Inspiration

BELIEF IN TRUTH

 

2^nd Thessalonians 2:13: “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”

 

Why were they chosen? As Paul said, ‘because they believed in the truth;’ what is truth? Jesus is truth and He is life and He is the way (John 14:6). When you believe then are you chosen; kind of like putting the cart in front of the horse.

 

Chosen or predestination can be controversial and even confusing, but let’s put it to bed by listening to the words of Jesus throughout the Gospel’s. As Jesus told Nicodemus in the garden; “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit (born from above);” italics added by me for explanation of water and Spirit. Acceptance of Jesus by faith = salvation.

 

You don’t need me to tell you these things if you will only:

 

Read the Bible, read the Bible, read the Bible.

 

 

Ministry

PUNISHMENT

 

2^nd Thessalonians 1:9: “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.”

 

I am not a ‘fire and brimstone’ preacher, however I also do not hide from the word of God; I quote what it says.

There will be readers who will object to the meaning of this verse but it means what it says. If you are unsaved and don’t want to be on the receiving end of God’s wrath I suggest you seriously consider the alternative, which is to be on the receiving end of His saving grace (unmerited favor).

 

Readers of the Bible know God leaves nothing out; He tells it like it is. This is the reason I, personally, accept the Bible literally. The reason I end all my messages telling you all to read the Bible is for you to get to know the facts; then, personal opinion is rendered as it should be, useless and in most cases divisive. So what do you do?

 

Read the Bible and get the facts, i.e., God’s facts; it’s refreshing. 

 

Inspiration

NO WRATH FOR THE SAVED

 

1^st Thessalonians 5:9: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” While there are a couple of opinions regarding the wrath to come I believe we should be concerned with salvation and the opportunities we have to help others find Jesus.

 

Controversies over areas that do not lead to salvation are divisive and confusing to unbelievers, in my opinion, and should be avoided. The mere fact that believers will avoid the wrath to come should motivate non-believers to seriously consider what the Bible has to say about salvation.

 

Opinions can be rendered useless when the Bible is read and accepted as the true, living word of God. Rather than be critical I would suggest you:

 

Read the Bible and get God’s opinion which isn’t opinion.

 

Inspiration

HWYLIGWP

1^st Thessalonians 4:4: ”…that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God.”

 

How Would You Live If God Were Present? This thought occurred to me the other day and it certainly presents a challenge to everyone who loves and knows Jesus as personal Savior. I did discover that it does present a different frame of mind; as a matter of fact it is really exciting if one would consider that thought in every day living.

 

Most of us have heard about the acronym, WWJD; what would Jesus do. This is a great thought when we are confronted with a challenge in our reaction to life’s events. My acronym is a little different when you consider the presence of God in every waking moment of our lives. I am convinced it creates an atmosphere in which we are able to actually live more freely, in a spiritual sense; it is liberating.

 

Try it, you might like it; let me remind you it is much easier when you: Read your Bible.