Who in the World can be Saved? Multitudes, Multitudes in the Valley of Decions!

The disciples asked "who in the world can be saved?" Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But, with God everything is possible." Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get?" Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And, everyone who has given up houses, or brothers, or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life" ~ Matthew 19: 26-30.

The 3rd Commandment is ~ "Do not take the Lord God's name in vain." Do not claim to be mine when you are not... that is 'vain' as in vanity. That means, saying you are a Christian to look good in public. This is the difference between the 'wheat and the tears'.

This is a much more profound commandment that just being required not to swear in public or private in this fallen world. That can be and is forgivable... but pretending to be born again when you are not is pretending to be a Christian; especially if you would not give up your life, your job, your home, your property, or your position as an entitlement or even family (this does not mean to abandon family but to be able to let them go if they reject Christ) to follow him is not so forgivable. But the, who am I to judge as to who will be forgiven and who won't be. I am not to judge, but called to forgive the sinner.

Forgiveness is the most necessary attribute of the Christian because we know that Christ forgave and forgives. We know that we must forgive many times, seventy-seven times and maybe that is not enough ~ Matthew 18:21 Forgive as the Lord forgave ~ COL 3:13. 

Who will be saved? Sinners! Jesus came for the sinner(1 Timothy 1:15) and that sinner is "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered" ~ Joel 2:32. They are those that follow the Lord Jesus Christ when He calls for they are those who hear His voice and call out His name! They will be/are the multitudes in the valley of decisions. And, they will know that the Lord is a refuge for His people ~ Joel 3:16.

The Day of the Lord is Coming!

We want to think that this world is the world that God has planned for us (we cannot imagine anything else) though we desire and know that there is promised eternal life with Him. We can even be confused when we read that He can turn all things to good. Yes, that is applied to here and now. But, that means that even in this fallen world, His will be done. This is an entropic universe, it is in a state of decay. And, therefore, His will must and will be done now and forever; and in this world His will be done until He comes again in order that we reign with Him for one thousand years. When that time is over, He will create a new heaven and new earth. We should look forward to that day...

"The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming... in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So, then dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever, Amen!" ~ 2 Peter 3: 10-18.

There is no sorrow in this, for this world is a fallen world and in it we are dead in the flesh for its nature is sin. Our true nature and eternal life is with God in His Kingdom which is to yet to come. Pray the Lord's prayer that His Kingdom Come, His will be done!

Jesus is Coming!

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book... Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" ~ Rev. 22: 7-13.

There is only one thing to boast about ~ Being Made Alive in Christ!

Yes, there is truly only one thing to boast about, being made alive in Christ Jesus. Many of slip in our walk with the Lord. We tell others about our works so that they can feel ashamed and we can feel better about our intellect, our good health, our wealth and or good fortune, our good judgement, our better choices and so on. What does that boasting look like? That is a good question.

Here are some examples:
"I read only those books, I think and or consider/feel this/that is right".
"My doctor said I have very good genes/ bones, good skin, a good heart, a good immune system"
"I put my money into safe investments, I keep those kinds of things to be prepared, I don't take risks"
"I have a secure job or income, I have a nice home, I live a good neighborhood, I am just lucky I guess"
" I think that I am right and he/she is wrong, I think you should do this/that, I wouldn't do that or go there."
"I buy and eat only organic, I drive an SUV, I prefer to shop there they have better quality, I can't wear anything but that kind of product or I use only that service, I go to that church, I listen to only that advice, I send /sent my kids to that school, I graduated with a degree, I give money to people who look like they need it because it makes me feel good, or I don't give because most people don't deserve it, and or I did that, and I will do that, and the list goes on...

Where is boasting about God's works in your life?
Where is the telling how you were made alive in Christ?

Where are the stories of how you hated someone (had very bad thoughts) for being naive or ignorant or too slow or too smart or too pretty or too happy...or how you waved your hand at another driver for cutting you off or spat on (wished ill on someone) the car next to yours in the parking lot as you supposed they surely scratched it and your remorse when you saw it was a man with a handicap or senior with a walker, or young woman with a load of groceries and three children with the youngest who couldn't keep the door in the wind. And, in that moment of your remorse for such thoughts/actions you reached out to the Lord and asked for forgiveness and he washed away your sin! Are you telling those stories? You should be.

We are dead in our transgressions. There is only one thing to boast about, being made alive in Christ.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts... But, because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ... it is by grace you have been saved. For God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms" ~  Ephesians  2:1-6.

Women in/of the World's Ideas of Power not God's

Yes, we are in and of the world's ideas of power. We have been for a long time... since the fall. Sadly, we  continually seek out our peace and security in the world and in the flesh. We fail to embrace God's love and protection and worse we teach our daughters that only we can save ourselves. I recently read an article by Kristen Clark. Her comments were right on, I couldn't agree more with her view on modern women of all ages.

Clark wrote, "today a powerful woman embraces her independence from men and throws away her virginity, she explores sexual diversity and places her family second behind her career".

Here are seven habits of a weak and wimpy godly woman:

1- She allows sin to creep into her life.
2- She fails to guard her mind and mouth.
3-She lets things pile up and go unresolved which leads to new sin.
4- She makes bad choices in order to get ahead rather than listen to God's voice.
5- She is governed by her emotions "I feel/want/deserve"!
6- She hides behind a religious mask doing 'her' works.
7- She doesn't view her sinful nature as a problem.

How did all this creep in? In this fallen world, we are in a constant battle with the flesh and living according to the world of the flesh: power, money, sex and all covetous things. That is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ to be our redeemer. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, come into your heart and be born again!  Our battle is daily, repent and move onward.

Show your family and daughters that God's will is the best for you and for them. Read Scripture together and insist on modesty both in the home and in public. Have open dialog about sex and marriage which is not about finding that gorgeous guy and eternal happiness in his arms. Marriage is not about someone else making you happy but about you making someone else happy according to God's design, His purposes. This is a way of preparing yourself to be with the Lord God in His eternal Kingdom, to be His bride.


 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" ~ 2 Peter 3:9

The Father Knows our Hearts!

"The Father who knows all hearts knows, of course, what the Spirit is saying as he pleads for us in harmony with God's own will. And, we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. For from the very beginning, God decided that those who came to Him and all along He knew who would.. should become like His Son so that His Son would be the First with many brothers. And, having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared us "not guilty" filled us with Christ's Good News, gave us right standing with Himself and promised us His glory. 
What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son for us but gave Him up for us all, won't He also surely give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? Will God? No! He is the one who has forgiven us and given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ?
No! For He is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven. Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn't love us anymore? And, if we are hungry or penniless, or in danger, or threatened with death, has God deserted us?
No!... for the Scriptures tell us that for His sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day, we are like sheep awaiting slaughter; but despite all this, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't and life can't. The angels won't and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for us". Romans 8:27-39.

Amen!

As Sinners We Should Pray Psalm 51!

Have mercy on me God in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense, wash away all my guilt from my sin, cleanse me. A clean heart create for me God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your Holy Spirit. Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing heart and spirit.

Remind yourself and your family why Jesus Christ came into this Fallen World

Do you teach your children why Jesus Came? Do they know that they are sinners? Yes, they are. Jesus came for everyone and all ages. No one is born in this world without sin. We know that sin entered and we have fallen out of a right relationship with our Creator. Thank God He sent His son Jesus Christ.

There are not too many Christians that embrace this truth. They think it is enough to say they believe in Jesus but few hardly know why he came and that he came for them as they are sinners. We have to embrace the fact that we are sinners. We have all fallen short of the Glory of God including our children even infants. Salvation is a gift given through baptism in the Holy Spirit. Infants can be baptized but they know not why unless God-parents and or parents remind them as they grow of what they were and are now.

Some Christians wait to have their children baptized until their children are at an age when they can understand it is their choice to be born again, to be delivered from their sinful nature, delivered from this fallen world.

We all have to know why we are baptized... offered such a gift and that all are welcomed to receive it. In that receiving, we are born again. Born of the Spirit not of the flesh. In that, supernaturally, we are born into eternal life. For in this way, it is in Him that you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. Ephesians 2: 22.

Discipline Your Children

Though we as Christians live in a democracy where liberty of the individual is a priority doesn't mean that we are not under authority. Christianity can be best applied in a democracy as we have the liberty to choose what is best for us as Christians who live a disciplined life. We have the freedom to choose God and live by His commandments. Thus, we are in the world but not of it ~ 2 COR 10:3. That means though we have God given free will to make our own choices, we give that over to our Creator and pray always His will be done. For it is His will that is truly the best for us. Yet, that giving over has to be our choice.

Our children have to do the same. And, they will with/in the knowledge of parents unconditional love which is given to them even prior to their birth. As God loved Jesus and us (He is in us/we in Him) before the creation of the world ~ John 17:24, 1 Peter 1:20; so, too we know our children and we love them unconditionally. It is that kind of love that we discipline them with and in. In this love, they will make the choice to obey as they know first hand of that love and in that love their very life depends on and from it they will have enjoy long life because of it.

"Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise that it must go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" ~ Ephesians 6:1. 

How to discipline then? Love them, and show them that you too are under a higher authority - The Word of God given to us by the Creator of Heaven and Earth of all things seen and unseen ~ our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is God!

This also applies to adult children. We come under parents authority. We must still honor thy father and mother as adults no matter how old we are as children. This respect shows our respect love for God.  In this way, we all are children of God.

The Christian Ministry Field!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, concerning ministry, my very wise godly husband pointed out that our ministry field should be more subtle and thus will be more effective. I agree. So dear brothers and sisters in Christ, be diligent wherever you are even at home or in your office. Your reaction to events and situations can be ministry to those around you. If you remain calm and kind you can win hearts. Family members, children and co-workers will wonder how you do it. When they ask, tell them that you rest in the presence of the Lord! They will see that you are truly salt and light! Yes, you can be salt and light not be being a loud and in one's face kind of preacher. The gentler preaching comes when others look to you because you are different that everyone else. When the storm comes, you have perfect peace. When the trial comes you are not moved. When the blessings come you credit God. When the fear comes you are brave. When the temptation comes you say "No". THAT is how we are salt and light all day, every day. In that daily discipline, the temptations come less and less as you give no room for Satan

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, be mindful that in the ministry field, you will encounter many people who sadly reject the Lord as their Creator and Savior out of ignorance or anger or fear. God is love and He loves His creation though we have fallen short of His glory. That is why, He sent His Son to deliver us. We must understand and be sympathetic that what some people fear the most is God's wrath for their sin... Jesus said Himself that He came for the sinner, " Healthy people don't need a doctor, sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture. I want to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matthew 9:12. People are also afraid that by embracing Jesus Christ they will become some kind of automaton, a slave. After all, Paul said He became a slave to God ~ Romans 6:22. This kind of slavery leads to eternal life. Why/How? Because, it is by accepting God's will for our life here and now and for all eternity. The Lord God knows the desires of your heart and He will provide. The problem is that we tend to think that means desires of the flesh or that all our higher aspirations will and should happen here and now. Of course, some of His will for us is for here and now but the better part of our being is in His eternal Kingdom where all our higher aspirations are met in Christ. Remember, "a slave here and now is a slave to whatever has mastered him" ~ 2 Peter 2:19. Only in Jesus Christ are you free indeed! John 8: 32-36.

Love God with all Your Heart and Do not Be Afraid!

How is it possible such great salvation and such great love we are offered? "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us. There is no fear in love." ~ 1 John 5 and 4.

For the child of God, his/her bread is the word of God. You cannot have one foot in the world and the other foot in the Holy spirit. "Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" ~ 1 John 2:15. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth" ~ Matthew 6:24.

Christians do not wage war as the world does. "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" ~ 2 COR 10:3-5. "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. We love because he first loved us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us. There is no fear in love." ~ 1 John 5: 1 and 4:16-19.