Born Again in Christ

39 years ago today on a Thursday evening, February 21st, 1974 I knelt at an altar of prayer in Cucamonga California confessing my sins and asking Jesus to come into my heart. My life changed forever more on that Thursday evening. Rev. J.E Cook was preaching revival. I remember coming home that night with Pattie and telling my mother that I had accepted Jesus as my Savior. Things are different now, my coarse was set and I have never seriously looked back.

Matthew 27-28

Leaders who are self serving and full self righteousness will do their best to persuade others from following the truth. They know that the truth will liberate hearts to be set free of their control. Men who resist truth will do what they can to get others to also reject truth. We must not be persuaded by people who do not walk in Truth, less we find ourselves saying, “crucify Him” (Mat 27)

The crucifixion of Jesus was the ultimate price that demonstrated God’s love to the world. The Roman soldiers thought they were in control of this crucifixion, but He laid down His life of His own will. He could have called 12 legion of angels, but choose to take the road to Golgotha to suffer and die for my sins, and the sins of the world. The greatest love story every told. (mat27)

The veil in the temple separated the common person from the dwelling place of God, the Holy of the most Holy. The renting of veil at the death of Christ provide access to the thrown of God to all who desire to approach God’s presence. It is through the death of Christ that we now can come boldly to the throne of God and make our petition know to Him as Children of God who have had their sins washed in the blood of the Lamb. (mat 27:51)

He is ALIVE! He is RISEN! the good news of Jesus Christ coming back to life brought hope and a new beginning in the life of His followers. The enemy will do his best to squelch the truth of His resurrection, but truth cannot lay dormant. He came forth to proclaim to all who believed that they too can be made alive again. Go spread the good news to the ends of the world. He is ALIVE! and forever more will be. (mat 28)

Matthew 24-26

The signs of the end of the world have appeared in history in many parts of the world over the last 2000 years. Tribulation has come and gone and every generation seems certain that the time is drawing near when all things will end. The clock is still ticking, and someday it will strike midnight, and the abomination of desolation will occur. But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved. (Mat 24)

Being ready for the coming of Jesus should be the priority of one’s life. Nothing is more important in life than always being prepared for He may come at any hour. We cannot allow ourselves to be entangled with the world and it’s attractions. Our eyes should always be looking upward with anticipation that He will split the eastern skies at any moment. There is no time to get ready, we must be ready. (Mat 24)

Being ready for His coming requires that we have the oil of the Holy Spirit abiding in our hearts. Having a form of religion is not enough to make it to heaven. Keeping rules and ritual is vain if the Spirit of God is absent. The Holy Spirit (the oil) was promise by Jesus when He left. The Holy Spirit is the life that brings religion meaning and relevance. Without it, we stand outside the door knocking and entry will be refused. (Mat 25)

We never know who it is that we are assisting when we reach out to lift or help someone out. Helping others should be a selfless act without any strings attached. Lifting the load or provide for the needing if done with unselfish motivation is the core of Christian charity. It should not be a hardship, but a joy to be able to help and serve others. (Mat 25)

It is never wasted time when we take time to worship Jesus. God desires that we give our best and that which we value the most to Him in worship. Give of your best to the master, anything less is watered down worship. (mat 26)

What does it mean to do the “Will of God”? What is His will? What does He desire of me and my life? For Jesus, as He prayed in the garden, it was to go to the cross and die for my sins. For me, I live each day in complete submission to the circumstances that come in my life. They are not always pleasant, but because He is sovereign and all knowing, I will submit and commit myself to His will. Not my will Lord, but your will be done. (mat 26)

It would seem that determination is not good enough. Peter was determine that he would not fail God. But, when the hour of trail came, he found himself hiding and denying that he even knew Christ. Unless we wholly rely on Him for our strength, it will not be long until the devil will trip us up. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome fear and to stand strong when the hour of our test comes.(mat26)

Matthew 21-23

The house of God is a place to connect with God. A place where hearts can be healed from the hurts of life and eyes can be touched to see God as it was intended. The enemy of of soul will try and blind us from the truth and get us focus on things of this world, but when we enter into the presence of God, miracles begin to happen. (mat21)

It is the faithful that will make it into heaven. It is one thing to say it and another thing to do it. May we be faithful to do what we say, especially when God speaks (mat21)

Rejecting the Gospel is not to be taken lightly. Truth rejectors will be judged and cast away from the presence of God. Hypocrites will not deceive God at the judgement. They may play the part here on earth, but the light of God will reveal who they really are. The Jews rejected God, and the gospel was turned to the Gentiles. (mat22)

All who die in Christ will some day rise again, God is a God of the living, not the dead. - There are really only two commandments to be concern with. If these two are practice, everything falls in place. Love God with all your heart, love your neighbor as you would want to be loved. (mat22)

The heart of mankind is ever exalting itself in pride and power. It desires to have the preeminence over  others. The proud heart carries an air of superiority. What a rude awakening they will have when the humble shall be exalted and exalted shall be abased. (mat22)

The outward appearance of man is often mistakenly used as a spiritual thermometer of one’s spiritual commitment and love for God. It is true that a life given to God will demonstrate works of righteousness, but works without the Spirit are dead.  There is no substitute for faith and mercy. Without a living faith all of our righteousness are but filthy rags and will be discarded at the judgement. Mat 23

Matthew 16-20

Jesus is the foundation, the Rock that our faith is built upon. The demons of hell will not be able to destroy any house that is built upon that foundation. To identity with this foundation, one must be willing to forsake all, take up the cross, and lose himself in Christ. (mat16)

The level of faith needed to accomplish certain task is a direct correlation to the our willingness to pray and fast. The impossibilities are made possible when we earnestly seek the father, and willingly sacrifice our base and natural desires. (mat 17)

The heart of a child is seen as being innocent and in need for one to care for it. A child depends on those older to take care and explicitly will put their trust in the one who cares for him/her. They submit to the rule and authority of those older than them. They know they are not strong enough to stand alone and rely on the strength of someone else. Jesus said, “Unless we become as little children, we will not make to heaven” (mat18)

The ability to forgive indefinitely goes beyond human effort. We must be willing to let go of our hurt, anger, and frustration and let God’s forgiveness flow through us. 70 times 7 seems a life time.(mat18)

The price of eternal life goes beyond keeping God’s commandments with respect to how we treat each other, it requires a total abandonment of our affections and desires of our heart. A full surrender to the the will of God to leave all behind and follow Him (mat19)

The gifts of God are given without respect of person. Salvation is provided to the young and the old  a like. Heaven is not earned by how long you have served God, but is gain by God who gives liberally to all who receive Him. (mat20)

The greatest people on earth are those who are willing to serve. If one is seeking to be great by climbing the ladder of power to rule, they have been deceived, and their fall will be great. Greatness among men is found when one is willing to lay down their lives to save another. Jesus paid the ransom for the world. (mat 20b)

Matthew 13-15

The Gospel seed is sown into the hearts of humanity. It is the willingness of the heart that will determine what will grow and become a mature plant. A Christian becomes strongly rooted because they cultivate the soil of obediences, so that the roots go deep. (Mat13)

The Children of God (Christians) live in world with the Children of the devil (tares) At the end of the world, the angels will come and destroy the wicked, but those who have sold out to follow Christ will shine forth as the sun. (mat13)

John the Baptist paid the ultimate price for preaching the truth. Before one is ready to give their heart to Christ, they must acknowledge their sin and be sorry for it. Herod was not ready for the gospel of forgiveness because he was not ready to repent. John’s death was not in vain, Christ healed the sick and feed the multitudes (mat14)

Life is full of storms (bad circumstances) that cause us to fret, fear, and threaten our contentment in life. Our faith is challenges when we are ask to trust God to take care of those problems. But, if we can only keep our eyes on Jesus, He will keep us safe during the storms of life. (mat14)- Conflict is unavoidable, but it is a time that we often reflect and consider how we could have done things differently.

Sin is manifested in man because the heart is evil. Breaking tradition is not a sin, breaking the commandment of God reveals the true nature of man.(mat15)

It matters not what our station in life is, God is no respecter of person to those who are willing to believe that He IS and He is able to do that which we ask. Great is thy faith to those who believe God for the impossible. (mat15)

Admonitions for the New Year

 Admonitions for the New Year

Philippians 4

Ten Admonition of the Lord

1. Stand Fast in the Lord

In the face of difficult times, hold steady

Hold on to the promise of God’s Word

2. Rejoice in the Lord

Overcome by rejoicing and praising God

Rejoice that your name is written in the Book of Life

3. Do all things in Moderation

The Balance life is to do all to the Glory of God

Conduct your life is a way that you reflect the image of Christ

4. Fret not- Don’t worry about “things”

Be anxious for nothing. Human nature is concern about human comforts

That “problem” you face? Let go and let God have it. “Fear not”

5. Pray that God will supply all your needs

Bring your request to God and trust Him to supply your needs

Ask anything in my name. He knows what is best.

6. Keep your mind and thoughts pure

The thermometer that guides your conduct in whatever you do.

“Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus”- 

7. Apply God’s Word to your life- Doer of the Word

Read the Word of God not only for inspiration, but for practical living

Let the Holy Spirit apply the truth to your heart, and follow.

8. Be content with your station in life

Understand, Life is a rollercoaster- Be prepared to make adjustments

If you are living in the will of God, be at peace with your situation

Happiness is an attitude. Attitude is a choice. 

Don’t let circumstances dictate your happiness

Contentment is gained when we put our trust in Christ to accept our circumstances

9. Don’t be a pessimist – Approach challenges in your life with confidence.  “I CAN”

Godly attitude will focus on what you Can do, and not “I Can’t”

God does use your strengths, but only when then are submitted to Him

In our weakness, He is made strong. Give Him glory.

10. Give liberally to the cause of Christ.

God does not need your money. He is the giver of all things

God has chosen through the sacrifice of giving to spread the Gospel

We miss a blessing from God, when we fail to help others or support those who are willing to give of their time to spread the gospel.

God’s Promises

1. He will supply all our needs
2. The Peace of God will be given to you
3. God Peace will be with you
4. He will keep your heart and mind
5. He will give us the strength to do His will- we can overcome any obstacle or adversity.
6. The grace of God will be with you. The favor of God. He will always be at your disposal when you need Him the most.