No One Is Good Enough

 

        There are a lot of good people in hell. The only righteous people in hell are the self-righteous who believed themselves "good enough" to go to heaven on their own merits. But no one is "good enough" to go to heaven on their own. We all need The Savior God provided to get us into the eternal presence of God. And we all need the Spirit of God to make us ready to meet God. That Savior is Jesus Christ The Only Begotten Son of God. And that Spirit is The Holy Spirit of God.

 THE FIRST RICH MAN

   In the parable of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-31), we learn that we must be willing to surrender -give up- all that we think we need in order to obtain that which we most need: salvation through Jesus Christ. 

    In Romans 3:10, Paul is writing to the young church in Rome, reminding them that no one is righteous on their own merits. Nothing any of us can do will gain us entrance into God's presence. Regardless of nationality (vs 9), everyone is unrighteous until we believe The Word of Truth which the gospel Is. 

    Jesus even tells us Himself that He is the Way into God's presence (John 14:6) and the Door/Gate (John 10:9). Without the righteousness of Jesus Christ covering our sins we will never be good enough to enter into God's eternal presence and remain there with Him. 

THE OTHER RICH MAN

    Luke 16:19-31 tells us of a different rich man. An arrogant, self-centered, self-righteous man who not only knew there was a beggar parked outside his gates, but he knew the beggar's name was Lazarus, though it appears they never interacted. Rich men have other men do for them what needs to be done, including finding out about other people. 

    Anyway, both men die around the same time. But one goes to hell while the other goes to Paradise (for heaven's entrance was not yet opened to the general public, Christ not having died and risen yet). Both have all their faculties intact. 

    We know this because they can see each other, hear each other. Each has all their senses and intellect. While Lazarus is resting comfortably in Abraham's arms, the rich man is miserable and will remain so until hell is destroyed (Revelation 20:14).

    Yet, the rich man does not speak to Lazarus. Though both are dead, the rich man still deems Lazarus beneath him and instead directs his conversation towards Abraham, whom he sees as a worthy conversant; expecting his demands to be met, but not expecting to have his wishes ignored. 

    In both heaven and hell people can still think, still hear, still smell, still talk, still see, still taste, still hunger, still thirst. They are aware of their surroundings and very much aware that they cannot leave. The people in heaven do not want to leave. Both want their loved ones to avoid hell, but neither can do anything about it. 

ONLY YOU AND I

    The only one who can pray themselves out of hell and into heaven is the individual who still roams this earth on the topside. Only you and I can repent of our sins. Only you and I can read The Holy Bible for ourselves and choose to obey God here and now. 

    Only you and I can believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. That Jesus was buried in a tomb and rose after three days. Only you and I can celebrate our redemption through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, after we repent, believe and receive. Only you and I can pursue God in this life He has given us to live. 

    Only you and I can ask God's Holy Spirit to make us holy enough where "good enough" will not work. The people in hell have wasted their opportunities to obtain grace. God did not send them there: they entered hell willingly because they chose to disregard God's grace in their lifetimes. 

    There's only one Door, one Way, to God and His Name is Jesus. I've made this decision to enter that Door and walk in that Way. Have you? No fancy prayers are needed. Just kneel before God, repent (confess your sins to Him and turn away from doing those things) and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, is God's only begotten Son and be baptized. Ask for His Holy Spirit to help you live a born again life, for that is what is happening: you are being born again by water and by Spirit into the kingdom of God. 

    Eternal life is a born again life. I'm living that life. The life I used to live I no longer live for I have Christ living in me and The Holy Spirit of God moving through me to fulfill God's purpose, God's will, for my life. 

    

    THE GOSPEL

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

 The Gospel - Eric Ludy

There Is One Gospel - CityAlight

 His Name Is Jesus - Jeremy Riddle

King of Glory - Third Day

 Washed By The Blood - CityAlight

Redeemed - Big Daddy Weave

    BILLY GRAHAM: NO OTHER WAY

A Crucified Life - - Prepares The Way

 

    Mark 1:3

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight'."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No.

Prepare: make ready

From the Greek word 'hetoimazó' (pronounced het-oy-mad'-zo): I make ready.

    Yes, Christ Jesus came to die for all of us. His once-and-for-all decision impacts each and everyone who hears of such wonderful news. Yet, it is the each that disturbs people. 

    For each one of us must prepare our hearts and our minds to receive Jesus Christ into it. Believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is paramount to entering into God's kingdom. It is the most important decision any of us will ever have to make. 

    Though this verse in Mark refers to the prophetic conclusion referred to in Isaiah 40:3, the many of us who have believed in the Name of Jesus Christ for our salvation have been proclaiming to the not yet believing that Christ is returning soon. 'Soon' is just a not-yet-determined time that lies in the near future. Don't be discouraged if it hasn't happened yet. Everything happens in God's timing, for God is over all, even time. 

    Matthew 24:36-51 tells us to be ready for His return. Isaiah 40:3 tells us to prepare His way. As roads were made passable for visiting kings, so, too must we prepare ourselves to receive our King. 

    We prepare our hearts to receive Christ when we acknowledge we are sinners and repent of our sins against God. 

    We prepare His way when we believe that He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. The Way of salvation and righteousness. The Truth in every aspect of God's Word. The Life Eternal, having resurrected from the dead and walking into newness of life.

    We prepare the Way of the Lord by living holy, blameless lives under the direction of and in the empowerment of The Holy Spirit. Seek His direction now. I seek His direction at every step of my life, especially when preparing these studies. For I have no desire to lead you astray: I don't want to make any mistakes when sharing, proclaiming, God's Word with you.

    We call you now, all around the globe, in every corner of this earth, to prepare your hearts to believe on the Name of The LORD Jesus Christ, that you may receive His salvation through repentance of sins and be baptized. Baptized in water as a public confession of your faith in Christ. Be baptized in God's Holy Spirit that you may receive power to live your newly birthed faith and spread the Good News of God's saving grace with all of God's people. 

    Isaiah 43:1

But now thus says the LORD, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine."

    Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. 

Jesus Culture Greatest Hits

Heart & Soul - -To Love My Neighbor

 

Mark 12:31

"The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is not another commandment greater than these."

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4139

Neighbor: near, nearby

From the Greek word 'plésion' (pronounced play-see'-on): friend, any other person irrespective of race or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.

WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

    When a question that is asked every time this commandment is brought up, it is good to have the correct answer. And Jesus gave it in Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan).

One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side.
But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
“The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law.
Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

    Who is my neighbor? You. You are my neighbor. You are just as much my neighbor as the person living next door to me, just as much as the person(s) living with me. Anyone other than myself is my neighbor. 

HOW DO I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR?

    It's rather simple, really. The first five commandments tell us how to love God, the second five, how to love each other. Unless we do the first five, the second five will be impossible. Yes, we can still be nice to each other, even tolerant, to a degree, of each other. But unless we love God first, we cannot love our neighbor as ourselves, nor can we love each other the way God loves us. 

    God loves us and love comes from God. 1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

    God loves us because God IS love. 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

    God extended His love towards mankind through the person of Jesus Christ, His Word Whom He wrapped in flesh and sent to die in our place, that the ones who believe this might have eternal life and live with God forever. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another."

    An all-encompassing Love which covers all faults, all sins, all transgressions, all iniquities, all wrong-doings is how God loves us and how we are to love each other. Matthew 6:14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you."

To love my neighbor is to forgive my neighbor. 

 Matthew 6:12.

   To love my neighbor is to show mercy to my neighbor.

 Matthew 18:33.

    To love my neighbor is to not carry a grudge against my neighbor, nor to take vengeance against my neighbor. 

  Leviticus 19:18.

To love my neighbor is to tell them the truth and not lie.

   Ephesians 4:25

To love my neighbor is to forgive immediately after being angry at them.

  Ephesians 4:26-27

To love my neighbor is live with honor and not take what is not mine.

  Ephesians 4:28

To love my neighbor is to edify my neighbor, building them up and not tearing them down.

   Ephesians 4:29

To love my neighbor is to not grieve the Holy Spirit.

  Ephesians 4:30

    To love my neighbor is to be kind and tenderhearted to one another. 

   Ephesians 4:31-32.

AS MYSELF

    How do we love ourselves? Not everyone loves their self. We are always trying to change what we do not like about ourselves. Ultimately, we can only change so much of what we do not like. We need God to change us on the inside, in our hearts. Will be content with ourselves right away? Probably not. While some changes appear instant, the point of fact is that even the smallest change requires time.

    The selfies we are so prone to taking only show the external changes in our faces and bodies. What if we took a selfie of our hearts? Do you think that would be just as wonderful to look at? It would if God's reflection showed in it. 

    Some of us find it hard to forgive ourselves when we've done something wrong, when we've sinned. I tell you, don't let the devil bring you down to his level. God has promised to forgive you when you admit to Him that you've sinned against Him. We are washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ in whom we believe. 

    God forgives us. We forgive ourselves. We forgive each other. 

God loves us. We love ourselves. We love each other. This love is evident in how we behave towards each other; the words we choose to use to one another; the attitudes (how we think) we have towards others. All of this is an expression of love towards God, an obedience to His command to "Love One Another".

LOVING MY NEIGHBOR 

Jesus At The Center

Jesus Got Ahold of My Life

Loving God, Loving Each Other

Break Every Chain

We Will Stand

Heart & Soul - - All That Is Within Me

 

Mark 12:20

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3650

All: the whole, complete, entire

From the Greek word 'holos' (pronounced hol'-os): wholly, where all the parts are present and working as a whole – i.e. as the total, which is greater than the mere sum of the parts.

EVERYTHING THAT IS WITHIN ME

Deuteronomy 6:4, 5

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

    Abraham had God's promise that through the son he would have with Sarah, the son not yet conceived, would come many nations. The promise came before the test. Abraham had faith that God would restore life to his son. For he knew that God keeps His promises. (Genesis 17:1-18:15; 21:1-8; 22:1-15). Abraham fulfilled the first commandment.

    Hosea, under God's command, married a prostitute and had children with her. He was God's prophet and his actions may have seemed crazy to his contemporaries, yet God had placed a great love within Hosea's heart for her: a heart that forgave her whoredoms (fornications and adulteries) and loved her back into a right relationship. This great romance is not only a historical fact, but an allegorical relationship of God wooing His people back to Himself. Hosea fulfilled the first commandment.

    Jesus' mother, Mary, fulfilled the first commandment in a simple reply to the angel who spoke the prophecy to her: Luke 1:38 "“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her." Fully surrendered to God, Mary submitted to the Word spoken over her. 

    The widow, who gave God everything she had, fulfilled the first commandment. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). She placed all of her finances in the Lord's treasury: she gave all that she had. Though wealthier people had given some of their riches, she out of her necessity gave it all to God. 

    These people are but a few Biblical examples of giving everything within them to the Lord God. Because their hearts were filled with a desire to please God, they were able to serve Him in such a way as to glorify Him. Are we? We have current contemporary examples who show us how to love God first and foremost, by their outspoken faith: Brock Purdy. Tim Tebow. Joyce Meyers. Elisabeth Elliot.

    Worshiping God is more than singing, more than playing a musical instrument. God wants our everything, our all. And He wants it when He asks for it. To worship God is to obey God when He speaks. And He's still speaking today. 

    We hear Him speaking when we pray while we study out His Word for ourselves. Before the many comes the individual. Adam walked and talked with God before anyone else existed. He was intelligent and able to speak clearly. He could think for himself and make decisions on his own. He was no caveman as junk science would have us believe, but a man with whom God could converse, as friend to friend.

    We hear God speaking when we spend quality time with Him and Him only. In whatever space or room we have set aside for just being alone with Him, our prayer room or prayer closet: a smallish space that leaves no room for anything else. We make a decision to do so and stick by it, regardless of outside discord, which threatens our alone time with Him. 

    Have you asked yourself, "Why am I here? What is my purpose?" God knows. In fact, God is the only One Who knows exactly why He created you. But in order for us to fulfill our purpose in Him we need to seek Him out and ask Him what is our specific reason for existing? Besides the basics.

CREATED TO

>We are created to commune-listen to, hear from, speak with-with the God Who created us. 

>We are created to worship God and Him only. Deuteronomy 6:5.

>We are created to love God, to love Him above all other loves. Exodus 20:1-5.
>We are created to be God's hands and feet, carrying the gospel of salvation wherever He sends us. Mark 16:15. John 15:16.

>We are created to be productive. As He set Adam and Eve up in the Garden of Eden to take care of all that was in it, so we, too, are expected to work in God's kingdom. Everyone has a job to do. Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-24. John 4:34-38. Acts 1:8. 

>We are created to love all other people in the same way in which God loves us: unconditionally (no strings attached, no quid pro quo, without measure or merit). Mark 12:31. John 13:34; 15:17.

>We are created to conquer, to overcome, to rise above every obstacle in our path. Psalm 18:32-35. Isaiah 40:31. Ephesians 6:10-20.

>We are created to endure, to outlast our enemy. Hebrews 12:1.

>We are created to persevere, to continue on, to move forward regardless of what tries to grab our attention and focus. Proverbs 4:27. 

    These are some of our most basic reasons for our existence. If we have not attained some of them, there's still time. Only three things can prevent us from accomplishing God's purpose for our lives:

1. Death. After we die, there are no more opportunities to love God and fulfill our purpose in Him.

2. Christ's Second Return. When the Father sends His Son back to this earth to collect His bride, all of the people who make up this bride (the church) will leave. After that you'll have seven years to make up your minds whether or not you will choose God to be your God. 

3. Unwillingness. Ignorance is not your friend, nor is it available to you after you have been reading these studies with me. You cannot say, 'I did not know'. Apathy is not your friend, either. To hear the Word of the Lord and not receive is to have an 'I don't care' attitude towards God's Word. It is to be unwilling to surrender your all to His all. 

    Can I say I have done my part up to this point in sharing the gospel, in testifying of God's amazing grace to me, to us? Yes. Can I do more? Always. The Holy Spirit takes me where God wants me to go. And right now, that's here. All that is within me desires all that He is. 

DESIRING GOD'S PRESENCE 

Intelligent Worship -- Love God -- Part 10

 Intelligent Worship brings us into the presence of God through Loving God. Part 10.

 Mark 12:28-30

Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 

Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment."

Joshua 22:5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave (cling, stick like glue) unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 John 4:21

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

LOVE: agapao (pronounced ag-ap-ah'-o) which means 'to love', 'to prefer'

For us who believe it means we choose to live through Christ, we prefer to live in Him and allow Him to live through us (1 John 4:9-10). 

While most of us know John 3:16, few remember to read the next few verses, as well. 

John 3:16-18

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.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

God loves us so much He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty once and for all for all sinners everywhere. That's how much God loves us. And He wants us to love Him and each other with this same love: unconditional, no strings attached, all-encompassing love. That kind of love is Agape: divine love. Loving God and Loving each other through the power of God. See? It's not a love that we can accomplish under our own power: it's only available through Christ. It's an Active Love, an Obedient Love. 

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. 

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

How do we Love God?

By loving each other with His love. 

It would be very beneficial to us to read and re-read 1 John 4. And to study it out.  

At The Cross

 

We all come to the cross eventually. And to the Man Who hung there. But what do we do when we get there? 

Pilate labeled Him. Matthew 27:Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Some who came to the cross merely read the label Pilate gave Him and immediately rejected it: John 19:20 Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 

Two thieves, one on each side, saw Him hanging there, but only one acknowledged Him as Lord: Luke 23:42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 

Some who passed by spoke evil words against Him, not fearing God, slandering Jesus, giving profane voice to the evil of their hearts: Matthew 27:39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads. 

Some spoke sarcastically to Him: Matthew 27:40 And they said [tauntingly], “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself [from death]! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

The chief priests, the scribes and elders came to the cross, looked up at Jesus and spoke mockingly (ridiculed, contemptuously, derisively) to Him: Matthew 27:41-43 In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now if He wants Him. For He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Some who came to the cross heard His voice but lacked the interpretation: Matthew 27:46-47 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”

Some who were at the cross were given new family members: John 19:25-27 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, this disciple took her into his home. 

The soldier standing at the cross saw Jesus for Who He Is: Luke 23:47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

When I came to the cross, I saw Jesus for Who He Is. I recognized my need for a Savior. I repented of my sins, received His forgiveness and began to live a new life in Him. Not a perfect life just yet, but newness of life given through the power of God's Holy Spirit, bringing me into His family as His daughter. 

When I came to the cross, I fell on my knees and wept before Him. He wiped my tears away, brushing shame from my face. When I came to the cross, I stepped into the blood which had pooled there and let it wash over me as I walked through it and stepped beyond the cross into a resurrected life. Death has no power over me now; it is but a door, a single breath. And then, like the thief who admitted his wrongdoings and saw Jesus as Lord, I, too, will be with my God and my Christ for ever and ever.

And you? What did you do when you came to the cross? Have you come to the cross even yet? 

AT THE CROSS 

--Isaac Watts 1707--

1 Alas! and did my Savior bleed,

and did my Sovereign die!

Would he devote that sacred head

for sinners such as I?

2 Was it for crimes that I have done,

he groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! Grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

3 Well might the sun in darkness hide,

and shut its glories in,

when God, the mighty maker, died

for his own creature's sin.

4 Thus might I hide my blushing face

while his dear cross appears;

dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

and melt mine eyes to tears.

5 But drops of tears can ne'er repay

the debt of love I owe.

Here, Lord, I give myself away;

'tis all that I can do.

The Readiers - Now Is The Time

 Luke 1:17 "And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

Background on John the Baptist is found in Luke 1:1-16, but every time a mature Holy Spirit-filled Christian shares/preaches/teaches the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ that person becomes a Readier, too. We, the believers, are the Readiers preparing people for the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Mark 16:15 "And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." 

It takes power to share Jesus with anyone and that power comes from God who gives us His precious Holy Spirit who empowers us with Himself to speak the Truth of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Acts 1:4-5 "And being assembled together, He instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father: "That which you heard of Me; For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

And wait they did, men and women both (Acts 1:14), for the Promise of God to be fulfilled: the outpouring of His Gift, His Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately]."

Acts 4:31 "After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

Peter was one of those who received the Holy Spirit and He began to proclaim the gospel immediately to those who were gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. But he also shared the gospel with Gentiles (non-Jews), where the message of repentance, forgiveness and salvation was well received. And these, too, were baptized in the Holy Spirit upon their belief:

Acts 10:34-48 

"Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.

Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days."

We have nothing to fear when we believe the Truth of God's Holy Word and are filled with His Holy Spirit in these last days, last hours, before the Church is taken out of this world and this world is judged. Now is the time to believe and receive. 

Now is the time to kneel before God and repent of our wicked ways, to turn away from a sinful lifestyle and live a life of grace and mercy, a life that mirrors Christ to others. Now is the hour to receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts and lives, that He may empower us to live a godly life and share the gospel to everyone around us, just like I'm doing right now. 

For now is time to rise up in worship, praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and for what He's done for us. Now is the time to speak the name of Jesus with joy and in His love. Now is the time to bow not only our heads and our knees, but our hearts, to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Now is the time to offer Him all that we have to give: ourselves: our bodies to His service, to do whatever He calls us to do in His kingdom. 

Later will be too late. Tomorrow is not promised. There is only To day. There is only Now. 

CityAlight-Praise And Worship

Being Wise

 

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Contemplate this: are we the wise or the shameful? Will we go into everlasting life or everlasting contempt? How can we know now? 

Are we leading people to righteousness, telling people about the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ? That’s being wise. 

Are we saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross? Who bore our sins upon Himself? That’s being wise. 

What is wisdom? Listening to and Obeying the Word of God with joy and a merry heart. Not with anger, nor accusative words, but with Love, with Patience, with Mercy. We are to treat one another with Grace and with Peace that passes understanding in this world. 

We must ask ourselves, “Am I being wise?”. Am I honoring God with my words and my works? Am I telling people about my Jesus, testifying what He has done for me? Am I a fruitful servant? Am I even saved in this manner, by the blood of Jesus Christ? And if I am not, how can I know that I am?

Romans 10:8-10

8. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

9. that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

Some live on the false hope, false belief that sin is not real and salvation is not necessary. This is foolishness and definitely not wisdom. Wisdom comes from God. True morality and knowing right from wrong is having the wisdom of God.

Romans 3:22-23

22. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:10, 18

10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. 

18. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Romans 6:23

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8

8. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13

13. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 8:1

1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And that’s how you can know you are saved, that’s how you can know now whether or not you are being wise or being shameful. So, again, the question is put forth: are we, are you, am I, being wise? Am I leading my family, my friends, my enemies and the strangers I meet daily to righteousness? Am I telling them, you, about my Jesus? Have I told you lately what Jesus Christ has done for me?

He saved me. He filled me with His precious Holy Spirit. He walks with me daily and all throughout my day. He talks with me, tells me things I need to hear and know. He lives in my heart, cleaning it out and making more room for His glory. My Jesus loves me. My Jesus died for me so I wouldn’t be sent into everlasting contempt. My Jesus feeds me with His daily Bread and quenches my thirst with His Living Water. My Jesus both satisfies me and gives me a hunger to know Him more. 

This I want for you. But only you can make that decision. I can pray for you. But only you can make your choice. Do you want to go to heaven? Or do you want to go to hell? Hell is not a pretty place. It is not a land of endless parties, nor is it a nothingness. Hell is hot. Hell is ugly. Hell is a place where you are never happy, never satisfied.   If you are selfish in this life, your selfish attitude goes with you to Hell. You can’t leave Hell after you die, so praying for this to happen after a person dies without Jesus Christ is foolishness.

Luke 16:19-31 is the parable of the rich man and the beggar.  Here we learn what Hell is.

23. It is a place of torment. 

24. It is hot and fiery.

26. It is separated from Paradise by a great chasm which none can cross, nor can anyone leave Hell. 

We have six senses in this life. Some work like they’re supposed to, some don’t. Whether we are in Heaven or Hell, we will have all six and they will all work.

Sight

Hearing

Touch

Smell

Taste

Knowing

How do we know this? Again, read Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:23

Torment is felt (touch)

Luke 16:23

The rich man could see Lazarus in the distance.  

Luke 16:24

Though he had never seen him, the rich man recognized (knowing) Abraham right away (sight) and in his selfishness begged for the poor man to tend his needs. He was hot (touch) and thirsty (taste) and in agony (touch).

The sense of smell is implied because the man was burning and whatever is on fire smells like it is on fire. It’s not a good smell when it’s a person. 

A person can speak and hear in Hell, for the rich man spoke with Abraham and heard (hearing) Abraham’s response. 

As nasty as it is to choose to go to Hell, Hell will not last forever. But this is not good for those who choose to go there either. 

Revelation 20:14-15

14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

15. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

That’s Hell and Hell’s destination. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to disobey God and go to Hell? We can only have a right mind if Christ is in us and we are in Him. This comes through believing on His name, 

Mark 5:9, 15, 18-20

9. "What is your name?" Jesus asked. "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

15. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

18. As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. 

19. But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” 

20. So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

The man who was put in his right mind went back home and began to tell his family and friends about what his Jesus had done for him. He was being wise and fruitful. 

I am in my right mind. Though the world calls me crazy, God calls me His child. Though people call me odd and radical, Jesus calls me friend. I am being wise. And it is my prayer that I continue to be so. I want you to be so, too. I pray Ephesians 3 over your life. I pray the Romans Road to Salvation into your hearts and minds. I pray the Word of God bless you and make known to you the true Love of God and that you come into the knowledge of saving grace.