WORLDWIDE INTERNET EVANGELISM

Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Tag Archives: imitate Christ


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HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR BAPTISM?

Have you ever observed someone being baptized and heard the pastor make a statement that baptism is not important and that you are not saved by baptism that it is only a symbol of publicly receiving Christ as your Savior? I have and I always wondered why they felt that they had to tell everyone this every time they baptized someone as if they might do something wrong if they didn’t. I have thought on this subject many times and have always wondered about it!

The bible teaches that there are certain important major Church doctrines that we ought to obey. In the book of Hebrews God very thoroughly explains to us what the “new covenant” is all about. The church of God is no longer under the old covenant after the order of the Levitical Priesthood as given to Israel by Moses. We are now under the Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek! Our high priest is Jesus  Christ who is from the tribe of Judah which was never even mentioned by Moses that there would be a priesthood other than the Levitical Priesthood. Now Christ teaches us in the bible that there are new covenant doctrines that we need to learn and follow. Hebrews 6: 1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the author of the Holy Bible and that it is the infallible truth of God! When He makes it a point to tell us about the major doctrine of baptism in context with the resurrection of the dead we need to pay attention and understand what Jesus is saying! When God sent His Holy Spirit down to the earth to inhabit the hundred and twenty believers on the day of Pentecost  (Acts 2: 1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire) the Apostles went out and started preaching to the multitude of people in Jerusalem and the very first thing Peter told them in Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHEN YOU ARE BAPTIZED YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT! Don’t you think that makes baptism rather important to a Christian? But always remember that with God all things are possible! If He chooses to give you His Holy Spirit some other way He can but you still need to be baptized. (Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord).

I encourage anyone who has not done so, to get on your knees and ask God what baptism is all about and He will answer and lead you into a life so wonderful and will infuse you with a new power that you never knew existed. Jesus changes everything! SEEK HIM NOW!


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IDLE WORDS

People can say anything but what you do says a lot more than what you say!

Matt. 21: 28-31 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”

Examine yourself to be sure your motive is right before you commit to anything. Don’t let your moral or ethical principles be compromised, do all with honesty. Let your actions speak louder than words.

 Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine!

You need the wisdom of Jesus shining like a light from inside you, so that those who do not know Him will be curious as to what makes you so different, perhaps even desiring the same thing you have. Let your example be like a sweet honeycomb.

Imitate Jesus because He changes everything! Be effectual in all things, bearing fruit to Christ, amen!


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THE EFFECTS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

Colossians 3:1 Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

8 Put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Do not let these things rule you because of political, social, or cultural leanings put them to death as it says in verse 5.

If you want all these things to be better, be better than the things you want to be better. Now we reach the crux of the matter! You cannot do it alone. Man is not able! But with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Humble yourself before God and confess that you are a sinner and He will look down and see and hear.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confess your sins now and your life will change. All the heaviness of discouragement, sadness, and helplessness will be a thing of the past. You will feel something you never felt before. FREEDOM! Receive total freedom from the shackles of sin and the constant pull of Satan the Devil who wants you to stay in this worlds system that he controls. 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ANSWER! ACCEPT HIM NOW!

The blessings of the love of God are upon you, in Jesus name, amen!

 

 

 


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SOOTHING THE SOUL OF POLITICAL INTENSITY

 

Men praying in Washington DC

Here is a thought for today in the midst of all the intense political unrest in this nation concerning the upcoming elections.  It is good to stop and take a deep breath and examine ourselves and consider this.

 Psalms 1:1, 3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

So then each of us will give account unto God

I pray that God gives us all an earnest, upright heart and divine discernment of the needs of America. Amen!

 


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THE SECOND FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY

 

The joy of thr Lord

On June 4, 2016 I wrote about the first fruit of the Spirit which was love. Now I write about the second fruit of the Spirit which is joy.

The fruits of the Spirit are very important to God and He wants us to know what they are for a reason. They are expressly about the Spirit, the character of the Spirit and we should imitate Him, have His character. The ways of the Spirit are Holy to God and He expects us to reverence the Holiness of the Spirit.  Jesus severely chastised the Pharisees about being disrespectful of the holiness of the Spirit in Mark 3:29 “but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”

Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit for the Spirit dwells in them. The fruits of the Spirit should be our nature as we follow the Spirit of Christ in us. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

What more joyful thing could you want than that? Jesus says in John 17:13 “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”

Later after the church had grown in the Spirit and increased in numbers we find in Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul gives us more insight to how joy is an important aspect of our lives when he says in Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Paul tells us what our joy should be like in Philippians 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Then Paul sums up the spiritual meaning of our joy as being like a crown in the hope of glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

The fruit of the Spirit is Gods holiness in believers and should be on display and shared with everyone.

 


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BE A CHRIST LIKE SERVANT

Carrying His cross

We should never let anything get between us and the Creator God! There is only one God who has created the heavens and earth and created man to populate it giving him dominion over all things of the earth. God has never failed in anything. The scriptures say that all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27) God is merciful, slow to anger and loves everyone. He gave His greatest gift to all people by sending His only Son to the earth in the form of a human being to be a servant to us all. (John 3:16)

If we will only serve our Creator full time after He has given us the gift of eternal life, He will bless everything we set our hand to do. His Spirit will give even greater understanding of His Word so we can grow in knowledge and wisdom, something we will never get enough of. Never forget that He is always with you. (Hebrews 13:5) The Lord will surround you like a shield. (Psalms 5:12) He will bless you with peace. (Psalms 29:11) He will increase and bless your business. (Psalms 67:6) Reach up for your higher calling as the LORD requires you to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (James 4:6)

Jesus Christ came as the greatest servant as He humbled Himself as a man for our benefit and example having given His all for us in death on the cross. Therefore we can do no less than to humble ourselves before our Creator as living sacrifices bearing our cross. (Luke 14:27)

We are spiritually encapsulated in the body of Christ filled with the Holy Spirit as we are His temple, and we are no longer of this worlds system but our citizenship is in heaven. We even have a place prepared for us waiting probably with our name plate already on the door. The Creator is faithful in His promises and if we are faithful to Him then we will do even greater works than Jesus did. (John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.)

Are you doing greater works than Jesus did? He said we would!

 


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USE YOUR ABILITIES TO SERVE GOD

USE YOUR ABILITIES TO SERVE GOD

Most times when people are saved they begin to think about how they can become active in serving God. Every person’s experiences are different so they have to look into their own lives and determine by prayer and bible study where they can fit in. For some this is easy because they have a burning desire to be involved in a ministry that they are deeply concerned about. But for others, it may take some time. Praying, studying, and familiarizing themselves  with their Church’s ministries and outreach programs or even looking into studying to be a pastor can lead one to make the right decision. There is something for everyone God has made sure of that.

Your abilities are what set you apart to do your service in the body of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 25: 14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability;

It is important that we don’t set idle and do nothing but maybe warm a pew on Sunday. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Paul worked at serving Christ just as Christ worked at serving God the Father. (John 9:4) God wants you to realize what your abilities are to use them and never look back.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The longer you are in the Church you develop more abilities by growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is your Spiritual growth that is developed by the Holy Spirit residing in you. Your character begins to cling to the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

Romans 12: 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Where do your abilities come from? Are they part of your natural carnal self that you were born with? Could there be a spiritual connection inherit in man that God uses to draw man to Himself?

1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?

John 3: 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

Through ministries you plant and you water but only God can give the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:5)

John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day

Now that your abilities are properly channeled toward Christ know that God will bless you immensely. The joy of the Lord will fill your soul and the cares of this world will be pushed out of your life by your ministry.

I pray that your ministry will bear much fruit and be a witness to those who God is calling to salvation. In Jesus name, amen!

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

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