BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Repentance and Faith Review

All teachings on Repentance and Faith can be found under the Repentance and Faith tag. You can review them and then test your knowledge here.

What is repentance?

Why is repentance important?

What is justification?

How do we become justified?

What are the results of justification?

What is faith?

Why is faith important?

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The Importance of Faith

Without faith, you can not be saved. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Without faith, you can not make it. Faith is what got you started on this journey, and you will need faith to continue on and reach the desired end. Faith is important.

We are saved by faith. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8

We live by faith. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:38

We are kept by faith. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:5

We are healed by faith. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:15

We can not please God without faith. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6

We overcome by faith. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Ephesians 6:16

Monday, December 28, 2009

Faith

According to Webster's dictionary faith is:

1. Belief and trust in and loyalty to God
2. Belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
3. Firm belief in something for which there is no proof
4. Complete trust
5. Something that is believed especially with strong conviction

Hebrews 11:1 puts it this way:

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The Word of God can increase your faith. Faith indeed comes by the Word of God:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

Faith comes, enters your heart, your very being, through the hearing of the Word of God. There are several ways we can receive the Word of God:

Preaching - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Romans 10:8

Through the written Word - Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,
Luke 24:45

In times of prayer - Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

A word of exhortation by another believer - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16

In dreams or visions - By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:5-6

Audible Voice of God - And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Acts 9:4-6

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Weekend Worship

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Weekend Worship

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Justification

Because man rebelled against God and entered into sin, there is a separation between man and God. We are all sinners by nature and are therefore condemned by a just, holy and righteous God.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:10-12

The only way for us to be reconciled back to God is for Him to transfer our guilt upon Himself. The death of Jesus Christ made this transfer, forgiveness and reconciliation a possibility.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

We receive justification by the grace of God (Romans 3:24, Titus 3:7), through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9, Hebrews 9:22), and by faith (Romans 5:1-2, Galatians 2:16).

Justification results in the following:

Removal of the penalty of sin:
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Romans 4:7

Removal of condemnation:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1

Peace with God:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1

The righteousness of Jesus Christ is ours:
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

What's in it for Me?

Repentance provides JUSTIFICATION; right standing with God. Who doesn't want that?

From Webster's Dictionary:
Justify: a : to administer justice to
b
archaic : absolve
c
: to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation

When God justifies a person, He acquits them; not on the grounds of the person's innocence, but of His own love and grace.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 3:20-26

Justification therefore, is a change in man's standing before or relation to God. It is an act of God that frees repentant sinners from guilt and the penalty of sin.

That's what's in repentance for us.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Repentance

One major hindrance to true repentance will be self-confidence. While self-confidence is an excellent trait to have for life in general, it can get in the way when it comes to repentance before God. True repentance calls for a renunciation of self-confidence and it will initiate a God-confidence; being confident in God to meet all your needs and fulfill all your desires, believing then, that His Way is the only way.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6

Our own way will lead us astray. Following our own ideas, desires and direction will lead us away from the Power needed to live a victorious life in Christ. Following our own way will put us in a place void of God's protection and blessing. We need God in order to make it. We need to follow His Way to stay with Him. Repentance is where that all starts.

And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
Judges 10:15-16

If we follow the example of the Israelites in this scripture, we see three things which are necessary for repentance.

First, we see confession. Confession is self-explanatory. You must say, with your mouth, what you have done wrong. Confess your sin before God. Yes, He knows what you did - or didn't do, but you must confess it to Him. There is so much power in the spoken word. We will look at this another time.

Secondly, we see a turning away from sin. If you are truly repentant, you will make every effort to not continue in sin; especially the same sin. In most 12-step programs for addiction recovery, there is a common teaching that gives instruction on how to effect true change in your life.

Change people, places and things.

There may be certain people, places or things that you need to change in your life in order to bring about the change that you really desire in order to bring about and demonstrate true repentance.

Third, they chose to serve God. This is where you start new habits, make new friends, take up new responsibilities. All of this shows a placing of real confidence in God and discarding your own self-confidence.

The Bible says that we must repent and turn towards God (Acts 26:19-20). We must turn from our idols and serve God. (1 Thessalonians 1:8-9)

Monday, December 21, 2009

Repentance

Hebrews 6:1&2 mentions two very basic and foundational truths; repentance (from dead works) and faith (towards God).

Repentance is the first step in building a successful foundation in your new life as a believer. Faith towards God is what the Christian walk is all about.

First, God commands that man repent. There are no 'if's 'and's or 'but's about it.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30

Repentance and Faith are both gifts given to us by God so that we may turn from our ways and follow His Way. Repentance and Faith are not one time deals, either. they are something that we practice throughout our Christian walk. You may have repented before God when you were saved. You will need to repent again. You may have had faith to receive Christ when you were saved. you will need faith to believe on Him again. Repentance and Faith work actively throughout your walk and sanctification.

Repentance means a "change of mind"; a change of heart or attitude. It means to have a radical change in one's own heart toward sin and the things of God. It involves a conscious moral decision to forsake sin and enter into fellowship with God.

Repentance is commanded by God (Acts 17:30)
Repentance is essential for salvation (Mark 1:15)

It is a gift from God.

He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it],
2 Timothy 2:25 AMP

God desires it for all men.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9


Sunday, December 20, 2009

Video - A Letter to Satan

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Weekend Worship

I have met so many people who have a difficult time relating to the love of a heavenly Father simply because they never had a good example of a father in their earthly version.

Be assured, your heavenly Father loves you.

Friday, December 18, 2009

More Scripture-finding Tips

Our first tip was that you memorize the first five books of the Bible - OK not the WHOLE THING, just their names!

If you have accomplished that, your next task would be to memorize the history books that follow. You don't need to remember what order they come in at this point, just that they fall right after the first five books of the Bible. They are in 3 sets. the first set is:

Joshua
Judges
Ruth

For the next set, each one is 2 books, First Samuel, Second Samuel, etc.

*Samuel
*Kings
*Chronicles

The next set is:

Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther

Thursday, December 17, 2009

What do You Know Now?

By now, you should be able to answer the following questions:

What is the nature of God?
What are God's attributes?
What is the 'trinity'?
Who is the author of the Bible?
What will practicing the Word of God do in my life?
What is God's purpose for giving me His Word?

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Word - Review

Before we move on to our next teaching topic, it would be helpful for you if you review the teachings on the Word of God.

You can find them all under the tag 'theWord'.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Purpose of God's Word - Part Three

God's Word was written for our learning.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4

God's Word was written for our admonition; training us through instruction and warning.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1 Corinthians 10:11

Since God's Word holds so much purpose in our lives, we are to be 'doers' of the Word and not just 'hearers' only.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:23-25

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Weekend Worship



Saturday, December 12, 2009

Weekend Worship

If the devil only knew what you were gonna be after the storm, he wouldn't have even bothered you!



Friday, December 11, 2009

The Purpose of God's Word - Part Two

God's Word is an instruction manual for spiritual discernment and for living a holy and acceptable life before God. As a young believer, I was taught that the Bible was God's:

B asic
I nstructions
B efore
L eaving
E arth

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP

  1. Doctrine
  2. Reproof
  3. Correction
  4. Instruction in righteousness
Need any of that? All believers do. The Bible supplies that for us.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Purpose of God's Word - Part One

God's Word serves many purposes. We'll take a look at a few of them in these next posts.

God's Word authenticates the divinity of Jesus Christ.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 20:31

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5:13

Additionally, the Word of God offers us the evidence that Jesus Christ fulfilled over 350 messianic prophecies. Professor Peter Stoner (1888-1980) was Chairman of the Departments of Mathematics and Astronomy at Pasadena City College until 1953, and Chairman of the Science Division of Westmont College from 1953 to 1957. Stoner calculated the probability of one man fulfilling only a handful of the over 300 Messianic prophecies. In 1944, he published his research results in Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible. Stoner concluded that the probability of one person fulfilling just eight of the specific prophecies was one chance in 1017 (one followed by 17 zeros). How about one person fulfilling just 48 of the over 300 prophecies? Stoner calculated these odds at one chance in 10157 -- way beyond statistical impossibility!
( Peter Stoner, Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible, 1944, 109-10.)

A good site for more on this can be found here.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

God's Word as a Source of Power

It's your turn to look up some scriptures. We are gong to be looking at God's Word and how it is a source of power for our lives.

Hebrews 4:12
God's Word is a dividing power, as a sword. Many times, when I am witnessing, whether it be to family and friends or complete strangers, even though they may seem to agree to disagree, when I declare what the Word of God says, it immediately divides them from me. They become aggressive and defensive, separating their opinions even farther from mine. I think this is mainly because of the next 'power' in God's Word.

James 1:22-25
God's Word is a reflecting power, as a mirror. The Word of God will not just point out your imperfections, but it will make you take a good look at yourself. Most of the time, when we look in the mirror, we do not look at ourselves in the eyes. We look at all the rest of our face or body or clothes, but not into our eyes. If you want to get serious or intimate with someone, you look them in the eyes. Knowing what the Word of God says about our sinful nature, knowing the experience we have had with Him by our sides, stop reading this blog and go to a mirror and LOOK YOURSELF IN THE EYES. I'll wait.

Quite a difference from just looking at your appearance, isn't it?

See you next time.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Thank you!

I wanted to say thanks to our growing list of followers on Facebook. You are all special to us. Please know that we are praying for you and look forward to your comments when you are able to make them.

Stay with God. He will stay with you!

Monday, December 7, 2009

What's in it for Me?

What do I get from reading the Word of God?

When we receive His Word and appropriate it in our own lives, it produces, and shall prosper in the area which He sends it to prosper in.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

His Word will cleanse our ways.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalms 119:9

His Word produces faith!

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17

His Word begins a process of change. Our minds come into harmony with God's thoughts and purposes for our lives.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalms 19:7

His Word brings peace that can be obtained in NO OTHER WAY.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Weekend Worship

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Weekend Worship

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Who Wrote the Bible?

The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Word of God. God used man as a vehicle to make His revelation known.

Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Acts 1:16

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,
Acts 28:25

Prophets, writers of scripture, such as David, Isaiah and others were prompted to speak by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the source of infallible revelation. God's Word has not been devised by man's intellect.

There is always this argument that I hear frequently: 'Man messed up the Bible through all the translations. They added stuff to meet their own agendas.'

This argument does not stand. First, it implies that there once was something known as God's Word, which at one time, was perfect or, not 'messed up'. That point alone acknowledges that God is real, powerful, infallible and can indeed speak to man. And that truth, admitted by their own argument, leads us to this: God is powerful enough, then, to maintain the integrity of His Word to man, regardless of how many pens may have written it, or mouths may have spoken it. If we believe that God has something to say to us, then we believe that He is powerful enough to make sure we get the full message. He watches over His Word.

So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 AMP

Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
Jeremiah 1:12 AMP

When it comes to the Word, God's got His own back, thank you very much.

Weekend Worship

From now on we will post videos on Saturdays and Sundays from YouTube or similar sites. These videos will mostly be in the genre of Praise and Worship. Enjoy the presence of God in your walk.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

What does God have to do with the Bible?

Get out your Bible.

Read 2Timothy 3:15, John 20:31 & 1John 5:3

God's Word is the revelation of Jesus Christ to man.

You can even find Jesus in the Old Testament. There are various place where God showed His plan to reconcile man unto Himself through Hid Son, Jesus Christ. Here is just one example which may be found in Exodus, chapter 12:

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
Exodus 12:3-5 (emphasis mine)

And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
Exodus 12:7

For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Exodus 12:12-13

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exodus 12:23

And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
Exodus 12:29-30

And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Exodus 12:51

Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Helpful Tools

Here is the website we have been using for our daily readings:

Bible Gateway

Here is a GREAT tool to have on your computer:

E-Sword