We all face failure in our lives at times; whether they are recurring fears, lost opportunities, possibly even moral failures.  One of mine is that I get nervous when speaking to groups when I feel like I’m being evaluated.  Then my breath gets short and my voice starts cracking.  I’m just not myself when that happens and I feel terrible afterwards.  It’s not like it happens all the time either.  In those situations I feel like Peter, when he walked on water and then began to sink when he got his eyes off Jesus.  I can hear Jesus saying…”Oh you of little faith”.

At those times…some of us start believing the enemy (satan).  He tells us that we’re worthless failures or that God does not care about us or even love us.  We tend to feel defeated and ready to give up and let the enemy win.  Though giving up and giving in to the lies of the enemy seems like the easy thing to do sometimes, is that what God wants us to do?

It’s hard to get up…especially when we try to do it on our own strength.  The good news is that we don’t have to do it on our own strength…we have a helper and that is Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  God does not want us to do anything on our might.  He does want us to take the initial step of faith, repent and then get up, however, He does not want us to do it on our own strength.  He wants us to give him our failures, fears and burdens and move forward.  Also, He does not want us to live in the past.  Many of us relive our failure a thousand times over and over in our thoughts.  We need to stop that.  The Bible says that we should take every thought captive into the obedience of Jesus Christ.  That means that He wants us to consciously cast away thoughts that do not come from Him.  We can’t prevent every thought from entering our minds, however, we have to make a decision on what to do with those thoughts.  Do we meditate on that bad thought or do we take that thought captive…do we bind it to a scripture and dismiss it?  Which route we chose is up to us.  Let’s choose right.

God wants us to get up when we experience failure or defeat.  Never ever is God saying to give in to defeat.  He is our biggest advocate who encourages us to get up because He is an overcomer and has already overcome this world. 

The Bible says…

 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16

 “Though a righteous man falls seven times, He rises again.” Proverbs 24:16.   

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22

God wants us to get up.  The key to success is not the act of falling down but that act of getting back up.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

I wish that I could overcome some of my struggles in an instant, however, it’s more of a slow process most of the time.  Nevertheless, God wants us to be overcomers and He gave us all the tools to do that.  You might think that you will never overcome this illness, addition, fear, etc. in this life, but that is not what God says.  The Grace that saved us from sins consequences also provides us with the power to be overcomers and to live holy, righteous, successful lives.  It’s the lack of faith that is truly holding us back.  Jesus talked to his disciples many times about their lack of faith.  If we had the faith of just a mustard seed we could move mountains.  We could pray for the sick and they would be healed.

How do we get more faith?  We get it by spending more time in the word, in prayer and in thought with Jesus.  We get it by trusting Him when these situations come up and by surrendering our fears, our doubts, our past, our failure continually to him and giving him thanks for the victories.  We get it by little victories along the way when we step out in faith and trust God.  We get it by getting up one more time.  Let’s write down all that God blessed us with and read those blessings once a day for the next 30 days.  We need to train our minds toward God and rebuke the enemy who want us to live defeated lives.  Let’s start living a victorious life starting NOW!

Don’t give up on God because He has not given up on you.  THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!  You might feel that your sin is too big for God ever be able to forgive you.  That is a lie of the enemy.  God is not proud of our sins, however, He is always ready to receive us back if we repent and ask Him into our hearts.  You might say…I have sinned 500 times…I have done really bad things.  Repent, ask God to forgive you, and ask Jesus into your life…He is waiting.

Father, increase our faith so we may live the life you meant for us to live.  Amen!

Am I in Denial?  Signs you may be in Denial, the Deception and the Truth

We admitted that we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors and that our lives had become unmanageable.

“I can stop any time I want to.”  “I have it under control”  “I’m not hurting anyone.”  “I’m stronger than other people.”  “It really isn’t that bad.” “I don’t need to change”.

In recovery we call this denial.  For me that was always one of the laughable insults.

Denial is far from laughable. It is by far one of  the biggest weapon the enemy uses weaken us.  Because as long as we keep silent about our doubts, fears,  hurts, and hang-ups and limitations, the harder it is for us be in a position to say yes to the life God has for us.   It is hard to accept that people of faith can be in denial,  but I find it easier to accept the phrase self-deception.  Even the Bible hall of Famers were deceived, and suffered the effects of denial.  For this lesson we will take a look at the life of one such Bible hero,  review some of the signs of denial, its toll on our lives, and how the bible addresses the deceptions. 

The Bible tells the story about one of Israel’s judges, Sampson.   He literally had superhuman strength, and being a believer of God his worked to free his people from their enemy the Philistines.  He believed he was indestructible, and often abused the strength that God had given him for his own satisfaction.   His downfall came at the hands of a woman who was paid by his enemies to find out his weakness.  Delilah would coax Samson into telling her the secret of his strength and he would lie to her.   It should have been obvious to Sampson that this woman he desired so much was dangerous.  His denial kept him from seeing the truth. He finally gave in to Delilah manipulations and gave what she was after.  She then turned him over to his enemies blinded him and took him captive.

Romans 7:18 says, “ I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”    Which is step one:

One of Celebrate Recovery®’s acrostics for this step  is DENIAL will help us to recognize the signs that we are being in self deception.

Disables our feelings

Energy Lost

Negates Growth

Isolates us from God

Alienates us from relationships

Lengthens pain

Disables our feelings:

You may be in denial if your primary feelings are anger and rage.

Denial provides an escape from feeling.

Yet the feelings we are trying to escaping are what we need to examine to be free.

“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits – for a man is a slave of anything that has conquered him” (2 Peter 2:19 GNB).

Energy Lost:

You may be in denial if you  feel physically or emotionally tired most of the time.

Denial has a side effect of anxiety which physiologically takes a toll on our bodies.  We may find ourselves trying to run from our past, dreading the future, or fighting against change.   

Yet, it is only in the present, today that we can make positive change, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

“He frees the prisoners…: he lifts the burdens from those bent down beneath their loads.” (Psalm 146: 7-7)

Negates growth:

You may be in denial if you feel as if things are not getting any better.

Denial keeps us sick.  We are as “sick as our secrets”.  Yet we cannot grow in recovery until we are ready to step out of denial  and into truth.

“They cried to the Lord in their troubles, and he rescued them!  He lead them from their darkness and shadow of death and snapped their chains.”  (Psalm 107: 13-14 TBL).

Isolates us from God:

You might be in denial if you feel as though you are in the dark.

Yet God’s light shines on the truth and it is in truth that we are set free.

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in darkness, we live and od not live by the truth. But I we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his sun, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7)

Alienates us from our relationships:

You might be in denial you tell yourself, “If they really knew me they would not accept me”.

We may use defensiveness, deception, blaming, and secrets to be accepted.   Yet it is being truthful and open that we learn to accept one another in relationships.

“Stop Lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves.” (Ephesians 4:25 TBL).

Lengthens the pain:

You might be in denial if  you are sick of being in pain.

We think that denial protects us from pain but really allows it to eventually turn to shame and guilt.  Yet God desires break us free from the shame and guilt.

“God’s promise:  “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds.” (Jeremiah 30:17 TBL).

The bible tells us that “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!”  Jeremiah 6:14 (TBL).

You may want to consider addressing denial by asking yourself the following questions:

Again we say welcome to Celebrate recovery.  Today by being here you have taken another step forward in your recovery.  Keep coming back!

If you like this blog or post please remember to share it with someone.  We encourage your feedback, comments will treated as confidential.

   Am I in Denial 2012 by

RAMONA TAYLOR is licensed under a

Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Based on a work at “Breaking Free“.

Birthday of Jesus is the time to remember that In Bethlehem a savior is born who is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Birthday of Jesus means Love came down and was born at Christmas.

Birthday of Jesus is the time of ringing bells, cakes and candles.

Birthday of Jesus is the month of snow & Songs, Carols & Joys.
Birthday of Jesus showed us to live with charity, forgiveness, faith, humility, sacrifice, truth, peace, happiness and service.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, the way and the truth.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we have fellowship with God

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we are the ambassador for Christ Jesus.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that we can live holy and blameless in God’s sight.

Birth day of Jesus means God is with us through Holy Spirit.

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that in Jesus Christ; we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 

Birthday of Jesus reminds us that in Jesus Christ we have eternal life, redemption and forgiveness.

Birthday of Jesus means a savior came to the world to save us from sins and to seek the lost.

Jesus is the greatest gift at Christmas!

 Dear brothers and sisters let us Invite Jesus Christ into our home and heart and experience Christmas with families and friends with heavenly blessings. I wish a delightful Christmas and a happy New Year!

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, (believers) he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us (Eternal Life) may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:17-19a

 Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

God’s Wisdom is Supreme!!!

www.nuggetsofwisdom.us   … spread the Word

Psalm 139 is a wonderful song of praise to God. Verse 14 says, “I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” The Psalmist notes that he is imperfect, but that God’s thoughts toward him are wonderful (v. 17), because he will guide anyone through anything, from the usual difficulties – such as when Paul learned God’s strength was made perfect in His weakness – to those not so usual.

Each of us is a miracle, created by God for a specific purpose. He doesn’t want there to be imperfections; He created this world perfect, but then sin entered intot he world through mankind’s free will. So, now, there are people who experience all sorts of difficulties in their lives because of the curse of sin which caused this world to become broken down. It’s not any one person’s sin that causes it – it’s the imperfection which came when this perfect world had imperfection brought into it.

So, because of that imperfection, there are people like me born with low vision (in my case, from Dandy-Walker Syndrome) or hearing (in my case, bad enough to need a hearing aid.) There are those with other things physical or mental. And, there are even those whose creation is really unique – those born with a mix of anatomical traits considered both male and female, or which are atypical for each. Such people are known as intersex.

Intersex has nothing to do with sexual orientation, by the way; that has no relevance to this. In fact, it has nothing to do with homosexuality or the transgender movement. These are among numerous major fallacies. about it. The Bible says nothing specific about the issue, except that obvioulsy we must show the same love Jesus showed everyone. Numerous websites devoted to the issue merely seek to raise awareness of the issue and of difficulties encountered in society which are related to it.

We can’t always figure out why God chose what He did for us. I have a few ideas, based on what I’ve accomplished, of why He gave me low vision, low hearing, a bit of cerebral palsy (enough my feet point out a touch & I couldn’t do little things like open cans or jars as early as some kids), and possible even a touch of mild Asperger’s Syndrome. But the important thing is that He is the God of all comfort who provides a peace which passes understanding when we trust Him to. I’ve been able to do things I never would have, and help people I wouldn’t have, without these – some of which nobody else would have. Even though my body isn’t perfect, like anyone else, I’m a miracle.

God’s most amazing miracles surely include those connected with His birth, death, and resurrection. He came to die for each of us, to take the punishment for our sins, mine as well as others. Then, He rose from the dead, having the victory over everything.

For Him to do this, of course, He had to do as John 1:14 says He did – He “became flesh and dwelt among us.” He was fully God and fully man. While here, He showed great care for the hurting people of this world. While the Pharisees, the religious crowd, cared only for the usual and tried to impress others, Jesus cared for those who were unusual in some way. He performed many healings, not only of physical things but also of broken hearts.

Some of those hearts were broken by the treatment which the Pharisees gave, I’m sure. But, these people recognized that Jesus was special. He was different. He and god the Father are one. (John 10:30) God had ordained the Law in the commandments to teach the people that they couldn’t follow even those laws all the time, because of the nature of their hearts. So, they had to trust Him by faith in order to be saved. Salvation has always had a faith component. However, the Pharisees, as people often do, turned it into a totally works-based system and condemned those who went against it.

They even thought they had answers for why God created people such as the blind man in John chapter 9. They asked a strange question of Jesus – whether the man or his parents had sinned that he was born blind. Jesus told them that neither one had; the man was born blind that the works of God might be made manifest in him. Then, Jesus healed the blind man. The Pharisees were so upset that they threw him out of the synagogue; this man then wound up becoming a follower of Jesus.

We don’t know much about this man as a follower, but his testimony must have been amazing. He had the same testimony as anyone can who has experienced something other than the usual from their physical body. That testimony is that Jesus can and will overcome anything if they trust Him, and help them through anything.

This doesn’t mean that Jesus will heal everyone of physical problems while living. For some, healing won’t come until He calls them home to His perfect Heaven, at which time I will have perfect sight and hearing, those confined to whellchairs will be able to run, and so on. I know of one young man, in fact, who must wear braves on his legs. When he reaches Heaven, the first thing he plans to do is leap 100 feet in the air.

It does, however, mean that Jesus will give anyone the ability to get through anything with His help. It also means that – while not everything is good in this world – all those things we face will work together for good to them that love God. (Romans 8:28) God has a way of taking anything and using it for good. Even the bad things which people do because they have not learned of His love. God lives in each believer through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 113-14, 4;30; John 14-16, etc.) So, it is up to each believer to let Him guide them in the truth, being control by His Spirit. Thankfully, He will always love and cleanse us from sin when we turn to Him by faith. (1 John 1:9-2:1)

What He can’t take are peoples’ sins. No sin can enter Heaven. Heaven is a perfect place which God established so there would be no suffering, no tears, no pain, no parting, no sorrow. No bad stuff can enter there. So, He had to find a way for people like me and you and everyone to get there. Because, while our imperfections aren’t because of our own sin, we do all sin and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) that means each of us comes short of God’s perfect Heaven.

God gave us each a wonderful gift, though. The wages of sin – what we earn because of our sin – is death, separation from God forever in a place called Hell. But, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

That is the awesome gift which we must remember to celebrate, whether or not we celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25 or not. That gift of life forever in that perfect Heaven is free; all a person has to do is to receive it.

People have been mistreated throughout history because of differences. That mistreatment comes through actions of various sorts; words play a part, too, but focusing only on surface things like names can make one as bad as the Pharisees, who refused to do as God commands and look at the heart. The important thing is that God loves each of us because of who we are on the inside, not because of what name we go by.

The way to have that personal relationship with God – so you can get His help here and also go to His perfect Heaven someday – is to simply “believe on the Lord Jesus Christm, and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31) Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) That whosoever means anyone – any person can put their name in there because God is talking about them.

We may each have different physical characteristics. But, we each have one thing in common – a need for God’s love and forgiveness. Our differences are not because of sin – they are because God created each of us in a unique way so that we can glorify Him in who we are and what we do. However, we all do hve sin – myself included. We fall short of God’s perfect glory.

God doesn’t demand works like the Pharisees, though. That would be unfair anyway because some people could work more than others; some can’t do any. God made sure it was all by grace through faith in Him. It is not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians. 2:8-9)

Because it is by faith alone in Christ alone, each of us is only a single, sincere prayer of repentence to Jesus away from eternal life. The words don’t matter – but it can go something like this. “Dear Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I can’t reach your perfect Heaven myself. But, I know you died for my sins and rose from the dead. You took my punishment so I could get to heaven and also have life with you now, so you can guide me and help me on earth. Lrod Jesus, today I choose to turn from my sins and trust you to save me. I call on your name, asking you to save me from my sins and come into my heart to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

That’s all there is to it. We don’t know what God has planned – I heard about a condition from an online friend and I considered a number of ways to do it. Suddenly, this blog came out of my thoughts and prayers. I know that whatever happens, though, the Christian life is a great adventure in trusting the Lord to see you through everything. He has always been faithful to me, and He wants everyone to not only call on Him but also to let Him guide them in showing His love to others and telling of His great gift to them.

I thought I’d share this great resource that was presented by our pastor recently.  It serves as a reminder to what it takes to live a godly life.  We have a responsibility as Christians to live by this covenant with God…not as an obligation but as a evidence of our salvation.  It is also not an attempt to save our selves by living good lives…that is not possible since we’re saved by Grace alone, however, once we accept Jesus in our lives, there should be some fruit or evidence that we’re saved.   The same Grace that saved us also gives us the ability and the power to change our behavior and live a life worthy of our calling. 

Feel free to download a printable version of “My Covenant with God” by clicking on this link.

In Covenant with God

I Will

Be Responsible
For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 5:6 (NLT)

Know The Word Of God
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. Hebrews 12-13

Be Fruitful In All Areas Of My Life
“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10

Love God With All Your Heart, Mind and Strength
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”  Matthew 22:37

Always Honor Authority
The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong.  So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. Romans 13:4-5

Pray
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Work Diligently
Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

Forgive Others and Reconcile With Those I Have Wronged
But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.  Mark 11:25-26

Walk With Integrity
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God,  while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.  Titus 2:11-13

Work To Fulfill Each Of These Items For The Rest Of My Life For His Glory
But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.  Joshua 24:15

Signature                                                                                                                              Date

Feel free to download a printable version of “My Covenant with God” by clicking on this link.

Prayer is the most effective spiritual weapon in defeating the enemy. When sickness comes we need to rebuke the symptoms in the name of Jesus and Release the Blood of Jesus Christ against them because Jesus had paid for our sickness on the cross and by his stripes we are healed. Our main Focus should be the faith and the power of God and not on the wisdom of man or the medical reports.

Lord I Thank You for the benefits and provision of the blood of Jesus Christ and I apply the blood of Jesus upon my child’s body from the top of her head to the soles of her feet and cleanse her from all sickness ,diseases and sins.

Let the blood of Jesus stand against any hidden sickness and diseases.

I rebuke and cast out all kinds of fever, viral infections, and pains in my Childs body in the name of Jesus Christ and through his Blood.

I speak healing and strength to each and every part of my child’s body and mind in the name of Jesus Christ.

Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ , I rebuke, break and loose: myself my child and my family members from any and all evil curses, every spirit of infirmity, ancestral sins, generational curses, heredity problems, demonic holds, psychic powers, physical and mental illness ,family and marital curses. Through the blood of Jesus my child has been redeemed out of every sickness and she is healed completely and has the life of God in her.

I confess that my child’s body is a temple of God and the Holy Spirit; she is redeemed, cleansed, sanctified, by the blood of Jesus. Therefore sickness, diseases and Satan has no place in her life, no more power over her life, because of the blood of Jesus Christ.

It is God’s will that my child prospers and be in good health, just as her soul prospers.

The faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, the precious Blood of Jesus Christ and the Word of God will together raise my child up from the sick bed through healing miracle .I hold the blood of Jesus as a shield of protection against any power of sickness and diseases, viruses, or illnesses that could come against my child in her life, in Jesus’ name. I praise and thank You Lord God for my child’s deliverance and healing. Amen.

Enjoy your perfect health through Gods healing and deliverance!

Though few like to admit it, a catastrophic illness or other major setback can leave anyone on the brink of homelessness. And, features like this shows that many homeless are families with nowhere to turn.

What is the key to helping such people?

Many try to blame or credit the policies of one party of another, but Jesus said “The poor you will always have with you.” This doesn’t mean that they will be poor on purpose. This just means that in this fallen, sinful world, circumstances will not be rosy for everyone. Jesus was exhorting us to care for the poor and love them as His disciples loved Him.

When we look at Matthew 26:7-12, in fact, we see in the context that a woman had come with a box of ointment, and poured it onto the Lord. (Note that this was *not* the same woman who wiped His feet with her tears. This woman was in a totally different situation and poured the box on His head to boot.)

She was criticized and it was mentioned that the box, full of a very special and expensive ointment, could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus then remarked that the poor would always be with us. Further, He said that she had done this in preparation for His burial, as He was soon to be crucified for our sins, taking our punishment, dying, and then rising from the dead. She had done this to show her love for the Savior.

When Jesus says that we will have the poor with us always, but we will not have Him always, He is not saying to sell everything and give to the poor, though that is one option if a person feels led to do so. He is also not saying that things of value are what the poor are seeking. That is looking only at the outside, at the box this woman had.

God wants us to look upon the heart, though – that is where He always looks. And, it is on the heart of this woman that Jesus wants us to look. Because, in seeing how she loved Him, we can see how we ought to love and help those who are homeless – or just really poor.

It is most important to give them hope. Yes, soup kitchens are wonderful, and most churches that follow Christ and seek to make a difference in their community will provide some kind of help for the poor. It may not be a soup kitchen, it may be something else. The key is, it will be something that will not only minister to the peoples’ physical needs, but to their spiritual.

A number of Proverbs and other Biblical sayings mirror the concept of this famous saying – “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Jesus certainly gave people fish and other great things – He healed the sick, cleansed lepers, raised the dead, and many other great miracles. Peoples’ physical needs were met. That was wonderful. It was satisfying for a while. But,t he 5,000 who were fed the loaves and fish wound up hungry again. Lazarus, who was called out of the tomb, died again. And so on.

Jesus called people to receive His spiritual blessings, though. He wanted people to recognize that they had needs which went beyond the physical. He wanted people to do as the woman at the well in John 4, when He told her He had water springing up into everlasting life, a well which would never run dry. This woman responded, “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come here to draw.” (John 4:15) While she was still focused a little on her physical needs, she was starting to realize that there was also a deep longing in her.

So, you may ask, what does this have to do with the poor or the homeless?

These are not just people who have no money or homes. The poor and the homeless are people with a deep longing for something better. If we ignore or scold them, we are making them feel worse. If we only give them nourishment or a gift, they will be satisfied for a while, but they will feel empty again, just like the woman at the well had to come to draw water each day. By providing hope for them, however, we can truly shower that love upon them that Jesus wants us to shower upon them. The riches which will matter the most go beyond the mere cost of an alabaster box of ointment.

Some will complain that there are people who use the system and are poor on purpose. There are a few of them, but that doesn’t mean all are like that. But, let’s look at them for a moment. They are that way for the same reason he woman at the well in John 4 kept going after different men; she’d had five husbands and the man she was with now was not her husband. Jesus didn’t condemn her, though – he went to her to provide her with something better.

Those who misuse the system are like the Samaritan woman with her men when she hadn’t experienced the unconditional love and goodness that comes from a personal relationship with jesus Christ. There is a God-sized hole in each of our hearts that only Jesus can fill. He showed her the way to let Him – who is the way, the truth, and the life – work in her heart so she could follow Him and be an example of Jesus to others in what she did and how she behaved. In the same way, those who misuse the system need to be shown, in a loving way, how serving the Lord is so much more fulfilling, because they can earn for themselves treasures in heaven. They need to be shown it’s worth it, and encouraged to become more productive.

However, the main thing we must be concerned with is those who are not poor by choice. Because, as noted in the beginning, there are many like that. They have likely tried, some given up hope. We don’t know which someone is, so we should presume that the poor person is trying. By showing them the love that Jesus has for them, we are giving them hope, which as noted, is the main thing.

For each group, of course, the adage applies that we should not only give them a fish, but where applicable teach them to fish. However, merely teaching them to fish, so to speak, isn’t enough to truly restore hope to them.

All of us have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. We are all poor in our lack of a relationship with Christ until the moment when we call out to Him, “Lord, save me.” Just as the many poor, diseased, and so on called on Jesus in His earthly ministry, each of us must realize we need His perfect gift of salvation.

Rich and poor alike, then, must recognize that God has a plan for their lives, a plan which first of all includes them letting him make them new on the inside, cleansing their sins through His finished work on the cross. Then, they will not be building treasures on earth, where moth and rust can corrupt, and thieves can steal; they will be building treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust cannot corrupt and thieves can’t steal. Where our treasure is, there is where our heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

That plan is not just to get them to Heaven, though – He wants to help each of us believers right here on earth to get throughh everything and to feel His love and closeness all the time when we remain close to Him.

Part of that personal relationship is being able to take all our cares and concerns to Him. He wants to help us through this world becasue that is how we can show others what He has done for us so they can have that peace and comfort. The old say is that we’re just beggars teling other beggars where to find bread.

By showing them how to follow Jesus, then, we are helping the poor, the homeless, and so on to realize they don’t have to despair about their situation. They don’t have to keep waiting for a handout and thinking this is all there is. They don’t have to fret thinking that if they don’t find something they’re a failure. Because, you know what? If they are only going for something in this life, they are going for something that will get old, wear out, and so on; something that will not last forever the way Heavenly treasures will.

That makes them just the same as the rich. If they are only focusing on a small shack, they are in the same position as the rich person only focusing on a million dollar home. They are focusing on an investment which will not last. Whether we have $1 or $1 billion when we die, we will all answer to God. And, what He will ask is this – Were your sins washed away by the blood of Calvary’s cross? Did you call on Jesus to save you with something like this – “Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner and don’t deserve Your perfect heaven. But, I know You died for my sins and rose from the dead. Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Savior, I turn from my sins and call on You to come into my heart and save me. I believe you took all the punishment for my sins and and I trust in You alone to get me to heaven when I die. I Jesus’ name, Amen.”

The words aren’t what saves you, of course, it’s Jesus who saves when you call on him.

But what you might be asking is, how will this help the poor and homeless now? Well, remember that Jesus didn’t just tell people to follow Him, He gave them things, too. But, that giving needs to be with an attitude of, “Just as I am giving you this physical thing, be it food, clothing, or whatever, Jesus has something spiritual that is special for you.” People will be much more likely to listen if we give a thing with our message.

Or, at the very least, if we give a kind ear, so that person can tell about the spouse who took all they had, or the cancer, or the house fire, or the lost job. Then, they will see that someone cares about them and who they are inside.

Then, we can show them Matthew 6:33 and the verses before it. How that if they seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, all these things will be added unto them; the things Jesus is talking about in the previous verses are necessities, like food, clothing, and shelter. They may mean a job for someone. They might mean a friend. Whatever that need is, Jesus can meet it, but he wants them to realize His love and Lordshp It is Jesus who provides us all with every need, it is ultimately His love that lets us have whatever we have.

And, that is true of rich and poor alike. Some people are in a position to do moer for Him. But, the peson who is in the center of His will – whether that will is for them to be rich or poor – is in the safest place they can be. Because, he wants us all to tell others of His great love and the great hope which is in Christ Jesus; a hope that is there for everyone, which we celebrate this time of year.

Flirting is playing with one’s emotions and feelings. Many people have disregarded the Word of God, ruined their lives by flirting with someone other than their spouse.

Hence it has contributed to immorality, adultery, promiscuous, fornication, divorce, lusting and family break ups. A flirt will lead you down the path to death and destruction. There will be no true happiness in the end, neither for that woman nor that man .Flirting is very nice and acceptable between a husband and wife relationships.

The Bible tells us that we are to be a good example, showing others the love of Christ through our behavior (Ephesians 5:1-2). Flirting is not good for the child of God.Any one who is a child of God needs to put off his old sinful ways of life and put on a new life in Christ. Paul says:You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Proverbs7 reminds us the importance of avoiding a flirtatious woman. She is called an adulteress. She flatters with her words. She is on the hunt. She is cunning. She is loud and rebellious. She takes the initiative in relationships instead of waiting on the man.

2 Tim. 2:22 says .Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The Bible strongly warns us against tempting others to sin (Matthew 18:7). We should do all we can to bring others into God’s Kingdom and never to do anything that would cause a person to stumble in his righteous walk (Romans 14:21). Adultery is a horrible sin which brings the judgment of God (1st Corinthians 6:9,10).

Other Supporting scriptures are:

1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us, “Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”

Isaiah 3:16-17:Moreover, the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on their feet, Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”

I Corinthians 7:1: Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

I Peter 5:8: Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 4:27:Do not give the devil an opportunity.

Matthew 5:28-29:But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye – even if it is your good eye – causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell”

Matthew 12:35 tells us that “a good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.”

Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Romans 6:12 says therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Colossians 3:5: Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Conclusion: We must never allow sin to control us (Romans 6). Even Though one has forgiven of the sin committed but still there would be the consequences of the sin in his life.

Also be encouraged to read my other articles on similar topic ” Sin fascinates then assassinates”

Here is the link http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2962450/sin_fascinates_then_assassinates_.html?cat=34

One Can Live Without Sin!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2490779/one_can_live_without_sin_.html?cat=34

Sinful Men Hate to Be Rebuked!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5665352/sinful_men_hate_to_be_rebuked_.html?cat=34

Capability of Sinning yet Choosing Not to Sin!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5623770/capability_of_sinning_yet_choosing.html?cat=34

The Wicked Justifies Their Wrong Doing!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5479022/the_wicked_justifies_their_wrong_doing.html?cat=34

Every Sin Has Its Own Consequences and Demands Heavy Price!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2798080/every_sin_has_its_own_consequences.html?cat=34

Psalms 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 13:34-35 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Matthew 16:21: From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.

Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 9:9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Mark 14:28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

John 2:19-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.

Luke 24:45-46 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Acts 10:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Matthew 28:16-17 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me(Paul) also, as of one born out of due time.

Luke 24:4-7 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Acts 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Ezekiel 37:1-10 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: …

1 Peter 3:21:There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ


2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.


John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Here is the collection of verses to make you believe that Jesus Christ died on cross and it was prophesized in the scriptures.

Matthew 28:5-7 :And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Acts 4:10-11: Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Matthew 27:32-40: Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross. And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink. Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which were spoken by the prophet: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him: THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left. And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”

Matthew 27:41-44: Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” Even the robbers who were crucified with Him reviled Him with the same thing.

Luke 23:33: “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left.”

John 19:23-24: “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. ‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’ This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, ‘They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.’ So this is what the soldiers did.”

Psalms 41:9 : Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Acts 1:16:Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

Zechariah 11:12-13:Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.

Isaiah 50:6:I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Psalm 22:7-8:All those who see Me ridicule Me;They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,“He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him;Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”

Isaiah 50:6-8: I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Zechariah 12:10:And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Psalm 22:16:For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced[a] My hands and My feet;

Luke 24:39:Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

Psalms 22:15 :My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

John 19:28: Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalms 69:21: They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Matthew 27:34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

John 19:29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

Psalms 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Isaiah 53:9-12:His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, [a]putting Him to grief; If [b]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His [c]offspring, He will prolong His days, And the [d]good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. As a result of the [e]anguish of His soul, He will see [f]it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out [g]Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,And interceded for the transgressors.

Psalms 22:1 :For the director of music. To the tune of “The Doe of the Morning.” A psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

Psalms 31:5 : Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Matthew 27:46 :About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Isaiah 53:5-7 :But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Isaiah 53:12 :Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 10:45 :For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Isaiah 53:9:He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Matthew 27:57-60 :As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Galatians 6:12:As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Galatians 6:14:But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:18:For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Matthew 20:19: and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Matthew 23:34: Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

Mark 15:20:And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

John 19:6: Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.”

Hebrews 6:6: if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

1 Corinthians 1:18:For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

If we carefully read these verses, we can clearly understand the true meaning of these verses.

Matthew 19:17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?[there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.”

Matthew 19:22 “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Jesus was simply questioning the young rich ruler’s motives to consider the implications of calling Him good when he said No one is good except God alone .The Rich man was measuring the goodness of Jesus Christ according to merely human standard and was not able to achieve God’s state of perfection. Rich man said “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” The young ruler “went away sad” (Mark 10:22) because he realized that although he had devoted himself in keeping the commandments but has failed to keep the first and greatest of the commandments “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Matthew 22:37-38)”. The man’s riches were of more worth to him than God, he was sad to give up his wealth. He thought he can enter eternal life by his own good works and by not completely following Jesus Christ Hence he was not considered as righteous in the eyes of God. Proverb 16:25 says , “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”. The scriptures says that it is difficult for a rich person to be saved. Matthew 19:24 “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Jesus pointed out that one cannot serve both God and money. One can follow 10 commandments but still they live spiritual defeated lives and have not OVERCOME the world still living in wicked ,greedy and hypocritical lives. Jesus declares Himself to be good “He is called the good shepherd in John 10:11. In Matt 20:15, Jesus said “ is your eye evil because I am good?’ . Scripture say that He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin” (I Jn. 3:5). Jesus is God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14), Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4), Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16), Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1), Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24),Word (John 1:1),Word of God (Rev. 19:13).

Also observe Col. 2:9 says , “For in Him [Jesus] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”

Col. 1:19, “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,”

Phil. 2:6-8, “…although He [Jesus] existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Heb. 1:8, “But of the Son He says, “Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom.”

Jesus is the incarnate Word (that was God) made flesh (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9), found in appearance as a man, and that He humbled Himself to the point of death (Phil. 2:8). What we also need to understand is that He was made under the Law (Gal. 4:4) took on the form of a servant(Php 2:7) and He was made like unto sinful flesh(Rom 8:3 ) and He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

3. Why do so many people hate Jesus? Jesus Christ “declares the FATHER” (John 1:18). And reveals the Father to whomever the Son desires (Matt. 11:27). Jesus was revealing the Father to his disciples in His whole ministry. God and Jesus are one. Jesus said, “I and [God] the Father are one!” Jesus always spoke in His own authority. He never said, “Thus saith the Lord…” as did the prophets; He always said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you…” He even asserted that “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31). The words of Jesus are the very words of God.

Jesus Christ claimed to be the ONLY way to God, claimed to live a sinless life, have shared the glory of God in Heaven who is able to forgive sins and to give everlasting life. Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), holy and undefiled (Hebrews 7:26), the only One who “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21).Scriptures testify that Jesus Christ is good and Lord of all(Acts 10:36). Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I AM”? (John 8:58). He was also revealing HIMSELF as the God of the Old Testament. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3). And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Consider the following scriptures carefully ,its clear that Christ was the God of the Old testament .

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:2, “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds:”

Acts2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Also Jesus Christ himself said he was God in Luke 6:46: As He said, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” .

John 8:19 :Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 14:1-7 :“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:8-11:Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.” Jesus replied: Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don’t you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father? 10 Don’t you believe that I am one with the Father and that the Father is one with me? What I say isn’t said on my own. The Father who lives in me does these things. Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do.

John 10:22-30 :That winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Temple Festival. One day he was walking in that part of the temple known as Solomon’s Porch, and the people gathered all around him. They said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly!” Jesus answered: I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do by my Father’s authority show who I am. But since you are not my sheep, you don’t believe me. My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father.

John 15:24 says : but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.

Jesus was worshiped by Thomas (John 20:28), by Angels (Hebrews 1:6). by Wise men (Matthew 2:11), by A leper (Matthew 8:2), by A ruler (Matthew 9:18), by A blind man (John 9:38), An anonymous woman (Matthew 15:25), by Mary Magdalene (Matthew 28:9), by The disciples (Matthew 28:17).

4. When Jesus was worshiped, He never corrected His followers when they bowed down and worshiped Him. He never said, “Please, don’t worship me…only my Father should be worshiped.” . The words “only begotten” do not mean that Christ was created, or that He was in some way brought into existence by the Father. Rather, the Greek word for “only begotten” means “unique” or “one of a kind.” (Romans 9:5) “Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised. Amen.” (John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Titus 2:13) “…while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…”

Some people will not come to Christ simply because they are ignorant of their need as sinners. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were classic examples of this self-ignorance. In Luke 18 Jesus boldly spoke a parable directed toward these hypocrites, who “trusted in themselves that they were righteous” (Luke 18:9). When the scribes and Pharisees murmured against Jesus for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus observed, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

John 5:24 “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The reason they hate Jesus Christ is Many love darkness of sin rather than light of truth ( Jno. 3:19-21),their Pride causes them to reject him ( Psa. 10:4) and Some are Unwilling to obey and follow him in everything thing ( Jno. 7:16-17)and to come to the knowledge of truth.

If you believe, embrace Jesus Christ as Lord, then obey Him & have everlasting life (Jno. 12:48-50) and be good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3)!

Does My “Ex” Want Me Back?

I had one of those “my ex-wants me back dreams” the other night. If you have not experienced one of these, I liken it to the dreams where I make a regrettable choice. I have one such dream where, being an ex smoker, I casually light up a cigarette. I feel at first, caught by the surprise of the feeling of satisfaction as I draw in a breath. But this is quickly disrupted by a sense of foreboding and instant remorse. All of the “ex wants me back dreams” are the same. Things seem casual and light, then my dream mind starts reeling knowing I am about to make bad choice.

That all said, this “ex-wants me back” dream was not like that at all. This dream was different. I did not have the predictable emotions: like the satisfaction “winning” my ex back or the confusion of making choices I was not given in real life. So, I woke up puzzled. I found that in the dream, I was just simply feeling kind. I had this genuine forgiving heart. Unlike the previous “ex” dreams my dream mind did not jump ahead to what my actions all might mean. My dream mind didn’t retreat into digging up the past to find ammunition, or fuel to fend off making a regrettable decision. My dream mind just observed what was happening, and I just was kind. In the dream my “ex” even questioned the change in me. My dream self told my dream “ex” that it was all because I (more…)

When I wake up in the morning and see the sun is again shining;  and when I walk along the seashore and notice the wonder of nature:  there I remember my Maker’s awesome power (Genesis 1:1-31).

When I look at the sky and witness the birds fly; and when I gaze at the ground and view the beautiful flowers around: there I remember my heavenly Father’s loving care (Matthew 6:25-34).

When I listen to somebody teaching and preaching in a rally; and when I watch someone seeking and evangelizing for the lost one: there I remember my Lord and Savior’s mission order (Matthew 28:19-20).

When I come across a couple whose love to each other is truly noble; and when I chance on children who obey their parents in great passion: there I remember Paul’s letter (Ephesians 5:21-33, Ephesians 6:1-3).

When I commit a mistake and repent for my soul’s sake; and when I forgive a fellow and forget the peccadillo: there I remember the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13).

When I am given a blessing and to my neighbors share the good thing; and when I really have nothing and still never go wanting: there I remember my God is a great provider (Philippians 4:19).

When the day’s work is over and the sunshine is nowhere; and when the evening sets and it’s already time to rest: then I remember to go to the Lord and whisper a prayer (Matthew 6:5-8).