It's Official

The public smoking ban in Quebec took effect today. I, for one, am perfectly fine with that law.

http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/story/smoking-law.html

Family to feed

Do you recall my post on the homeless guy that is often near my building? I went outside for lunch with the ladies again, and on our way back, there he was. My office manager, Joanne, is a smoker. She has tried to quit many times, and as far as I know, her best record is two weeks. Talk about being enslaved....

As Joanne lights up her cigarette (yuck), the homeless guy approaches her and asks her for one in return of $1. And here I was about to give him a tract. I was so discouraged that I just walked on by. Joanne refused to give him a cigarette; she too was appalled. In all honesty, I was irritated by his behaviour.

However, on my way back home, the Lord rewarded me with a good one! I managed to catch an earlier train, even though it meant I had to stand up. On the train, there was a teenage girl, her mother and grandmother and all three were chatting away. I believe the family was Greek. And what do you know, all three get off at the same stop as I, and catch the same bus.

This time, I managed to grab a good seat on the bus, though my ride is only five minutes. As I looked up, I saw the mother and grandmother that were with me on the train, and they were now both standing up (the teenage girl had made it all the way to the back of the bus, go figure). I immediately proceeded to give the grandmom my seat. Both mom and grandma were very thankful, and they both thanked me in French, so much so, that the mother said to me "God bless you". OH HOW COOL.

Now there's an open door that you just cannot miss. I opened my purse and told the mother "I have something for you also, here's the Word of Jesus Christ to you". I gave her the tract "Eternal Life is a Free Gift", but in French. Anywho, the grandmother was just as curious in reading it. Right before I got off my bus, I turned around and saw the mother still reading the tract.

See how great our Lord is!!! I may have been disappointed with the homeless man, but the Lord gave me a family to feed instead!

Love covers all sins

~Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Proverbs 10:12

To the lost folk, this verse may not make much sense, but to the child of the Living God, it contains the very essence of our salvation, which is the love of God.

~Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

I cannot even carry my own sins, they are much too grievous and heavy to bear. It exceeds my human comprehension to have the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending to have covered and utterly removed my sins as far as the East is from the West.

~As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

The only person that can and that has fulfilled the saying of Proverbs 10:12 is the Lord Jesus Christ. And as simple as it may sound, never underesimate the depth of John 3:16.

~For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I like to "personalize" John 3:16 and put my own name instead of "the world".

~Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Amen and Amen, for His love has covered all my sins.

Jeroboam antichrist

Posted by Revelation 2:17

Pen of iron - Bible Studies

Little Children

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:13-14

To better understand this passage, we have to know that the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God are not the same.
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Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is spiritual.

Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Kingdom of Heaven

The kingdom of Heaven is physical.

Matthew 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

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When the Lord Jeus Christ refers to for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven, who do you think these little children are? These were little kids, like the ones from church, whom parents probably brought to the Lord that He may bless them, and of them does the Master tell us of such is the kingdom of Heaven.

I think those "little children" are the ones who die young, whether from illness, or of a heinous crime. Little children who do not know they are sinners and in need of God's grace, yet die in their sin, cannot be found guilty, and thus, do not go to hell.

But sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 5:13

Now this should be most comforting for a parent that has suffered the death of child, even to the unsaved parent. In fact, for the unsaved mom or dad who dreams of seeing his/her child again, then that parent must be born-again.

Another thought provoking statement from this passage is the following. Now we know that there are little children in Heaven. Yet we also know that the Lord will transform our body.

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:21

We know for certain then that our body will be transformed, but I think that our new celestial body will somehow still look like and adult or a child-like body.

I'm sorry if I have confused anyone, this is my typical random thinking. The Bible just boggles the mind. It's incredibly fascinating, surely it's the Word of God.

The Voice of God

Ever wondered what the voice of God must sound like?

We speak to Him through our prayers and He speaks to us through His Word, the Holy Bible. But think about this; that must have been something for Adam and Eve to hear God's voice. And what about Moses, and the Israelites, when they heard the voice of God out of the midst of the fire. Amazing!!!

Woah, I can only wonder and try to imagine what it must sound like. To further this thought, here are a few verses that the Bible tells us about the voice of our Heavenly Father:

Deu 5:22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more.

Job 37:2-5 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Psa 29:3-9 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

Isa 30:30 And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard.

Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake.

Rev 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

I will stop here, though there are many more verses. I'm in awe, I love this. Aren't you glad you have hearkened to such a voice!!!

Paul the Babbler

~Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Acts 17:17-18

It's funny how we sometimes get encouragement from the least expected verses from the Bible. The open doors for witnessing at work are just too many. Seems like whenever somebody has something to say, I can just jump right in there and share the gospel. I often shy away, which is not good. However, sometimes I just cannot control my mouth, and I go on and on.

Today for instance, the topic of conversation was HIV. How could I not jump in and talk about "the wages of sin is death". I think I may now have obtained the reputation of being a babbler. But now that's not so bad, is it? Paul was called a babbler by the philosphers of his time.

So if we pin the same reputation as Paul, we must be doing something right. This is most encouraging to me!

It happens every week

Fact. The devil wants to keep us away from church, from christian fellowship, and ultimately, from the Lord.

Wednesday evening is prayer meeting at church, and Friday night is Awana night. Those are the only two days out of the week that I must leave work on time in order to make it to church. You guessed it, they just happen to also be the busiest days of the week where it's a struggle to leave at 5 p.m. Awana is now over for the summer and will resume this coming September. I'm just curious to see how smooth this Friday will go.

I love having the prayer service on a Wednesday night, it's a breath of fresh air during the middle of the week. Unless I have a legitimate reason (such as a serious illness) I will not let fatigue, or whatever else dumb reason, get the best of me, such as I did last Wednesday, due to work. I am gald I made it tonight, even though it was a struggle, it was worth it all.

Point. Church was wonderful.

Psa 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Be of Good Cheer

~But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27

Matthew 14:22-36 is a familiar story; it is when Jesus Christ walks on the water. In verse 22, Christ constrains his disciples to get into the ship and to go before him unto the other side, while he goes up to the mountain to spend time in prayer. Now as the disciples are in the ship, it is being tossed with waves because of the strong wind. It is then that Christ walks upon the sea to meet up with his disciples and they are troubled thinking he was a spirit.

I never stopped to think about verse 22 until today. It is Jesus that constrained His disciples to get into the ship. To constrain is to force. They probably did not want to leave without Him, most likely because they feared. And again they feared once they saw Jesus walking upon the waters.

How often will Fear be a stumbling block in our life?

And when fear sets in, here come the soothing words of Jesus Christ. Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Not only is He telling us to let go of fear, but to also be happy!

Here are some good things to be cheerful about concerning our Lord Jesus Christ:

His Divine Presence

And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

His Divine Providence

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

His Divine Protection

O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Psalm 140:7

Christian, be of good cheer, even in the day of storm, for our Lord Jesus Christ is the God of all comfort!

Only Jesus

~ Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Luke 7:11-15 ~

Only Jesus Christ can utter the words "weep not" to a widow weeping over the death of her only son! I am always amazed at the words of the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't tell a widow not to weep over the death of her only son. That is just strange, and sounds almost improper.

Ah, but only Jesus can utter those comforting words, because only Jesus can give life to the dead child and deliver him back to his mother. Only Jesus has this kind of compassion and only He can turn that which is impossible to possible.

Only, and only Jesus!

Sweet

I like sweet things. Often after having a meal, I need to eat something sweet for an after-taste.

It's the same concept with my days. I'm in an un-christian environment all day long and by the time I come home, I need a change of taste, I need something sweet and there is no better way of ending a long day than with digging into God's Word.

~How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

The Good Shepherd

A shepherd's tasks are to know, lead, feed, keep and seek after his lost sheep.

Tasks, that if we read John 10:1-18, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplishes to the fullest extent. Honestly speaking though, those are simple tasks that any shepherd is able to fulfil. However, how many shepherds are wiling to DIE for their sheep? How many shepherds can give life to their sheep?

That is why the Lord Jesus Christ is called the good shepherd, because He laid down his life so that His sheep may obtain everlasting life!

~I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

~I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

~Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17-18

Do you know the Good Shepherd? That GREAT shepherd of the sheep?

~Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. Hebrews 13:20

~The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

I want no other shepherd, than that Good and Great shepherd of the sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ, whom laid down His life that I may freely obtain it.

Day of small things

Zec 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things?

Our Lord is a loving God. I have good things to look forward to over the coming weekend, particularly Sunday. Yesterday and today, Mitchelle mentioned to me that she really wants to come to church this Sunday - this came from her! And I have a good feeling that this time, she just might.

Also, I have been working really hard at my job. Every week I end up having to work over-time, and I was starting to get discouraged, tired mostly. I have even had to lend my help to one lawyer that I don't enjoy working for. But I did it and the Lord gave me the wisdom to deal well with my tasks. And just as I was getting discouraged, this same lawyer came in today and gave me a box of Belgium chocolates for the hard work. I was very happy and my frown quickly turned upside down. But I know that this was from the Lord and all Praise goes to Him

Despise not the day of small things. Today may have been "small" things, but they were good things. I have been showered by God's love. He just has that special touch, that special way of making you feel valued!

It is wonderful that I got to taste the fruit of my labour at work, however, I am earnestly praying that the Lord will give me to taste of the fruit of my labour through Mitchelle.

Caring for the homeless

Each morning, as I walk down the street to get to my work building, there is the same homeless man standing by the metro door. At times, he is there with another homeless man or two.

I once had a terrific chance to hand him some money and a tract and tell Him about the God that loves and cares for Him. He says He believes there is a God "out there" but admits that He does not know Him. I had told Him I would pray for Him. I must admit that since then, I have not spoken to him (and maybe only prayed for him twice, bad, I know) and now I just kind of walk away. Lately though, my heart has been burning to stop and speak to him concerning Christ once again and place some more tracts in his hands.

Lord wiling, I will get a chance some time this week. Especially that once a month, our church goes down to the "Welcome Hall Mission" which houses and feeds the homeless. It is not too far from my workplace, and I would love for that man to go down there when our men are preaching. I would like to invite him. The Welcome Hall Mission is also a Christian based shelter!

My heart really burns for the homeless. When we go to the Mission, it's mostly men, but there are few women (maybe 3-4) and at times, you will find a young lady, maybe my age. It's terribly sad.

Going back to this homeless man near my workplace, I really want to pray that the Lord will give me the opportunity, maybe tomorrow, to share the gospel, the good news cocerning Jesus Christ the Saviour.

Psa 9:18 For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

Psa 74:21 O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

This is my Tract

This is one of the tracts I like to distribute during Saturday Tract Passing. Since there are always jws at the metro, even during the week, I like to differentiate myself from them as much as possible. That is why I like handing out tracts that clearly proclaim Jesus Christ as Saviour!

We get most of our tracts from Fellowship Tract League and from Chick Publications.

This one right here is from Fellowhip Tract League.

Encouraging verse

~My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62:5

I love that verse!

Notice that I am not the only one that talks to myself, King David did also. I can repeat this verse to myself each morning before heading out the door, My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from HIM. Encouraging and comforting words!

Amen.

The Lord's Day

Tomorrow is yet another secular holiday; it's mother's day. Don't worry, I would say the same thing if there was such a thing as daughter's day. I appreciate my mother and strive to honour her each day (though I admit, I often fail), as I am commanded by my Heavenly Father. She knows I love her.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed.......Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:28-29.

That is my favorite verse for my mother.

However, tomorrow is Sunday. It is the Lord's Day. It is my Heavenly's Father's Day.

Deu 5:12 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

Now if only people were half as ecstatic about honouring the Lord's Day as they are about mother's day, father's day, turkey day, you name it day.

Him declare I unto you

This post is somewhat inspired by Revelation's latest post on Bible Studies and by today's tract passing. You may find it a bit random, I apologize.

Do people even know or realize who they are worshipping?

Act 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

I can't tell you how many times while tract passing, I get "christian? oh me too, greek orthodox". Or "catholic", "aahhh same thing". No, it is NOT the same thing, because it is NOT the same God. That is because folks today do not know their God. It is ignorant and vain worship.

Praise God, from now on, every time I will go tract passing, I will have Paul's saying in my head: "him declare I unto you".

Going back to Revelation's posting. Now, if people only knew the sad reality of their ignorant worship; that the devil is the god of their blind worship. Montreal’s teen punk population is at its peek. Let me remember...led zepplin, property of…, blood, skeletons, demon-like angels, etc....those are but a few t-shirts that I saw on young people during the one hour and a half of tract passing, today alone! Do these young folks realize who the god their worship is? He is the UNKOWN GOD.

I can't help but to think of Job. Job is the oldest book in the Bible. And yet, from Job we read " For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". Job KNEW his God. He knew that His Lord is a LIVING REDEEMER who shall one day stand upon the earth (read Zech 14:14). Job did not ignorantly worship, he knew the Lord God of Israel.

So much is brewing in my mind right now. I’m just really psyched for next Saturday (and each day of the week), because I want to go out with “him declare I unto you” in the back of my mind. I want to declare Jesus Christ so that this entire city may come to the knowledge of Him – the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

Pray for Nicole

Nicole is the newest addition to my little JV class in Awana. She has been coming to the club for two months now (I think) on a regular basis.

She is not saved, and is a troubled 14 year old teenage girl. I have dealt with a few troubled young ladies before, but Nicole is proving to be a "tough cookie". Every Friday, I spend about an hour speaking and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and every Friday I find out a little more on just how troubled she is. Every Friday she shed tears, but never accepts Christ as her Saviour.

I was much harder on her tonight. Nicole does not love herself and I could tell this from the first day I met her. I will not go into too much detail, but the little I will share is disturbing enough. Tonight, after dismissing the class, she turns to me and murmurs "I did something really wrong". Nicole has scars on her arms - she has cut herself. She said she's only done it a few times, but from the scars on her hands, I doubt that it's but a few times.

It's beyond disturbing and heart-breaking. I told her that every time she looks at the scars on her arms, she is reminded just how much she hates herself. But Jesus, however, still bares the marks of His love towards her on His resurrected body.

Joh 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Another leader (Dan), in charge of T&T - if you are familiar with Awana, came to help me out and spoke to her also. I had told him that she is not saved, but he is not aware of just how troubled she is. It is good that Nicole heard the gospel from another leader, that she may know that what we speak is Truth, for it is God's Word.

Please pray for Nicole. She really is a hard cookie, and has not received Christ as her Saviour. Next Friday is our closing Awana night for the year. We take a summer break. Nicole may, however, not be able to come to Awana next year because she is moving. Dan and I promised to pray for her as a church, but I also call upon you to please pray and plead for Nicole's soul.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Worthy to receive His Grace

I went on the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary and looked up the definition for the word grace.

a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or
sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace2 a : APPROVAL, FAVOR b archaic : MERCY, PARDON c : a special favor : PRIVILEGE d : disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency e : a temporary exemption : REPRIEVE

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

At a young age, I would often wonder why are we (the gentiles in this present dispensation) saved by God's grace. Why this special favor, this privilege from God that is defined above. I am certainly not worthy of His grace. So why am I saved by Grace?

Because Grace is a Blessing:

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. ~John 20:29

That right there is you and I. God has not and does not appear to us as a pillar of a cloud by day, nor as a pillar of fire by night. We have certainly not seen Jesus Christ in the flesh. Yet, we believe.

2Co 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

The Lord Jesus Christ has, therefore, deemed us worthy to receive His amazing Grace, that we might be saved through His precious blood that was shed for our transgressions. Amazing Grace! And all this just because we walk by faith, and not by sight.

It gets a lot of better, so much better. He deemed us worthy to receive plenty of riches eternal and has sealed us with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Oh, and so much more!

I'm just floored at God's goodness - at God's GRACE. He is worthy of our Praise!

~I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised. Psalm 18:3

I don't understand

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16

I don't know if this because it's bed time for me and that is why my brain is slowly shutting down, but I just noticed that I don't get this verse (which I've read over a hundred times).

Six things the Lord hates - and seven are an abomination.

The 7 abominations are:

1. A proud look

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that shed innocent blood

4. An heart that deviseth wicked imagination

5. Feet that be swift in running to mischief

6. A false witness

7. He that soweth discord among brethren

So if all seven are an abomination, then obviously God hates all seven of them, righ? What I don't get is why does Solomon mention that God hates six of them. They all sound terrible. Wouldn't God hate all seven of them. Is there a difference between an abomination unto God and something He just hates? This makes me wonder. Which are the six that He hates??? And why leave the other out????

I hope I have not confused anybody and that this does not end up to be some stupid silly question. Either way, I am going to bed soon and wish to meet everybody in dreamland.

I actually kept my mouth shut...

The weather has been so beautiful lately, that we always end up eating outside for lunch time. And every lunch time, I have a burning desire to hammer away at the girls with the gospel. It seens that I have especially been hammering away at Virginia, the Italian girl.

I have never been this bold or direct, but lately, I just can't help it. My blood gets boiling and I MUST speak about the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially that her and Mitchelle now have both Bibles.

That was my issue with Virginia today. First she tells me that Toni (the other Italian lady, the JW) is setting her up with a guy on June 3. I guess Virg could tell that I needed to tell her something, so I said it. I asked her if this "guy" was a jw also. He's not, but still I don't like it. I told her that before she does anything, if she really cares about herself, her soul, she needs to get saved.

But my other BIG issue with her, which she doesn't know YET is the book that she is now reading. Remember a few weeks ago I got a chance to speak to her concerning the da vinci code? Well, she's read the book, she's anxious to see the movie, and today I noticed that she's reading another book by Dan Brown (the author of the da vinci code) entitled Deception Point. I WAS MAD.

My heart was burning and it was eating me up to tell her the following:

"You are poising your mind in reading a bunch of lies by a guy that has made millions and millions off people just like you, and the FREE Bible you received, pointing you to the only Truth, how the Saviour, the God of all universe, died for you that He may give you eternal life FREELY, that you can't read."

However, I just felt the Spirit of God restraining me. I guess it just wasn't the right time or maybe just not the right words. Sometimes we have to be good discerners as to when it's from God, or just our own flesh.

I am learning that a "gardner" needs to be patient and very wise. It is good to be direct, but we need to be soft at times. I know the Lord has sown the seed and the only watering I can do is through prayer and through God's wisdom, which He will provide to those who ask.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ~James 1:5

Our God is Able

Able to Deliver

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. Daniel 3:17

Able to Save

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25

Able to Keep

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

Able to Subdue

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:21

Why the serpent?

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Numbers 2:9

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:14-15

I asked a simple question over dinner with some church family, and received a simple answer.

We know that the serpent in the Bible is the devil. Why then, in John 3:14-15, would God use the serpent to be lifted up as a type for Jesus Christ?

Answer:

What happened to the serpent in the garden of Eden? The serpent was CURSED. What did Christ do to redeem his people? He bore our sins on the cross, and became Sin for us.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

That is amazing. Far too powerful for man to even begin to comprehend what that must have been like. And yet the simple answer as to why God would die for His people is found in the very famous verse of John 3:16.

But I had always wondered about John 3:14-15. Why would God use the example of the serpent, which is the devil? Would anyone have further explanation and/or comments?

Heavenly Budgeting

This week's number 1 conversational topic amongst the ladies of the office was...BUDGETING.

Seriously, everything in my life revolves around the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers, I know you're with me on this one.

That also includes budgeting. Yes, I believe in being wise, saving up, and bla bla this and bla bla that. I hear it constantly and I couldn't agree more. However, I am much more concerned with my Heavenly riches and I "fear" I have officially become annoying, maybe so, but at least I am rich (heavenly speaking, of course). I say annoying, because I remember my mother always talking about Heaven and it used to irritate me. I would always ask her to come back down to earth. Now both mom and I can be simultaneously annoying!

Everything on earth is only temporary, but everything concerning the Lord is everlasting for we serve an Eternal God, the great I Am. I am fixing on Heavenly things above and budgeting for my life in Heaven, as well as constantly daydreaming about dwelling in Heaven forever with my Heavenly Father.

Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

There you have it, that's a great motto to all Christians.

Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

I desire to receive crowns and rewards from King Jesus, but it's more than just obtaning rewards. It's about MY worth.

2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

My greatest fear is to be a vessel of dishonour. This is constantly pressed upon my heart that I may think and dwell upon my Lord that He may sanctify and purity me so that I may be worthy to be called His Child.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Therefore, it is far better to invest in our Heavenly inheritance so that we may be worthy to receive riches eternal.

Comforting Words

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Behold, I come quickly

Exo 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

A very familiar story. Moses and Joshua went up to Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments of the Lord. But Moses delayed and the Israelites soon forgot the God that brought them out of land of Egypt and made their own god to worship. They sinned greatly against the Lord.

Exodus 32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

Exo 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
Exo 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

Believers, just like the Israelites waited for Moses' return, we patiently and anxiously await the rerurn of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. And though it often seems dim and we lose eyesight, let not the devil sow seed of doubt. King Jesus is on his way.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly.

Christians, let us not be like the Israelites, whom when Moses delayed (or so the people murmured) forsook their God and worshipped their own workmanship, an idol. Let us never forsake Christ thinking He delays. Let not King Jesus come down only to hear what seems to be the noise of war in the camp, but let Him hear His people lifting up their voice to Heaven in prayer, supplication and Praise.

Christ does not delay! Behold, I come quickly.

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Take courage, and keep serving King Jesus, forsake not your God to go after wicked idols as do lost people, lest Christ comes and His wrath kindles up against you.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Enslaved to Sin

Young people nowadays have sold their soul to the devil, they are enslaved to sin. I just don't get it, have they no fear, none whatsoever?

It's not like they don't know it's the devil, and it's not like they don't know about hell. They Know! And they're proud of it. It is sickening to me hearing young folks, at times younger than I, flaunting about the fact that they are going down to hell. Oh yes, flaunting it! At the metro while tract passing, I often hear, "I wanna go to hell". That's just SICK. On Sunday, while passing out tracts with the street preaching, a young fellow walked up to me just to show me his upside-down cross. How sad. Again, today on my way home, I saw a group of punkers, they were cetainly younger than myself, maybe 18-19. I couldn't help but notice the pants of one of the young fellows, there was demonic writing. L'enfer in French, which is hell, written on his pants as though it was some great thing. Really, that is sad. Oh how they have sold their soul to the devil! If they only knew.

Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Why would you want to go to such a place? What is there to be proud of?

They are servants to SIN

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

In high school, the type of music you listen to determines who you are. These young folks, at times but young children almost, are enslaved to their develish music. I cannot stand carnal music. Whenever you see a punk, you see their ears plugged into some kind of grotesque music. Same goes for any type of carnal music, whether pop, hip hop, etc. The devil is in control of music today and therefore in control of so many lost souls. It is very sad.

Believers are FREE by the GRACE of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Would you not rather be FREE and obtain the free gift of God - eternal life. It's also a question of who's side are you on. I'm on the victor's side, King Jesus. Here's what my God will do to the god of sin, death and destruction:

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

These THREE are ONE

UNDER ATTACK.

There is a Jehovah's witnesses invasion, and Christians, we are under attack. They are preaching another Jesus, another gospel.

Galatians 1:9 If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

There is so much fault and deceit in that religion, surely it is the work of the devil. They do not believe in hell, so....what is the point of your religion.? What are you saved from? What did your god do for you. Mine, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, died on the cross that He might save me from my sins, from HELL.

Be afraid:

Luke 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Mat 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

The jws are nothing but blaspehmous! They do not believe in the Deity of God. Does not Genesis 1:7 say that we were created in HIS Image? What are you???? Flesh, soul and spirit. You have the past, the present and the future. There is the sea, the earth and the heaven. IN HIS IMAGE. JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! HE IS GOD. AMEN, I love shouting it.

Here it is folks, not my words, but God's own word:

THESE THREE ARE ONE

1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

The Father, the Word (Jeus Christ - John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh) and the Holy Ghost, .
Here's another one:

1Jo 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

And I just love this one right here.

Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

So God is I AM. Now why do you think the scribes and pharasies wanted to stone and kill Jesus Christ.?

Joh 8:58-59 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Did you read that correctly. Jesus Christ just made Himself equal to God. Oh, I'm on a roll here, there's another one. This is the LORD speaking, read the entire chapter if you'd like:

Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

When was God pierced? That's right....JESUS! What a beautiful name, a powerful name, a saving name!

Honestly, Just 1 John 5:7 is more than enough to convince me, but talking to a jw is like talking to a brick wall. There is no use. The devil has blinded their eyes.

Joh 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted.

Here's the truth, they may not confess Him as LORD now, but they will some day:

Phi 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

THESE THREE ARE ONE! JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.

Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.