faith | 1 Way 1 Truth 1 Life

Come Into the Light

Posted on July 30, 2015 by wearemorethanconquerors837

I would like to believe the majority of people in the USA would agree that taking the life of an innocent person is wrong. We would all call that murder. It would not matter the reason either. While there may be reasons a murder is committed that we may say we understand, the majority would still not condone the action. I believe the majority of people in the USA would say that murder in any case is wrong.

You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13

An example would be murder for hire. I have seen some shows over the years about cops doing undercover stings to catch people who hire hit men to murder their spouse. They may want to murder them because they are abused by them, they may inherit a sum of money, they are having an affair, or any other reason that will be more convenient rather than letting that spouse live. Again, I believe the vast majority of people in the USA would agree that this is wrong and should be illegal. Thankfully it is illegal and no one seems to be pushing to make it otherwise.

But there is a murder for hire that is not illegal. This murder is done for convenience. This murder is committed on people who have no chance at defending themselves what so ever. This murder though has a different name. It is called abortion. Sadly, I believe most people in the USA find nothing wrong with this murder. My evidence is 55 million murdered, or more, since 1973. No police undercover sting was done to stop these murders. No national outrage over these murders. Just 55 million plus dead babies who never had a chance.

Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. Psalm 22:31

I know you may be saying this isn’t a fair comparison. You may be saying I’m taking it to an extreme to prove my point. If I offended I am sorry, but this isn’t extreme. While it seems harsh this is truth. This is consistent. I see people on social media complain when a child is murdered at 5 years old. I see people complain with outrage when a child is left in a car on a hot summer day. I see people weep for animals who are abused or hunted and killed in the wild. Many of these people are for a woman’s choice. But let’s please call that choice what it is, a choice to murder. Where is the consistency? Where is the love for the unborn baby? Where is the compassion for that little girl or boy who was murdered?

I know all situations are different and I may sound like I do not have compassion for the women and men who have made this terrible decision to take life of their baby. I am sorry if this is how it looks. The truth is I have tremendous compassion for you and all who come to this decision. I myself am not innocent of this. I bought the lie. No! I lied to myself. I knew it wasn’t just tissue. I knew it was a life. Yet, in my young days, I did not stop the girl. I, like Adam in the garden, stood by in silence because it was more convenient for me for a baby to die then to be a dad. Yes, if that didn’t happen my life would be different, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that I had a part in the murder. But others do not have to make that choice. All babies should be given a chance to live.

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:13-16

I have to live with that choice I made all those years ago. I am guilty. If you made that choice, so are you. But you can be forgiven. You can be shown that life matters. Your eyes can be opened to the light and then proclaim the truth and save lives. You can be consistent in your thoughts and actions. This is made possible only through the saving power of God through Jesus Christ. Not because it is deserved, but because God is full of mercy, grace, and love.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

While I am guilty I am forgiven by Jesus. God granted me repentance and I put my faith in Jesus Christ. Without Him I stand condemned of murder and every other sin. With Him I am clothed in His righteousness. At the cross He took my murderous hands and gave me His righteous hands. It is the great exchange. It doesn’t sound fair. I deserve to be on that cross, but I get God’s grace, mercy, and love. Now my eyes are open. I see sin for what it is. It needs to stop.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

This can be for you too. If you have had an abortion, or you were an accomplice, you can be forgiven. Just come to the cross of Christ. This sin isn’t greater than the cross. I pray you can get on your knees before the cross and that your heart will be made able to receive Jesus. Please turn from your sin and turn to Jesus. Then you will begin to see. The light will shine. You will support life because you will have life. Abundant life. Eternal life. Consistent life. A life giving life.

baby roo kissy

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” John 3:16-21

Please, come to the Light.

Journey to Where?

Posted on January 27, 2015 by wearemorethanconquerors837

I was once on a journey. I was trying to find myself. Isn’t that what life is about? Trying to find out who you are and how you fit in this world? Isn’t it about getting ahead, getting a degree, getting a job/career, getting a house, getting a wife and starting a family? The list of stuff to go after is non-stop. It is all part of the American dream. You want it? Go get it! Just be nice along the way and the universe will move for you.

Is this what you believe? If so, then what? What happens when you get all you ever wanted? What happens when you are living the dream? What happens when you are suddenly on your death-bed or suddenly dead? Will that house, car, wife, family, iPhone be of any use to you?

Sadly, some preachers even preach this. It is refered to as the “prosperity gospel” or “name it claim it gospel”. It is not the true gospel. I once heard it said that he who dies with the most toys wins. But in actuality, he who dies with the most toys dies just like everyone else. The question goes back to, “then what? Is it all over? Did I amass all this stuff for my vapor of a life on earth and now nothing? Or did I amass all this stuff in my vapor of a life on earth and it was my idol and I worshipped it instead of the creator of all? Did I love stuff and hate God? Did I love the dream and hate the Spirit? Did I love the world and hate Jesus?”

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:14

“So what? My life is short. So I am not supposed to pursue things.” Here in America so many have the privilege to have stuff. It is when the stuff becomes the focus. But nothing matters at all if you do not know God. Nothing matters at all if you are an enemy of God. “So pursuing things makes me an enemy of God?” If anything is put in front of your relationship with God you need to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5

“But I do not believe in the God you speak of.” If you don’t know God at all then yes, you are His enemy. You have created your own god in the image of yourself instead of worshiping the true God who made us in His image. We all know there is a God. Some will recognize Him as God and others will hold down the truth. They will actively hold it down like trying to hold an inflated beach ball under the water. But the truth still exists that we were all created in His image.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Romans 1:18-23

This is what happens when we deny God. We create gods in our image. We love ourselves and try to reason away our behavior by denying God for who He is. We don’t want there to be a true and just God because then we will be held accountable for our actions. Or we try to have a god who will let us in to heaven on our own works. We know that God is just and will punish us for our sins. So we hold down the truth in our unrighteousness and the world says that is ok. The world and flesh and the evil one tells us to keep seeking self. They tells us to keep doing what feels good. They tell us our good deeds out weigh our bad so if there is a heaven we will go there.

This is a great lie. It is a lie that started from the fall. “Did God really say????”

Yes! He has said and Yes! there are eternal consequences for not obeying His standards. We all have lied. We all have taken His name in vain. We all have dishonored our parents. We all have not loved the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

But God did something for sinners. He came down and became a man. He lived a sinless life. The life we should live. He died the death that we deserve. He rose after three days dead to prove who He is. “So we just believe that?” We turn from our sins, with the power of the Holy Spirit, and put our trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior and follow Him as Lord of our lives. Putting our trust in Jesus is not just believing He lived and died and rose. It is believing that it was for you and without it God sees your sins and punishes you with all His wrath. When you put your trust in Christ, God sees His righteousness. He poured out His wrath on Him so you can be saved. This is good news. This is the gospel.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8

Are you on a journey to find you? Are you on a journey to amass things? Are you running away as an enemy of God? If so I pray you will turn away from your sins and striving for things (repent) and put your trust in Jesus Christ. I know I can’t convince you to believe any of this. I just want you to think about it. Then think some more.

Holy Father, give them ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart that is regenerated by You gospel. It is in the name of Jesus alone they can be saved. Works, church attendance, praying the rosary, sacraments, or any other thing added by man can not save. It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, by You alone God, any can be saved. I pray in the saving Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

What A “Good” Lie!

Posted on August 26, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

I have had more than a few conversations with people about destiny. No, not what you think the future holds for you in a way of career and family, but what eternity holds. What happens to you when you die? Most people have told me they believe in heaven. Then I ask the million dollar question…. How do you know that is where you are going? Most common answer. “I am a good person”.

Is this how we get to heaven? Do we need to be “good people”? How do we know what “good” is? Do I use our own standard of “good”? Do I use someone else’s standard of “good”? Or do I use God’s standard of “good”?

Some will use their own standard of “good”. I recently heard a Tim Keller sermon in which he made the point that if someone uses their own standard of good and took a tape recorder and put it around their neck, then at the end of the day played back everything they said, they could not even live up to their own standard of “good”. I agree. I know me and know I couldn’t do it.

So let’s look briefly at someone else’s standard. If I can’t live up to mine how can I live up to theirs? Unless theirs is so low that they allow me to live how I want. This may be so they can live without the guilt of not living up to their own standard.

Now let’s look at God’s standard. How do we know God’s standard for good? We have His Word. We have the bible. We have in the bible the commandments given to Moses. I will not list them but I will test myself against a few to see if I live up to the standards God’s wants me to live by.

Have I ever taken the Lord’s name in vain? Have I used it as a curse? Yes! One commandment broken.

Have I ever dishonored my parents? Yes! Strike two!

Have I ever taken something that wasn’t mine? Maybe even something small like a pencil? Yes! Strike three!

Have I ever been angry with someone and not forgiven them? Yes! Jesus says this is like committing murder in your heart. Strike four!

“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Matthew 5:21-22

Have I ever looked at a women with lust? Yes! Jesus says if you look at a women with lust you have committed adultery in your heart. Strike five!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

Let’s stop at five. I can keep going because I have broken them all. There is no one who hasn’t.

as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; Romans 3:10

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23

So what does this mean? We can’t live up to our own standards. We sure can’t live to God’s standards. He will judge us. If God is just, He will give us what we deserve. He will not weigh the good we have done against the bad. That would not be just. That would be like if a person commits murder and goes to the judge and says “judge, look at all the good I did. It must outweigh the bad.” Would he be a just judge to let the murderer go?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Here is the GOOD NEWS!! Here is the GOSPEL!!! We have someone who took our punishment for us. God sees our sins and says “guilty”. My punishment is death. But, God came down and became a man in the form of Jesus. He was fully man and fully God. He lived that perfect life that God commands. He was tempted as we are tempted. He did not sin. Then He took a sinners punishment being whipped with a cat of nine tales being lashed to the bone. He was spit on and mocked made to wear a crown of thorns. He took my cross up Cavalry and had nails driven into His wrists and His feet and before He died said “It is finished.” He atoned for our sins. Now we can repent and put our faith in Him for our forgiveness. We no longer have to be slaves to sin. We can be free as slaves to Jesus Christ.

I do not write this to make you feel bad. I do not write this to lift myself up in self righteousness. I struggle with sin everyday! I am not perfect but I am being made perfect through Jesus Christ. I am a wretched sinner in need of the Savior. My hope is that you think about these things: “Am I good? By what standard? Can I live up to God’s standard on my own? Why did Jesus die? Can I put my faith in Him for taking my punishment and repent? Can I pick up my cross and follow Jesus?

I know this is a popular Scripture but it is truth.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

My prayer is always that you are “whoever”.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Saved by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone, by God alone.

The Pursuit Of………………..

Posted on July 22, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

Everyday is a gift. I know this is a cliché but it is true. Even if that day you have been given is a rainy one. It is a gift. The air we breathe we take for granted. The water, the food, the clothing, the shelter are all gifts. This is what allows life to continue. What happens in that life may not feel like a gift. You may feel your life is terrible. Maybe even unlivable. Maybe you are jobless, friends less, or homeless. Maybe the life you were living suddenly changes because you lost a loved one to death or they left you. Maybe you get up everyday and go to a job you don’t like going to. Maybe there is some “dream” you want to be living.

There are a few ways you can look at those situations. Some say life is what you make it. If you want to go after your dream just go get it. You can do this but be careful. Make sure going after your dream doesn’t negatively affect others you love. Even before that, make sure going after your dream doesn’t negatively affect your relationship with God. This should be first before you go after that dream.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

Go to any book store and you will see a huge self-help section. There will be many books about improving yourself. There will be many books about how to succeed in business, health, and life overall. There may even be a few of these books in the religious section teaching you how to live your best life now. But what good is any of this if you lose your soul? What good is any of it if you don’t have a relationship with God? What good is any of it if you don’t know Jesus?

That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

I was one of those people with ambitions to be successful in business. I was chasing that American dream. Mean while things in my life weren’t firing on all cylinders. More than that, I didn’t know Jesus. I was truly just doing my own thing. I was just after making me happy and serving myself. I was my own god.

I see this as a common occurrence in the world. People are chasing success. Again, there is nothing wrong with going after your vision, but your why is what is important. Are you chasing that dream to say you did it? Are you chasing that dream because the world says you have to leave that type of legacy for your life to mean something? Are you chasing that dream because it is now your identity?

I chased it for these reasons. But if I would achieve what the world sees as success what would I really have? What would I really have if I didn’t know Jesus? In the end I would still end up dead. I may end up with a bunch of money to hand down, but I would still be dead. If I was to live my entire life successfully, as the world sees it, and not know Jesus, I would end up dead and forever separated from God. I would have lived for nothing. All would be in vain.

But all of that changes when you know Jesus. Your heart changes. Your thirst for the things of this world will be quenched. He gives you living water that is so much better than the water of the world.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

When you know Jesus you will have eternal life. Will that make your life easy? No! It may make it harder. Following Jesus is not the easy road, but it is the road that leads to life. It leads to an abundant life. Not with the things of the world that are perishable, but with the things of heaven.

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:9-11

My prayer is that if you don’t know Jesus, He begins to work in your heart. I pray you know that He came down to earth

to take our punishment for our

sins. We deserve death, but He took our death on the cross and gave us life.

I pray you repent and put your faith in Jesus and live the life He gives.

I pray that if you know Jesus that you are living for Him and not chasing your own god.

I pray you aren’t thirsting for the water of this world but that you

share the water of Jesus Christ by sharing His gospel. From there what you do is not what defines you.

Jesus Christ defines you.

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Get in His Word! Stay in His Word!

In Whom

Posted on June 10, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

When I say I believe in Jesus Christ it is not a belief like when you’re a kid and you believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. When I say I believe it is like when someone says they believe in themselves to accomplish a goal. Or like when you tell someone you believe in them accomplishing their goals. Better yet, when you believe in someone to provide for your well-being. My belief in Jesus Christ isn’t about His existence. I already know Jesus is real from Holy Scripture and personal experience. My belief is in what He has done and the promise of what it means.

I believe in Jesus Christ in His life. He lived a perfect life that I can never live. In this perfect life He was tempted in every way that I am.

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

He lived as a human and did not fall as I do. He was the perfect lamb.

I believe in Jesus Christ in His death and work on the cross. He was beaten and humiliated. He was nailed to a cross through His wrists and feet. He was piecered through His side and was a bloody mess. This is the death that I deserve.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I believe in Jesus Christ in His resurrection. He was dead for three days then came back. Not just spirit, but His entire being, body and all was raised. In this I have eternal life. In this I have the promise of resurrection.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:1-7

Jesus Christ is not a fictional character in whose existence I believe. I already know He exists. I believe in His life, death, and resurrection for my salvation. C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” This is how I also believe. I see everything by Jesus Christ. He has given me faith. This faith is also not a blind faith. It is faith in what is real. It is faith in Who is real. It is faith in what Holy Scripture says.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

I put all my trust in Jesus Christ. He changed my heart. He opened my eyes. No more walking in darkness. His promise is true. Believe in Him and walk in the light of salvation. Jesus Christ is all. He is enough.

And Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 12:44-46

I encourage you to get a Bible. Read these passages I have shared. If you don’t have one I will send one to you.

My prayer is for Jesus Christ to work in your heart. I pray for Him to open your eyes.

I am nobody special. I am just a sinner who has been saved by the grace of God through the perfect life, bloody death, and amazing resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8

I pray He saves you.

For You

Posted on May 20, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

Life is short. You don’t know what tomorrow holds. You don’t know if tomorrow holds anything at all. You may wake up. You may not wake up. If you are blessed to wake, what will you do with the time you are given? What will you live for? Will you take advantage of the time or will you let it take advantage of you? If you knew today was your last what will you do with it? Will you spend it having fun? Will you spend it living out the stupid acronym that was popular a few years ago YOLO? Or would you use your last day sacrificially? Would you give all you are? Would you do what you think will help people the most? This life is short. I pray you come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He offers everlasting life.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I live today to tell you about Jesus Christ because I love you too much not to. I believe the most important thing I can do is tell you about Jesus Christ. I need to tell you what He did for us on the cross. I need to tell you that I am a sinner and so are you. I need to tell you God loves you and became a man and died the worst death because we are sinners. I need to tell you this because your sin, my sin, deserves to be punished. I need to tell you that God, who loves, is also just and will carry out the judgment, wrath, and the punishment we desever if we don’t come to the saving knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ who took that wrath for us.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

These are tough words. DEATH and WRATH! But it is justice. Think of the most horrible crime imaginable. Think of this crime being commited against you. Maybe it is theft, murder, rape, torture, or worse. Should that person be punished for their crime? Should that person receive justice? Should that person be judged and sentenced to the full extent of the law? What if you are the theif or the murderer? I know you might be saying “I may have only taken something small, or told a little lie, but I never murdered.” Jesus said:

Jesus is saying holding ill will, hate, and anger for another in your heart is as bad as murder. I am guilty of that. This is a crime commited against God. The justice we want for a crime against us is the justice God has to carry for our sins against Him. We deserve to die for our sins. Not just the big ones, but all of them. This is because God is just. God is holy. Any sin we commit deserves to be punished by a holy and just God. The fact is all sins are against God.

We are all doomed!

No! While God is just He also shows amazing grace. God provided a way for all who believe. He provided the Way, Truth, and Life. He provided the wages for sins of all who believe. He provided Jesus. Those who believe need to repent and put their trust in Him.

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Repenting is turning away from our sins. When you know Jesus is your savior you see your sin for what it is. He will give you the power to turn. You my have tried to do it on your own. Let Him lead you. Let Him sanctify you.

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

The Truth is Jesus, who was from the beginning. May you know the Truth. May He work in your heart. May you come to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. May you be freed from your slavery to sin. May you meet and follow Jesus.

This world is temporary, but then comes eternity.

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

I pray you repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!!!

Posted on April 19, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

The bad news first. I am a sinner. I am a liar. I am a thief. I have pretty much broken all Ten Commandments. I am doomed! I am a sinner!

How did this happen? How am I this bad? Is there hope? Where is the good news??

You see, along came a serpent that asked a simple question, “Did God really say?” And then he replied to the answer “that is because you will be like Him.” Often this continues to be what plays out when we sin. The question gets asked and then we choose to try to be our own God. Our sin separates us from God because He is so Holy. But He gives us a way to be next to Him.

In the Old Testament God kept coming for His people. He chose a nation for Himself to make holy. Through this nation a redeemer would come to the world. Even though this nation kept disobeying, God kept saving them. He chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. He did not give them a law to obey before he rescued them. He saved them from the rule of Pharaoh then He gave the law. The order of redemption is Salvation, Obedience, and Blessing. This is a theme throughout the Bible.

Knowing that the law couldn’t be kept God allowed animal sacrifice to atone for sins. The penalty of sin is death. Blood is the source of life. It must be spilled to atone for sin. A sacrificial system was laid out by God, but it pointed to something greater.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

As time went on Israel kept falling. The whole time this was going on God kept pointing to one moment in history. The Holy Spirit led some to prophecy about it hundreds of years before it happened.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:1-9

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:1-18

These are just a few examples of the many. God has always been pointing to His plan to redeem. This wasn’t just for Israel. His plan is for all the nations. He gave us His only begotten Son. He came and did what the law could not do. He came and did what sacrificing lambs and goats could not do. He is the perfect Lamb. He is the scapegoat.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

God, knowing that we couldn’t keep the law, came down to us and became a man. He kept the law His entire life, being tempted as we are tempted, feeling the same suffering we do, yet He did not fall.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

He lived a perfect life without blemish. He did so knowing the pain of the cross was His main mission. He did so amongst many who hated Him. Many spit on him. Many thought He was just crazy. Yet He lived a life of perfection rooted in the Word and abiding in the Holy Father.

Then comes the humiliation. The scourging. The Cross. His death was the worst in history. The beating and the scourging took Him inches away from death. Then He had to carry His cross with a crown of thorns placed on His head. Then they nailed Him to the cross. Nails through His wrists and feet and the He was raised up to hang there suffocating.

On the cross came His Words:

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

His blood is the blood of the perfect Lamb. It was spilled to cover sins. Every sin committed and yet to be committed. His sacrifice is what the old system pointed to yet could not fulfill.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthian 5:21

This took place for whosoever believes in Him. He suffered the worst death one could suffer so our sins can be forgiven. He suffered the worst death one could suffer so whosoever believes can have eternal life.

This is Good News!

It doesn’t end here. After this happened Jesus was in the tomb for three days and three nights.

For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40

Then He rose. Not just spirit, but bodily. This is Good News! This is the resurrection. This is what Sunday is all about. He has risen! Risen indeed! Now we have an advocate with God. Now we share in His resurrection. Now we are free from the slavery of sin. Now death has been defeated.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

I pray you believe.

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17

Holy Father, You are almighty God. You set heaven and earth in place. You make all possible. I pray that the readers of this believe in Your Son. I pray they are “whoever”. Lord, work in their hearts. There is nothing we can do. You have done it all. Others say “do, do, do,” you have said “it is finished.” Holy Spirit, work in hearts to take out hearts of stone and make them flesh. Let us put our faith in Christ Who died the worst death, taking on the sins of the world, so whoever believes and repents can be forgiven. Thank You so much for Your Son, giving us forgiveness, a way to turn from sin with a hearts of repentance, and eternal life with You. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. Thank You for Your Word to show us the reflection of who we are and the way to know Who You are. May we always find You there. I pray all of this according to Your will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. I pray all of this in the Name above all names. In the only Name that saves. I pray in the Name of my Lord, Savior, Healer, Sanctifier, coming King, Yessuah AhMessiach, Jesus Christ. Amen

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Ephesians 1:3-10

THIS IS GOOD NEWS!!

How We Get Stronger

Posted on March 19, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

I am a personal fitness trainer and strength coach. Clients come to my gym to lose weight and get stronger. Some may think it will happen just by coming in. Some may think they will get results by doing just enough. Some may think there is some magic trick that only the trainers know. These people often don’t last long. They don’t understand that in order to get stronger you have to lift things that you haven’t lifted before. In order to get results you have to be challenged. Many trainers have used this great saying “if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you.” So in order to get stronger you need to lift heavier weights. I look at faith in a similar way. If there are not challenges in your life how can your faith grow? How can your faith increase? If things continue on in a nice status quo manner is anything making you stronger spiritually?

So we pray for our faith to be increased. This is one of the best things to pray for. Just be ready and understand what that may mean. Understand that in order to increase your faith, it may be challenged. This should not discourage you from praying that prayer. In fact, let it encourage you knowing that Jesus will be with you every step of the way.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I wrote a post a few months ago about faith being a gift from God. For Him to increase our faith is a huge gift. It comes with many blessings. But like I stated, it may come with trials. Persevering through those trials is what we need to do .

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:2-3

The enemy will try to attack. He will come at you and tell you to give up. He will come and tell you to run away from your faith and not to trust anyone. He will show you the dangers that having faith will bring. But much like lifting a heavy weight and being under the barbell when you are on the bench, you know when you lift that weight you will become stronger. You know that you have a spotter, a coach, a Lord and Savior named Jesus Christ, who will be with you as you press that bar of trial off of your chest and high to the sky. Then you pray for more faith and put some more weight on that bar.

Remember this too, Jesus won’t give you what you can already handle. No! He is looking to get you stronger. Prepare for more than you think you will get. Why? Because He is there with you.

Let’s take a look at Peter. Here is a man who was out fishing. Jesus said to him “follow me” and He did. Throughout each Gospel story Peter is asking many questions. Even after just following Him without asking why at that moment. Even after walking on water. When Jesus asked the Apostles who they thought He was, Peter gave an answer.

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matthew 16:15-18

This answer that Peter gave was of faith. Jesus even told Him this faith was given to him by God and not man. He then called him a rock and said on this confession of Him as the Christ the church will be built.

Something I find interesting about Peter was even after these miraculous things, his faith was tested even more. Tested to the point of him denying to know Jesus even after he told Jesus he would not. Even after this Jesus still loved him. He was not done with him.

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. Mark 16:7

Peter went on to do many great things in the face of persecution. He preached, healed, raised to life, all by the power of the Holy Spirit. Everyday his faith must have been challenged and everyday his faith must have grown. In fact he wrote:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

I can pick several people in scripture who faced trials and tribulation, all the while their faith increased. God could have just left them alone. He could have turned His face from them. He can turn His face from us. But He loved them and loves us. He blessed them and he blesses us. He sent His Son to die on the cross just so we can be with Him. We are sinners who deserve death but we get life, freedom, grace, mercy, love, and faith.

There are many promises in the bible. One way I know it is true is because we are promised tribulation. We see that everyday. But we also see hope. We believe in hope because after three days in the grave our Savior rose from the dead. He is alive and in every believer. He can raise our broken spirits back from the dead. He can raise our broken relationships back from the dead. He will leave the 99 sheep to get the one. He will welcome you home meeting you on the road as He sees you in the distance.

Your faith may be under the bar right now. The weight may be more than you can handle. Stop trying to lift that bar alone. Those hand that are helping you lift it have wrists that have been pierced so you can know you are not alone under that bar. I might have a day where I miss the spot and the bar crushes you. Man will fail. God will not. Sometimes He will just spot you with 2 fingers instead of pulling the bar off quick.

I pray that if you are reading this and don’t know the Savior I speak of, that you desire to know Him. I pray He is at work in your heart right now. I pray that you get on your knees and talk to God. Ask Him to show Himself to you. Tell Him what you are feeling. Tell Him what you want. Ask Him to give you faith, and if you have it, ask Him to increase it. If you are under the heavy barbell press hard. Jesus is with you. A funny thing about faith, it really doesn’t take much for miracles to happen.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6

Let’s GO!

Posted on February 20, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

There it is. The great commission. This is what I am wrestling with right now. What does this look like? How, in this American culture, does making disciples of Jesus Christ happen? Am I doing it now?

Lately I feel restless. I read Scripture and think about how Jesus walked around and went to people. He made himself accessible. He didn’t just have a Sunday morning meeting. He didn’t just go to the temple. He walked around town. He got in a boat and went across the river. He went to places where even his apostles didn’t want to go. He talked to people who were not looked at as people who a Holy person should talk to. He ate with tax collectors. He ate with prostitutes. He healed people who were considered “dogs” by many. He asked questions.

Is that what I am doing? Am I being salt and light to the world by more than Facebook posts and writing a blog? Am I really showing I love the Lord by really loving my neighbor? Is my faith being shown by my works?

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18

The more I read Scripture the more I feel convicted on all fronts. This is not in a bad way. It is not a guilty feeling. It is a feeling of longing. It is a feeling of longing to be more like Christ. To live a sacrificial life.

As I write this I realize it may be the sin of pride I am fighting with. I sit and sometimes think of the church in countries where it is illegal to be a Christian. I think of how there are places where, if you have a Bible, you can be killed. I think of Paul and other Apostles and disciples who were beaten, put in prison, and killed for going out and proclaiming the Good News.

The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Act 16:22-24

In a contrasting situation, I sit here writing a blog free from that persecution. I live in a country where yes, sometimes Christian views are not popular, but we get to express them in many ways. While that freedom may be threatened one day, I still have that gift. Instead of feeling like I am not sacrificing enough because I am not persecuted, I should take advantage of the Grace and Blessing God has given me by being in this country.

If you are restless out there, let’s get bold. Let’s be the body of Christ. Let’s be the Church and not just go to church. Let’s take care of our brothers and sisters in Christ everyday. Let’s make a difference where we live so the light of Christ can be seen so that people want to be a part of the body. Let’s be salt so people seek the living water of Christ. Let’s build each other up so we are prepared to accept the great commission. Let’s speak the Truth in Love to each other so we can grow up in Christ.

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

I need to be held accountable. The commission needs to be taken seriously.

We need to GO!

If you are not a believer and are reading this blog for the first time I pray the Holy Spirit works in your heart and you know Jesus. I pray He saves you and you are born again. I pray you know He died on the cross for you. I pray you can trust Him and that, because He died on the cross, if you repent and confess He is Lord, you are forgiven and you don’t have to be a slave to your sins. You are free in Jesus Christ. I pray that you believe. I pray in the Awesome name of Jesus Christ.

Getting to Know Him

Posted on January 7, 2014 by wearemorethanconquerors837

“How do you know God? Does He talk to you directly? Have you even seen Him? How do you know who He is?”

These are questions that are often asked of believers. These are questions that some believers even ask. These are questions I used to ask myself.

So, how do we know God? I find it is the same way we know any person. How do we know people? We spend time with them. When you meet someone for the first time you get to know a little about them. You know as much as they reveal to you at that point in time. Each time you meet there after you may learn a little more. You see things they do and habits they may have. You get to know if they are trustworthy and other qualities they have. You can know someone for years and still learn something new. For example, I have been married to my wife for almost 10 years and the other day I just found out she doesn’t like cherry flavored things. She likes cherries but not cherry flavored things like cherry pop-tarts or cherry coke. This may seem small, but it is an example of no matter how long you have known someone, you can still learn more.

This is an example of how our relationship is with God. We get to know Him through the Scriptures. My experience so far in reading the Bible is I always learn more about who God is. I can read the same passage a few different times and He reveals something new. It is just like how we get to know other people.

God gave us Holy Scripture so we can know Him. It is His letter or email to His people. The Bible is not like any normal book. It is not a book you read just once and you understand. It is not “Twilight”, “Harry Potter”, and definitely not “50 Shades of Grey”, (although the book Song of Solomon in the Bible does get pretty steamy.) He did not design it to be read as such. It is the living and breathing Word of God. The more you read and study it, the more you know who He is. He will reveal more to you the more you pursue Him just as you pursue a person. It is the only true way to know who He is and how He wants us to live as His sons and daughters.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Here is a problem some face when trying to know God. Sometimes we conform to this world. We listen more to what the world says instead of what God tells us through His Word. This world distorts His Word and we are deceived by that distortion. From this distortion, some think either there isn’t a God, or if there is, He either can’t be known or He is bad because the world is bad.If however, they read, study, and begin to understand His Word, they would see these things explained. They would see the world for what it is and God for Who He is. His Word reveals God to be Just, Loving, Truthful, and the Giver of hope in what is to come. God is a healer. He is the beginning and the end. He is a creator and father. He is merciful. He is so much more and He reveals this in His Word.

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

If you want to know who God is start with His Word. The fact that you want to know who He is shows that the Holy Spirit may be at work in your heart. Let Him keep working. Pursue Him. Read His Word. It is a gift. It has survived thousands of years. Throughout history the evil one, through people, has tried to destroy, control, and distort God’s Word, but God made a way for it to come to all to read and know Him.

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

If you feel the Holy Spirit moving you to know God and read His Word, keep in mind the big picture. The entire Bible points to One. From Genesis to Revelation there is One.

The Savior. The Sanctifier. The Healer. The Coming King.

Jesus Christ

It is very sad and humbling to see the tendency of… those who, if they do not reject the Bible altogether, will compromise its supremacy and question its infallible authority. The Bible is either everything or nothing. Like a chain which depends upon its weakest link, if God’s Word is not absolutely and completely true, it is too weak a cable to fix our anchorage and guarantee our eternal peace. Thank God, we have reason to accept it as the supernatural revelation of a supernatural God, the word not of man, but the Word of God that lives and abides forever.

A. B. Simpson Biography and Bibliography