LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR

 

 

The current year is closing; a new one is dawning! How has the current one been; were your expectations met? Were you so disappointed that you can't wait to see the New Year? What are your expectations and hopes for the coming year? It is natural to expect improvement when difficult, rough, or painful.

Looking back on the past twelve months: what didn't go well? What were some of your frustrations and challenges? How do you plan to turn things around? If you expect things to change, you must know what went wrong and why. Only then can you start to look for the right solutions.

Before you think about what to put on your list, I'll remind you that some of the issues you might consider problems are actually the standard of the Christian life. For example, Jesus told His disciples, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows" (John 16:33). Trials and sorrows are, therefore, to be expected, though we don't know how or when they'll show up. This doesn't mean we should constantly worry and look over our shoulders to see what is coming down the pike. We must remember the Lord's admonition - and the next part of the verse above - "Take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

The following will help us cope effectively with the coming year's challenges.

BE ON THE ALERT

The children of God should be watchful, not living carelessly. We should be on the defensive! The apostle Peter explains, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith" (1 Peter 5:9).   

While being watchful, we should also be ready 24/7 to engage the devil at a moment's notice. "Put on all of God's armor so that you can stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you can resist the enemy in time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm" (Ephesians 6:11, 13). For the list of the complete armor, see verses 14-18. For example, if you were faced with a gossip situation, the Word of God about gossip you've already hidden in your heart should jog your memory to excuse yourself from the situation and not get caught up in it.

Jesus told Peter, James, and John in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41). Why? Because if we stay asleep (not knowing what's happening around us) and neglect to pray for strength and courage, we become very vulnerable to the devil's attack. Again, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus told the disciples, "Pray that you will not give in to temptation" (Luke 22:40). When we pray, we demonstrate faith, which intercepts the devil's fiery arrows. As we face a new year, let's prepare to stay on the defensive, always ready to engage the enemy of our souls.

THANKFULNESS

Trials will come; it's only a matter of when and how. We need to be prepared to give thanks for them, no matter how painful, because they serve a good purpose. First, we learn that we should give thanks in all things because it is the will of God for us (see 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Second, we should give thanks because none of our experiences are ever wasted; God uses every single one of them in the process of developing our character to line up with His own. Through our experiences, He gets our attention, rebukes, disciplines, encourages or teaches us (or others), or tests (not tempts) us. Third, the end results of our experiences (godliness) bring Him glory (see Romans 8:28).

REPENTANCE

Sometimes, our sufferings are the result of our sins. When unsure of the cause of our sufferings, we should start with a soul search and repent as needed (see 1 John 1:9). Even if our suffering results from sin, God still teaches us valuable lessons through it. As stated above, no experience is wasted.

TRUST GOD

We cannot overcome trials on our own; Jesus clearly said, "Apart from me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). We need Him and should rely on His promises; He never goes back on His Word. He means exactly that when He says, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:29). If we believe and claim that promise, nothing in the coming year should frighten us. That assurance should enable us to wholly lean on Him. And if we wonder why we should trust Him, He says, all power in heaven and on earth has been given to Him, and He has overcome the world. What beautiful promises!

The New Year is only a few days away. Have you learned anything from your failures from last year? Don't lose heart; the Lord Himself will be your strength and carry you through the next one. Trust His Word, put on the whole armor of God, and watch and pray. Wishing you a happy and victorious New Year.

 

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS

Our God loves celebrations! Throughout the Old Testament, we see Him instituting special days and instructing the Israelites to celebrate them yearly as a reminder of His power among them and His provision for them. Also, through the celebrations, He wanted younger generations to know what He had done for their ancestors in the past. The Sabbath, for instance, was instituted to make sure they rested as God did on the seventh day of the week (see Exodus 31:12-17). Similarly, celebrating the Passover was created to remind them of the time the angel of death killed the firstborn of both man and beast in the land of Egypt but spared the Israeli families (see Exodus 12:1-14). 

Over two thousand years ago, God put His salvation plan into motion, sending His One and only Son into the world to make His dwelling among us (see John 1:14) and to become our Savior. About three hundred years into Christianity, 336 to be exact, the Romans recorded the first celebration of the birth of Jesus. We have celebrated His birth ever since with decorations, caroling, feasting, giving, and receiving. Even those who don't believe in Jesus often celebrate it in some form.

Every year when we celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior, we should reflect on the truths behind the season:

We are sinners and need redemption –We know we are sinners because Scripture tells us that, through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin and death passed to all mankind. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23 NIV). Scripture tells us, "Truly, truly, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3 NIV). There is only one way to restore our fellowship with God; it is through faith in Jesus because He came to seek and save that which was lost.

God is love – His love for us led to His formulating the plan for our redemption before the foundation of the world. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV). We are also reminded of His humility! He was willing to leave His throne and majesty above and be born into a sinful world, not in a palace, but in a manger! He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

God is faithful – He promised Jesus' coming decades before He was born. "The virgin will be with child, and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Emmanuel," which is translated as 'God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23 NIV). He promised and then fulfilled it! That is a faithful God! Again, it was prophesied, "For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6 NIV). Through the angel Gabriel, He declared the Virgin Mary was going to have a Son and to name Him Jesus. He would be great and be called the Son of the Most High (see Luke 1:30-31 NIV). God fulfilled everything He promised concerning Jesus. How faithful! This reminder assures us that we can trust Him one hundred percent; He has never failed since the beginning of time and never will! We can look forward to the promise of the rapture and His second coming with hope.

We should Express gratitude - We need to be thankful to God because we could never have saved ourselves nor done anything to qualify for salvation. He planned it and carried it out, making us His sons and daughters, so now we can confidently refer to God as: "Abba, Father" (see Romans 8:15).  

Merry Christmas; let's celebrate with assurance, gratitude, and anticipation of His return!

GOD IS BRAGGING ABOUT YOU, DON’T DISAPPOINT HIM!

 

We parents and grandparents always show off and share the children’s pictures and achievements. We can’t seem to get enough of them; we’ll share with all who listen, even if they don’t care. The most important thing is that we care.

God is no different; we got our caring nature from Him. If you are a child of God, He knows what you are capable of because His power is at work in you. He brags about you confidently because He knows you can do anything through Christ, who strengthens you. 

Are you ready? You have to always stay ready because you don’t know when God will want to prove to someone what you are made of. God is putting you on display and waiting to rejoice over you with singing! Don’t let Him down.

How is He putting you on display? You know that issue you have going on:  maybe health, finances, relationships, etc.? That’s how! He is telling people you won’t give in or give up; you will trust Him amid the storm and fight until the end. Now He is waiting to tell them, “I told you so!” Will you grant Him the opportunity to prove again that He knows the power at work in you? Don’t let Him down!

Job was a good man who feared God and stayed away from evil, and he was also very rich. He understood well the Scripture that says: “If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (Psalm 62:10)., He was living the best way he knew how when one day, without warning, tragedy struck! He got messages in succession: first, his farm had been raided, the animals stolen, and the helpers killed; second, out of nowhere came fire that burned the sheep and the shepherds. Third, the camels had been stolen, and the servants were killed. And as if all that wasn’t bad enough, the final blow came: all his children died when the house where they were partying collapsed (see Job 1:13-19). 

God knew how devastating that kind of loss could be for anybody, but He was also confident Job would come through the ordeal with flying colors because He knew Job’s faith was genuine. Sure enough, Job grieved, but he also worshiped! He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21) God indeed rejoiced over Job and was able to say to Satan, “I told you so!” His exact words to Satan about Job were: “He has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause” (Job 2:3). Job’s strength to endure this ordeal, of course, was not his own; his strength came from the Lord who made heaven and earth. God’s strength was available to him, and he used it.

How about you and me? Do we know and accept that whatever we have comes from God, and we are only stewards of those things? Job admitted that right away: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” So, we cannot hold on too tightly to our life, health, family, job, possession, and whatever else we have. We need to be thankful for them while we have them and use them wisely to honor Him. If we stand firm when God gives and then takes away, He has made His point that we still love Him with or without stuff. But He can also restore what He’s taken, as He did with Job (see Job 42:10-13). But if He doesn’t, He will still provide whatever we need for sustenance while we are in this life.

James admonishes us, “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (James 1:2-3). So, our trials accomplish at least two things, 1) God is putting us on display, and 2) our faith is tested, allowing us to grow. We need both of these things.

The next time God puts us on display, let’s not be discouraged, fearful, or depressed, but like Job, let’s worship and consider what God might be up to; let’s be a good sport and let Him win while our faith matures. And oh, others might also learn from it and be encouraged. Let’s be like mount Zion, standing firm and tall, come what may because we trust in the Lord (see Psalm 125:1).

BE A SAINT

Who is a saint, and how and when does one become one? Some think sainthood is pronounced upon a person after death based on how good and/or holy they lived. According to the Scriptures, however, “saint” is another word for Christian. The apostle Paul, addressing the believers in the church at Ephesus, called them saints: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1). The people Paul addressed were alive, so death is not a requirement to be called a saint. Those of us who are in the body of Christ Jesus are saints, whether in or out of our individual earthly bodies. 

Having established that we are saints, we should also show that unless the Lord draws us, we cannot come to Him (see John 6:44); therefore, sainthood is a calling. Paul, writing to the church in Rome, addressed them this way, “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:1). The online dictionary definition of Call includes making a request or a demand, and one of the definitions for to be is to become. 

We are transformed from unbelief/ungodliness to belief/faith in Christ, resulting in the newness of life and the renewal of the mind (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are not called to act like saints; we are called to be saints. So, to be CALLED TO BE SAINTS is God requesting or demanding that we become saints. To become something different from what we are requires a transformation from one state of being to another: for example, going from a cocoon to a butterfly.

Sainthood is not a cloak we put on and take off when we feel like it. It should be our new nature, our state of being. We are to be saints around the clock, 24/7. We are to be saints at home, away from home, when we are awake and asleep. We should be saints at all times, no matter what. A saint should be our identity, the name by which we are known.    

God told His people, the Israelites (and us), “You must be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:16). So, how does one become holy? God doesn’t only command us; he provides detailed directions: “Set yourselves apart to be holy … Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:7-8). There we are: We must put God’s decrees into practice (sanctification)! The rules are summed up in two commands—Love the Lord and love your neighbor. So, to be a saint is to be a Christian, and to be a Christian is to have salvation through Christ and then be God’s image-bearer around the clock.

How can we vibrantly maintain our sainthood? Let’s compare sainthood to professions in the secular world. We must have the mindset that we are saints. Every so often, professionals undergo certification and recertification to ensure their skills and knowledge are up to date. As a retired nurse, I attended many of those during my working years. As saints, we will receive our certifications and recertifications through trials to confirm that we are applying the lessons we learn to maintain our sainthood. Like other roles we hold in life, we must learn all we can about being saints by studying the manual for saints, which is the Bible, and by attending in-services, seminars, and training sessions about saints in the form of attending church and Bible studies. Through these activities, God will equip us to get better at being saints. The Word says we should not neglect the assembling together of the saints, as some are in the habit of doing, but we should encourage one another (see Hebrews 10:25). It also says we should correctly handle the Word of truth (see 2 Timothy 2:15). 

 Sainthood is ongoing and takes perseverance and dependence on the One who called us to be saints: Jesus Christ, our Lord. We will get better at being saints with time as we obey His decrees and keep our gaze on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).

---

 [PNK2]

YOU NEED A SPIRITUAL HEART TRANSPLANT

  

 

A heart transplant is a surgical operation replacing a failing heart with a healthier donor heart. It is a treatment usually reserved for people whose heart condition hasn't improved enough with medications or other surgeries. Quite often, the surgery is successful, with no complications. A friend's family member had one done and recovered beautifully. However, the surgeons do not offer any guarantees for success during or after the procedure, nor can they guarantee longevity. At best, the procedure might extend one's life by a few years, but there's always the possibility of the recipient's body rejecting the donor's heart.

A spiritual heart transplant is a different issue; everyone needs one because we all have ailing hearts, including those who trust the good they do to qualify them as good people. The Bible tells us, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9) If you are wondering why the human heart is in this condition, it is this: "Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standards" (Romans 3:23). And also, "Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins" (Ecclesiastes 7:20).

Our sin condition results from the sin of our ancestors, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden; they chose to disobey God by obeying the devil (see Genesis 3:1-13). That sin and its consequences (separation from God) were passed on to us, their descendants.

Because of that, we are each born separated from God. If that separation isn't bridged, it will continue into an eternity without God after this life; if it is bridged, we get back into God's good graces. The Bible addresses it like this: "The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). The Bible also says, "This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Your new spiritual heart is guaranteed never to be rejected. The transplant gives the recipient/sinner a new life that will last forever into eternity, even after death. Have you had your spiritual heart transplant yet? If not, what are you waiting for? If you postpone this transplant until your earthly life is over, it will be too late; you will have missed the opportunity to get a new heart. So, stop whatever you're doing and make that decision today.

A new heart is a free gift from God! It costs you nothing; it guarantees you will never be cast into hell. God promised the Israelites, "I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations" (Ezekiel 36:26-27). This is the only way to obtain a heart that will respond to God's love and directions.

While a transplanted heart helps the recipient return to living as before, the spiritual transplant transforms the recipient's nature and outlook on life. He is totally changed to fall in love with God and desire to walk in obedience to Him. The Bible describes such a person as new: "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). This changed heart seeks to obey God.

Dear reader, settle this matter today before it is too late; nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. God loves you, but He won't go back on His Word; He will hold you accountable for your sins if you do not repent! Get your heart in order and be ready for that time.   

GOD OUR SHIELD

A shield provides protection to another. According to Wikipedia, a human shield is a legal, military, and political term denoting a non-combatant (or a group of non-combatants) who is forced or volunteers to shield a legitimate military target to deter the enemy from attacking it. In other words, if anyone is going to get hurt in the encounter, it won't be the target but the shield. For example, because of their God-given protective instincts, parents often place themselves in harm's way to protect their children; they respond so spontaneously that the potential danger ahead doesn't face them. They'd rather be the ones hurt than their children.  

Similarly, in the spiritual realm, we are the devil's target; God puts Himself between the devil and us to keep us safe. Jesus allowed Himself to suffer and die on the cross to rescue us from the devil's intentions and to shield us from his unrelenting attacks. Isn't this amazing?

God is a better parent than all parents put together; He is our perfect shield.

I see two ways in which God is our shield: First, He protects us and keeps us from danger, sometimes by removing the threat and other times by delivering us from the harm that could have come to us. I experienced this twelve years ago; I was in a bad car accident, but God's protection kept me alive, and I did not sustain any injuries. He could have prevented the accident, but even though He didn't, He ensured I was not hurt. Second, putting our trust in the Word of God, claiming it, and relying on it protects us from fear and worry, making difficult situations bearable; we can stand firm in the face of adversity.

God has promised to protect His servants, time and time again. For instance, He promised Abraham, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great" (Genesis 15:1). In addition, He promises protection for those who look to Him for safety: "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises are true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection" (2 Samuel 22:31). After all, He's promised to give to those who ask. Are you in any kind of danger? Don't face it alone; call on Him, and He will deliver you as He has promised.

The psalmist has experienced God's favor over and over again and is never reluctant to share it: "God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right" (Psalm 7:10). Again, he testifies, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my Shield, the power that saves me" (Psalm 18:2). Do you have a testimony of God's protection? Allow that to comfort and encourage you when trouble comes your way. I can say with the psalmist: "He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings" (Psalm 91:4).

In addition to God being our shield, the Scriptures remind us of the spiritual battle we face 24/7 and admonish us to be always prepared. How do we prepare, though? The armor consists of six items (the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit); they work together to ensure our safety. We can't pick and choose which ones to wear or skip on any given day (see Ephesians 6:10-17). We must keep God's armor on to remain firm and undefeated at the battle's conclusion.

The shield listed in the armor of God is our faith; it is just as important as the other five. Its purpose is to stop the enemy's fiery arrows from reaching and hurting us. Our confidence in the Word of God prevents us from worrying over the devil's lies: "I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return" (2 Timothy 1:12). When we put up the shield of faith, the enemy's arrow will bounce back and be extinguished.

Although our faith is in God, and we can claim that He is watching over us and therefore is our shield, knowing exact verses to claim in different situations makes it even better by boosting our confidence. How diligently are you studying the Word of God? 

GOD HATES INGRATITUDE

Merriam-Webster defines ingratitude as the lack of proper appreciation or thanks for something (such as a kind or generous act): lack of gratitude. In our dealings with people, we are quite often in situations where we should express gratitude. For instance, we say thanks to someone ahead of us who holds the door for us, gets out of our way in the store and takes a message over the phone. How about when someone brings you a cup of water, tea, or coffee at home? You do say thanks. I don’t think we ever go through a day without needing to thank someone. We’re always in situations that require the expression of gratitude.

We are so quick to say thank you to people, which is good and proper, but how often do we thank God? Should we go all day without thanking Him, waiting until before we fall asleep in prayer? That’s not the proper way of showing gratitude; we must constantly express gratitude as we experience different daily situations.

Not showing proper gratitude means we think we are in charge of all our circumstances. We pat ourselves on the back or thank other people more than we say thank you to God. We are robbing God of the honor and glory due Him, and He has told us in the Scriptures that He won’t give His credit to another (see Isaiah 42:8). We need to take that as a warning because He does react when we replace Him with ourselves, others, or things.

We must take note of the Psalmist’s experience and learn from it. He said to the LORD, “Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain” (Psalm 30:7a NLT). But “When I was prosperous, I said, ‘Nothing can stop me now!’’ (Psalm 30:6 NLT). Do we consider our achievements the result of our own doing? Well, the Psalmist did but learned his lesson quickly: God was not happy about his response. “Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered” (Psalm 30:7b). Without God, we can do nothing (see John 15:5). So, whatever we can do or accomplish is dependent upon His grace and goodness in our lives. Let’s not take Him for granted and stop stealing His glory!

On their way to the Promised Land, Moses warned the Israelites about the danger of becoming proud once they started to enjoy God’s blessings in the land. After all, the land was described as flowing with milk and honey. Moses warned them about the possibility of getting puffed up after they’d built houses, their flocks had increased, and their silver and gold had multiplied. He was concerned that at that point, they might say, “I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” So he instructed them:  “Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18).

This is an apparent warning to us; we cannot and should not claim glory for what God does in our lives, which is everything. Are you intelligent? Do you have a college degree? Do you have unusual abilities? Good for you, but don’t ever forget that God made all that possible and can take those things away without notice.

May God help us get into the habit of giving Him thanks around the clock because He deserves it, and it is His due. The Psalmist says, “Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:3-4).    

Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING celebration as you reflect on God’s goodness throughout the year, and spend time with family and friends on this thanksgiving day!  

THE TRIANGULAR CHURCH

                

                                                                    GOD

YOUME

The Church as we know it is not a physical structure. People think of it that way because traditionally, the Church meets in a designated building. But of course, it meets outdoors or in other buildings on other occasions. However, as the Bible explains, the Church is God's people! So, the Church is not defined by where it meets to worship, what it does, or how it does it; it is determined by what it is – the Body of Christ.

 The Bible also refers to the Church as a spiritual building, built on the prophets and apostles as the foundation and Jesus Christ Himself as the cornerstone. We, His children, are members of the household of God. Collectively, we are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (see Ephesians 2:19-22). Individually, all Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which is why we are each the Temple of God; when we meet collectively, we are the Church. 

The Church is also called the Body of Christ: Christ is the head of the Body, and we, His children, form the other parts: the arms, legs, etc. (see Romans 12:4-5). The Church is also classified as the family of God, where He is the Father (parent), and we are His children.

I see the Church as a triangle because we are each joined to Christ and then to each other. How can a triangle become a single structure? Jesus has brought us to God through His death and resurrection; He tore down the wall (sin) that separated us from God! And through that one act, He broke down the wall of hostility between the Jew and Gentile, black and white (see Ephesians 2:14), whereby there's no longer the Jew and the Gentile, black and white; there's only the Church, the Body, or the family of God.      

Since all the walls are down, with nothing separating us from God or each other, how should we live and relate to each other? The Lord instructs us to live in love just as He loved us and, by our passion, prove to the world that we are family, living in the light (see John 13:34; 1 John 2:10). He further emphasizes the kind of love that is acceptable: "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other" (Romans 12:10). And by the same token, anyone who doesn't love other members of the family, proves that he or she doesn't belong to God (see 1 John 3:10).

During Paul's last discourse with the elders of the Ephesian Church, he charged them to take care of the flock: "Guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock--his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders" (Acts 20:28).

Peter wrote a similar letter to church elders: "Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly … Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example" (1 Peter 5:2-3). In verse 5, Peter admonished, "Accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 

Humility and respect for each other are necessary for a peaceful and loving environment in which to live and thrive in faith. They were united, humble, and patient, cutting each other additional slack when things didn't go as expected (see Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:2-4). These charges also apply to us; let's watch and pray for each other so the devil doesn't pit us against each other.

If we loved genuinely, serving each other would be easy; we'd be able to help cheerfully, not considering race, gender, age, social status, or any such thing. In the Body of Christ, some have the gift of serving; they need to serve without hesitation (see Romans 12:7). Everyone's gifts are meant to be used to help the Body in love; if we do, all the Church's needs will be met.

Another way we should express love for each other is to be willing to suffer for each other as Jesus did for us; the apostle Paul said it this way: "I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church" (Colossians 1:24). Of course, suffering in the body is not the only way to suffer; we can suffer emotionally and financially as well.

And finally, since we are co-heirs with Christ, Gentile or Jew, black or white, we will enter God's presence to enjoy our inheritance together: "And this is God's plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe in the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God's children. Both are part of the same Body and enjoy the promise of blessing because they belong to Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:6).

Praise God, the dividing walls are down; we are one people for God's glory! Let's love each other well. 

                                                                     

THE INHERITANCE THAT WILL NEVER FADE AWAY

 

An inheritance is something (property, money, etc.) we receive from a loved one who named us in their will before passing away. It is not something we worked for or earned; it is awarded to us out of love.

God has promised His children an inheritance--heaven; He even gave us a guarantee in the person of the Holy Spirit. We didn’t work for it; Jesus did! To be mentioned in God’s will, a person must repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness through Jesus. He forgives and indwells us with His Spirit. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children; He is also the guarantee that we will, without doubt, receive our inheritance (see 2 Corinthians 1:22). As His children, He has made us heirs of His glory, in fact, joint heirs with Jesus! (See Romans 8:17).

Would you like to be named in this will? The benefits are excellent; you get to live in heaven forever. But you might ask, “What is so wonderful about being in heaven?” That’s a good question! Making it to heaven means God is not holding you accountable for your sins; your sins have been paid for by Jesus through His death on the cross. And in heaven, there’ll be no more sin, sickness, or death.

On the other hand, if you’re not named in the will, you’ll have to pay for your sins. That payment is spiritual death; you will burn in hell with no hope of ever getting out of there. Can you think of anything else worse than that? Life after death goes on forever, whether in heaven or hell. Once you get there, you can never change residence; it’s permanent, and you are there to stay. So, which would you prefer, heaven or hell? You decide!

I imagine you want your sins forgiven and your sin record cleared, so you’ll be named in the will. If so, you need to admit you are a sinner because the Bible says you are (see Romans 3:23). Ask for forgiveness based on Jesus dying in your place. God will forgive you, put His Spirit in your heart, and put your name in His will, guaranteeing your inheritance—heaven.

Now, let’s talk about your life as a child of God. It will be an extraordinary life; you can relate to God as your Father. As your Father, He will be your provider, protector, guide, healer, and more. As with every father/child relationship, there’ll have to be ongoing communication; He talks to you through His Word, the Bible. You speak to him through prayers. The only way to get that relationship moving in the right direction is to obey whatever He commands you.

Disobedience constitutes sin and interrupts your relationship; the Holy Spirit in you will convict you, and you must repent immediately to maintain the relationship. As you live in obedience, your life will gradually change to match how God wants you to live. 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”

In addition to communication with God, you’ll also need to join a local church for fellowship and growth in your faith. As you understand your walk, share your experience with others; you can start by inviting family and friends to Church and other church gatherings, where they’ll hear the gospel preached or explained.

Throughout this process, you’re being transformed into Christ’s image, living a more fulfilling life, and your inheritance is waiting for you; you and the Church will live forever in heaven with the Father and Son. No matter how long it takes, your inheritance will not fade away! 

 

REPENTANCE IS THE GAME CHANGER EVERYONE NEEDS

 

Repentance is turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and turning back to God. It is the only wise response to God’s gracious call to salvation. But why is repentance necessary?

As much as God loves us, He is also holy and cannot co-exist with sin. After He put creation in place, He created man and woman; He wanted us to be like Him! He said to the other members of the Trinity: “Let us make human beings in our own image to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:26). Sadly, Adam and Eve sold themselves to the devil by believing his lies and disobeying God. However, this behavior did not surprise God; He knew before creation that man would rebel against Him. So, He had already made plans for our restoration through Jesus.

Sin has plagued mankind ever since. We are each born with a sinful nature that separates us from God. The only way we can have a relationship with God is if our sins are paid for by a sinless Person. So, God gave His one and only Son, Jesus, to die in our place. This is where repentance comes in; each person has to be sorry for their sins and ask God for forgiveness. It’s only then that one can have a relationship with God.

So, repentance is the game changer: it moves us from darkness, the devil’s camp, into God’s light. He puts His Holy Spirit in our hearts to witness that we belong to Him, not the devil. Also, the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we will inherit heaven (see Romans 3:24-25).

Dear reader, do you understand that you are a sinner, and have you repented of your sins? Please do because the alternative to non-repentance is scary; it is spending eternity with the devil and his demons in hell. It will not be a fun place; it will be a place of torment. On the other hand, if you repent now, your afterlife is guaranteed to be in heaven with God, Jesus, the angels, and all penitent sinners. Heaven is promised to be beautiful: streets of gold, pearly gates, singing and worship, not to mention feasting, no pain, sickness, sin, or death. Which of these two places appeals to you? Would you choose hell over heaven? I hope not! Please give this earnest attention and choose wisely.

If you are reading this article, you still have time, but time is running out. Once your time on earth is over, you’ll have missed the opportunity to repent. Repent now and have the assurance that your sins are forgiven, and your eternal dwelling place is secured; you will be ushered into God’s presence the moment you take your last breath. “Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then, we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Take repentance seriously; it will change your life now and in eternity.

Suppose you already have a relationship with God. In that case, it is essential to understand that repentance will be ongoing because we struggle with sin and sometimes lose the battle due to our sinful nature. John reminds us, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:8-9).

 Repentance and confession will restore our fellowship with the Father. John goes on further to say: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the only one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins” (see 1 John 2:1-2). So, this is how Christians are restored when they fall—repentance!

Repentance, therefore, is a game-changer whether or not you are a child of God; it can bring you into a relationship with God and keep you in that relationship until you see Him in glory.  

THE DAY WE GET TO DEFY GRAVITY

  

The old adage states, "Whatever goes up must come down." But the One who created gravity can and has changed that rule more than once, allowing a few individuals to defy gravity by going straight to heaven in past generations. The grand finale is around the corner; I can't wait! How about you? Will you be a participant?  

For example, the Scripture tells us, "Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him" (Genesis 5:23-24). Then, there was the prophet, Elijah; "And as they {Elijah and Elisha} still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11). Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection from the dead. At His ascension, we are told, "He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. … 'Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven the same way you saw him go!'" (Acts 1:9-11).

All these men went up individually, defying gravity! They didn't come down as the adage tells us. But defying gravity is about to change from individual situations to a multitude going up simultaneously; remember, the grand finale is around the corner! The Scripture tells us Jesus will return to escort His children home to heaven; He will come from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Jesus will not land on the earth, but with that commanding shout, many things will happen simultaneously: dead believers will resurrect in their new bodies, believers living at the time will change instantly--the mortal putting on immortality, and together with the resurrected, we will all meet Jesus in the air, and go up to heaven. What a wonderful day that will be! We will be with Him forever; gravity will not be able to hold us back or bring us down.

I am looking forward to that day with excitement because we'll see Jesus and our loved ones from the earth face to face. We will say hello to the streets of gold, the pearly gates, and the mansions that have been prepared for us. We'll leave sin, death, injustice, chaos, and all the headaches of life behind. Heaven will be so beautiful, peaceful, and full of rejoicing; we will wonder how we ever survived on earth all those years.   

Although the grand finale is around the corner, no one knows when; the Scripture says, "No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows" (Matthew 24:36). Although we don't have details of the event date or time, we are admonished to live right and expectantly. The world is not our home; we are just passing through it on our way to our eternal home--heaven. Let's be in a constant state of readiness because we won't have time to get ready when the trumpet sounds. In Jesus' parables, He illustrated the dangers of not staying on guard, for instance: the five foolish virgins who didn't have enough oil for their lamps when the bridegroom arrived and the master who didn't know when the thief was coming (see Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 12:39). He ended that illustration with, "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Luke 12:40).

His return, therefore, will be unannounced and could take us by surprise unless we are waiting and watching.  

But how do we stay ready? First, make sure our names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Second, live in obedience to God's Word and not live in sin. Third, stay in fellowship with the church and use our gifts to help each other grow in godliness. And finally, get busy with soul-winning; too many people have already perished! Let's make godliness and soul-winning a priority as we look expectantly for our Lord's return. (See 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelation 20:15; James 1:22; Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 28:19-20).

"He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).       

PEOPLE’S RESPONSE TO PREDICTED STORMS

 

 

I find weather forecasting fascinating and impressive. With the use of special instruments, the professionals predict the weather, and every year, they warn residents to prepare, evacuate, or take cover. As we all know, storms can be very destructive; property is damaged or destroyed, but most tragically, lives are lost. It takes time and money to rebuild when a storm is over.

But do people really heed these warnings? Yes and no; some do, but others don’t. Those who don’t heed the warning complain they have nowhere to go or want to tough it out. Those who evacuate return home after the storm to see the loss they have suffered, but their lives are spared. Those in the latter group often end up seriously injured or worse.

There’s another storm coming, known as the Day of the Lord; the warning has been out for years and continues to sound—it is the day that God will punish evil and fulfill His promises to those who trust in the blood of Jesus. People react differently to warning signs. Some people have responded and taken cove; others procrastinate because they think they have time, and there are those who could care less. No matter how individuals feel or answer, the Day of the Lord will come; it will mean different things to different people.

How are you preparing for the inevitable coming storm? If you’ve heard the gospel in the past and chosen to ignore it, don’t ignore it any longer. God is holy, just, and faithful; His Word has never failed and is not going to. His decree is this: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). So if you keep postponing making a decision, you’ll be heading for an eternity without God in hell.

Take cover, my friend! Understand that God hates sin; our sins have separated us from Him. Out of His love for us, He prepared a way to bridge the gap between Him and us. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to take on the punishment we deserve for our sins. However, this is not a blanket offer; each individual has to act on their behalf. Each person has to repent of their sins and ask God for forgiveness based on Jesus’ sacrifice. That’s the only way one can be made right with God and escape His judgment and punishment. The Bible tells us: “God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (Romans 3:25).

Are you ready to become a new person in Christ Jesus? God is waiting to hear your call for mercy; call Him before it is too late. After all, no one knows how much longer they have to live in this world. Once you die, you cannot repent; your doom is sealed! Please don’t let that happen to you! Do this today and share this message with others, so they can also escape God’s wrath.

If you made that decision, welcome to the family of God! He has forgiven you and put the Holy Spirit into your heart as confirmation that you are His child. It is also a guarantee: “The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people” (Ephesians 1:14).

If you’ve just become a child of God, find a Bible-believing church for fellowship, read your Bible and pray daily. The Holy Spirit will guide and give you an understanding of what you read; obey what it says, and, gradually, you will notice that your way of life is changing (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). You’ll begin to be sensitive to sin, you’ll hate it, and you’ll want to be holy as God is holy. His charge for Christians is: “You must be holy because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

Dear reader, the storm is brewing; I hope you see it! What have you done about it, or what do you plan to do about it? Do it now; the sooner, the better. Time is running out!

 

NEITHER SALVATION NOR GODLINESS CAN BE INHERITED

I have repeatedly heard people say they are Christians because they come from Christian homes or families. It’s a blessing to have that heritage, but that doesn’t make you a Christian. Nobody can inherit Christianity, and no one can live a godly life just because they grew up in a religious home. Nobody’s name gets written in the Lamb’s Book of Life because they have Christian parents or grandparents.

Mankind has a sinful nature inherited from our fore parents as far back as Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. Their sin led to a separation between them and God and subsequently between God and us. In short, being separated from God leads to an eternity without God in hell. Each person is personally accountable to God. Nobody can believe in God on another person’s behalf; salvation cannot be inherited or passed on to another.

So, if you are an individual who has been making that claim, you should be asking: “How does one account for themselves?” By doing what your Christian parents did-- they admitted they are sinners because God says so (see Romans 3:23), and they asked for God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His only Son, God’s remedy for sin! The Bible puts it this way--“God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. … He (God) declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26) (Emphasis mine).

Dear reader, the only way to become a child of God – a Christian – is to repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus because He died in your place. God will credit Jesus’ righteousness to your account because your sins have been placed on Him.

If you are a Christian parent or grandparent, you are responsible for leading your children to faith in Christ. You also have the responsibility to help them grow in their walk with Him through teaching, godly example, and praying for and with them. Make sure they’re not assuming they are Christians based on your profession of faith. We each have to have our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, based on our profession.

Dear parent, ensure your children understand this right from the start; don’t just take them to church and Christian gatherings, assuming they’ll automatically understand. Help them understand who God says they are and the need to have a personal relationship with Him through Christ. Help them know that when it comes to accountability, they are on their own; they won’t come before God as a member of a group, family, or any other way besides individually.

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (2 Corinthians 5:10). (Emphasis mine).

WHAT SORROW AWAITS THE WORLD

The title suggests there's trouble ahead for those who commit wrongdoing. In Matthew 18:7, Jesus said to His disciples, "What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting." Just before Jesus made the statement, He had answered the disciples' question about who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus centered His response to their question around a little child—to welcome a little child on Jesus' behalf is to accept Him, but causing a child to fall into sin is asking for trouble (see verse 6). So, causing another person to sin is problematic.

So, how does the world tempt people to sin? The people tempted to sin are not only adults; children are also in the mix. Even school textbooks are teaching questionable topics as fact. Have you watched the news lately? If not, maybe you should.

The internet is an excellent tool for the most part, but it is also a source of evil. It has all kinds of information on how to make weapons, murder and get away with it, and trick innocent children into doing all kinds of evil. The movies and television shows are no different; many of these are filled with profanity, pornography, and the like.

The world has come out boldly against God and His Word, saying it's okay to abort the unborn child for any and all reasons, regardless of its gestation, even all the way to full term. It also says people can decide what gender they'd like to be and make changes to be what they want. Oh, and a man can marry another man, and so can a woman marry another woman. Children are being indoctrinated to do likewise. There was a time when people who behaved that way did it privately, but now society has bought into the idea so much that it's accepted as usual. Woe to the world!   

Christians who speak against it are labeled as intolerant. Still, God says, "What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter" (Isaiah 5:20). The point is, whatever God says is wrong is wrong, no matter what the world calls it or says about it.

Why was the world during Noah's time destroyed by a flood? Because the people did not take Noah's warning to repent earnestly (see 2 Peter 2:5), why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? "God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people" (2 Peter 2:6). And why is the world as we know it now going to be destroyed by fire? It is to cleanse it from evil.

The world is on a downward spiral, and if it doesn't wake up, the predicted woe will happen: "The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment" (2 Peter 3:10). Are you ready for this? Understand that the world includes people and everything in it, so you will be included if you don't repent. Would you like to escape this horror? There's only one way!

Jesus Christ bore the punishment we deserve for being sinners when He died and rose again. If you'd like to escape the punishment God will unleash on the world, you must call on God today (the sooner, the better) for salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible expresses it like this: "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Also, in the book of Romans, we are told, "God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood" (Romans 3:25).

If you put your faith in Jesus, you will be spared the punishment you deserve because Jesus was punished on your behalf. However, if you choose not to, you will pay for your own sin; understand that hell is forever for non-penitent sinners, just like heaven is forever for penitent sinners. Which place appeals to you? Choose Jesus now, and have the peace and assurance that God will never hold your sins against you because it's already been held against Jesus.

Are you still thinking about this? Don't think too long, because time is running out!      

 

THE CHRISTIAN’S ROLE IN SOUL-WINNING

The process of salvation is a mystery; anyone saved can attest to this fact. It’s impossible to explain how a person understands the salvation message, accepts Christ, and suddenly becomes a totally new person (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus commissioned His disciples (including Christians of all ages) to go and preach the gospel to the whole world (see Matthew 28:19-20).

Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, was perplexed about the idea of being born again. Jesus’ explanation of that process was to compare it to how the wind blows: “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).  

Thank God, our only responsibility in all of this is to share the message, water the Word, and excitedly reap the harvest. Only God can give the increase through the Holy Spirit. Luke, the physician narrating the experience in Macedonia, shared how Lydia, the purple cloth seller from Thyatira, was saved. “As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She and her household were baptized” (Acts 16:14). This is a mystery! Jesus clearly teaches that only God can draw people to Him: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up” (John 6:44). Our responsibility, therefore, is not to convict anyone of sin or convert them; that’s God’s domain.

Our role is minimal yet vital; let’s take it seriously. We need to start by praying for people in our sphere of influence: the Lord will prepare their hearts and open doors at the right time for us to share. We’ll need to be watchful and not miss opportunities.    

Once, Jesus said to the crowd following Him, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). But what does that mean? Of course, He was referring to His crucifixion, the sacrifice through which salvation would be available to us sinners. But how else could He be lifted up? Whatever we can do to make Him known will be a way of lifting Him up. We need to put Him on display as much as possible. The way we can lift Him up is through sharing the salvation message verbally, and allowing Him to live through us, so people will notice the transformation in our lives and the impact the Word of God has on us.

As long as we are in this world, there will always be people who need to hear the gospel, and we are God’s tools and agents for accomplishing that purpose. Time is running out! How long before we’re individually called home and our time of sharing will be over? How much longer before those who need to hear it are called away, and they go to a Christ-less eternity? And how much longer before the Lord returns to judge the world, and grace is no longer available? Since we don’t have answers to these questions, let’s work diligently as though any day we are here could be the last.