A Lifetime Of Saying "Yes" To Jesus

"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

 As a Christians, how committed are we to Jesus Christ? Where are we in your relationship with Him? What was going through our minds when we surrendered our lives to our Savior?

I am sure that at that moment we felt that we would always be 100% committed to the Lord, and then things happened. Over a period of time, we became distracted with the affairs of the world. We became so preoccupied with certain pursuits in our lives, that the Lord became less of a priority. What we promised to be, and to do, just went by the wayside.

Good intentions? Yes, but not a feeling of fulfillment. Because in this process of time, we never felt that feeling of total satisfaction and contentment. We felt that void in our hearts, that only the Savior could fill.

The Apostle Paul was totally sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ. He went all the way for the Lord, and never hesitated, or became pre-occupied with other things. He kept the faith, and he fought the good fight to the very end. (2 Timothy 4:7) It was a lifetime of saying "Yes" to whatever the Lord wanted with him, and his life.

As Christians, shouldn't we say "Yes" to Jesus, everyday of our lives?
"What He says we will do; Where He sends, we will go, Never fear, only trust and obey." GP

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The Proving - By Beverly Lewis

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What Is Your Choice?

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) 

Tomorrow is election day (11/5/2024) We as Americans will make a choice that will affect our future in this nation. But as important as this is, there is another choice that will affect our eternal future. And that is the choice to make God's Son, Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of our lives.

In our text, Joshua challenged the people to make a choice, and live with that choice. Was it going to be, to worship the gods of their forefathers, or the gods of the Amorites, (or) the God of the universe, which was Joshua and his family's choice. "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (v.15c)

What it comes down to, for us today, is a choice between running after the things of the world, and putting God first and foremost in our lives. Will we allow Him to be our Savior, and Shepherd, all the days of our lives?  Will we live and serve Him all the days of our lives?

What future will you have with the world, compared to what God offers us? What peace, and satisfaction will we have with the world? Things may be good for awhile, but will it last? I think not!

Like Joshua, I challenge us to today, to vote for Jesus, and make Him a permanent choice for our lives, today, and forever! GP

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People For God

 "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." (Hebrews 4:9) 

The people of God, are certainly to be a " people for God." As Christians we are to live our lives working on pleasing God by our words and actions. We are to be dedicated to furthering His kingdom, by using our talents, and time, to do so. 

The Hebrew writer was concerned that his readers were wanting to turn away from God. Just as God offered His people in Moses' time a place of rest, He does so with us as well. Our place of rest is with Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30) The question is: Do we want Him to be our rest? 

Do we want Jesus to bless our lives, today, and forever, as only He can do? 

 When we look at the church today, does it look like we are a "people for God?" Do we live in such a way, that there is no doubt to the world, that we are 100% sold out to Jesus Christ? Does it show by our lips, and lives, what Jesus means to us? Jesus went all the way for us, through His sacrificial death, and resurrection. He broke the chains of sin and death, and brought us an eternal hope. With that in mind, how can we not be a "people for God?" 

It's not easy to be a light for the Lord in this life. The world is trying to dominate, and destroy. (John 1:5) We cannot hide our light (Matthew 5:14-16) Our nation, needs to see the light of Jesus Christ shining brightly. America needs to see, and hear His truth coming from us, every opportunity that comes our way. 

So let us as the people of God, be a "people for God." Let it be known that we belong to Him, and that we can find peace and rest in Him. GP 

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The Value Of Knowing Christ

 

The Apostle Paul tells us what His priority list is in Philippians 3. When you read this chapter, you will find that his first priority is to not put any confidence in the flesh. All that he had gained in this world, all that he had put confidence in, concerning this world, was nothing compared to what he found in Jesus Christ. 

The main goal for his life, was to know Jesus Christ. To know all that He expected of Him, and to know the blessings that came from his relationship with Him. The question for us as Christians is; Is Knowing Christ the main priority of our lives? How can we profess to be Christians, if Jesus is not a first priority? 

So often I observe that Christians have allowed the world to creep in and take precedence over their lives. When other Christians compromise, and indulge in worldly pleasures and activities, we feel that it's alright for us to do the same. 

Jesus said that "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (or the world) Matthew 6:24. 

There is no middle ground here. No place for us to try and live in both worlds. After coming to know Jesus, Paul knew what choice he needed to make. It was a choice of blessing, instead of ruin. A choice that he eventually gave his life for. 

In 2021 I pray that you will put Jesus first in your life. Be obedient to His teachings, and live your life totally for Him. You will not be sorry, but eternally blessed. GP 

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Walk In Christ

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him." (Colossians 2:6) 

How many people, following a job interview, are glad to hear these words? "When can you start?" The normal response to obtaining a job, is to follow through, and do the job.

Those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives, must follow through, and live a life [In Christ]. The Apostle Paul encourages the Christians at Colossae to follow through with their commitment to Christ.
"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, So walk in Him." (Colossians 2:6 NKJV)

I believe that one of the hardest things in the Christian life, is to keep from being distracted. Our reading and applying God's Word, along with our prayer life, is vital to a strong, deep, and sincere, relationship with our Lord Jesus. But you can count on a number of things to be a distraction. Our enemy Satan works zealously to distract us. "As a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom He may devour." 
(1 Peter 5:8)

Just like with a marriage; for a man and woman to be close, they must work at being close. That time spent together, is essential in having a solid marriage relationship.

Think of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the best friend you could ever have. Being in His Word, and praying to Him constantly is how we can make our friendship with Him, the best that it can be. And we will be blessed beyond comprehension.

Let's not be distracted by the many little things that do not matter as much as this. Let's constantly, "Walk In Christ" (GP)

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Dropping The Ball

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." 
(Hebrews 6:4-6) 

If a football player catches the football, and then drops it, the question comes, did he really have it? They call the play, "an incomplete pass" 

The Hebrew writer here is speaking about those Christians who on the outside, showed true marks of being faithful Christians, but then (in the Greek) became those who "fell beside the wayside" My question is, if you received Christ as Savior and Lord, but then you let go of Him, did you really have Him at all?

The most terrifying words from our Lord is when He tells the church at Laodicia, how He feels about lukewarm Christians. "So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth." (Rev.3:16) It is evident by His words, that He did not want those who were lukewarm. When we embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and Lord of our lives, it is to be a life-long commitment.
When we catch the ball, we hold on to it, and keep it secure, as we run to life's end-zone, and to eternity. GP

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Am I First?

"Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love." (Revelation 2:4) 

If someone asked you what you thought was the most important thing in life, what would you say? What is that one thing that means the most to you?

As Christians, we hope to say that our relationship with Jesus Christ is first, and foremost. But when the Lord takes a look at our hearts, and our lives, will He not ask, "Am I First?" "Am I the most important person in your life? "And If not, then, why not?" 

To one of the seven churches in Asia Minor, Jesus gives the church of Ephesus, a strong rebuke. This busy, active, church was commended by our Lord, for doing some things right. * "At the time of this revelation of John, the Ephesian Christians, were now second generation believers; and though they had retained purity of doctrine, and had maintained a high level of service, they were lacking in deep devotion to Christ."

This is where it all begins with a Christian. And it is this relationship with Jesus Christ, that motivates us to a deeper' and stronger, commitment as life goes on. From this precious relationship, we are able to "bear much fruit" for the kingdom of God. (John 15:1-5)

But being too involved in good works, can be a distraction concerning our relationship with our Lord. We can get so busy in serving, that we don't take advantage of our time to worship, and fellowship with Him. Like Mary who took advantage of that good part (being at the feet of Jesus) while Martha was distracted by many things. (Luke 10:38-42)

Let's make time to be in the Word of God. Let's make time to be in prayer, and fellowship with the one who loves us more than we can imagine. Jesus gave His life for us, so that we could have the God's best. Is it too much to ask, to give Him our total time and attention? GP

* Bible Knowedge Commentary (New Testament)

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Moving Away?

"...if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Colossians 1:23) 

If you have lived in one place for a long period of time, it is difficult to move to a new location, and start over again. It was difficult for my family and I, to move to a new pastorate, after being with a church for almost eleven years.

 In our text, the Apostle Paul shares with the Christians at Colossae, concerning their response to the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the precious message of the work of Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. The Christians at Colossae could confidently say, that they had allowed Jesus to reconcile them to Himself. They had (through their faith) stayed steadfast to their commitment to the hope of the Gospel. They had, (as we can call it) "a settled faith." They were not going to let anything cause them to "move away" from the hope they held so dear.

 As Christians today; is this the way it is with us? Do we have a "settled", "steadfast" faith, in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Does it show in the way we live? Does our worship reflect this "settle faith" in the hope we have in Christ?

 The world lures us, in so many ways, and causes us to "move away." Maybe not all at once, but little by little, we drift away from what we hold dear in Christ. We can, and do, major in minor things, the enemy hopes we will pursue. But when this world is gone, and all the things we used to hold dear in Christ is forsaken; what will be able to hope in then?

Let's stay home with Jesus, instead of trying to "Move Away! GP

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What Is Important To You?

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." 
(Matthew 6:24) 

What are the priority things in your life?

If you could have people make a list of the things that they place as importance in their lives, you might be able to pick several from the list that are very important to you.  It is quite evident that the Lord is not a priority in people's lives today. He would be way down on a list, or not even on a list at all.

As a society that is selfish and sinful, that is not a surprising reality. God wants us to live righteous lives, as He is righteous and holy, but for many that is not a goal they choose to pursue. And that is why our nation, as well as our world, is sick, and in turmoil today. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot chase the world, and profess that you love the Lord, and are devoted to Him.
The hypocrisy becomes too evident.

Too many, money is the god of their world. But it does not provide the peace and satisfaction that the God of this universe can provide. So, yes, we have a choice to make. Do you really want to live with second best all of your life? (or) embrace the best that God has to offer, and really live? GP

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