Mars Hill

(Acts 17:22-31) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. {23} For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. {24} God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; {25} Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; {26} And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; {27} That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: {28} For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. {29} Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. {30} And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: {31} Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Acts 17:23 – For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

There are many in the world today with that same sentiment of uncertainty of not knowing who God is. I pray that they find the truth before it is too late. I also pray that we as Christians go out to share the gospel and win souls for Christ.

Matthew 9:37-38 – Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; {38} Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

I’m so grateful to know the ONLY TRUE LIVING GOD, JESUS CHRIST. Who has no beginning and no end.  Whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

He has done so much for us (Psalms 68:19 – Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation). He has made a way for us to escape from God’s wrath.

Romans 5:8-10 – But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. {9} Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. {10} For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

As this year comes to an end and what a year it has been, and as the new year approaches with many uncertainties, the only certainty we know and need is Jesus. Let’s rejoice in knowing that no matter what comes our way we have the Prince of Peace.

Psalms 27:5 – For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scriptures:

John 3:36 – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Philippians 4:7-9 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. {8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {9} Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Delighteth in Mercy

(Micah 7:18-19) “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. {19} He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

I just wanted to share this scripture that I was reflecting on because it made me smile. Our God is so amazing. All that He is and all that He does is amazing. He has done so much for us, in spite of how many times we have been disobedient. His mercy endureth forever!

Psalms 118:29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

All Scripture are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, {5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Nehemiah 9:31 Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Oil for Your Lamp

In life, in any second anything can happen or change. Life is full of ups and downs, and we know it’s not about if, but when. Since we know this we should always be prepared spiritually. Spiritual preparedness is most important and it always starts with praying daily, reading our Bible daily, and keeping our focus on God daily.

In the Bible there are many examples of how important daily prayer is to us as we live the Christian life. The Bible also states in Matthew 4:4, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” We can’t survive without the word of God. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105).

If you are spiritually prepared, you are equipped for whatever may come your way. Let’s not be like the 5 foolish virgins that didn’t have their oil for their lamps. Let’s be like the 5 wise virgins that had their oil ready for when they would need it.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scriptures:

Matthew 25:1-13 “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. {2} And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. {3} They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: {4} But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. {5} While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. {6} And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. {7} Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. {8} And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. {9} But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. {10} And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. {11} Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. {12} But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. {13} Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Proverbs 30:25  The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

The Power of the Grave

Psalms 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

We all know that one day we will die. Our bodies will lie in the grave and our spirit will go to heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:8 – We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord)., until one day when our bodies will resurrect incorruptible to meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord”.

No more sin. What a wonderful time that will be. So, let’s stay encouraged. We have so much to look forward to and the power of the grave can’t stop us. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

All Scripture are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

(1 Corinthians 15:50-58) “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. {58} Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

One Way Ticket

I have a one way ticket to a special destination. The great thing about this ticket is I didn’t have to pay for it, someone else did, and I can never lose it. Any guesses to where I will be going?

Today I have lived another year and I have learned a lot thus far. I also can recognize how much I have grown spiritually thus far. Now in my life, I rejoice in my salvation, not so much when I was younger because I don’t think I fully grasped the joy and excitement in knowing that I have a one way ticket to spend eternity with the LORD. To understand how important this one way ticket is and how it has saved me from the depths of HELL.

This one way ticket was freely given to me by Jesus Christ, in which he paid for by His death, burial, and resurrection. All I did to receive it was (Romans 10:9) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Salvation is such a wonderful thing and everyone should have it. The sad part is some don’t even want it.

So today I rejoice in another year of life, but more importantly, I rejoice in knowing that I have A One Way Ticket, my salvation.

Would you like a One Way Ticket? It’s free!

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related scriptures and links to related blog topics are below. Additional reading on salvation can be found in the books of Matthew through John.

Psalms 13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalms 35:9 And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Psalms 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Sinners Prayer

Master Builder

Do you have an Umbrella?

Salvation, we all need it.  Although there is some that don’t realize this fact and this blog is targeted to those who don’t know the truth or the importance of salvation. What is salvation? It is defined as the deliverance from sin and its consequences. Romans 3:23 states, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, and our sin is worthy of death- “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

I can compare or picture salvation to having an umbrella. A covering that provides protection from God’s wrath – He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him (John 3:36). Do you need an umbrella? If so, all you need to do is – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us – Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). Please don’t leave this earth without your umbrella.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scriptures below. Additional reading on salvation can be found in the books of Matthew through John.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 – For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Samuel 22:3  – The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

2 Samuel 22:47 – The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

Psalms 18:2 – The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psalms 25:5 – Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

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

Acts 4:10-12 – “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

 

The Raging of the Sea

Life can feel like you are riding the waves of the raging sea. One moment you are up and the next you are down. The issues of life can be likened to the waves of the sea.

There are actually 3 common generating forces of waves: wind driven, tides, and tsunamis.

The wind-driven waves are created by the friction between the wind and surface water. As wind blows across the surface of the ocean or a lake, the continual disturbance creates a wave crest.

The wind driven waves can perhaps be compared to the everyday expected or unexpected, but manageable issues of life.

The second are the tidal waves, which are caused by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon on the earth.

The tidal waves can perhaps be compared to the unexpected issues of life. The issues that bring questions and doubts. Did I do something wrong? What did I do to deserve this? God are you hearing my prayers?

Finally, the tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. These waves are more like a fast moving tide crashing into the shoreline.

Tsunamis can be compared to those unexpected, devastating, and un-manageable issues of life. The issues that crash into you, knock you down, and God is the only one who can pick you up. These issues also bring questions and doubt. God where are you?

We all will experience each wave at some point in our lives, so when you do just remember Psalms 89:8-9.
O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (9)Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Other related Scripture:

John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Corinthians 2 1:4 – Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God

Psalms 6:9 – The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Matthew 21:22 – And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Psalms 40:13 – Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Deuteronomy – 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Giving Thanks

One of the earliest things we are taught in life is to say thank you. It’s a phrase that is most likely used often daily to express gratitude. We give thanks to our LORD daily because He is so good to us and we are commanded to praise the LORD and give Him thanks.  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever (Psalms 106:1).

We should continually thank God with the fruits of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). He has given us the greatest gift, our Lord Jesus Christ.  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Scripture shows us how to thank the LORD not only by using our lips but by sharing how great He is to others.

2 Samuel 22:50  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.

Psalms 105:1-5  “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. {2} Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. {3} Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. {4} Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. {5} Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Psalms 92:1  It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

Psalms 30:12  To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Ezra 3:11  And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

 

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Naaman

In 2 Kings Ch. 5 verse 1 there is the story about Naaman. He was the captain of the host of the king of Syria. The Bible describes him as an honorable man, and because of him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria. Naaman was a mighty man in valor, but he also was a leper.

Elisha the prophet sent for Naaman and he came and stood by the door of Elisha’s house. 2 Kings {10} And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. {11} But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. {12} Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. {13} And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? {14} Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”

Naaman wanted his healing his way, the way he thought it should be. It wasn’t going to be his way and he was angry.  We all have our own thoughts, ideas, and expectations on how God will deliver us in times of need. Isaiah 55, verse 8 states; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.”

Don’t get angry or frustrated. Remember, when God delivers it never happens the way we thought it would, but with God it still happens.

 

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Seek the Kingdom

Our life on this Earth is uncertain and the Bible is clear on this fact. It has been stated in the Bible that life is like a vapor (James 4:14), a shadow (Psalms 144:4) or even like grass (Psalms 103:15-16). We are told in Proverbs 27:1, Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Since we know life is uncertain and we don’t know if we will see tomorrow, our time should be used wisely (Proverbs 11:30; The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise).  Life shouldn’t be about seeking the pleasures of this world, it should be about seeking the kingdom of God and doing what is necessary to please Him. We were made for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11). Are you seeking the kingdom?  Or are you seeking the vain and temporal things of this world? I have always said to myself and to God that I don’t what my life to be a waste, if you’re not doing anything for Him that’s exactly what it is. Without Him we have no purpose.

We must do what is right in His eyes. Keep or start laboring for the Kingdom, it is all that matters (Philippians 2:16;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain). 1 Corinthians 15:58 states, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related scripture:

James 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away

Psalms 144:4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away

Psalms 103:15-16 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. {16} For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more”

Psalms 4:2  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

2 Corinthians 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Revelation 4:11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.