Victory AFTER the Test...the Story of Job

Love: God's Ultimate Gift!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Every February 14th, couples around the world celebrate their love for each other. Romance is in the air around that time of year, while many think of it as love, but it oftentimes a season full of sin and lust. Cards of affection are sold worldwide for that special someone, or at least for that day. Chocolate dipped strawberries, teddy bears with hearts, candlelight dinners, and the sweet sound of music are all a part of the Valentine’s Day celebration. That special necklace, dazzling earrings, or diamond ring are just some of the things that people give to the ones they adore. They use this day to say in many ways rather it be real or fake, “I LOVE YOU!”

 

God gave us a gift too. He gave us the most precious gift that anyone could ever receive and this gift was of the real nature. It was a gift that no one else could give. He longed for His people to be one with Him without the divided wall, which was built, due to the act of sin. He wanted us to once again be able to be in His presence. God desired to walk with man and have a intimate relationship with Him. However, He knew that this would not be possible unless He was willing to give the Ultimate Gift.

That gift required a major sacrifice. It required something that man could not do on his own. It required God to do supernatural things for an undeserving people. People who were not even guaranteed to return the love back to Him. However, that did not stop God. He was willing to risk it all just for the sake of one soul. That gift was His son. That Gift required Him to send His one and only beloved son from heaven into the pits of hell. He had to watch as His son would go through the cruelest treatment from the very people that He was trying to save.Yet, God still made the selfless decision to save mankind. 

Jesus was that gift. He didn’t come wrapped in fancy attire. He didn’t have on gold and silver. Yet, He was more valuable than precious gems and stones. There was no monetary value that could be placed upon him. Jesus, the son of God, the Ruler and Redeemer of the world died in our place, so that we may inherit the kingdom of God. What a Gift to all. 

          I encourage you to accept Jesus into your heart today. It’s a FREE and wonderful gift to all. He loves you and cares deeply about you. He is always there and will never leave or forsake you. People leave, but Jesus never will. Just invite Him into your heart and accept His love for you.

Obama's Executive Order 13603 Clerk Sued, California SB277 Mandate, Nort...

Are You Plugged In?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (NIV)

You may wonder what I am talking about? I am talking about being involved in your church or evangelism in the field. Wherever God has led you to be, He wants you to be involved. There are many people who just “attend” church, but they never become active. You may say that your schedule doesn’t allow the time for you to get involved in any ministry at your church or otherwise spread the gospel in the street. Okay, well that would be fine, but what if God never made time for us? He could easily say that He doesn’t have the time due to all the demands that He has with handling the cares of the whole world. Where would we be if this were the case?

God designed His Body where we can each share the burden. We can each do our part. After all, we are the witnesses that the world needs, but an effective running church is also part of that witness. The pastor can’t and shouldn’t have to do it all. We are all God’s children and we have each been given gifts that are to glorify the kingdom. And if you are one who has home Bible gatherings instead of an official church building, then there is still plenty of work for everyone to have an active role to play.

            We do not all have to preach. We do not all have to sing. We do not all have to dance. We do not all have to teach. Whatever gifts that God has blessed YOU with...that is the gift for you to be an active member of the kingdom. Some people are like a sponge and just want to soak up whatever they can get, but never give anything in return. They go to church week in and week out only to be a bench sitter and not a team player. How can the ministry of God grow if people do not want to take an active part?

            You may think that there is someone else who can do it. Well, that someone is YOU. God needs you to help grow His kingdom. We sometimes want the benefits of God without the work invested. We want to take, but never give. God desires for us to be true disciples of His. He wants to reward us for what we have done in His kingdom. Rather that be a greeter, usher, singer, teacher or in the children’s ministry, it is all for the glory of God. Let’s make sure that we get plugged into the ministry of the kingdom. Find out what your church’s needs are and help assist in whatever area God leads you to.

The Weight of Sexual Frustration

Genesis 2:24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother, cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.
           
            I have been single for nearly 40 years. "Single" for you who are confused with its meaning is "not married." Your Boo may have promised you a ring, but until you say, "I do," you are single. That also includes divorcees and the widowed. One of the many challenges with being single is the lack of "getting any." Okay, some of you married people are probably saying, "I'm not getting any and I am married."  Well, if that is your case, I suggest you go for pastoral counseling, or recommend to your spouse to get the little "blue" pill if doctor approved.

Now, there has been a recent scandal with Ashley Madion’s Cheating website where millions of users’ information have been hacked and assessed. Unfortunately, it has led to several suicides. This website is for people who are married and want to cheat on their spouses to find like-minded people to cheat as well. Therefore, they hookup and commit adultery. Some claim that they aren’t satisfied sexually with their spouse, or are not getting any at all. However, is this an excuse to break God’s law? 

            Some of you may need help in defining the term "getting any." Okay, let me help you out! That means you are not "having sex." I will go a little further and say that it also includes ORAL. Yea, I did go there! Some think that having oral sex is acceptable as a Christian, but that is not correct. We are to remain pure from ALL sexual immorality. Therefore, any sexual act that we do outside of the confines of marriage is a sin.
            So, the question becomes, "What do you do when you have those sexual urges?" I am not going to even insult you by saying to take a cold shower. That doesn't work! Yes, we can go pray, but at 2am in the morning, I am going to keep it real, prayer is the LAST thing on my mind. Okay, some may ask, what about masturbation? Well, I have heard various opinions on this in the Christian community. Most often, the text in the Bible where the man spilled his seed to the ground is commonly used in the argument against masturbation. However, this scripture was about a man who was supposed to fulfill his obligation to reproduce with his deceased brother's widow. So, I will not use that text. However, we are not be mastered by our fleshly desires. What we allow to enter our minds overflows on the outside and therefore leads us to sin. Therefore, is masturbation wrong? Yes!

            I am going to be honest. The only thing that you can do as a Christian is to ask God to bottle up those urges until such time that He sees fit to give you a spouse. I can't tell you to break God's law. What I can say is that Jesus encountered every temptation that we face, and yet, he did not sin. Therefore, if he could do it, so can we. After all, he was flesh while on earth.
            What I have found that helps is being around other Christian singles who are truly on the same path. I can't say it has been an easy one and that I haven't fallen in times past when I was struggling in my Christianity and relationship with God. However, the Bible says that a righteous man falls, but gets back up. This doesn't mean to take advantage of God's grace. It means that if you mess up, repent and start over again with the true intention of not repeating your indiscretion. God loves us and wants the best for us, but we must be obedient to His will. Just ask Him for His help. He is always there to lend a helping hand.