Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Earthly Pain Heavenly Gain-Shawn Smith
Have you been in pain lately wondering just if and when it will ever end? Maybe your hurting in a way you can't fully describe and you wonder if God even cares. If you're a believer today then take courage your best days are still ahead no matter what you may be going through. If you're not then you're lost and your worst days unfortunately still await you since hell is a place where unbelievers ultimately go. In fact while here on earth Jesus himself spoke more on the subject of hell than on any other. Why do you suppose he did? Obviously he doesn't want you or anyone else to ever go there! Did you know that God made hell originally for the devil and angels who rebelled against him long ago? By so doing tragically they forfeited their original place in heaven forever. Incredibly for you and I however God gave his only Son to die on a tree so we could be eternally free! Make sure today you know where you'll spend eternity believe me hell's not the place you ever want to be.
When comparing our pain on earth here as believers to our eternal home in heaven the apostle Paul said our temporary "light" affliction is just for a moment when compared to eternity. God uses our trials and tribulations here to perfect us and conform us to his image. And as believers we always have eternal hope as an anchor for our soul however hard things are for us here. The writer of Hebrews said this, "CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE WHICH HATH GREAT RECOMPENCE OF REWARD. FOR YOU HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE THAT AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION, BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL (Hebrews 10:35-39)." Because life is so difficult in our day many are living for temporary pleasure and not for eternal treasure! Sadly as predicted they're falling away and doing things their own way today.
He goes on to say that without faith it's impossible to please God but that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He wants all of his children to trust him through every storm in life and to keep on believing regardless of feeling. Feelings come and go but God remains the same. I'm not exactly sure why faith is so important to God I just know that it is. The apostle Peter said our faith is more precious to God than gold which perishes and when tried by fire it will bring glory to him. Most people today however live their lives by how they feel and not by what's actually real. You see faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT seen. After Jesus was risen he appeared to his disciples and on one occasion Thomas believed he had risen only AFTER seeing his nail-scarred hands. Here's what Jesus said to him, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME YOU HAVE BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (John 20:29)."
If you've never read the book of Hebrews or if it's been a while please do so. The believers referred to in chapter 11 as you may know are called by many today as the "heroes" of faith. True heroes that God says this world was not worthy of. In fact some were tortured not accepting deliverance so that they might obtain a "better" resurrection! I'm not sure what your pain is today or just how heavy the burden is you bear but I know God knows. I know he's there and that he truly cares. While on earth Jesus was moved with compassion for the hurting and the lost. He wept over Jerusalem and Isaiah the prophet once predicted he'd be a man of sorrows acquainted with grief despised and rejected of men. He's a faithful high priest who's touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He's the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world for your sins and mine. If your his child then know he's using your earthly pain for your heavenly gain. The heroes of faith kept their eyes on the prize, "THESE WERE ALL COMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH YET NONE OF THEM RECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED. GOD HAD PLANNED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US SO THAT ONLY TOGETHER WITH US WOULD THEY BE MADE PERFECT (Hebrews 11:39-40)." You're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who've gone before now looking on cheering you on. So never give up and never give in run your race to win! It will all be worth it once you too reach the end.
When comparing our pain on earth here as believers to our eternal home in heaven the apostle Paul said our temporary "light" affliction is just for a moment when compared to eternity. God uses our trials and tribulations here to perfect us and conform us to his image. And as believers we always have eternal hope as an anchor for our soul however hard things are for us here. The writer of Hebrews said this, "CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE WHICH HATH GREAT RECOMPENCE OF REWARD. FOR YOU HAVE NEED OF PATIENCE THAT AFTER YOU HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD YOU MIGHT RECEIVE THE PROMISE. FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE AND HE THAT SHALL COME WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY. NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH BUT IF ANY MAN DRAW BACK MY SOUL SHALL HAVE NO PLEASURE IN HIM. BUT WE ARE NOT OF THEM WHO DRAW BACK UNTO PERDITION, BUT OF THEM THAT BELIEVE TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL (Hebrews 10:35-39)." Because life is so difficult in our day many are living for temporary pleasure and not for eternal treasure! Sadly as predicted they're falling away and doing things their own way today.
He goes on to say that without faith it's impossible to please God but that he's a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. He wants all of his children to trust him through every storm in life and to keep on believing regardless of feeling. Feelings come and go but God remains the same. I'm not exactly sure why faith is so important to God I just know that it is. The apostle Peter said our faith is more precious to God than gold which perishes and when tried by fire it will bring glory to him. Most people today however live their lives by how they feel and not by what's actually real. You see faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things NOT seen. After Jesus was risen he appeared to his disciples and on one occasion Thomas believed he had risen only AFTER seeing his nail-scarred hands. Here's what Jesus said to him, "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME YOU HAVE BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (John 20:29)."
If you've never read the book of Hebrews or if it's been a while please do so. The believers referred to in chapter 11 as you may know are called by many today as the "heroes" of faith. True heroes that God says this world was not worthy of. In fact some were tortured not accepting deliverance so that they might obtain a "better" resurrection! I'm not sure what your pain is today or just how heavy the burden is you bear but I know God knows. I know he's there and that he truly cares. While on earth Jesus was moved with compassion for the hurting and the lost. He wept over Jerusalem and Isaiah the prophet once predicted he'd be a man of sorrows acquainted with grief despised and rejected of men. He's a faithful high priest who's touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He's the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world for your sins and mine. If your his child then know he's using your earthly pain for your heavenly gain. The heroes of faith kept their eyes on the prize, "THESE WERE ALL COMMENDED FOR THEIR FAITH YET NONE OF THEM RECEIVED WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED. GOD HAD PLANNED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US SO THAT ONLY TOGETHER WITH US WOULD THEY BE MADE PERFECT (Hebrews 11:39-40)." You're surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who've gone before now looking on cheering you on. So never give up and never give in run your race to win! It will all be worth it once you too reach the end.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Precious Blood Crimson Flood-Shawn Smith
In these end times we are all faced with fears, difficulties, and temptations. The apostle Peter under inspiration wrote the following passage to encourage us all as believers as we approach the end of our days here on earth, "WHEREFORE GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND AND HOPE TO THE END FOR THE GRACE THAT IS TO BE BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN NOT FASHIONING YOURSELVES ACCORDING TO THE FORMER LUSTS IN YOUR IGNORANCE BUT AS HE WHICH HATH CALLED YOU IS HOLY SO BE YE HOLY IN ALL MANNER OF CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, 'BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY' (1 Peter 1:13-16)."
Peter was a man faced with overwhelming fears as he saw his Lord arrested, beaten and ultimately crucified. Today you and I face fears as well as we see things unfolding in the world exactly how the apostles and prophets predicted long ago. Things today are increasingly growing worse but as believers we've been redeemed from the corruption of this world by the precious blood of Jesus Christ! Look what Peter says about our redemption, "FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS AS SILVER AND GOLD FROM YOUR VAIN CONVERSATION RECEIVED BY YOUR FATHERS, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR SPOT(1 Peter 1:18-19)." He shed his blood like a crimson flood.
Remember what John the Baptist said about Jesus when he started his earthly ministry? He said, 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!' Peter went on in his letter to say this about Yeshua and our faith in him and love for one another, "WHO VERILY WAS FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD BUT WAS MANIFEST IN THESE LAST TIMES FOR YOU. WHOM BY HIM DO BELIEVE IN GOD WHO RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD AND GAVE HIM GLORY. SEEING YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT UNTO UNFEIGNED LOVE OF THE BRETHREN, SEE THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH A PURE HEART FERVENTLY (1 Peter 1:20-22)."
In the gospel of John Jesus himself told Nicodemus in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven we must be born again. Peter understood the miracle of rebirth and the importance of God's word to us all because he also said this, "BEING BORN AGAIN NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE, BY THE WORD OF GOD WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER. FOR ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS AND THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERETH AND THE FLOWER THEREOF FALLETH AWAY. BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOREVER. AND THIS IS THE WORD WHICH BY THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED UNTO YOU (1 Peter 1:23-25)." Jesus himself said that he is the way the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him! Are you born again today and living for him or still lost and alone in all of your sin? If so then please don't delay let Jesus be Lord of your life today.
Peter was a man faced with overwhelming fears as he saw his Lord arrested, beaten and ultimately crucified. Today you and I face fears as well as we see things unfolding in the world exactly how the apostles and prophets predicted long ago. Things today are increasingly growing worse but as believers we've been redeemed from the corruption of this world by the precious blood of Jesus Christ! Look what Peter says about our redemption, "FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YE WERE NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS AS SILVER AND GOLD FROM YOUR VAIN CONVERSATION RECEIVED BY YOUR FATHERS, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH OR SPOT(1 Peter 1:18-19)." He shed his blood like a crimson flood.
Remember what John the Baptist said about Jesus when he started his earthly ministry? He said, 'BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!' Peter went on in his letter to say this about Yeshua and our faith in him and love for one another, "WHO VERILY WAS FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD BUT WAS MANIFEST IN THESE LAST TIMES FOR YOU. WHOM BY HIM DO BELIEVE IN GOD WHO RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD AND GAVE HIM GLORY. SEEING YOU HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS IN OBEYING THE TRUTH THROUGH THE SPIRIT UNTO UNFEIGNED LOVE OF THE BRETHREN, SEE THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER WITH A PURE HEART FERVENTLY (1 Peter 1:20-22)."
In the gospel of John Jesus himself told Nicodemus in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven we must be born again. Peter understood the miracle of rebirth and the importance of God's word to us all because he also said this, "BEING BORN AGAIN NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED, BUT OF INCORRUPTIBLE, BY THE WORD OF GOD WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER. FOR ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS AND THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERETH AND THE FLOWER THEREOF FALLETH AWAY. BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURETH FOREVER. AND THIS IS THE WORD WHICH BY THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED UNTO YOU (1 Peter 1:23-25)." Jesus himself said that he is the way the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through him! Are you born again today and living for him or still lost and alone in all of your sin? If so then please don't delay let Jesus be Lord of your life today.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Divine Plan Delivers Man-Ed Welch & Shawn Smith
Have you ever really stopped to consider the depth of God's love for you personally? Even as believers we tend to forget at times how much he truly loves us. Sadly millions today still don't believe that God even knows about them much less loves them. The fact is God is all knowing and even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Nothing escapes him or is ever hidden from him. God's plan all along for man was to redeem him from the curse of the law by sending his only Son to die on a tree. He then arose so you could be free! King David who God said was a man after his own heart once said this, "BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME BLESS HIS HOLY NAME. WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES, WHO HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES, WHO REDEEMETH THY LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION, WHO CROWNETH THEE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES (Psalm 103:1:3-4)."
So how can we know for sure that God truly loves us? Just look what the Apostle Paul said about God's love, "BUT GOD DEMONSTRATED HIS OWN LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US. MUCH MORE THEN BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM (Romans 5:8-9)." God not only loves you he is love. He proved it by sending his only Son to die on a cross for you. There's no need to ever doubt his love again. Any time you waver remember Jesus hanging in agony on that tree. Amazingly he did it all for you and for me. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God. Let there be no doubt love is what God's all about.
You see God always knew you and I would need salvation. Long before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden he had a divine plan to deliver man. Remember what Jesus said on the cross just before he breathed his last? He said, "It is finished." He paid the ultimate price and knew exactly what he came to do. Never forget on the cross he was thinking of you. Feelings come and go but we live by faith and not by sight. The fact is God never changes no matter what you and I may be going through. GOD'S PLAN 4 MAN is posted on our website. Please visit our HOME PAGE at WWW.FULLASSURANCEMINISTRIES.COM today to assure your salvation is fully secure. The Apostle John once said we write these things so that you may "know" you have eternal life.
In addition to GOD'S PLAN 4 MAN posted there Ed Welch, a founding FAM board member, also encourages three vital steps to walking with God. After receiving Jesus as Lord we need to then, "Walk in the light and confess our sins to God (1 John 1:7-9)." Secondly we must obey, "God's commandment to love God and man (Matt 22:37-39)." And thirdly we should develop an eternal perspective in life because eternity awaits so always remember, "God has prepared a place for you to dwell with him (John 14:2-3 & Revelation 21 & 22)." Incredibly all true believers will live with God forever some day! Make sure you're there open your heart and receive him today.
So how can we know for sure that God truly loves us? Just look what the Apostle Paul said about God's love, "BUT GOD DEMONSTRATED HIS OWN LOVE FOR US IN THAT WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS CHRIST DIED FOR US. MUCH MORE THEN BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM (Romans 5:8-9)." God not only loves you he is love. He proved it by sending his only Son to die on a cross for you. There's no need to ever doubt his love again. Any time you waver remember Jesus hanging in agony on that tree. Amazingly he did it all for you and for me. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God. Let there be no doubt love is what God's all about.
You see God always knew you and I would need salvation. Long before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden he had a divine plan to deliver man. Remember what Jesus said on the cross just before he breathed his last? He said, "It is finished." He paid the ultimate price and knew exactly what he came to do. Never forget on the cross he was thinking of you. Feelings come and go but we live by faith and not by sight. The fact is God never changes no matter what you and I may be going through. GOD'S PLAN 4 MAN is posted on our website. Please visit our HOME PAGE at WWW.FULLASSURANCEMINISTRIES.COM today to assure your salvation is fully secure. The Apostle John once said we write these things so that you may "know" you have eternal life.
In addition to GOD'S PLAN 4 MAN posted there Ed Welch, a founding FAM board member, also encourages three vital steps to walking with God. After receiving Jesus as Lord we need to then, "Walk in the light and confess our sins to God (1 John 1:7-9)." Secondly we must obey, "God's commandment to love God and man (Matt 22:37-39)." And thirdly we should develop an eternal perspective in life because eternity awaits so always remember, "God has prepared a place for you to dwell with him (John 14:2-3 & Revelation 21 & 22)." Incredibly all true believers will live with God forever some day! Make sure you're there open your heart and receive him today.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)