Only One Way

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Thursday, October 09, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 21-22
Message Title: Only One Way

Hello My Friend, 

If you died today, do you know for sure that you would be in heaven? The number one answer when asked this question, “Yes, I have been good.” While there are a lot of wicked people out there, most of the people in the world are good natured. Unfortunately, being good has nothing to do with us getting to heaven. Why? Sin. Sin separates us from God. If you think of getting to heaven as a scale that jumps up your chances every time you do something good, think again. Even telling one little white lie, will reset the scale and you would have to start all over again.This is why no amount of good that we can ever do will get us to heaven, we just cannot measure up to God's goodness. There is only one way, Jesus Christ. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:10,11,23,24.

The time had come for Jesus to come into Jerusalem, as He entered the city, people shouted and praised Him. “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” - Matthew 21:9-11,14-16.

The Hebrews meaning of the word Hosanna means, save, I beg you, it's an exclamation of praise to God for His blessings. In this case, they were shouting praises to God in sending the one who would save them from their sins. It was a common thing among the Jews for the children to yell out public acclamations to hail their celebrated rabbis, but the chief priests and scribes were not very happy at their shouting this to the one person they despised and hated.Many will reject Jesus simply because they refuse to admit they too are sinners and need a Saviour. “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” - Romans 10:3,4.

The chief priests and scribes, along with the Pharisees, were always the ones to be worshiped and praised, being that they people looked to them as the ones who knew God. The truth is that they were the ones who were the frauds, so, naturally they did everything they could to try and get Jesus to say or do something that would get the people to see Jesus as a fraud. Jesus quieted them down for a little while after He spoke this parable. 

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” - Matthew 21:28-32,45,46.

Publicans and harlots, meaning those who admit they are sinners, receive Jesus with joy, which is doing the will of the Father. On the other hand, people who think that they are all righteous, and have no sin reject Jesus, which is not the will if the Father. God does not want to see anyone end up in hell, but He will let anyone go there who will not receive His Son. It's not harsh or cruel, it's getting people, to realize they are sinners and cannot work their way to heaven. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9,10,20. 

They were at it again, this time bringing the Sadducee's with them, it is not uncommon for those who refuse to accept Christ to convince others to side with them, but even they could not find anything to discredit Him. “But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” - Matthew 22:34-38.

No matter how many people try to discredit Jesus, they will always be put to silence. Many, many people will be witnessed to or have the opportunity to know Jesus personally as their Savior, including religious people. However, they will not be saved because they relied on their religion, works, or something else to save them. Only those who believe in and have received Jesus personally as their Saviour will be saved and join Him in heaven. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” - Revelation 3:30. Praise God!

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us a way to have a relationship with You. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us. Now, we know that the only way to be saved and get to heavenis to admit that we are sinners, believe in Your Son, and confess that we need Him. Lord, open the hearts of those who have not done Your will to accept and receive Your Son. Use me to show them how much You love them too and do not want to see them in hell. Use me as a living sacrifice to follow Your Will in my life and to glorify You in the body that You have given me. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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A Little Compassion

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 18-20
Message Title: A Little Compassion

Hello My Friend, 

One day I was stuck in a traffic jam where there was an accident, it took a while to pass, but as we did I saw something rather heartbreaking, a car had smashed into an overpass, and the top completely ripped off. I do not know what happened to them, butI cried for them that day. Compassion, it means, a suffering with another; painful sympathy, when you stop to think about it, when was the last time you had compassion upon someone? If you cannot remember, do not beat yourself up because it probablyhas been a while since someone has had compassion upon you as well. While we really do not intend to be self absorbed with our own suffering, it does happen, but if we can take the focus off ourselves for a little while, we will be surprised at the outcome.“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” - 1 Peter 3:8,9.

Part of having compassion upon others is forgiving others, we have all been wronged by people, and likewise we have wronged others, we cannot expect to God to be forgiving to us if we are not forgiving. Jesus was telling a story about a man who owed a huge debt that he could not pay, the debtor forgave the man of his debt and sent him on his way. The problem was, that no sooner than the man was forgiven was he found throwing a man in jail for not paying a debt owed to him. “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” - Matthew 18:28,32-35.

I will admit that I have a hard time forgiving the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life here on earth with. I since then have moved on, but I still have a lot of anger toward him, which means I really haven't. That is when we need the grace of God to find compassion upon us to be forgiving and finally move on. “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 4:15.

There are many people in the world that are compassionate and truly do whatever they can to help those who are suffering, but they are lacking one thing, Jesus Christ. Compassion cannot save us from the debt we owe for our sins, huge or small, they all come with the same price, and that price is hell and the lake of fire. Jesus could not stress more the importance of knowing Him over any good that we can do. A rich man came up to Jesus and asked Him how he could have eternal life, he followed the ten commandments, but walked away when Jesus told him to sell everything he had. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” - Matthew 19:23,27-30.

Many that are first shall be last, this means that regardless of how long ago or recently they accepted Christ as their Saviour. Jesus explains this further. “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.” - Matthew 20:1,2,6-8.

A person who is rich rarely sees the need for God in their lives because they figure theydo not need God when they have everything they need without Him. We are going to be put through the fire for showing compassion upon others, we are going to be tried and tested of our faith, by the devil, family, and friends, but those who endure will receive more than any possession they will ever receive here on earth, they receive eternal life. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” - James 1:12-14.

Today's Prayer: God, You are my witness that I not only believe in Your Son, but received Him as my Saviour as well, and I am trusting only in Him for my salvation. Until that time comes I want to live the richest life I can here on earth with You leading the way. Lead me and guide me, show me Your ways, and help me to have compassion on all that You introduce in my life. Let me not be deceived, easily offended, or afraid to tell those I know or come into contact with that Jesus lives in me and I am living my life the way He wants me to live. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Make Some New Traditions

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 15-17
Message Title: Make Some New Traditions

Hello My Friend, 

When I was a little girl, every year we would put up Christmas decorations over the Thanksgiving weekend. I will never forget the huge artificial tree we had, it was so big that I was able to lay under it, and would fall asleep watching television. To this day, we still follow the same tradition, only I don't lay under the tree. Traditions, some may be fun, but some can be down right evil. Everything we do in life needs to line up with the Word of God, including the traditions we make up or follow. If what we are doing goes against the morals of God, than we do not need to be doing it, even if it is something passed down to us from other generations. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” - Colossians 3:16,17.

The scribes and Pharisees followed traditions made up of Jewish law, they claimed to follow the Law of Moses to the letter, but in reality they never even read the Law, but followed what they were taught by men. They questioned Jesus about His disciples violating the traditions of the elders, and became offended by His response. “Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?” - Matthew 15:12-16.

What Jesus is saying here is that there traditions or rules had nothing to do with God, but were made up by man. Remember, ignorance does not save us, if we are following the traditions of some religion rather than following Christ than we will end up in hell, hence the blind leading the blind. Instead of following religions that are made up by men, claiming they know the Bible, it might be wise to see what God has to say, and follow His traditions. There are still a few churches that do make the Word of God they authority of the church, the best thing we can ever do is get into a church that not only reads from the Word of God, but follows it as well. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

If we want to follow God's traditions, first, we must believe in the Gospel, secondly, we must be saved, and third, we must believe every Word of God to be true. You cannot believe that Jesus died, but that He did not rise from the dead, or that Mary could not have been a virgin when she conceived Jesus. That is not believing every Word of God, that is making a following a tradition, not God's. Man's traditions deceive people into thinking that they have to be a particular religion or race in order to be saved. Christ saves all who believe in Him, this was proven when a Caanite woman desperately asked Him to save her daughter.

“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” - Matthew 15:22-28.

Believe it or not, the Jews look at anyone who is not a Jew as dogs, before dogs became the family pet, they were something so savage and fierce that they became objects of dislike. Cruel enemies were poetically styled dogs in moreover, the dog being unclean, and something the Jews would not even go near. Jesus was testing this woman's faith,the woman persisted, acknowledged that even dogs get to eat the crumbs from underthe table, even though I am not a Jew I beleive. Jesus saw her faith and healed her daughter. It does not matter if we were born of the Jews or Gentiles, Jesus came to save all and saves all who believes in Him. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 12:13.

We all have traditions, but it is important to realize that if you are saved you are heirs with Christ, that makes you family. Since we are heirs with Christ we need to be awareof some of the customs, practices, and beliefs that we use to follow are ones we need to avoid. Instead of following the same old traditions passed down from family, perhaps it is time to make some new traditions with Christ. “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” - 2Thessalonians 3:3,5,6.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to live by the traditions of Your Son, and make some new traditions that will glorify You. Lord, watch over me, guide me, and keep the truth in me. Help me to learn and grow in Your Word so I can be a witness and testimony of Your Law. Open my heart to be receptive to You and only You, clear my mind of every doubt and fear and fill it with joy and peace only revealed as I give myselfwholeheartedly to You. I love You, Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The Power In A Seed

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Monday, September 06, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 13-14
Message Title: The Power In A Seed

Hello My Friend, 

Seeds, have you ever noticed how powerful a seed is? In the middle of nowhere, given the right light, air, and moisture, a seed can grow, but it's the soil that will nurture it and or destroy it.Interestingly, some seeds need sun light to grow, while others need moonlight. Did you ever notice beautiful mowed lawn the next day after it rains overnight? Weeds pop up. It does not take a genius to know that there are good and bad seeds in life, we cannot always tell what is good for us in the dark, but if we follow the Son, He will sustain us. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” - 1 Peter 1:22,23.

A parable is a short story containing a deep and powerful truth, sometimes parables seem a little off key, but if you stoop to think about it you can figure out the truth behind it. Jesus often spoke of the Kingdom of heaven through parables. Why? To see who would figure it out. Anyone who was willing to hear with an open heart what He had to say about God and heaven would figure out the meaning of the story. Jesus used several parables about seeds, both good and bad, to explain the Gospel, here we will take a look at the parable of the sower. “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” - Matthew 13:3-9.

To explain the parable, we first need to understand who the sower is, what seed is being used, and what the different types of soil are. The sower is Jesus, God sent Him, not only to be the sacrifice that would bring all who believe in Him life, but to preach the Gospel also. The seed is the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and the soil is how each individual reacts to the Gospel. Jesus explains the parable of the sower. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matthew 13:19-23.


 

Now, do not beat yourself up if you do not understand a parable right away, God does not always reveal things to us when we are first introduced to His Word because He waits until we have an open and willing heart. Jesus quite often had to explain the parables, even to His disciples, which brings us to another parable, this one about bad seeds. “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” - Matthew 13:24-30.

To explain this parable we first need to understand what the sower of the good seed, the sower of the tares, and the tares are. The sower of the good seed is Jesus Himself, the sower of the tares, is the devil, and the tares are the ones who will never believe in Him. Jesus explains this further. “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” - Matthew 13:36-40.

While God does create all, and does not want to see anyone end up in hell, He knows that some from birth will never believe because they are corrupted by the devil. By the way, the devil cannot give life, but he can corrupt life. Even he had a chance to repent, but he chose to put himself above his Creator, and for that reason he and everyone who follow him will burn in the lake of fire. “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.” - Revelations 20:10. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:7,8.

Today's Prayer: God, I love the amazing miracle that happens when a seed grows into something beautiful, but I also see the destruction that weeds do to that beauty. Lord, I want to live a life that producing good, sustaining fruit, not corruptible weeds. Give me Your power, wisdom, and guidance to be fruitful, give me an open and willing heart, and let me not be corrupted by the weeds that try to destroy every good fruit You produced in me. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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