I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Revelation 3:8 NASB
The only one that can stop you from walking in the calling of God upon your life is you! When God has called you to something, no one else can close the door upon your opportunity to fulfill that call. It is only through your unfaithfulness; your refusal to obey, that the opportunity can go lost. Do not fear man, what he may say, or do to you. Walk in what God has called you to. He is the one who has opened the door!
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Are We In Evacuation Mode?
It seems that a great majority of the professing Church is in evacuation mode. We see evil abounding around us. No one can truly deny that we are now seeing things in our lifetime that would have seemed unlikely, even impossible just a few generations ago. It is true, sin is running rampant in this world, and everything seems to be spiraling out of control. Righteousness is indeed under attack, the very foundations are being destroyed. What are the righteous to do (Psalm 11:3)?
Sadly it seems that many are simply waiting to be evacuated. Like a besieged army waiting to get out of a hopeless situation, we seem to anxiously look around us at the dismal conditions, and then "rest" in the hope that we will be raptured out of all of this misery, before it gets too far out of control.
I fear that many will find themselves numbered with the "Foolish Virgins" (Matt 25:1-13). Their lamps have gone out, and they have no oil. Many will be identified with the servant who buried the one talent he was entrusted with (Matt 25:14-30).
Jesus warns us to be alert, and He also warns us to be about His business until He comes (Mark 13:33-37). We dare not be found asleep at His return, yet I fear that many will be. Jesus Himself asks the question, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?"
The truth is, we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. We are to be active in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not stand looking into the sky (Acts 1:9-11), waiting for our evacuation, while there is still work to be done. Jesus never promised us that it would be easy. In fact, He promises us persecution, if we will be faithful to His call (Matt 5:10-12; 2 Tim 3:12).
As we see the evil growing around us, we must boldly stand for the truth, and be faithful unto Christ, no matter the cost. Then when Jesus returns, we will be among those who are found faithful.
Sadly it seems that many are simply waiting to be evacuated. Like a besieged army waiting to get out of a hopeless situation, we seem to anxiously look around us at the dismal conditions, and then "rest" in the hope that we will be raptured out of all of this misery, before it gets too far out of control.
I fear that many will find themselves numbered with the "Foolish Virgins" (Matt 25:1-13). Their lamps have gone out, and they have no oil. Many will be identified with the servant who buried the one talent he was entrusted with (Matt 25:14-30).
Jesus warns us to be alert, and He also warns us to be about His business until He comes (Mark 13:33-37). We dare not be found asleep at His return, yet I fear that many will be. Jesus Himself asks the question, "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?"
The truth is, we are in a spiritual battle for the souls of men. We are to be active in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not stand looking into the sky (Acts 1:9-11), waiting for our evacuation, while there is still work to be done. Jesus never promised us that it would be easy. In fact, He promises us persecution, if we will be faithful to His call (Matt 5:10-12; 2 Tim 3:12).
As we see the evil growing around us, we must boldly stand for the truth, and be faithful unto Christ, no matter the cost. Then when Jesus returns, we will be among those who are found faithful.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church.
The Church triumphant has been under attack since it's inception some 2,000 years ago. Nations and rulers have tried to destroy the Church through persecution, they have tried to legislate it out of existence, and have had a measure of success by merging it with the state.
The union of church and state has probably done more harm to the cause of Christ than any other device satan has come up with. By this union, governments have controlled what the church believes, and what it practices. By legislating Christianity, nations have been declared "Christian" deceiving their members into thinking they are true Christians when in fact they are not.
No human government on this earth has the God given ability to determine what constitutes true faith and practice. God alone, through His word has set forth the standard for Christian practice. No one has the right or ability to come between a man's conscience and his God.
Jesus tells us that He will build His Church upon the rock of our confession of faith, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The Bible tells us that there is one body, one Spirit, and we were called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is over all, through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Jude tells us to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered (Jude 1:3). That is the true faith, the one delivered down through the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
This is the foundation that the true follower of Christ Jesus is built upon. Every one who names the name Of Jesus in a true and living faith is being built up into a spiritual dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
Trials and tribulations will come as we are told in the word of God (1 Peter 4:12-14; Rev 1:9; Matt 5:10-12). We are to rejoice in this, and stand fast, as Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt 24:13). We have the precious promise of Christ that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20).
The Church has always prospered under adversity. It has triumphed in what seemed it's darkest hour. This is when a line is drawn so to speak, and those who cling to Christ with a ruthless trust are separated from those who are merely nominal. When things get a little tough, they are out of there. This is when the people of God shine the brightest, filled with the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit.
Do not grow weary or give up as you see things get tough in these last days.
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB
The union of church and state has probably done more harm to the cause of Christ than any other device satan has come up with. By this union, governments have controlled what the church believes, and what it practices. By legislating Christianity, nations have been declared "Christian" deceiving their members into thinking they are true Christians when in fact they are not.
No human government on this earth has the God given ability to determine what constitutes true faith and practice. God alone, through His word has set forth the standard for Christian practice. No one has the right or ability to come between a man's conscience and his God.
Jesus tells us that He will build His Church upon the rock of our confession of faith, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). The Bible tells us that there is one body, one Spirit, and we were called in one hope of our calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is over all, through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). Jude tells us to contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered (Jude 1:3). That is the true faith, the one delivered down through the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
This is the foundation that the true follower of Christ Jesus is built upon. Every one who names the name Of Jesus in a true and living faith is being built up into a spiritual dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-5)
Trials and tribulations will come as we are told in the word of God (1 Peter 4:12-14; Rev 1:9; Matt 5:10-12). We are to rejoice in this, and stand fast, as Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt 24:13). We have the precious promise of Christ that He will be with us to the end of the age (Matt 28:18-20).
The Church has always prospered under adversity. It has triumphed in what seemed it's darkest hour. This is when a line is drawn so to speak, and those who cling to Christ with a ruthless trust are separated from those who are merely nominal. When things get a little tough, they are out of there. This is when the people of God shine the brightest, filled with the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit.
Do not grow weary or give up as you see things get tough in these last days.
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:11-13 NASB
Monday, June 16, 2014
Living For The Glory Of God.
What would our lives look like if we took the admonition to do all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), literally?
I believe that most of us would find that our lives would become much simpler. We would find ourselves eliminating much of what clutters our time, much of what stresses us out, and the things that waste our time.
Our lives would be lived with purpose. We would be better employees, better spouses, better parents, better children.
Our lives would reflect Christ to the world around us. We would have a powerful witness. The concerns of Christ and His kingdom would be our utmost priority. We would be consumed, poured out like the Apostle Paul, in the service of Christ, instead of being consumed in the pursuits of everyday life.
We are worn out, burned out, stressed out, as we live our lives for the temporal things that do not truly matter. We need a change of purpose, we need to live for Christ alone.
I believe that most of us would find that our lives would become much simpler. We would find ourselves eliminating much of what clutters our time, much of what stresses us out, and the things that waste our time.
Our lives would be lived with purpose. We would be better employees, better spouses, better parents, better children.
Our lives would reflect Christ to the world around us. We would have a powerful witness. The concerns of Christ and His kingdom would be our utmost priority. We would be consumed, poured out like the Apostle Paul, in the service of Christ, instead of being consumed in the pursuits of everyday life.
We are worn out, burned out, stressed out, as we live our lives for the temporal things that do not truly matter. We need a change of purpose, we need to live for Christ alone.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
You Can't Have It - Steve Hill
What are we doing with our lives? What drives us? Are we living for the moment, or are we living with eternity in mind? Are we storing up treasures here on this earth, or treasures in heaven? Let this message challenge you to live for God with passion.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The open door.
"I know your works. Behold I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."
Rev 3:8 (ESV).
When I read this verse, I am reminded of Joshua, when he was about to lead Israel into the promised land (Josh 1:1-9). God had given him the ground his feet walked on. He promised to go with him and give him victory. He promised to never leave him or forsake him.
All this depended upon the obedience of Joshua. He was to be strong and couragous, not turning aside from the word of God. You can see how this played out in the history of Israel. As they faithfully followed God, He was with them and prospered them. When they turned from Him in disobedience, trouble always came.
The Church in Philedelphia (Rev 3:7-13) had God's promise of an open door. God's favor was upon them. He was leading them in victory. Once again we see the importance of obedience. This Church was weak but yet strong. their strength was found in Christ, as they remained faithful to Him and His word. In a time of intense persecution they did not deny Him, they patiently endured. This Church was living in the love of God, and He was not going to forsake them.
The same can be true today. God desires His people to be faithful to Him and His word. He desires us to stand firm in spite of what arises against us. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He has great things in store for His church. He wants to lead us into a place of victory. He has promised an open door to those who obey Him.
Rev 3:8 (ESV).
When I read this verse, I am reminded of Joshua, when he was about to lead Israel into the promised land (Josh 1:1-9). God had given him the ground his feet walked on. He promised to go with him and give him victory. He promised to never leave him or forsake him.
All this depended upon the obedience of Joshua. He was to be strong and couragous, not turning aside from the word of God. You can see how this played out in the history of Israel. As they faithfully followed God, He was with them and prospered them. When they turned from Him in disobedience, trouble always came.
The Church in Philedelphia (Rev 3:7-13) had God's promise of an open door. God's favor was upon them. He was leading them in victory. Once again we see the importance of obedience. This Church was weak but yet strong. their strength was found in Christ, as they remained faithful to Him and His word. In a time of intense persecution they did not deny Him, they patiently endured. This Church was living in the love of God, and He was not going to forsake them.
The same can be true today. God desires His people to be faithful to Him and His word. He desires us to stand firm in spite of what arises against us. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He has great things in store for His church. He wants to lead us into a place of victory. He has promised an open door to those who obey Him.
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