In my photograph above we find patches of sunlight along the shady path. Life is like that ! Life can be dark and filled with peril; or lots of obstacles, if nothing else; or problems and heartbreak and the list goes on. But now and then in the pathway of life, there are rays of sunshine and hope and happiness. For that bit of sunshine we are always very grateful and bask in it while it lasts.
The above observation is true of Christians as well as the ungodly. However, the Christian's problems or storms can be a way of God the heavenly Father to teach us lessons of endurance and to help us learn to go to Him often in prayer for guidance and relief; in other words, the true believer's problems should make him draw ever closer to the good Lord. God and Jesus will not only comfort us, but will fight for us as well. This is brought out beautifully in the following 9 minute sermon clip by (the now deceased) Pastor David Wilkerson.
The bad news is, the battle or war raging in the inner man (and the destructive opposition from the devil) will go on as long as we live. That is why we need strong faith in the LORD as well as to fellowship with Him often in prayer and Bible reading. God's Holy Spirit is not only our Comforter, but He is also our Protector and Guide - He will fight for us ! That is the good news!
However, as we all realize, Christians are NOT perfect and at times we fall short - we sin. That is why we need a close, intimate, personal, loving relationship with God through His Son Jesus. We are less likely to sin if that is the case - to not make it a habit to sin ! We will not deliberately and willfully sin in opposition to the good Lord's wishes and commandments. For the most part, true believers sin "accidentally" and at times do not even realize it until later. We still, once we are aware of our sin, must repent and endeavor to not repeat that sin. Repentance means to regret your sin and to turn away from it, but especially it means a complete change of mind which leads to a change of actions! Becoming more Christlike, in other words, over time.
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
If you are a Christian, the question arises "Are you hot or cold? Are you lukewarm?"
Please watch the following and thought provoking 11 minute video which discusses lukewarm Christians, but has wonderful information for all of us, be we on fire for the Lord or lukewarm.
We Christians are familiar with the fact already that God is light and that we are "children of the light" . However, the video above makes it all so abundantly clear that we need to show our light by separating from any evil and living for Christ! "There is no spiritual neutrality!"
"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:5-10
Many of you are aware of all the "changes" lately that affect everyone - the entire globe will be affected in time, and that is partially true right now.
But true believers have a blessed hope that keeps them hanging in there!
That is the soon return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13 informs us: "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
:
By the way, this has been shared on this blog previously, but here it is again: Some commentators admit that the better translation of Titus 2:13 would be "The great God even our Savior Jesus Christ." It is abundantly clear that this verse strongly emphasizes the Deity of Christ.
Romans 9:5 agrees : "Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen."
Bible Prophecy concerning these last moments of the end times are being fulfilled not only on a daily basis, but almost an hourly or minute by minute basis! Seems like things are really happening all at once and fast right now!
Jesus will return soon! Don't let scoffers (2 Peter 3:3) convince you it will be otherwise!
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." - 2 Peter 3:3-4
If you have not put your faith in the cleansing power of Jesus' shed blood on the cross - that by His sacrificial death He paid our sin debt in full by dying for us and taking our sins upon Himself - He ransomed us; that by this redeeming act, He made a way for us to have everlasting life if we but put our faith and belief in Him as the Savior! If you are unsaved, this means to gain eternal life you must repent of your sins and pray for forgiveness with all of your very being and in sincerity, and - again - with all of your very being believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior !
Following are some Salvation Scriptures :
"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
"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
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book." - Revelation 22:7
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !
