord!
Have you ever had something that you owned and treasured? Today let’s explore this issue of rightful ownership.
In the beginning God created the world, the entire universe, and all that was or ever will be. He looked and said it is good. Then God created Adam and Eve. We read how God said, let us create man in our image. God molded and created us to be like Him. Then God looked and said it is very good.
God has created each person on earth in His image. We must agree that this is good and that God is the rightful owner of His creation. God created us in His purpose. However, God also put choices before man.
We can see in the Garden of Eden the choice had to be made as to whether or not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. To eat meant to reject the will of God and to decide for themselves what is good and what is evil.
Mankind still today still struggles with this battle of good and evil.
The Bible tells us in 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.
There is none good, no not one. However, this is why the Great Shepherd of the sheep has come!
There are certain fundamentals of human life even today, before God and Satan. 1) the one you believe is, is the one you obey. 2) The one you obey is the one you become like, and the one who becomes your owner 3) The one you become like, is the one with whom you will spend eternity.
Who is your King? There are only two choices. There is one that is the Truth and then there is the Liar. The True King, the Lord God has these characteristics; Light, truth, goodness, love, creativity and life. The false king, Satan is darkness, a liar, full of evil, full of hate, loves to destroy and murder.
When we think of the Kingdom of God, we believe that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The Kingdom of God is His Kingship, His rule, His authority. We are in awe of God’s power, His might, His Glory!
This is the rightful King and ruler! It is under His rule that true believers belong! He is the Creator, the Savior, and the Redeemer! The devil thought he had won the battle when Jesus died on the cross. He falsely assumed that man will be lost forever. He could not have been further from the truth.
By His death, Jesus destroy’s Satan right of ownership over humans. The document that was against us is Satan’s certificate of ownership. (our sins). Jesus Christ melts and dissolves this false ownership in His own blood! The victory is won! Jesus is victorious and He lives!
This offer stands for unbelievers today!
Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Under whose authority and Kingdom do you belong today? Is it God’s? Remember, sometimes we feel weak and poor, but be encouraged because it says in Luke 6:20
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Believe and share the following! Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Our God, our Creator, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has rightful ownership of you!
Come to Him humbly and just as you are. We know that it does not take great learning or head knowledge to be in the kingdom of the KING! Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Dear reader, the time is short. All of the prophecies of Jesus have been fulfilled except the last one, which is that He is coming again! His coming must be first preceded by Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 25:31 (KJV)
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
What a day that will be when our Saviour we see in that beautiful city of gold!
May God Bless your week!
JR
Have you ever had something that you owned and treasured? Today let’s explore this issue of rightful ownership.
In the beginning God created the world, the entire universe, and all that was or ever will be. He looked and said it is good. Then God created Adam and Eve. We read how God said, let us create man in our image. God molded and created us to be like Him. Then God looked and said it is very good.
God has created each person on earth in His image. We must agree that this is good and that God is the rightful owner of His creation. God created us in His purpose. However, God also put choices before man.
We can see in the Garden of Eden the choice had to be made as to whether or not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. To eat meant to reject the will of God and to decide for themselves what is good and what is evil.
Mankind still today still struggles with this battle of good and evil.
The Bible tells us in 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.
There is none good, no not one. However, this is why the Great Shepherd of the sheep has come!
There are certain fundamentals of human life even today, before God and Satan. 1) the one you believe is, is the one you obey. 2) The one you obey is the one you become like, and the one who becomes your owner 3) The one you become like, is the one with whom you will spend eternity.
Who is your King? There are only two choices. There is one that is the Truth and then there is the Liar. The True King, the Lord God has these characteristics; Light, truth, goodness, love, creativity and life. The false king, Satan is darkness, a liar, full of evil, full of hate, loves to destroy and murder.
When we think of the Kingdom of God, we believe that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The Kingdom of God is His Kingship, His rule, His authority. We are in awe of God’s power, His might, His Glory!
This is the rightful King and ruler! It is under His rule that true believers belong! He is the Creator, the Savior, and the Redeemer! The devil thought he had won the battle when Jesus died on the cross. He falsely assumed that man will be lost forever. He could not have been further from the truth.
By His death, Jesus destroy’s Satan right of ownership over humans. The document that was against us is Satan’s certificate of ownership. (our sins). Jesus Christ melts and dissolves this false ownership in His own blood! The victory is won! Jesus is victorious and He lives!
This offer stands for unbelievers today!
Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Under whose authority and Kingdom do you belong today? Is it God’s? Remember, sometimes we feel weak and poor, but be encouraged because it says in Luke 6:20
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Believe and share the following! Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Our God, our Creator, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has rightful ownership of you!
Come to Him humbly and just as you are. We know that it does not take great learning or head knowledge to be in the kingdom of the KING! Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Dear reader, the time is short. All of the prophecies of Jesus have been fulfilled except the last one, which is that He is coming again! His coming must be first preceded by Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 25:31 (KJV)
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
What a day that will be when our Saviour we see in that beautiful city of gold!
May God Bless your week!
JR
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