"Keep It Simple!" (With Videos - One by Pastor Chuck Smith) - Inspirational Weekend

 While viewing the following sermon video by Pastor Chuck Smith, it occurred to me that I have not always kept it "simple" on this blog.  In my enthusiasm to help others, I tend to include as much information as possible for your benefit because I know the times are urgent and also that Jesus will return soon and my wish is for many to come to a saving faith in Him so that they may be raptured to heaven to be with Him before the 7 year horrific Tribulation period begins.  

Pastor Chuck Smith's sermon is based upon 2 Corinthians 11:3 which follows:

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Pastor Smith's sermon is 40 minutes long;  I pray that you watch all of it, as I feel it is one of his best!

Pastor Chuck says to "simply teach the Word of God simply."  He reminds us that the Pharisees of Jesus' day were mainly interested in all the minute details... and skipped mercy, and faith, and justice.

The posts on this blog tend to give a broad explanation of salvation, but only to edify and to make sure you understand what salvation is all about.  Much is said here about the power of Jesus' shed blood, and how He was the Sacrificial Lamb;  there  is no salvation without the shedding of His blood to pay our sin debt in full as He took our place on that Cross, so that by belief in Him and His atonement we may have everlasting life.   

I am reminded of how some people, at large assemblies by prominent evangelist, make a "decision" to follow Christ by coming forward, etc.  But statistics have proven that many of them - most of them, in fact -  fall away and don't last long.  My opinion is (and also the opinions of others that study such things) that they just don't understand that it is much more than a "decision"- more than a head knowledge of Jesus or that it is simply the right thing to do.  They need to be told salvation is a total, strong commitment to  follow in Christ's footsteps as best they can; a total surrender to the Lord, and giving up their will to always endeavor to do His will -  to obey Him.  Much more than that, it involves a love and devotion to Him that is truly heart-felt; an all consuming desire to please Him with all of your heart, mind, and soul !

 In other words, some people think they are saved when in actuality they are not. Saying a sinner's prayer one time and then going on about being totally living for worldly things and desires, does not mean you are necessarily a Christian.  Some professing Christians never read their Bible and hardly, if ever, pray.  Sanctification is  a process, it doesn't all happen overnight, that is true.

Having said all that, however, belief in Jesus as the Savior is what saves you.  Period!

Remember at Calvary, the thief on the cross near Jesus expressed faith in the Lord, and Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise. That thief had no opportunity to serve the Lord or do anything other than to express his belief in Jesus. ( Luke 23:39-43).  Also, when Paul and Silas were in prison and a miracle happened (an earthquake) that caused the prison doors to open and everyone's bands were loosed.  The jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved,  and they said "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."  (Acts 16:25-34).

In 2017 here on this blog, a post was also made which shared this information and more.  Here is a link

A wonderful hymn that explains this truth of faith only in Jesus as the Savior is the old favorite titled "Just as I am"   Here it is for you who are not yet saved (and for us older saved ones to enjoy again)

"All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."   Jesus at John 6:37

Another hymn to encourage unsaved souls is "Softly and Tenderly" found below:

Jesus will return soon!

Be Rapture Ready!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace of  love and forgiveness!

 

Following are Salvation Scriptures !  If you are not saved, take these verses to heart, repent, and turn to the Lord and pray for forgiveness.  If you are sincere, God will answer that prayer and welcome you to His family!

 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not  the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."     -  John 14:6

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  -  John 3:16

 

Just a short note:  Faith is number one!  Belief in Jesus as the Savior!

Although knowledge is important, a person can know all "about" Jesus and salvation, but that does not necessarily mean that he is truly saved.  

It is not "what" you know, but Who you know!

The important thing is to develop a close, intimate, loving, personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior!  We do that by much time in prayer and by much study and reading of God's Holy Word, the Bible.  The good Lord wants to fellowship with us!  You cannot get to know a person or be "friends" with Him if you never communicate with Him.  

The Lord expects and desires faith and belief from us! 

He expects and demands obedience from us, and to put His will first in our lives.  

All of which we will delight to do, and will want  to do, if we are truly saved, truly born again.

Believe in the Lord with all of your heart, mind, soul, strength !

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt  love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these."    -  Mark 12:29-31

 Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life!

 

 

"I'd Rather See The Uppertaker Than The Undertaker" (with videos - One By Dr. David Jeremiah - Other Videos About Bible Prophecies)

 

[Black-Crowned Night Heron at Ala Moana  Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii]

The above heron is busy waiting and waiting for some fish to appear.  We true believers should be waiting in excited anticipation for our Savior, Jesus Christ, to come very soon and rapture us to heaven to be with Him!

The title of this post: "I'd rather see the Upper-Taker than the undertaker"  is a direct quote by Dr. David Jeremiah from the following 23 minute sermon concerning the Rapture.  ("The Upper-Taker" being Jesus of course! )   In the following video, the pastor makes a clear and informative explanation concerning our "blessed hope"   (Titus 2:13)  He also gives information on how we believers should be living NOW.

Much has been written in the past on this blog concerning the fact that we are living in the last moments of the last days (of this dispensation).  Times are urgent folks!  Following is a video which tells us about a recent announcement which everyone should take note of!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJdCS-2-ZiA

The above link makes it clear that we are fast approaching the time of Jesus' return and of the 7 year Tribulation which will follow.

The same goes true about how we are living in the end times by the following Bible Prophecy brought out in the following video.

So, what should we do in the meantime to endure?  Be constantly in the Holy Word, the Bible !  Pray without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.   But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with HIM.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also we do."   -  1 Thessalonians 5:4-11

It can be a fearful and troublesome thing to contemplate what the world is like today.  The young tend to  rather accept things as they are (not all of them) and as being "normal", while we older ones remember even 50 or more so years ago how different things were.  Not that things were perfect back then, of course.

Charles Spurgeon has said, : "If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

Following is a devotional by Spurgeon titled:  "God Will Answer"  : 

"He will fulfill the desire of them that fear HIM;  He also will hear their cry, and will save them." -  Psalm 145:19

"His own Spirit has wrought this desire in us, and therefore He will answer it.  It is His own life within which prompts the cry, and therefore He will hear it.  Those who fear Him are men under the holiest influence, and, therefore, their desire is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  Like Daniel, they are men of desires, and the LORD will cause them to realize their aspirations. Holy desires are grace in the blade, and the heavenly Husbandman will cultivate them till they come to the full corn in the ear.  God fearing men desire to be holy, to be useful, to be a blessing to others, and so to honor their LORD.  They desire supplies for their need, help under burdens, guidance in perplexity, deliverance in distress;  sometimes this desire is so strong and their case so pressing that they cry out in agony like little children in pain and then the LORD works most comprehensively and does all that is needful according to this word;  "And will save them."

Yes, if we fear God, we have nothing else to fear; if we cry to the LORD, our salvation is certain."

 

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." -   Proverbs 3:5-6

"But I will sing of Thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: For Thou has been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.  Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: For God is my defence, and the God of my mercy." -   Psalm 59:16-17

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.  -  Isaiah 41:10

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  -  Philippians 4:13

"Are You In The Furnace of Affliction? If So, What To Do?" (With Sermon Clip by Andrew Murray)- Inspirational Weekend

 

[Yellow Protea]

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."  -  Isaiah 48:10

Today, we have the Covid 19 virus, we have lawlessness,  corrupt hearts and minds of many to deal with, and we also are (some of us, particularly the elderly) having health issues other than the virus.  We are concerned about what the future may hold and/or will things ever get better.  All of you are aware of these concerns, and many more.  

The above quoted Scripture at Isaiah can be exceedingly faith building to those of us who are true believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Once again, encouragement can be found by Charles Spurgeon's insight on the above verse, which follows:

 

"Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought:  God saith, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction".  - Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame?  Yea, is not it an abestos armour, against which the heat hath no power?  Let affliction come -  God hath chosen me.   Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me.  Sickness, thou mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready:  God has chosen me.  Whatsoever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.  If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort,  remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace.  In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One to Whom thou hast not seen, but Whom thou lovest; and oft times when thou knowest it not,  He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee.  Thou art in poverty, but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor.  He loves to come into these desolate places that He may visit thee.  Thy Friend sticks closely to thee.  Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands.  Dost thou not hear His voice?  Even in the valley of the shadow of death  He says "Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God."  

Remember that noble speech of Ceasar "Fear not.  Thou carriest  Ceasar and all his fortune."   Fear not, Christian, Jesus is with thee.  In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety.  He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own.  "Fear not, for I am with thee" is His sure word of promises to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction."  Wilt thou not then,  take fast hold of Christ , and say:  "Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes."

 Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words, doesn't he?  The main thing to cling to, no matter what your trial or affliction, is to stay close to the good Lord and have faith in Him and trust Him with all your heart!  Be often in prayer, and surrender to His will - He knows best!  

As brought out in the following 11 minute audio sermon clip of Andrew Murray's writings, "In suffering, it is the Spirit of God and of His glory that rests on us."  - So abide in Christ!

 Andrew mentions in the above sermon, that our trials and afflictions are often a sign of God at work.... His pruning and purging of us.   Many of you know this.  

Someone has said that trials and such brought on by your enemies, draws you even closer to the good Lord. (Looking to Him for guidance and solace and direction and for a solution.) Friends as a  rule do not do that !  So love your enemies and pray for them!  They can be a blessing from God that makes you turn to Him with greater fervor and frequency! -- and thereby increases your need and love for Him.

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults!"  -  Benjamin Franklin

"God's people have their trials.  It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people..... They were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy."     -  Charles Spurgeon

Remember too, that the Good Lord often lets "bad things happen to good people"  because, being imperfect humans, good people sometimes err and sin, even sin unintentionally, and they need to be chastised and disciplined.  

So the main thing we can do to endure affliction is to just stay in close communion with the Lord.  Pray without ceasing!  Read your Bible daily!  Our heavenly Father and Jesus want to fellowship with us.  You cannot grow to know a Person if you never communicate with Him!  Our main concern, besides obeying the Lord, is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and living relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ!  That is a wondrous thing,  which will transform your life and blossom into a beautiful and lasting flower of love and glory for the Lord that will last for all of eternity!

 

 

[Shell Ginger]

But what if you are not saved?  Not born again?  Have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven?   You have not accepted the true fact that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash away your sins and wipe the slate clean, when you realize that He was the Sacrificial Lamb, that redeemed your soul because He took your place on that Cross, by taking on your sins, and paid your sin debt in full, if you will only have faith and believe that He is the Savior.  

Following are some Scriptures to help you to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You need to repent of your sins first !   Some thoughts on that from the Biblical Illustrator Commentary are: 

1.  Repentance involves a deep sorrow and conviction for your sins.

 

2.  A confession of your sins.  (Pray to God for forgiveness, in all sincerity and heartfelt remorse)

 

3. You will then utterly forsake sin (deliberate and willful sin.  We all err unintentionally at times)

4. Repentance is a necessary qualification to fit us for glory.

5. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but puts us into actual possession.

6.  Repentance must be continually in us, and not merely for a Lent-season.

7.  This must increase daily more and more in us.

Much more is written on the Biblical Illustrator Commentary on this subject of repentance.  It would be of benefit to you to look it up on the Web.

The Scriptures of Salvation are:  

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

If you go to the search box on the upper right hand side of this page, and enter topics such as "The Rapture, Jesus' imminent return,"  etc.  you will have those articles on those subjects pop up for you to read and select; some of which have videos.  

Jesus will return very soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is coming true today at warp speed in these, the end times; the last moments of the last days.  

Do not delay in surrendering your heart and life to the Savior!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace overflowing with love and forgiveness !

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) " -   2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."    -  John 14:6

 

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"   -  John 11:25-26

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."    -  John 3:16 

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!

 

 

"Saving, Helping, Keeping, Loving !" (With Videos - One With Pastor Chuck Smith as Narrator)

 

[Torch Ginger]

This post is rather a continuation of the previous one made over this past weekend on November 14 - Mainly because I felt the Holy Spirit leading me and urging me to do so, as more information on the subject of the glory of God was brought to my attention, as well as wonderful Gospel Hymns.  The title of this post is from the following old hymn "Our Great Savior", only this You Tube version titles it  "Jesus!  What A Friend of Sinners!"

When things are tough and you are weary of it all,  the above hymn reminds us that the good Lord is with us to the end!  Very encouraging!

 

Someone has said: "Real inner peace comes from God.  Only God can  turn a mess into a message; a test into a testimony; a trial into triumph; a victim into a victor; and a misery into a ministry.   A diamond is only made through extreme heat and pressure."  

We all realize that the prophesied end times we find ourselves living in now are fearful and uncertain, especially to those who are not followers of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  True Christians who know God's Holy Word, the Bible, and who find there many encouraging promises of the good Lord within its pages, are looking with hope and blissful expectation of Jesus' imminent return !   What a blessed hope!  

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  -    Titus 2:13-14

Following is a wonderful and instructing Christian video titled:  "Focus on God Not Your Problems -  God's Got This".   It is only a 13 minute video, and one of its narrators is Pastor Chuck Smith, who was the founder of the Calvary Chapel churches.  I say "was" because he passed away not too long ago, as many of you are aware.

In the video above, we are told: "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything."

"Be careful {anxious} for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds, through Christ Jesus."  -  Philippians 4:6-7

But don't neglect to read and ponder over and reflect often on the following verses as well:  Philippians 4:8-9 tells us:  (8)  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

 

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."    -   Jesus at John 14:27

 

 

Following is a devotional by Charles Spurgeon, delivered to my email inbox earlier today.  It's topic is best described by its title which is: "To Him be glory, both now and forever."  a direct quote from 2 Peter 3:18.  

 

"Heaven will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity!  thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever "To Him be the glory" .  Is He not a "Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?"   "To Him be glory."  Is He not King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father?   "To Him be glory forever."  Never shall His praises cease.  That which was bought  with blood deserves to last while immortality endures.  The glory of the Cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrected must never be dimmed.  O Jesus! Thou shalt be praised for ever.  Long as immortal spirits live.  Long as the Father's throne endures for ever, forever, unto Thee shall be glory.  Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now?   The apostle's  words are : "To Him be glory both now and forever."   Will you not this day make it your prayer?  "Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give Thee honor and patience; I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee; I have time, Lord help me to redeem it and that I may serve Thee;  I have a heart to feel Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine and glow with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head  to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is and help me to work out my life purpose;  I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so Lord, I cast my time and eternity into Thy treasury; I am all Thine; take me, and enable me to glorify Thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have."

 

What a beautiful devotional !  It shows Charles Spurgeon's pure heart and his desire to please the good Lord .  May we be like-minded!

 

 

"Have You Experienced The Grace And Glory Of God? And How Do We Glorify God?" (Sermon videos by Ravi Zacharias) - Inspirational Weekend

My photograph above depicts a sunset on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, and rather reminds one of the following Scripture:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth His handy work." - Psalm 19:1

Many more things could be mentioned that declare God's glory: such as the miracle of a newborn baby as well as its conception and growth in the womb (the Heavenly Father made all that possible).  Once I knew a minister that observed :  "You know that God has a sense of humor by just watching kittens play." That, as well, shines forth as an attribute of God and one of many qualities of the Lord that make Him glorious.  

But He is glorious in many grandiose ways as well; many of you already realize all of this, but some unsaved people may never give it a thought.   Following are two sermons by Ravi Zacharias that give an unexpected consideration of the Glory of God.  Part one below is 29 minutes chock full of his excellent preaching.   As many of you may know, he passed away not too long ago (you may find more information about him on the Web).

He mentions much in the above sermon which we all need to hear; such as what God intends in your life and how God seems to be departing from His people.   He tells us that in today's society, there exists much "hollowness of the trivial."

Here is part two of the above sermon, which is also 29 minutes.  Part two was exceptionally moving to me.  Just a note, part two repeats portions of part one in the very beginning of it.  Be patient and keep watching and you will be rewarded by the excellent contents of part two.

A very important comment by Ravi in part one above, is when he said emphatically:  "One thing that keeps me going is the the firm belief more than ever, that this Gospel is the only shining light against the dark background of a confused and messed up world."

In part two of his sermon, Ravi Zacharias tells us, "If the Lord is present in your life, it is the only hope in a dark, dark world.  Wake up every morning in the Light if the Lord is with you."

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: The LORD will give grace and glory: No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."  -   Psalm 84:11

Based on the above verse in Psalm 84, Charles Spurgeon wrote an excellent devotional concerning the fact that grace and glory always go together.   Following is that insightful devotional :

"Bounteous is Jehovah in His nature; to give us His delight.  His gifts are beyond measure, precious, and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He gives grace to His elect because He wills it, to His redeemed because of His promise, to  believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it.  He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly;  doubly enhancing the value of the boon by the manner of its bestowal.  Grace in all its forms He freely renders to His people: comforting, preserving, sanctifying, directing, instructing, assisting grace, He generously pours into their souls without ceasing, and He always will do so, whatever may occur.  Sickness may befall but the Lord will give grace; poverty may happen to us, but grace will surely be afforded; death must come but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour.  Reader, how blessed it is as years roll round, and the leaves begin again to fall, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this: "The Lord will give grace."

"The little conjunction "and" in this verse is a diamond rivot binding the present with the future; grace and glory always go together.  God has married them and  none can divorce them.  The Lord will never deny a soul glory to whom He has freely given to live upon His grace; indeed, glory is nothing more than grace in its Sabbath dress;  like autumn fruit, mellow and perfected.  How soon we may have glory none can tell!  It may be before this month of October has run out.  We shall see the Holy City, but be the interval longer or shorter, we shall be glorified ere long.  Glory, the glory of heaven, the glory of eternity, the glory of Jesus, the glory of the Father: the Lord will surely give to His chosen.  Oh, rare promise of a faithful God ! :

"Two golden links of one celestial chain;  Who oweth grace shall surely glory gain."

As you can see, the above devotional by Charles Spurgeon was too good to edit it -   all of it needed to be shared with you!  By the way, Spurgeon was a British minister that lived from 1834 to 1892.  Note that in his devotional above, that he expected the possible soon return of Jesus back then.

For more about Jesus' return and the Rapture of true believers (and many other topics as well pertaining to the end times we find ourselves living in today) .. go to the top right hand side of this page and enter in the search box there :"Rapture" (or any other topic) and several articles will pop up for you; many with videos as well).

Some of the ways we may glorify God is by simply living a clean, godly life.  If we are of God's family - as all truly born again believers are His children - then what we do, say, and the way we act reflect upon Him !  By endeavoring to be as Christ-like as we can, we give glory to the Lord.

Remember, salvation is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Not of works,  lest any man should boast."

This leads us to the fact that since God/Jesus is responsible for our salvation, who are we to boast (glory) in the fact that He enables us to have any spiritual insight or understanding?!

"For Who maketh thee to differ from another?  and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"                     -     1 Corinthians 4:7

So any spiritual blessings and eyes of discernment where spiritual truths are concerned  - all comes from the good Lord.  He deserves the glory -  and not us!

Let us go back to Ephesians again.  "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." -    Ephesians 2:10

This means, as you realize, we are saved by grace and faith as a gift from the Heavenly Father (Ephesians 2:8-9) and NOT by works.  However, if you are truly born again by faith in Jesus as the Savior, you will want to be "fruitful" in doing His will and sharing the Gospel.  If you are truly saved, good works will naturally follow from the Holy Spirit's influence in your heart and soul.

So, by being "fruitful" we may also glorify God.  (NOT ourselves!!)

[Shark's Cove, Oahu, Hawaii]

"And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:  for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."                     -     2 Corinthians 12:9-10  

In the above verses at 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul exclaims so strongly about Christ's grace and what it means... this after the Lord had let him know that He would NOT remove Paul's "thorn in the flesh".  (2 Corinthians 12:7-8)

These verses have special meaning to me (as to many of you, as well) and I have intended for some time to do a post here focusing primarily on the above verses.  So I will not elaborate on it more here at this present time, but felt compelled to share it with you now, just the same.

[Hanalei Taro Fields, Kauai, Hawaii]

"Good works do not make a good man, but a good man does good works."  -  Martin Luther

"One often sees a call only in retrospect.  This too is God's design.  God often reinforces faith after we trust Him, not before."   -   Ravi Zacharias

"We had long known the Lord without realizing that meekness and lowliness of heart should be the distinguishing feature of the disciple."   -  Andrew Murray

"Deny your weakness, and you will never realize God's strength in you."  -  Joni Eareckson Tada

"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."  -  Ausgustine

If you are not saved by faith and belief in the saving power of Christ's shed blood at Calvary -  that He was the Sacrificial Lamb of God, that gave His life as a ransom for you;  that He died and poured out His blood  and took on the sins of the world - your sins - and paid your sin debt in full when He died in your place on the Cross -  then take to heart the following Scriptures that explain Salvation and then realize that without Jesus you are "toast"  and lost forever.   Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place, and being tormented at that!   Please open your heart, repent, and believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven!  Pray for forgiveness !

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -    John 3:36

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."  -  John 14:6

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"        John 11:25,26

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."     -  John 3:3

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,  but have everlasting life."  -    John 3:16

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life!

 

"Time Is Running Out - Signs to KNOW You Will Go To Heaven; Seek God While He May Be Found" (with videos) - Inspirational Weekend

 

                                                        [Hamakua Marsh, Kailua, Oahu]

Do you truly know God?  Not only an intellectual knowledge of Him and Jesus, but a soul stirring and heartfelt belief and faith in Him; to love Him with all of your heart, and soul, strength and mind.  If so, then you will endeavor to obey Him always, and to put His will first in your life.  

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these."   -   Mark 12:29-31

Following is a 10 minute video which is excellent in its insight on the subject of seeking God.  Many Scriptures are covered, especially Isaiah 55:6-9 which tells us:

(verse 6)  : "Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: (verses 7-9 : (7)  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.  (8) For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

 

    "The Bible is your lifeline.  The assurance of heaven ought to make a difference in our life."  = A quote from the following 15 minute video titled  " 3 Signs You Are Going To Heaven (This May Surprise You.)"  

I will let the above excellent 15 minute video speak for itself.  However, one of the signs given in it that you will go to heaven, is if you have a peaceful heart.  Boy, do we all need a peaceful heart in these troublesome prophesied end times !  It is possible. However, it does not mean that at times we are not stressed or heartbroken, or do not have  any afflictions that life and the devil throws at us.  It does mean that we will NOT "stay down" if we rely on the good Lord and put our faith and hope in Him, and depend upon Him for strength to endure.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."      -   Jesus at John 14:27

The hope of heaven which true believers have will enable us to carry on about the Lord's business.  Actually, it is God's Holy Spirit within us Who helps and encourages us to "Keep on keeping on."

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."                         -  Jesus at John 14:16-17

Note:  In  verse 16 above when Jesus says "Comforter"  it is another expression for the Holy Spirit.  Most of you know that, but for some who are not saved and reading this, it is a new concept to them.

[Barber's Point Lighthouse, Oahu]

Much has been written on this blog concerning the fact that we are living in the last days of this Age of Grace, this dispensation.  These are urgent times, folks !  Today, with all the uproar around  us  and in the world, for that matter, on so many dire and unprecedented issues confronting us:   " Something has to give !!"

And soon it will.  Jesus will return soon to take His true followers to heaven in the Rapture.   Then, or probably soon thereafter, the 7 year Tribulation will begin under the rule of the antichrist.   You do not want to be here to suffer the magnitude of the destruction, horror, and agony of the Tribulation!   ( Go to the "Search Box" in the upper right hand side of this page and enter things such as "7 year Tribulation,  The Rapture, End times, " etc. for more information).

So how do you avoid the Tribulation period?  If you sincerely turn to Jesus now in faith and belief that He is the Savior -  that His shed blood at the cross redeemed us and that He was the Sacrificial Lamb whose blood washes away our sins (wipes the slate clean) because He took our place at Calvary - He took our sins upon Himself and paid our sin debt in full;  If you believe all this and that He was resurrected from the dead -  You will be saved and will spend eternity in heaven with Him, our Savior and Redeemer.  You will be taken to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins !

Following are some Salvation Scriptures for those who are not saved at the present time.  Take them to heart !  Pray to the good Lord for forgiveness, and truly repent of your sins.  God will answer that prayer if you are sincere.... if you have a change of heart and want with all of your being to serve the Lord and obey Him.

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)." -    2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."    -  John 14:6

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and  believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"       -  John 11:25-26

 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."    -  John 3:16

  Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!

"Meet God - How to Get Right With The Lord" (With Videos - One on Salvation; & Two Must Watch Sermons by Pastor Charles Lawson) - Inspirational Weekend

 

                                       ["Turtle Beach" Or Laniakea Beach, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii]

I was very inspired this morning by sermon videos on You Tube, and felt an urgency, even, to make a new post here immediately.  

If you have family members who are not saved, as is the case with me, then you realize the urgency that they come to a saving faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ -  and pronto !  Because Jesus' return is imminent, folks !  Following is a short 5 minute clip on salvation by Pastor Charles Lawson titled: "There is forgiveness at the Cross."  You might want to share this with unsaved family members or anyone else as well.  

Pastor Lawson gave a fantastic 45 minute sermon earlier this month titled: "How To Get Right With God".  He touches on many, many pertinent subjects and Scriptures.  He discusses Job and his ordeal with suffering and tremendous loss, as well as king David and his sins and how he suffered because of his errors. He mentions that in both Job's and David's case, they both repented.  He clarifies that repentance is MORE than just a change of mind.   This sermon on getting right with God is right to the point and not "sugar-coated." Pastor Lawson says that if you have had an encounter with God, that you "will tremble."

In the above sermon, much about how the devil is after true believers is discussed, and all the suffering we endure because of the evil brought upon us by that deceiver and slanderer, satan.

A wonderful Scripture that Christians can take comfort in is found at 1 John 4:4  which follows:

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."

If you are currently enduring many trials, take heart.  You must be doing something right !  Otherwise, the evil one would not be after you.   Remember what Jesus told His followers:

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:  but because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you."  - John 15:18-19

And, oftentimes God will let us be tried by unbearable circumstances, not only to test our faith, but also to "prune" us, "strengthen" us, and to make us more Christ-like.  

We all realize, as well, that sometimes circumstances just happen out of the blue that bring suffering and trials, such as ill health, etc.  And as crazy as this world has become in these prophesied end times, just about anything you can imagine could knock us off our feet.

But as believers, we should not stay down long !  We have the good Lord to look to in faith!

Did you realize that Jesus considers us His friends if we obey and keep His commandments?

"Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  -  John 15:14

This blog has often stressed that God and Jesus desire to fellowship with true believers.  The following 27 minute sermon by Pastor Charles Lawson discusses that very subject.  The sermon title is "To Know Him is to Fellowship with Him."  Please watch.  We all need this reminder.

Just a note:  In this sermon, it is brought out that God "despised" the ancient Israelites for their stubbornness and rebellion and sin.

[Turtle Beach - Laniakea Beach - North Shore, Oahu]

"The Lord gives His people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to Him."  -  Dwight L. Moody

"True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie."  -  A.W. Tozer

"God never hurries.  There are no deadlines against which He must work.  Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves."  -  A.W. Tozer

"He who kneels before God can stand before anyone."  -  unknown

"If you live for people's acceptance, you'll die from their rejection."  -  Lecrae

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading."  -  Oswald Chambers 

"Exercise daily  -  Walk with the LORD."  - unknown

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -- and life !!