Because the LORD God of Israel...

In my morning quite time I read chapter 10 of the great book of Joshua. The Israelites are gaining strength and they are conquering many peoples along the way as the Lord God had commanded them to do. But on the second to last verse it reads:

"And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel."
                                 Joshua 10:42 KJV-


Did you catch that part, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel, that is the key.

If God is for us who can be against us, but if God is not for us then how do we evaluate our actions, responses and postures towards him to ensure he is for us?

First off God loves all his creation. I know this might seem odd considering that means he loves guys like Hitler, Manson, Stalin, Ahmadinejad and etc. But He is just simply good. I threw one at you there is he just good or is he Good and Just?

Of course he is both and that means loving his creation equally.

I know, I know, Yes he did hate Esau but that was because of what Esau did, but he did not hate Esau in the womb only when Esau turned from God by selling his birthright. 

Back to my point...

However that also means judging his creation equally, that means my sins are counted equally with the sins of Pilate. We are judged on the same scale whether I think thats fair or not.

But when you think about it if God did judge on different scales how right and just of him would that be? No your very right, God should not show favoritism in judgement heres an example:

"Chris you have been a good guy, you followed your own right path, even though I think stealing is wrong you only stole a few small things in your life namely bubble gum, so I guess well your in! Just do me a favor and stay away from the bubble gum isle at our heavenly convenience store."

So I only stole little things and I was allowed entrance into the kingdom, well what about you maybe you never stole anything, how fair is it that a thief like me enters the kingdom? How about that guy that stole a car once in his life, should he get in? I mean I stole gum a few times but he stole a car once, which is worse, once or multiple times?

Do you see how this whole judging thing could get out of hand if God did not hold everyone accountable on the same scale? I hope you do. I doesn't matter, gum, money, boats, cars, if you steal then your a thief plan and simple and that's how the judge will see it.

So now your thinking well God is love and he won't judge me, and you would be right your god won't judge you, that's because the god you created in your mind doesn't believe in that but the God of the Bible is clear he will judge his people someday.

No one is perfect and I know that better than anyone, and God is perfect and his law is perfect by which he judges our actions and life. So how can we being imperfect hope to achieve this state of perfection and everlasting life. We can't imperfect will never equal perfect just like 2 cannot have the same value as 5 no matter how much time and effort 2 puts into being bigger and stronger and holier he can never equal 5.

Now don't loose hope, remember how I told you that God was perfect, well he is and he came down in the form of a man to pay the penalty against that perfect law that judges us. With his death, burial and resurrection Jesus defeated the law's penalty for us and if we take his name into our hearts and live him out, believe fully in his promise we to can be saved.

I pray this message reaches you with joy and you find the hope that I have found in the savior, Jesus Christ. Remember if God is for us who can be against us!

May God richly bless you this day friends!

Last Night...

Last night as I stood, sat and jumped in attendance at the Oakland Raider Season and Home Opener I was in awe at the sheer volume 60,000 plus fans can make. It was amazing to hear the shouts of praise, of course there were also boo's but thats another story.

On a 4th and 15 late in the 4th quarter the Raiders Quarterback JaMarcus Russell hit receiver Louis Murphy for a 57 yard touchdown to put the Raiders in the lead late. The building erupted in cheers and screams and claps, and as I hugged my brother and high-fived fans around me I stopped and wondered for a brief moment why we were all going so crazy for a game.

Granted NFL football is quite exciting especially in moments like that, but when was the last time we cheered like that in church?

When was the last time we clapped that hard and hugged one another after the Pastor told us about the promise of the Gospel?

I dare to say not once if any!

And that's what has me thinking, since last night and this morning, how will it sound when Christ returns to this earth?

Will they cheer like we did last night in Oakland?

Will the noise be louder and will we feel the vibrations like we did when the Air Force flew 2 F-16's over the stadium?

I am not sure exactly but I would have to say yes! This will be the most climatic event in all of history and every eye will see Him when He comes.

When Christ returns it will be the end of the game after a winning touchdown drive, the opponent won't get a chance to tie or win the game, its finished. Jesus will come back as a Savior and more importantly to us who follow him and are oppressed, he will come back on a White Horse as a Conqueror!

My job and the job of those who choose to follow him is to get that word out to as many people as possible.

Living a good life in front of people and being a good example is nice but how will those you are around know why you are such a nice, polite, uplifting person if you never share that with them? How can they hope to achieve your relationship with Christ and the hope you have inside of you if you don't share that? How can they escape the judgement of the almighty if they have not been informed there is a judge who sits on the throne of Heaven rightly judging the people of his creation?

To the elect and workers in Christ, this is our message, get the word out.

Don't delay make it today!

Nice rhyme huh!

God Bless brothers and sisters in the way, and have a nice day!

Sorry, I did it again, I'm thinking might just write a Dr. Seuss book after this. :)

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen!

9.11.09-Eight Years to the Day

I remember the words sung by country music singer Alan Jackson, "Where were you when the world stop turning that September Day?"

I remember where I was and I will never forget the families and the victims of these heinous attacks. They will forever be etched in my memory. If I don't pray for them any other time of the year I do this day. Pray with me:


Dear God, Father of Heaven and earth, I pray for your comforting hand for all those mourning this day. I pray for peace, and closure. I pray that this nation never forget this day and we never forget just how vulnerable we are. We want you to be our God and we to be your people. Protect us as you did our ancestors in generations past. Help us fight and win the war on terror, so that your name may be praised. We thank you for all you have done and all you will do to keep this country safe. Watch over all of our service men and women and guide them safely. To your honor and glory we pray in the name of the one you sent to us for a sacrifice, Jesus Christ, Amen!


Though the pain may still be present we have a God who is strong enough to help us through and encourage us to live life to the fullest, a life pleasing him. May God's comfort be over you all this day as we remember those who have fallen 8 years ago today.

God Bless America!

God Will Move Waters For You!

This morning while reading in the Old Testament book of Joshua I was stirred with a thought. In chapter 3 the people of Israel, once led by Moses in the wilderness, are preparing to cross the River Jordan. Joshua, the newly appointed leader of Israel, was given a command how to approach the river and how to cross it to take the land promised by God to be the habitation of the Israelite people. Most people don't realize that God parted the waters for the Israelites not once but twice! Originally when God used Moses to call his people out of slavery and oppression at the hands of Pharaoh, he led them across the Red Sea which he parted by Moses stretching out his hands over the waters. They passed on dry ground provided by God. Well that was to bring them out and here in Joshua 3 we see God again parting the waters as his people went in to claim their land.

"And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the People were passed clean over Jordan."
                                 Joshua 3:17 KJV-

When the Levites stepped into the waters of the Jordan holding the Ark of the Covenant the water would rise up and split apart making the way for the Israelites dry and safe. Twice God moved the waters for his people to cross through unharmed.

That is his continued promise which I thought about this morning. First off God is the same yesterday, today and forever.


"For I am the LORD, I change not..."
                                Malachi 3:6 KJV-


"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever."
                               Hebrews 13:8 KJV-


If he protected his own back then what makes any of us think he won't do the same today?
The fact is that he will stand up for his own. In the last book of the Bible we read of a special protection given God's people in the last days to stand up against the evils taking place on earth during the great tribulation. We read:

"And then came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth; and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men which have not the Seal of God in their foreheads."
                               Revelation 9:3-4 KJV emphasis added-

With this wonderful promise it makes me wonder why anyone wouldn't want to have God do the same for them. The true fact is however, many people in this world choose not to follow God. They either don't believe, don't care or worse, they have never heard his gospel message.

If you are a Christian and you are looking for God's will in your life, its quite simple really:

"And He said unto them, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.'"
                              Mark 16:15 KJV-


"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)."
                              Matthew 28:19 KJV emphasis added-

So you see God's will for our lives is to spread his message to the whole world. Go preach, teach and give speech to the lost ones and help them come to a place that they can truly say they are found!

For those of you who are reading this and don't know the gospel message, please read some of the previous posts. If it is still unclear after reading please feel free to email me and I would love to respond to your questions. If you have heard the message of promise from the gospel before but it never really took hold in your life then its not to late to change that, here's what you can do to accept the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Repent- Turn your heart from the ways of sin in your life, confess to God about your sins and he will forgive you.

2. Believe and Trust-Believe and Trust on the Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection and you will be saved (John 3:16).

3. Get and Read a Bible daily-This is a sure way you will stay grounded in your faith by learning daily who it is that has saved you, what you have been saved from and the very nature of the one who saved you!

4. Get in a good Bible based church-This helps build community and a support system for you. It helps grow the body of Christ as well.

5. Share what you have experienced with others who do not know the promise and truth of the Gospel. They are lost but can be found like you were.

I hope this has helped your understanding this day, Enjoy this day to the fullest.

God Bless friends!

Do we assume God is American?

This was a great question posed to me from a great friend of mine. He made the statement that he believes most Christians in America assume that God is the God of America alone. I think that most American Christians don't realize the same God we worship is also very active in the persecuted church worldwide. To say that God is just a white-Christian American is to miss the mark on the nature of God for sure. We must open our eyes to the church worldwide.

It is interesting to think that about that. Why is the Church persecuted? Why do some many people get violent or hate-filled when the name of God, Jesus or the Bible is spoken? Why are Pastors being imprisoned daily worldwide for spreading the good news and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ? What is so scary about a Christian worldview to most in politics?

After pondering these sorts of questions I can only really think of one thing...

THE TRUTH HURTS!

I know, I know, how do I know that Christianity is the truth?

Better still how do you know that it is not?

Why is nobody imprisoned for spreading the message of Krishna? Why haven't countries banned distribution of the Qur'an? Why don't New Agers face death for talking about the higher power of self?

Simple again I think... they all miss the mark for absolute truth. Here is what I mean. Christianity is the only religion to declare that God came in the flesh to die for the sins of man, and that believing in him and only him is the path to heaven. We Christians believe that Narrow is the path that leads to life.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
                                           Matthew 7:14 KJV-

The world believes that wide is that same path to life and heaven. Much is the belief of Oprah Winfrey and her New Age belief system. To her there are many ways to heaven. You can see how non-threatening this world view is. It says that you are in control of your own morality, you set the bar for your way of life. Your are not governed by any authority above your own self-governing. You are your own absolute truth, that is truth and light in self.

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there will be which go in there at:"
                                         Matthew 7:13 KJV-

Now do we see why New Age belief is not persecuted but Christianity is? Do we see why the Buddha is  a safe image to worship but Jesus is outlawed?

I hope it is clear, the truth will always face the most opposition from forces seen and unseen, because it poses the greatest threat to self-righteousness and living a life that is pleasing to you and not others. Christianity teaches that God governs all, and truth is in him and life everlasting exists in his one way for your life. Jesus said:
 
"I am the way, the truth and the life; No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
                                       John 14:6 KJV-

This is the truth that strikes to the heart of unbelievers and keeps them at a distance. Why? Because as soon as you accept the fact that God exists, and you accept that he is a perfect and just judge then you realize you have to fall under his law. When you realize this your heart races because you realize you are subject to obeying those laws which means giving up all you want for all he wants.

But its not that bad, life doesn't lose all meaning, your hope is not dashed. When you realize what I have and many Christians worldwide have is when you surrender your life to your Lord and King he will fill the voids that were left when you gave up everything to follow him. You might lose that girlfriend you were living with but God may replace that with a Godly marriage in the future. The job where you stole money from may be gone but God will provide work you can be proud of and be honest to.

Life as a Christian is anything but smooth and boring, it is quite invigorating and full of purpose. Sure you can't really go out and sleep with whoever you want, and drink and smoke and shoot any drug you want, you can't continue to steal from work, or cuss out that guy that cut you off on the freeway, but really when you look at it where did that stuff get you anyway? Hung-over, depressed, feeling guilty, in prison or in the doctor's office for hypertension.

Give God a chance to transform your life for the better. Its simple really, yet it is very hard for many.

What you have to do is Repent, Trust in Christ, get in a good bible teaching church, read his word daily and do what it says. If you do those things, I promise you, you will see God move in amazing ways in your life!

God Bless friends!

Atheism?

I saw this on a website today and it made me think about the absolute truth it told.

Atheism really doesn't make much sense. And if Atheism doesn't make sense then Theism (the belief in a God, Creator) must make sense or at least Deism (believe in a creator that no longer intervenes in the universe). As you can tell by this blog I believe in a God who is above all, He sacrificed himself for our sins, something only a perfect all knowing being could do.

So ask yourself if you are an Atheist, WHY? Does your belief make any sense? If it doesn't why do you cling to it? Does it have to do with a question of Morals?

If so check this out, I too was a great sinner, as a matter of fact I know I have sinned today. The difference is that I am willing to admit it to the Creator of this universe and with the admittance and acceptance of my faults and failures as an imperfect being I can then accept the amazing sacrifice of the Savior who paid the fine due for the failures and faults of my life. Then I can walk freely knowing my sins have been forgiven and my fate has been sealed to one day walk and worship in paradise with the God of Creation!

"The Fool hath said in his heart, There is no God..."
                                   Psalm 14:1 KJV

If our earthly fathers did it, how much more will our heavenly Father?

Okay so I read Hebrews 12 this morning before starting my day and I came across some awesome verses in this chapter.

First off, there is not conclusive proof on who wrote this great book of Hebrews which is sometimes considered the 2nd most important book of the New Testament behind the book of Romans. But most people believe it was Paul or Luke writing from things he heard of Paul. That being said this chapter wreaks with evidence that Paul at least influenced this chapter, and that may be a little understated here.

Either way the verses that struck me are:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:2-11 NIV-

Notice how the writer of this chapter brings up God's correction of us. I love the use of the word here in the NIV of discipline and the word the KJV uses chasteneth. God will correct, discipline and chastise the ones he loves. Like it says here, our earthly fathers disciplined us for their respect so we should expect our heavenly Father to discipline us as well. I know when we talk of God we speak so often of his love. As amazing as his unending love is do we consider correction an act of love?

I would say that if we don't we might need to consider this point. I remember my parents when they would correct me telling me this is going to hurt them more than it hurts me. Of course I never believed them, but why would it hurt them, its my backside that is getting the attention not theirs. Now of course as I get older I realize that the pain of punishing and correcting their own flesh and blood is indeed hard for parents because they have to chastise the ones they love the most. This might not cause physical pain but it causes internal pain. So why do it if it just hurts all parties involved. Simple, because they would rather correct their children then have them grow up not knowing right from wrong. They would rather punish their children then have the long arm of the law punishing their children. They want the best for their children and will do anything for them so they can have an easier go at life even if some of the rough spots are brought about by the parents disciplinary actions. It goes the same way with God, he would rather suffer us a little while then let us suffer eternally.

The flip side is if your are not being corrected at anytime in your life by God then you are illegitimate children of God. Another words, you don't have a heavenly father because you don't believe in him. That is dangerous ground for your salvation. We should desire that God correct us that way we could take joy in his new understanding that was revealed to us during our time of discipline.

This is the message that we must take to people, particularly the lost, when they ask why does God punish people, I thought he was Love. We can tell them that only a parent who does not care about his or her child would not correct them for doing wrong. It shows true love to punish the ones you gave life because it not only affects them but also you as a parent. But the great news is the benefit of this correction and discipline is a strong and loving son or daughter of God!

Take this message forward to those who could use it. Have a great Saturday and long weekend all, God Bless!

Faith...

So in my morning reading I took a journey through the new testament book of Hebrews and in particular chapter 11.

Right away this chapter jumps out with a claim about faith, here is what is says:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1 KJV-

If I could sum up this entire chapter I would by the word FAITH. Just like this passage says and the examples set forth from the writer of the book of Hebrews we see time and time again throughout biblical history the faith of the ones who proceeded Christ being displayed. Enoch's faith that he would not see death, Abraham's faith that even if he sacrificed the one son God promised to prosper him through that God would find a way to see his promise fulfilled. Moses' faith to step away from Pharaoh and be called a Hebrew as was his heritage. David, Samuel and the Prophets all showing great faith to overcome kingdoms and dominions.

FAITH, a simple 5 letter word that can transform lives.

Isn't it interesting how we are told to share our faith with people?

That's what we have to do, share the faith we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. Share how he came into this world. How he lived, died and resurrected. Share why he had to do this, to save us from our sins and hell's fire and judgement. Without our faith in Christ we are as good as dead. Most people today are good people at heart but when we own up to the fact that God is a perfect God with a perfect law and that he will not bend the law or provide loop holes to squeeze through judgement on the merits of good deeds then we realize that the judgement must stand up firm. The fine or time has to be paid for or served.

The Great News 4 Everyone is that God sent his only begotten Son to the earth for this very purpose. God realizing that man could never obtain his perfect law created a way for us to come into relationship with him and escape the sentence from the righteous judge. As I close with probably the most quoted scripture of all time, don't just let it pass your eyes like "oh I have seen this before", but really thing about what this is saying, think about how awesome it is that God came down to rescue the creation he loves and how sacrificial, and painful and joyful this all was. Have a blessed weekend friends!

"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."

John 3:16-17 KJV-