The Difficulty of Becoming a Christian

 THE DIFFICULTY OF BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

It actually is not that easy. It is hard and challenging and difficult.

It is a  lifelong commitment.

It requires stamina. Determination. Perseverance.

And Jesus possesses all of those traits!

Matthew 7:13-14 = the road is narrow, confined, restricted.

And few, Jesus said, choose that way.

In Mark 10:17-25 = the rich young ruler turned and walked away from the challenging commands of Jesus. He thought it was easy. He thought wrong and went away, sad, grieved, stunned and devastated! He lacked the one thing he needed most. Jesus didn’t use the A,B, Cs of salvation. He didn’t take the young man down the Roman Road of salvation.

In Luke 14:16-18 = feast table was set and many were invited to a free meal. But nobody came. Too busy. Too preoccupied with other things. More interested in land, animals and relationships than Jesus. Like many today!

A final proof is found in Luke 14:33 where Jesus proclaimed that if you do not forsake all that you have, you cannot be His disciple!

You tell me: is it easy to become a real Christian? Follow Christ?

“When We See Christ”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPuWdy1v_aA

World's Greatest Liar

 WORLD’S GREATEST LIAR

Satan is a liar. In fact, the Bible says that he is the world's biggest liar and the father of all lies.

See John 8:44. As this renown liar, he possesses great tools and techniques as he attempts to thwart the plans and purposes of God. It is very important to be aware of his modus operandi.

Question:If you were the Devil and had an opportunity to deceive somebody, in what area would you try to deceive them? Would you try to deceive them concerning the existence of God?

Maybe the inspiration and inerrancy of Scriptures?

Priority of the local Church?

Giving of tithes and offerings?

Whether or not Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Did Jesus really die on a cross and was raised three days later?

None of those! He already knows those things are true. Eternally true. Where he attacks most often is in the area of salvation. He knows that if he can deceive you there he has won a victory. And he can take the greatest number of people with him into an eternal Hell.

Satan says salvation is easy-peasy.

Jesus said, "deny yourself and come take up your cross and follow me." Luke 9:23

Satan says all you have to do is believe.

Jesus said repent or perish.

Who are you going to believe: Satan or Jesus?

May I suggest that you ignore the world’s greatest liar and believe the Truth Teller!

“I’d Rather Have Jesus”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHnLEkfdEF0

It Will End!

 IT WILL END

When we are going through a trial or a crisis, it sometimes seems like it will never end. But I Peter 5:10 states that God puts a limit on our suffering. He knows how much we need and He alone knows how much we can endure.

He never promises to change your circumstances.

He doesn’t promise to fix all your problems.

He doesn’t promise a quick fix.

He does promise to see you THROUGH it!

What  He does promise is ... that one day, that suffering, that trial will end. God always puts a limit on our suffering! This far and no more! Why does God do that? 

He does that in order that we will know that he is the God of all grace.

That he loves us and cares about us even in the midst of suffering.

We must always remember that the One who wrote the beginning also writes the end. The One who wrote the book of Genesis also wrote the book of Revelation. He is the first and the last. The beginning and the end. The One who gave you life is the same One who calls you in death.

God knows all about your sufferings, battles, trials, pain and needs!

Trust Him. Worship Him. Serve Him, today!

“Through It All”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO5Qt2VQn4k

WHY DID JESUS DIE?

 WHY DID JESUS DIE?

Much has been written about this very important subject. But I sometimes wonder how much has been learned. How would you answer the question: why did Christ die? 

Your answer: to save sinners! Is that all?

Does that encompass the purpose for which Christ came?

He did die to save sinners for sure and we should be eternally grateful for that. But Jesus died for other reasons as well.

He died to fulfill His role as Mediator of the New Covenant.

As our Prophet, our Priest and our King!

He obeyed every aspect of the Law we had broken.

He died to pay the price for our redemption.

He died to satisfy the justice of God. The Law said that sins must be punished and the sinner must die. Jesus was punished for us and died in our place. As our substitute.

He died to fulfill everything that was written of Him in the Old Testament.

Every jot and tittle --- every Hebrew punctuation mark!

He died to reconcile sinful man to a holy God. He brought about peace and reconciliation.

And finally He died in order to bring glory to His Father. The glory of God is seen most fully in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

That is why Jesus died!

“Your Grace Still Amazes Me”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXVUYC_ykwE

 SUFFERING

Christians are called by the Lord to endure hardships, persecutions and sufferings 

in life. This is clear from plain Biblical teachings. Philippians 1:29 and II Timothy 3:12.

Suffering comes in different sizes and shapes. It can last for a little while or for a long time.

As we suffer, we still have to battle the world, the flesh and the devil. We need grace and help.

We need comfort and encouragement. Strength and grace.

Where do we get it? Find it? Not at the candy store! But in the strength of the grace of the Lord.

In I Peter 5:10-11, we find these precious truths:

“May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1. God will sustain us in our suffering.

2. God will give suffering grace.

3. God puts a limit on our suffering.

4. The end of our suffering is the glory of Christ!

It is helpful to remember that as we navigate life and its sufferings. God promises to restore, establish and strengthen us in all our sufferings! You and I should find peace and power in those verses from I Peter 5:10-11

“Though You Slay Me”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bETuP57T_90

When God Wipes Away All tears!

 WHEN GOD WIPES ALL TEARS

Tears are part and parcel of life. There are many different kinds of tears. And tears are found on almost every page of the Bible. That same Bible is filled with many precious promises. One such promise is this:

“And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

Every single tear dried by the gentle and sovereign hand of God Himself. 

A task not delegated to the angels but by the Lord Himself. 

Every heartache. Gone! 

Every pain. Gone! 

Every worry. Gone! 

Every tear. Gone!

Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus. 

Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus wept on the Cross.

There is a time to weep says Ecclesiastes 3:4

But one day --- all weeping will be no more!

This is a truth that is worthy of our thanks and praise.

Take a minute today and thank God for this tremendous truth!

Donnie Sumner - For Those Tears I Died [Live]  

Tears of Grief

 TEARS OF GRIEF

We previously discussed the fact that it is ok to cry. One of the times that many of us shed tears is when we lose our loved ones in death. There are no tears like the tears of sorrow.

Those tears have a somberness and a ring of finality to them.

It hurts to lose our loved ones in death.

Even when we know that they are saved and have lived a blessed life and are with Jesus.

It hurts to the core of our being.

I wept when my Dad died in 1989.

I wept when my Mother died in 2011.

I admit it. I cried. I wept. I was sorrowful.

I spoke at both their funerals.

Some have buried brothers and sisters.

And some have had to bury their children with unimaginable loss!

Those are the times in our lives when we need grace and comfort and peace that comes only from God. The Lord will enable you and strengthen you to bury your loved ones. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it hurts. Yes, we weep. But the Lord has promised to meet our needs and to enable us to live for HIm in the midst of our loss. Philippians 4:13, 19.

One day at a time! Healing does come! Over time. And it comes from the Lord!

Tears are a Language God Understands - Heritage Singers  

Tears

 TEARS

When was the last time you had a good cry?

When you had crocodile tears fall from your eyes?

When you cried so much your tear ducts had dry heaves?

I bet it has been a while but I believe you probably remember when and why!

The Bible has a lot to say about tears. Weeping is found on many pages in the Bible and in the lives of God’s saints! I love Psalm 30:5B which says that “weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” Always!

Psalm 56:8 says that God puts our tears in a bottle.

Ecclesicates 3:4 says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh.

A woman in Luke 7:36-48 cried and with her tears she washed the feet of Jesus and with her hair she dried them. And she was commended for that by Jesus.

Paul wept in Acts 20:17-19 and 29-31 as he bade farewell to the elders of Ephesus.

Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus.

Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus cried out on the Cross.

Whether it is tears of sorrow or tears of joy, it is ok to weep. It is ok to cry!

You will find yourself in some great company!

Joy Comes in the Morning!

Joy Gardner - Joy Comes in the Morning [Live] 

SET APART

 SET APART

To sanctify means to be set apart for a specific purpose.

It means = to make holy.

To be conformed to the image of Christ.

Positional sanctification: God has sanctified us. Hebrews 10:10

Experiential sanctification: He is sanctifying us.  Philippians 2:13-14; Hebrews 10:14

Ultimate sanctification: He will sanctify us. I Thessalonians 5:23

God is the source, origin and foundation of sanctification. It is so easy for us to become so preoccupied with what we want God to do FOR us that we sometimes neglect what we need God to do IN us! God has set you apart for a purpose, a reason. And that is to serve and glorify Him. And He who has started this process, will finish it completely!

“God alone is able to clean us up and God alone is able to keep us that way.”

Remember the little chorus of years and years ago? Filled with sanctifying truth:

“O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

O be careful little eyes what you see.”

Same song with “ears and hear” and “mouth and say.”

The God who justifies WILL sanctify.

And the God who sanctifies WILL glorify.

That is a blessing!

“Take My Life” Guy Penrod

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz2Jh5eH6Jo

Sanctification? Yes!

 SANCTIFICATION, YES?

Many people today, including some professing Christians, are not the least bit interested in the reality of sanctification. And yet, the Bible makes much of this truth:

John 17:17, 19

I Corinthians 1:30

Ephesians 5:26

I Peter 3:15

Sanctification is part of the total subject of salvation.

It is important and it is a tremendous blessing.

I heard this saying one time and have never forgotten it:

“It is the will of God to have the Spirit of God use the Word of God to make the children of God like the Son of God.”

That is sanctification and God is committed to completing that process in you! Philippians 1:6

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful is He who calls you who also will do it.”  I Thessalonians 5:23-24

“Lord Prepare Me”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_eIJalH8z4

PLEASE PRAY!

 PLEASE PRAY

As Christians we are repeatedly encouraged to pray! I Thessalonians 5:17 says clearly that we are to “pray without ceasing.”

When is the last time you have really prayed earnestly for your family?

A lost, unsaved family member? Someone whom you know intimately?

A family member that has strayed and on the verge of committing apostasy?

I mean, when you have been absolutely broken hearted and deeply burdened?

When is the last time you have prayed for your government? For those who are drowning in the swamp of Washington, D.C. politics? Have you ever sensed a real burden for those who have been elected? They need God’s wisdom, Biblical wisdom and godly strength!

When is the last time you have really prayed for the church? Your local church? Your Pastor? Your brothers and sisters in Christ? Its ministries? Its future? Its finances? Its mission? For a true spiritual awakening in your church? For its return to a position of influence?

Do you really care enough to pray seriously for these three troubled institutions?

The Bible is filled with many prayer promises. One such promise is found in Jeremiah 33:3:

“Call to me and I will answer you and will show you great and mighty things which you have not known.”

Philippians 4:19 “for my God shall supply your need according to His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus my Lord.” Do you believe it?

“Somebody’s Prayin’ ” Ricky Skaggs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a53Pbydbqw0

SPIRITUAL REVIVAL

 SPIRITUAL REVIVAL

The last three days we have discussed the condition of three troubled, God ordained institutions. We have admitted that the family, the government and the church are in trouble. Big trouble! While all may appear hopeless on the surface --- there is hope.

What would be your response if I told you that there is one thing, one reality that would fix all three? Would you dare to believe me? There IS one thing that would help all three institutions and that is spiritual revival! The most urgent need of the hour is not physical; it is spiritual. We need a third Great Awakening in this country. A return to God. A return to the Bible. A return to the churches.  A return to absolute truth. A putting of Jesus Christ first in our lives.

The problems we face are too pervasive and too deep and too complicated. We cannot fix them. We have no resources to fix them because all three institutions are composed of people. And those people need to be changed. And only the LORD can change them.

And they can only be changed --- one person at a time. And it all begins with the individual. With you and me. I cannot change Uncle Joe but, with God’s power, He can change me. And He can change Uncle Joe and all his friends. 

We must pray.

We must be patient.

We must be humble.

We must honor the Lord.

We must trust Him.

Will you pray for spiritual revival?

“Revive Us Again” Gaither Vocal Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN4N7hOMvTk

A TROUBLED CHURCH

 THE CHURCH

The CHURCH in America --- like the family and the government, it is in trouble.

Church attendance is declining.

Church interest is on the wane.

Church stewardship is on the decrease.

Church growth is not happening.

Many were looking for an excuse to forego church commitment and COVID 19 gave it to them.

Sunday night services in conservatives churches? Dead!

Vacation Bible Schools? Dead!

Annual revival meetings? Dead!

And coming soon...Sunday School Bibles classes > dead!

Wednesday night services? Dead already in most churches. Dying in others!

The Church is no longer the center of community life.

Many consider the church of today is totally irrelevant.

Some have adopted a take it or leave it attitude and most leave it.

The Church has lost its influence and voice!

Do you know any churches busting at the seams?

Expanding and/or developing new ministries? 

Supporting more missionaries?

I didn’t think so.

Is there hope? Is there any help on the way? There is! Why? Because Jesus Christ said this, “upon this rock I will build my CHURCH and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it!” See Matthew 16:18

The Church will survive. It will be standing when Christ returns. It may be embattled and bloody but it will always be the church of the living God!

“Triumphantly, the Church will Rise” The Talleys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PGFZMTYEpw

A TROUBLED GOVERNMENT

 OUR GOVERNMENT

The GOVERNMENT: Where do we start? Government is a divinely ordained institution, sanctioned by God for order and civility in society. Romans 13:1-7, I Timothy 2:1-3 and I Peter 2:13-17 are must reads for all who are interested.

Our government is in real trouble:

So many issues and so few real solutions.

We throw dollars at problems instead of real solutions.

We lack true leadership from the top down.

Too many old people in power. 

Too many self seeking people.

Uncle Joe isn't the only one with early onset dementia.

Our nation is mired in trillions of dollars in debt.

Term limits are needed.

Balanced budgets are needed.

God’s wisdom is needed.

Too many government regulations and overreach.

Government must be downsized.

Immingration must be faced and dealt with adequately.

Social justice is needed.

Fraud is everywhere.

History cannot be revised!

Is there hope? When is help coming? “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

Until them, we will languish in mediocrity until we are overrunned by the Chinese or Russians! 

“My Country ‘Tis of Thee” by Lee Greenwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4oNMcDvEtM

“Farther Along” by the Petersens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsPm1UghJW8

TROUBLED INSTITUTIONS

 THREE TROUBLED INSTITUTIONS!

When God created the world He established three institutions that are absolutely critical to the order, peace and civility of society! Those three institutions are:

The Family

The Government 

The Church

These are God designed. God ordained and God established. They are vital and necessary for the functioning of society as we know it. We all know that every one of those institutions is in trouble. Big trouble! COVID-19 hasn’t caused the trouble but it has certainly revealed it! There are big cracks in the walls of all three.

The FAMILY - we cannot even agree on the definition of a family anymore! We are unable to define exactly what marriage is. Often, cohabitation is preferred over a legal marriage. Because that way --- if it doesn't work out --- then, there are no real legal issues. If marriage is a viable option many prefer to get married in a barn or on a beach.

Many couples have not learned the value and necessity of hard work and perseverance and patience and long term commitment. They do not know what it means to sacrifice. They choose immediate satisfaction  over long term fulfillment! Many parents with children have abdicated their responsibilities to the schools and churches.

What is the future of the family? There is hope but it is found only in the LORD. Psalm 127:1 says “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

“I Can Only Imagine”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lrrq_opng

PROPITIATION!

 PROPITIATION

We are discussing and looking at some blessings that come our way by virtue of the blood of Jesus. We have peace with God. We have forgiveness of sin. And here is another word. A big word. A long word. A hard to pronounce word. BUT --- it is a Bible word: propitiation.

I John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Read slowly and carefully.

The blood of Jesus satisfied the justice of God. 

The justice of God demanded that every sin be paid for.

Justice demanded payment of the penalty of a broken law. Every sin is worthy of death. If you go to heaven and escape Hell and judgment, who is gonna pay for your sins?

Enter the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was our Substitute, our Sacrifice. 

The judgment of God fell on Him at the cross and cost Him His life.

His shed blood was the payment for your sins, for He had no sins, remember?

Jesus propitiated the wrath of God for you.

Wrath fell on Him and not you.

He endured sin’s curse and condemnation so you would not have to.

He averted, He turned away that wrath by His sacrifice.

Justice was satisfied. The broken law and its penalty was paid.

And Jesus did it all! And grace was given to you and me!

“When He Was on the Cross”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2iijI2yEkc