Tag Archives: repentance

Friday Proverb – The Position of Souls

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So many Christians can not see past this fleshly world, and only focus on the “rewards” in this life, despite the overabundance of teachings in the New Testament stressing just the opposite. 

Our LORD has forever been concerned with the condition and future of our souls.  All men (not animals!) are born with a soul that lives forever.  Forever is a long, long time.  It is the choice we make in this temporal, fleshly life that determines where the soul will spend eternity.  If you think we just came through an interminable, desolate winter – imagine eternity without any Light.

peace and comfort

Proverbs 10:3

 The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish:

Lazarus and the rich man

but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, if you do not know the wonderful knowledge of peace and hope that only He can give, please, right now, ask Him to be your Savior. Tell Him that you know you are a sinner, and that you know that you can not save yourself.  Look at those pictures above?  Which one do you want?  Eternity forever alone, forever desolate and miserable?  Or eternity in the Light with your Creator?  Many people worry about leaving a legacy, wanting their names to be remembered in history – notice that the incredibly rich man in the following Parable is nameless. . .

outline of Lazarus and rich man

Luke 16:19-25

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham:  but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him,  If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though One rose from the dead.

Friday Proverb – Ill Gotten Gains

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Proverbs 10:2

 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing:

Some would look at this illustration and think it belongs to another, “less civilized” era.  Mankind has not changed, just the dressings have.  There are more that will deceive and take advantage of others, than there are that won’t.  We all need to be very circumspect in this matter.  Even pocketing extra change mistakenly given to you by a cashier constitutes as a “treasure of wickedness.” There may be some people who seem to be “getting away with it,” but they will be judged.  Perhaps not in this life, but definitely in the next.

but righteousness delivereth from death.

rapture23

Not deliverance physical death, perhaps, but deliverance from eternal death in the Lake of Fire – yes.  Only those who have admitted their sinfulness, and turned towards Jesus Christ and asked Him into their hearts are considered righteous.  In God’s eyes there are only two kinds of people in the world – sheep and goats – or – saved and unsaved.

Matthew 25:31-33

31 When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:

32 And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

judgment of the nations

33 And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

John Kerry Commits Public Blasphemy

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Like a chameleon, John Kerry, our Secretary of State, has now interpreted Scripture – first for a Muslim audience at the State Department’s “Iftar” dinner, where he said:

“For many of us, respect for God’s creation in almost every scripture really demands and translates into a duty to protect and sustain God’s first creation,” said Kerry. “Our response to climate change ought to be rooted in a fundamental sense of shared stewardship of the earth that emerges from that tradition.”

Mr. Kerry/Kohen – when you say “God” – to whom are you referring?  Allah is not YHWH!  Allah=Baal.  And you dare to place the Word of God – the Holy Bible, on the same footing as the Koran?  

And for the pseudo Christians at the State Department’s Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives (code for Agenda 21) he offered this meandering tripe:

“I’m convinced that all of you will agree,” said Kerry, “that one of the toughest challenges that we face in terms of global diplomacy and relationships around the world between peoples nowadays, from sectarian strife to the challenges of many intractable, frozen conflicts, to the challenges of simply understanding people–one people to another–or even monumental challenges like the sectarian strife that we see tearing countries and regions apart, as well as the enormous challenges of things like global climate change, which really is a challenge to our responsibilities as the guardians–safe guarders of God’s creation.”

If you’re old enough to remember when fear of Communism was the proferred method of intimidating and controlling the masses, you should be able to recognize the latest instruments of “correction.”  Since the Berlin wall came down in 1989, the PTB were forced to come up with an all new mechanism for mastery.   Or is it new? 

Now the yoke of “climate control,” is placed on our proverbial necks, headed up by luminaries from every Christian denomination – http://christiansandclimate.org/signatories/and I suggest to you – that it is not different – Communism and Climate Control are ideologically the same.  Ingenious, really, but considering who (his name starts with L.) is behind it, one could hardly be surprised.  It truly is the perfect crime – wherein the victims (us) are led to believe that the perpetrators are doing us a favor, through the wholesale destruction of industrialization and capitalism under the glossy, plumped-up image of saving the environment.  Lovely. 

Guess who is public enemy #1 now?  Humanity.  In the view of the elites, the useless eaters are destroying their beautiful world.  How Mr. Kerry must tingle inside when he speaks of caring for “God’s creation.”  In his view, God only created trees and oceans, etc.   God did not create the unborn that are being sacrificed on the altar of Baal as I write this. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you are feeling anxious about things that are happening in the world today, the Lord wants you to know, that all these things are a sign of His soon return.  Those that have trusted their futures to Him, do not have any of those kinds of worries, because He has promised them a better, brighter future.  A future where there is no war, poverty, or strife. 

Jesus said, “I tell you. . .except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:3,5  Repentance is an act of deep sorrow for one’s sins, of turning from your sin – towards Jesus. 

From your heart, call out to Him.  Tell him – “I know I’m a sinner.  Please, please  forgive me.  I believe, Jesus, that You took all the punishment for everything I’ve done, everything.  I believe that You died for me.  Please, Jesus, please come into my heart.  I thank You and praise You for this wonderful gift of salvation.  Thank You.  Amen.” 

The words themselves are not a magical formula.  If you are truly repentant, and with all sincerity, from the bottom of your soul, you desire Jesus, God will save you today! 

redeemd

Isaiah 43:25

I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

For the Lord’s Day – Beyond the Sunset

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=KE5A7HcnLII%3Fsi%3DDy33AH8SOHZmNCSR

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior, heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset eternal joy!

Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more!

Virgil Prentiss Brock – Lyrics  1887-1978

Born: January 6, 1887, Mercer County, Ohio.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.

Blanche Kerr Brock – Composer  1888-1958


Born: February 3, 1888, Greens Fork, Indiana.
Died: January 3, 1958, Winona Lake, Indiana.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.


One of the best-known and widely-used songs in the entire field of gospel hymnody is “Beyond the Sunset.” Mr. Brock has left the following account of its writing:

This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake Indiana, with a blind guest—my cousin Horace Burr—and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet there were threatening storm clouds gathering overhead. Returning to our home, we went to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked the he had never seen a more beautiful sunset.

“People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him, “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through other peoples eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.”

The phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted, “Please go to the piano and sing it.

We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse. “You should have a verse about the storm clouds,” our guest urged, and the words for this verse came quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked hand in hand together for so many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added. Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.

http://www.hymnalaccompanist.com/Story/story-c865.html

Revelation 21:4

 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

sage

p.s.  This post is dedicated to my husband for our 33rd anniversary.

The Abundant Life – #4 – The Spirit Filled Life

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John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

It is a fact, that the Holy Spirit indwells every truly born again believer.  Though we may be weak, immature, and imperfect – if we have been “born again” of the Spirit – He dwells in us.  1 Cor. 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  Rom. 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit indwell us – but does He have us in such a way that He may fill us with the “Abundant Life?”  Contrary to the teachings of prosperity preachers – the abundant life can not be found in our environments or circumstances, or in the many material things that we may possess.  It is only found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 5:18

 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

EPHESIANS 5:18 IS A COMMAND!  TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE SPIRIT-POSSESSED, SPIRIT- EMPOWERED, AND SPIRIT-CONTROLLED.  

1. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we might have joy.  Eph. 5:19-20 –19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

2. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for service.  Acts 6:3 – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 

3. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be a witness.  Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for the hour of persecution.  Acts 7: 54-60 –

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.  55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,  56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,  58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

5. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may  “walk in the Spirit.”  Gal. 5:16-26 –  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

6. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may be led by the Holy Spirit.  Rom. 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

WE CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IF WE DESIRE HIM TO FILL US.  THEN WE MUST ASK HIM TO FILL US.  AND FINALLY, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE FILLS US. 

Living Water

John 4:14

 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Abundant Life – #1 – The Yielded Life

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There is no secret formula or ritual to living the abundant life; it is revealed,  as are all great truths – in the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Romans 6:10

 For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.

Faith that saves,  identifies us with Christ in His resurrection.  This IS the abundant life! 

Colossians 3:1-4

3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

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

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

1. It is one thing to have eternal life by faith.  It is another thing entirely to have abundant life by faith.

2. It is one thing to “be made the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Cor. 5:21 –  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.  It is quite another thing to realize His righteous life is in us.  1 John 3:7 – Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

3. It is one thing to live in Christ.  2 Cor. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  It is another thing for Christ to live HIS life through us.  Col. 1:7 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. . .

Romans 6:13

 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Romans 6:13, shows us that every believer has a choice.  We may yield unto God by faith, and enjoy abundant life, or the believer may yield unto sin and endure a defeated life.  Rev. 3:1 – And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.  God wants ALL believers to know the power of a yielded life – for it will lift us above circumstances that circumvent abundant living.  The abundant life begins the instant we yield to Him as Lord and Master (Not Lordship salvation!!) allowing Him to live His life through us by faith.


Next up in the series – the service life!

The Abundant Life – Introduction

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John 10:10

 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The only way into eternal life is through faith in Christ as personal savior. 

Once you are saved – do not stop there!  Having eternal life is the most important, but there is so much more.  Christ said that He came that we might have life more abundantly.  ALL believers have life, but not all believers have abundant life.

In order to have abundant life, we need abundant resources.  The only unlimited resource is the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.

In order to possess this abundant life – we MUST abide IN HIM!

John 15:1-5

15 I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

This kind of vibrant, abundant living is not for just a select few, it is what God wants for ALL believers.  It is a deep spiritual life, and without it, the Christian life is meaningless.

If you do not have abundant life within you – you will soon yield to carnality.  The fleshly life around you will overcome your puny resistance, and and you will be surrounded.

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The carnal Christian life is circumstance controlled – the abundant life is Holy Spirit- controlled.  The carnal Christian life leads to one defeat after another – the abundant life leads to victory in Christ.

Man seems to know everything about life except how to live it abundantly.

Please continue on with this series, and determine that from now on – not to be satisfied with anything less than God’s best – life abundantly.

Study on Faith – #5 – The Hall of Faith

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Hebrews 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.”  This is a chapter we need to visit often, and linger at.  If we desire our faith to become strong in the Lord, there is no better place than this Scripture to see what strong faith is.  Here we get a view of the history of Israel and the Church, written by faith, in the blood of the saints. 

Hebrews 11:32-40

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

They worshiped by faith as Abel, and walked by faith as Enoch.  They worked by faith like Noah, and lived by faith as Abraham.  They governed by faith as Moses, and they followed by faith as Israel.  They fought by faith as Joshua, and conquered by faith as Gideon.  They subdued kingdoms as David, and they stopped the mouths of lions as Daniel.  They walked through fire by faith as the Three Hebrew Children, the suffered by faith as Paul.  

They died by faith as stephen – the first christian martyr

Acts 7:54-60

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

By faith they were patient in suffering, courageous in battle, made strong out of weakness, and were victorious in defeat.  They were more than conquerors by faith.  It is only by faith in the all-powerful Christ that we can be superior to circumstances, and victorious over all the evil forces that would destroy us and our testimonies.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The faith of the saints inspires us – but we must look to Jesus as our example of faith. 

This concludes our Study on Faith – next up – The Abundant Life!

Study on Faith – #3 – Little Faith

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Every believer can fall into the “little faith” category – at least at some point in their walk.  The LORD so perfectly illustrated this for us, and its remedy, in Matthew 14, which relates the incident of Peter walking on water to meet the LORD.  We will examine this episode, and see ourselves as Peter,  and what we can do to grow our faith. 

Matthew 14:28-31

28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.

29 And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Jesus saving

At this stage in Peter’s spiritual growth, he is a man of “little faith.”  We know that after Pentecost, he became a spiritual giant.  The important passage above, detailing Peter’s little faith – is something we can learn from – and it was designed for our learning.  Think of the significance of Jesus coming to His disciples during a terrible storm, walking calmly on the water while they were in great distress.  Peter asks if he can come to Him on the water – and the LORD said COME! 

Before we begin – please reread the above scripture carefully!

  • Peter did the impossible thing – he walked on water by faith.
  • Next, Peter did the conceivable thing – he took his eyes off Christ – and looked at the water – he had second thoughts – and he doubted.
  • Then Peter did the expected thing – he began to sink – he failed.
  • Now Peter did the right thing – he prayed – “Lord, save me.”  Peter reconnected to the Lord in faith.
  • Then Peter did the impossible thing again – with an extra – he walked on water back to the ship – with the Lord.

The order of events is extremely important!!

The steps: Peter began in faith, and walked on water.  Then he saw the storm, and had second thoughts which led to doubt.  The doubt produced fear, that caused him to turn away, and brought on the failure.

In this lesson we see the success and failure of “little faith”

We need faith that is bigger than the elements that seek to destroy us.  We can have this kind of faith by prayer and fasting –

Matthew 17:20-21

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

and by feeding our faith on the Word of God. 

Romans 10:17

 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

We can have mountain-moving faith! 

Study on Faith – #1 – What is Faith?

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HEBREWS 11:1

 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Our faith is the title deed to eternal life.  Just as a paper title gives evidence of car and real estate ownership – so our faith is evidence of our eternal estate in God.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:18

 WHILE WE LOOK NOT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN, BUT AT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN: FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL; BUT THE THINGS WHICH ARE NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL.

1. Faith is taking God at His Word without question. 

HEBREWS 11:6

 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

2. Faith is knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” Faith does not believe that all things are good – or that all things work out well.  Faith believes that all things – both good and bad – work together for good to them that love God.

ROMANS 8:28

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

3. Faith is two-sided.  The first side deals with our intellects, wherein we have intellectual conviction that Jesus Christ is God.  The second side deals with our wills.  It is a conscious choice to surrender our wills to the will of Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.

This is displayed in Thomas’ declaration – “My Lord and my God.” John 20:28

JOHN 20:28-31

28 And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord {volitional or conscious surrender} and my God. {intellectual conviction}

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.  {saving faith!}  

Saving faith is an intellectual conviction that Jesus is God, and a volitional surrender to Him as Lord (Master) of our lives.  By faith, the mind trusts in God; the heart responds to the love of God; the will submits to the commands of God;  and the life obeys in the service of God. 

4. Genuine faith is paradoxical.  It surpasses all human reasoning and logic.  The truly faithful believes without understanding why.

It sings in prison. 

ACTS 16:25

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

It glories in tribulations.  

ROMANS 5:3

 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

It chooses to suffer. 

HEBREWS 11:25

 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season

It accepts all things as a part of God’s will. 

PHILIPPIANS 1:12

 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel

WE ARE NOT BORN WITH THIS FAITH.  IT COMES BY THE HEARING OF GOD’S WORD –

ROMANS 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

This is why we are commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature, that by hearing, they may believe.

ROMANS 10:13-14

old bible

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Repentance – Introduction

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Proverbs 28:13

 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

What mankind expresses outwardly only fools other people.  God desires truth in the inward parts.  Baby kissing politicians are an excellent allegory of this concept.  The same politician publicly kissing the cheek of a six month old infant, thinks nothing of voting for a six month pre-born infant to be killed in the womb. 

Psalm 51:6

 Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

God commands ALL  men everywhere to repent.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Sinners must repent before we can become the recipients of salvation by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Once saved, we must practice repentance so that we may enjoy unbroken fellowship with God.   Someone once said – “I repented before I understood the meaning of the word, but since then as a Christian  I have repented many times.”

Job 42:1-6

42 Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

2 I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee.

3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

4 Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me.

5 I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee.

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Repentance itself, is a gift from God!

Acts 5:31

Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 11:18

 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

The goodness of God is not merited – therefore – the results of His goodness (which is repentance) is a gift.

Romans 2:4

 Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

This gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed.

Acts 2:37-38

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The result of preaching the Word of God is “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Faith that Christ died for our sins, and that He was buried and that He rose from the dead.

Acts 20:21

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God,  and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;

4 And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:

forgiveness

Repentance qualifies us for salvation – but it takes faith in christ to acquire it.  countless very religious people are aware of their sinfulness – but since they do not fully trust christ for their salvation – they never acquire it.  true repentance is always coupled with faith.  it is impossible to have saving faith and not repent!  “repentance toward god and faith toward our lord Jesus Christ” are essential and inseparable in salvation. 

Faith without repentance is the ultimate hypocrisy – and  repentance without faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is folly and futility. 

Repentance – #7 – The Evidence of Repentance

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Acts 26:19-20

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles,  that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

The evidence (proof) of repentance towards God, and faith towards our  Lord Jesus Christ can be positively seen in truly converted individuals – and it is demonstrated vividly for us in Scripture.

REPENTANCE IS A CHANGE OF MIND, HEART, AND WILL

1. Doubting Thomas repents – Thomas refused to believe that Christ had been raised from the dead until he could see with his own eyes, and touch with his own hands,  the risen Savior.  

John 20:24-29 –  24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.  26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,  Peace be unto you.  

27 Then saith he to Thomas,  Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.  

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him,  My Lord and my God.  

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.   

Thomas repented, believed, and made his great profession of faith with – “My Lord and my God.” 

2. Three thousand (!) changed their minds, hearts and wills on the day of Pentecost, and immediately gave evidence of their repentance. 

 Acts 2:41-47 –  41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles  44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  Please take note that these believers did not go back to living the way they did before their conversion.

3. Saul of Tarsus experienced repentance when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  He then gave evidence of repentance – 

Acts 9:1-18 –   And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,  2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.  8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.  9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.  

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.  

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,  12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.  

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:  14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.  

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.  

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

4. Cornelius, his entire family and friends repented when they heard the gospel as preached by Simon Peter, and then evidence of repentance followed their conversions.  Acts 10:24-48

5.  The Philippian jailer and his house repented after being witnessed to by Paul and Silas – the evidence of repentance followed.   Acts 16:26-34 –  26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.  28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.  29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.  32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.  33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.  34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Don’t be fooled by the “God loves me no matter what I do,” preaching out there.  While it is true that He loves without measure – He also demands proof of conversion.  Not for Himself – He knows who is truly saved or not.  The evidence of repentance is to give Him glory and honor, to exalt His Word and His name above our own, and that our lives may testify of His Grace and Mercy.  Some people claiming the name of Christ, live like the very devil.   Sinners should never be able to say that believers are hypocrites, and no different than the world.  We should demonstrate our repentance in such a fashion that we lead some to their own repentance.

Repentance is a change of the mind, the heart, and the will. 

The proof of repentance is. . .

1.turning from sin

Ezekiel 18:30

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

2. turning to God

Acts 26:20

. . . that they should repent and turn to God,

3. followed by good deeds

Acts 26:20

. . .and do works meet for repentance.

This concludes our seven part study on repentance. 

The next series will be an in depth study of The New Birth.

Repentance – #4 – Does God Repent?

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I could hardly wait to cover this aspect of repentance, as it also covers one of the so-called “contradictions,” in the Bible.  If, after this study, any readers still insist this is a contradiction, we will assume that person is not saved, and does not want to know or understand the Word.  

OK – DEEP BREATH – HERE WE GO!

Numbers 23:19

 God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?

Genesis 6:5-7

5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

6 And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.

7  And the Lord said, 
I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me that I have made them.

OK – Bible critics – Ahah! There it is, right there.  A HUGE contradiction.  Only – sorry – it’s not a contradiction.  It is a PARADOX! 

THAT’S RIGHT – IT IS NOT CONTRADICTORY – IT IS PARADOXICAL!!!!

God makes TWO covenants with mankind. 

1. The first is UNCONDITIONAL. 

When He makes an UNCONDITIONAL covenant – HE NEVER REPENTS!  Israel haters take note – He made such a covenant with Abraham.  

Gen. 12:1-3  Now the Lord had said unto Abram,  Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee  2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing  3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.   It will stand FOREVER because – “The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent.” Ps. 110:4.   He made an UNCONDITIONAL covenant with Israel. 

Romans 11:23-35

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

27 For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

2.  The second is CONDITIONAL.  

“The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. “ 

Gen. 6:3    In the days of Noah, God gave the human race 120 years to repent.  Only Noah and his family repented and “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”

Gen. 6:8  Noah and his family met God on His terms and conditions – and so – were not judged with the unrepentant.  “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering to us,“

NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.”  2 PETER 3:9

It is abundantly clear,  my Calvinist friends, that God wills to save all lost souls!  He is “not willing that any should perish.”  To be saved, one must meet His terms and conditions, which are – “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Acts 20:21  IF a sinner does NOT repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, THEN God will repent, CHANGE, and judge the sinner. 

In His love, He bestows Grace – BUT –  if salvation by Grace is rejected – In His justice – He terminates Grace. 

THIS IS THE WAY THAT GOD REPENTS

Next up – Impossible to renew unto repentance!  If you find Bible doctrine fascinating and irresistible – then you are in good company.

1 Peter 1:12-13

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

Repentance – #3 – From Dead Works

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Hebrews 6:1

 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. . .

The writer of Hebrews, whom I believe to be Paul, gives us something to think about in that phrase – “repentance from dead works.”  What does that mean?  Well, sometimes, as in the Book of Proverbs, a concept is better understood by contrasting it – by exploring what it isn’t – before we study what it is.

There are three categories of works in the Bible.  Good works, wicked works, and dead works.  We will address them in that order.

1.  Good works.  

Mat. 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.   ONLY truly born-again, or saved souls can ever do good works and please God.  The lost, or unsaved, no matter how many works they do, can not do good works.   

Psalm 14: 1-3 –  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.  2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.  3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

 Believers are not to hide their good works, but let them be seen in a manner which glorifies our heavenly Father.  Mary of Bethany anointed the head and feet of Jesus while he sat at the table of Simon the leper.  Some disciples took exception to this, claiming it was an extravagant waste.  

And Jesus said,  Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me.  Mark 14:6.

as believers, we need to do all we can to the glory of god, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. 

2.  Wicked works.  

Col. 1:20-21 –  20 And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.  21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled.  Unregenerated, natural man, can only do wicked works.  

1 Cor. 2:14 – But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The unsaved, natural man, walks according to the world system, motivated by the “prince of the power of the air.” (Satan)  His thoughts,  speech,  and behavior are filled with the lusts of the flesh.  He is a child of wrath, and ALL his works are wicked because he is dead in sin.  

Eph. 2:1-3 –  1 And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;   2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:    3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

we will now address dead works – from Hebrews 6:1

3.  Dead works. 

We should all be able to recognize them, because they get a great deal of media attention.  Religious works fall well into this category.  These are works performed by the religious, for the purposes of earning eternal life. Legalistic, it requires the keeping of moral and ceremonial laws of God, in an attempt to win God’s favor and be saved by the works.  

Eph. 2:8-9 –  8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Paul wrote –  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  Rom. 3:20. 

Dead works are performed by the religious, who are –   . . .ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.  Rom. 10:3-4

Our beloved Apostle Paul is an excellent example of repentance from dead works.  He clearly states that he has “no confidence in the flesh,” then goes on to list his dead works of which he had to repent. 

Philippians 3:1-9

3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

When he compared his own self righteousness which was by dead works of the law, with the Righteousness of Christ which is by faith, he counted the former Paul and his works as nothing but rubbish. 

Paul knew the meaning of “repentance from dead works!!!” 

Next up – Repentance and God!

Repentance – #2- Preached!

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Mark 1:1-4

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,  which shall prepare thy way before thee.

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Contrary to the teachings of far too many ministries – the doctrine of repentance was in fact, preached in the Old Testament before the birth of Christ;  and it was preached during the life and ministry of Christ; and it was preached on the day of Pentecost; and in the Book of Acts after Pentecost!  It is taught in the Epistles and in the Book of Revelation.

REPENTANCE IS A DOCTRINE TO BE PREACHED AND TAUGHT FROM EVERY  PULPIT IN THE WORLD – IN EVERY AGE. REPENTANCE QUITE LITERALLY MEANS – A CHANGE OF MIND, HEART AND WILL.   THE JEWS BEING BAPTIZED BY JOHN WERE CHANGING THEIR MINDS, HEARTS AND WILLS BY TURNING AWAY FROM THE LAW AND RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF REPENTANCE.

1. John the Baptist preached Repentance. 

(a) He preached the baptism of Repentance.    

Luke 3:3 – And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  

(b) He preached “Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  

Mat.3:2 – And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  He was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord.”  

Mat. 3:3 – For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John’s preaching of repentance exalted Christ, denounced sin, warned of judgment, and – it cost him his head. 

Mat. 14:6-11 – 

6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

2. Jesus Christ preached repentance. 

(a) He preached, ”Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”  

Mark 1:14-15 –  14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,  15 And saying,  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  

(b) Christ’s teaching on repentance was actually an ultimatum!  REPENT OR PERISH!!!!!   

Luke 13:1-5 –  There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  2 And Jesus answering said unto them,  Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?  5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

SALVATION BY GRACE IS FOR THE REPENTANT SOUL, AND JUDGMENT WITHOUT MERCY IS FOR THOSE WHO RESIST

3. Peter preached repentance. 

(a) At Pentecost he preached repentance.   

Acts 2:38 – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

(b) In his second epistle he preached repentance.  

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  

EVERY SOUL THAT GOES TO HELL GOES AGAINST THE WILL OF GOD. . .

4. Paul preached repentance.  

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:   This message was given on Mars Hill to the “intelligentsia”  of Athens.  The results were three-fold:  some mocked, some procrastinated, and some believed.

Acts 17:32-34

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, 
some mocked: and others said,  We will hear thee again of this matter.

33 So Paul departed from among them.

34 Howbeit  certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

And so is the Gospel of Repentance unto Salvation still received to this day (if it is actually preached)  Some mock, some procrastinate, and some believe it and cling to it.  These three different decisions are made by sinners, every second of every day. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XxnaSBL128c%3Fsi%3D5r46toLxbP10aEfr

Repentance – #1 – Defined

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I could hardly wait to get to this segment.  Oh boy – has the definition of this one word been corrupted.  It has sparked huge controversy among teachers, preachers, authors, and bloggers. 

My understanding of “Lordship Salvation” is that it is two pronged salvation.  One must come to the Lord in faith AND make Him Lord of your life simultaneously.  That can mean a lot of different things to different people.  Lordship Salvation suggests that you must stop sinning while accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.  That is the two-pronged part.  It has taken the word “Repentance,” and completely redefined it.  To fully understand the meaning of the word Repentance,  we will first look at what it isn’t –

repentance is not –

1. Repentance is not  sorrow.  2 Cor. 7:9,10-   9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  10 For  godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.   Godly sorrow is a guilty feeling that LEADS to repentance, but it is not repentance.

2. Repentance is not penance.  (a) Jesus did not say – do penance and believe the Gospel.  He said –  Mark 1:15 –   And saying,  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  

(b) Peter did not say, do penance and everyone of you be baptized in the name of  Jesus Christ.  He said, 

Acts 2:38 –    Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

(c) Paul did not say, God commandeth all men everywhere to do penance.  He said

– Acts 17:30 –  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.  

if penance is repentance, then salvation is not the gift of god, and we are not saved by grace through faith. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

3. Repentance is not reformation.  Reformation is a change brought about by the efforts of man for self-glory.   

Matt.12:43,45 –  43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.  44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.  45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.  

Reformation is the turning away from known sin, or giving up a bad habit, or trying to make restitution, trying to overhaul the old nature, turning over a new leaf. . .Judas  reformed – but it did not save him – neither can it save us.  

Matt. 27:3-5 –  3 Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,  4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.  5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

what repentance is-

1. Repentance is a change.  This change is always evidenced in three elements. 

  1. The intellectual element – a change of mind.
  2. The emotional element – a change of heart.
  3. The volitional element – a change of will.

2. The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a perfect illustration of repentance.  He had a change of mind, a change of heart, and a change of will. 

Luke 15:11-32

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself,  [intellectual element] he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, [volitional element] and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned  [emotional element] against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

 repentance is change.  the prodigal had a change of mind, and his change of mind effected a change of heart, and his change of heart effected a change of will.  no one will  ever be saved until he wills to be. 

Revelation 22:17

 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And  whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 repentance is a change of mind, heart, and will.

For the Lord’s Day – I Know Whom I Have Believed

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=ld-UlSt_Drk%3Fsi%3D6ZkJOUC-lB-58Jx1
Click “Watch on Youtube” to hear this beautiful hymn!

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain

But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

Refrain

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing us of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

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I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

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I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

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Major Daniel Webster Whittle (born 1840 November 22 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts; died 1901 March 4, Northfield, Massachusetts)

whittle_dw

Daniel Whittle worked as a cashier for Wells Fargo bank as a teenager and into his early twenties. He was not a wicked man at first, on the contrary, he was quiet religious. He surrendered his life to the Lord one night while acting as a night watchman at the Wells Fargo Bank. He went into the vault, got down on his knees and gave his surrendered his life for the Heavenly Father to use as he would. He even became the Sunday School Superintendent at the great Tabernacle in Chicago where he would meet his wife, Miss Abbie Hanson. He would join the army in 1861 and be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. In the summer of 1862, August as the Civil War began to intensify his unit was called to go South. August 22, 1862, the night before his departure, he and Abbie were married. It would be a year before they would be reunited. In his own words he tells of his departure, “My dear mother was a devout Christian, and parted from me with many a tear, and followed me with many a prayer. She had placed a New Testament in a pocket of the haversack that she’d arranged for me”

This little New Testament would pay a vital part in his rededication. Whittle rose to the rank of Major and while leading a charge, actually filling in, and he was wounded in his sword arm which led to the amputation of his arm and a stay in a prisoner of war camp. It was while he was in this POW camp that out of boredom he began to search for something to read. He found in his personal effects the little New Testament that his Mother had placed there. He read through the New Testament in a matter of days and started through it again. One night the nurse woke him up and told him that one of his men was dying and had been begging for someone to pray for him. The nurse told Major Whittle that he (the nurse) was a wicked man and could not pray. Major Whittle confessed that he too was wicked man with many sins in his own life and could not pray either. The nurse said that he thought Major Whittle was a Christian because he had observed him constantly reading the Scripture and the Major Whittle did not cuss as the other men. The nurse begged Major Whittle to at least accompany him to see the boy as he did not want to return alone. Moved with compassion, Major Whittle reluctantly agreed. Here, in Major Whittle’s own words, is what took place that night: “I dropped on my knees and held the boy’s hand in mine. In a few broken words I confessed my sins and asked Christ to forgive me. I believed right there that He did forgive me. I then prayed earnestly for the boy. He became quiet and pressed my hand as I prayed and pleaded God’s promises. When I arose from my knees, he was dead. A look of peace had come over his troubled face, and I cannot but believe that God who used him to bring me to the Savior, used me to lead him to trust Christ’s precious blood and find pardon. I hope to meet him in heaven.”

Ten years later at the encouragement of his close friend D.L. Moody he would enter into evangelism. Some of his first songs were set to music by Phillip Bliss. Whittle attended and participated in the memorial service for Phillip Bliss. Later he would work closely with the man who would set to music many of his later songs, and who set the music to this song, “I Know Whom I Have Believed”, James McGranahan. Major Whittle died March 4, 1901 after having written over 200 hymns.  http://churchchoirmusic.com/the-story-behind-the-song-i-know-whom-i-have-believed

2 Timothy 1:7-14

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

For the Lord’s Day – Rescue the Perishing

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Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

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Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Refrain

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

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Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

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crosby_fj_1872

As I was ad­dress­ing a large com­pa­ny of work­ing men one hot Au­gust ev­en­ing, the thought kept forc­ing it­self up­on my mind that some mo­ther’s boy must be res­cued that ve­ry night or per­haps not at all. So I re­quest­ed that, if there was any boy pre­sent, who had wan­dered away from mo­ther’s teach­ing, he would come to the plat­form at the con­clu­sion of the ser­vice. A young man of eight­een came forward and said, “Did you mean me? I have prom­ised my mo­ther to meet her in hea­ven; but as I am now liv­ing that will be im­pos­si­ble.” We prayed for him; he fin­al­ly arose with a new light in his eyes; and ex­claimed tri­umph­ant­ly, “Now, I can meet mo­ther in hea­ven; for I have found her God.”

A few days be­fore, Mr. Doane had sent me the sub­ject “Rescue the Per­ish­ing,” and while I sat there that ev­en­­ing the line came to me, “Res­cue the per­ish­ing, care for the dyi­ng.” I could think of no­thing else that night. When I ar­rived it my home I went to work on it at once; and be­fore I re­tired the entire hymn was rea­dy for a mel­o­dy. The next day my words were writ­ten and for­ward­ed to Mr. Doane, who wrote the beau­ti­ful and touch­ing music as it now stands.

In November, 1903, I went to Lynn, Mass­a­chu­setts, to speak be­fore the Young Men’s Christ­ian As­so­ci­a­tion. I told them the in­ci­dent that led me to write “Res­cue the Per­ish­ing,” as I have just re­lat­ed it. Af­ter the meet­ing a large num­ber of men shook hands with me, and among them was a man, who seemed to be deep­ly moved. You may imag­i­ne my sur­prise when he said, “Miss Cros­by, I was the boy, who told you more than thir­ty-five years ago that I had wan­dered from my mother’s God. The ev­en­ing that you spoke at the mis­sion I sought and found peace, and I have tried to live a con­sist­ent Christ­ian life ev­er since. If we ne­ver meet again on earth, we will meet up yon­der.” As he said this, he raised my hand to his lips; and be­fore I had re­covered from my sur­prise he had gone; and re­mains to this day a name­less friend, who touched a deep chord of sym­pa­thy in my heart. It is these notes of sym­pa­thy that vi­brate when a voice calls them forth from the dim mem­o­ries of the past, and the music is ce­les­ti­al.  http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/r/e/rescuetp.htm

new heaven and new earth

Isaiah 52:7

 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

For the Lord’s Day – Softly and Tenderly

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Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

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Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

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Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

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O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

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thompson_wl

Words & Music: Will L. Thomp­son,
When the world-re­nowned lay preach­er, Dwight Ly­man Moody, lay on his death bed in his North­field, Mass­a­chu­setts, home, Will Thomp­son made a spe­cial vi­sit to in­quire as to his con­di­tion. The at­tend­ing phy­si­cian re­fused to ad­mit him to the sick­room, and Moody heard them talk­ing just out­side the bed­room door. Re­cog­niz­ing Thomp­son’s voice, he called for him to come to his bed­side. Tak­ing the Ohio po­et-com­pos­er by the hand, the dy­ing evan­gel­ist said, “Will, I would ra­ther have writ­ten “Soft­ly and Ten­der­ly Je­sus is Call­ing” than an­y­thing I have been able to do in my whole life.”

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/o/softlyat.htm

peace and comfort

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Friday Proverb – The Lord’s Wisdom

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supremecourtmoses

The wisdom of God, is the only true wisdom there is. Prideful, pagan mankind puts Gandhi, Buddha, Plato, and a host of other philosophers before our Sovereign Creator. In America we place our faith in a set of laws that are overseen by a Supreme Court covered with friezes of these philosophers. At right you see Moses in the center of Confucius and Solon. This sculptural frieze appears on the back of the Supreme Court Building (the east side). One would think that Moses might be on the front, since we are a “Christian” nation. Ten Commandments? There are entire websites devoted to exposing the “Zionist agenda,” and Israel’s occult Supreme Court building.  Another case of the pot calling the kettle black! 

muhammadcourt

On the left is Mohammed among 18 other “law-givers.” This frieze is above the Supreme court Justices bench. Notorious pagans such as Hammurabi, Menes, Lycurgus, Draco, Augustus, and Justinian also appear. Pagan gods and goddesses (Minerva, Zeus, Mercury, and Juno) are also memorialized in the Great Hall.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Three guesses Who is missing. . .

That’s right. Not one representation of Jesus Christ in the entire United States Supreme Court Building. The Supreme Court Building came into existence in 1933. (Great occult significance) Go here for a timeline of events that took place during this period. The New Deal is only a symptom of the real cause of the downfall of our country.

foundation

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

resting

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3: 19-24

As we wrest with the kingdom of anti-Christ growing ever more powerful, we would do well to remember that the government we have, is the government we deserve. Putting your trust in our now completely pagan government is beyond foolish.  No king can do it for us. No human law can reverse it. We must turn back, we must repent, we must put all our faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. He is our only hope. He is our only salvation. He is our only King.

. . . Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22: 20b

For the Lord’s Day – Lord, Have Mercy

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=4iwF7tNS3O4%3Fsi%3D0SrPmqZ8eSssrCW1

PSALM 136:1-26

136 O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for His mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for His mercy endureth for ever.
4 To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endureth for ever.
5 To Him that by wisdom made the heavens: for His mercy endureth for ever.
6 To Him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for His mercy endureth for ever.
7 To Him that made great lights: for His mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for His mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for His mercy endureth for ever.
10 To Him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for His mercy endureth for ever:
11 And brought out Israel from among them: for His mercy endureth for ever:
12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for His mercy endureth for ever.
13 To Him which divided the Red sea into parts: for His mercy endureth for ever:
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for His mercy endureth for ever:
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for His mercy endureth for ever.
16 To Him which led His people through the wilderness: for His mercy endureth for ever.
17 To Him which smote great kings: for His mercy endureth for ever:
18 And slew famous kings: for His mercy endureth for ever:
19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for His mercy endureth for ever:
20 And Og the king of Bashan: for His mercy endureth for ever:
21 And gave their land for an heritage: for His mercy endureth for ever:
22 Even an heritage unto Israel His servant: for His mercy endureth for ever.
23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for His mercy endureth for ever:
24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for His mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for His mercy endureth for ever.
26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for His mercy endureth for ever.

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Dear LORD, have mercy on our sinful nation. 

church, flag and bible

For the Lord’s Day – Cleanse Me (Search Me, O God)

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In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s Bible study on sanctification, this hymn came as the perfect enhancement. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HSCFSpR-r3Q%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26fs%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26wmode%3Dtransparent

Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy Name.

Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

O Holy Ghost,
Revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival,
Start the work in me.
Thy Word declares
Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessings now,
O Lord, I humbly plead.

    James Edwin Orr (January 15, 1912 – April 22, 1987)[1] was a Baptist Christian minister, hymn-writer, professor, author[2] and promoter of Church revival and renewal

He was a professor in the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught courses in the history of missions to career missionaries.

James Edwin Orr was born in 1912. His education includes earned doctorates from universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, including the Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University and the Ed. D. from U.C.L.A. in 1971.

In his many travels, Dr. Orr has visited a hundred and fifty countries, including the Soviet Union, and has been in two-thirds of the world’s six hundred major cities.

Despite these numerous life-long accomplishments, J. Edwin Orr will no doubt be best remembered as author of a simple, revival hymn text—“Cleanse Me.”

Dr. Orr recalls that he wrote the Cleanse Me text, in 1936, during an intense movement of the Holy Spirit at the Easter, revival convention in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand—

For some time prior to this Easter campaign, an attitude of unusual expectancy had been prevalent among these people. Prayer meetings spread throughout the city with much fervency, and intercession led to wide-spread confession and reconciliation among the believers. Great numbers of unconverted students professed faith in Christ. The next night was given over to exultant testimony, with singing such as one expects in heaven.

The revival news soon spread throughout all of New Zealand. Dr. Orr reports that as he was leaving New Zealand, four Aborigine girls approached and sang for him a beautiful Maori Song of Farewell.

Mr. Orr was so impressed with the beauty of this Polynesian melody that soon afterward he wrote new verses to the tune on the back of an envelope. The text was based on the familiar words of Scripture found in Psalm 139:23-24:

       Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Further campaigns by Dr. Orr throughout Australia in the 1930s and later in nearly all of the English-speaking world, soon popularized this prayer hymn everywhere.  http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/sng_cleanseme.htm

PSALM 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

For the Lord’s Day – Jesus Paid It All

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=9bPaXN9j9yQ%3Fsi%3DxMkN48sVexY2xaQp

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

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Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

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And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

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Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

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When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

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And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

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JESUS PAID IT ALL

PAID IN FULL

Jesus Paid It All was written under unusual circumstances. Did your mind ever wander during a Sunday service? Perhaps you started thinking about other things–maybe what occurred last week, or plans for the coming week or what you will be doing later that day. Something like that happened to the writer of a familiar hymn.

On a hot summer Sunday morning in 1865, Mrs. Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was found in her accustomed place in the church choir loft. But as the pious words of the Reverend Schrick’s prayer droned on and on, her thoughts drifted to other things. She pondered the meaning of the cross, and the storied scene flashed before her mind’s eye.

High upon a rocky crag, three crosses scarred the afternoon sky. On the outer gibbets, hung two notorious thieves. Below, Roman soldiers drank and gambled, waiting for death to overtake the poor wretches suspended above them. It was a public execution, but far more significant than they imagined at the time. Suddenly, the air grew dense and an eerie darkness invaded the scene.

As the soldiers gazed about them in superstitious dread, a triumphant cry pierced the gloom. It came from the figure on the centre cross. One word, in the Greek tongue: “Tetelestai!” Then He was dead. That shout of victory Christ uttered as He died is usually translated “It is finished!” (Jn. 19:30). But it had another meaning back then. It was an accounting term. When a bill was paid, it was commonly stamped with the word “Tetelestai,” meaning Paid in Full.

And that is precisely what the death of Christ accomplished. “[He] bore our sins in His own body on the tree,” says Peter (I Pet. 2:24). “He Himself is the propitiation [the full satisfaction of God’s justice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world,” (I Jn. 2:2). The groaning weight of all the world’s sin was laid on Christ at Calvary. He bore it in our place.

As the pastor’s prayer continued, Mrs. Hall took up her hymn book and, turning to a blank page inside the cover, she began to write. Afterward, she presented the pastor with some simple lines of poetry–not likely telling him when they were written! Glancing at them, the pastor was reminded of something that had happened just that week. The church organist, John Grape (1835-1915) had composed a new hymn tune, with no words in mind. He passed it on to Pastor Schrick, suggesting they might find a use for it in future.

Stepping into his study, the pastor laid Mrs. Hall’s poem next to the lines of music. In surprise, he saw they fit one another like hand in glove. “Indeed, God works in mysterious ways!” he thought. (Little did he know!) The words and tune have been partners ever since, in the hymn, “Jesus Paid It All.”

http://www.wordwise-bible-studies.com/Jesus-Paid-It-All.html

ROMANS 6:22-23

King James Version (KJV)

water in a weary land

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For the Lord’s Day – Amazing Grace

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=SBs7-crFAKQ%3Fsi%3D-iJ9EY-5n58FoOey

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

John Newton’s Christian mother had died, leaving him to the care of his sailor father. He followed his father into the British Navy, and eventually became involved in the slave trade. Newton was a very unsavory character – leading others to follow him into debauchery. Some years later , as captain of a ship, they were struck by a storm of such severity – that it was doubtful any would survive. Newton – as many do when faced with death – cried out to God – “Lord have mercy on us.”

That was May 10, 1748, the date of Newton’s conversion. Newton continued in the slave trade for a while, though now treating the slaves with some humanity. But, in the natural course of maturing as a Christian – he gave up seafaring entirely in 1755. He eventually became a minister, teaching himself Greek and Hebrew. He died December 21, 1807, secure in his faith. He wrote the words to his own epitaph –

“John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”

newton1

John Newton (1725 – 1807 ) left us a great legacy, perhaps the most beloved hymn of all time. 

At 82, Newton said, 

“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.”

4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 4-9

How to Witness for Him – #6 – Giving the Invitation

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Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GIVING THE INVITATION:

  After sharing  God’s Plan of Salvation, invite the person to whom you are witnessing, to accept, by faith,   the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior.   You can ask them to kneel with you, but no pressure!  If you just get down on your knees, it is likely that they will follow – but it is not necessary.  If you are on an airplane, or in a foxhole, kneeling is not going to happen.  You lead the way! 

While you are kneeling, or other posture of reverence, out loud, pray that the Lord will convict him of his sinfulness, and bring him to a state of repentance.  If he does not follow you, then arise and make another appointment to meet with him again.  If he does follow you to his knees, ask the Lord to save him now.  You will need to lead him – like a baby.  Yes – even coach- if need be.  Just be sure, that however you do it, that he/she acknowledges the complete Gospel.  Be sure he:

  1. Admits God loves him
  2. Admits Christ died bearing his sins
  3. Thanks the Lord for convicting him
  4. Admits that he is a sinner
  5. Admits that he is dead in sins
  6. Admits that he cannot save himself
  7. Cries out to the Lord to save him

 Please don’t be preoccupied with the “sinner’s prayer.”  Let the Holy Spirit lead you, as you lead the lost one to his Savior.  The prayer should flow from the heart – not a prescribed formula from an “expert.”

When you finish leading him through prayer, stand up, and ask him – “Did you by faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”  If he says yes, confirm it  – “Upon the authority of God’s Word you are now a child of God.”  Give thanks and praise to God!

Romans 10:13

 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Bible Study – Lot Delivered from Judgment

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Lot has returned from trying to persuade his two married daughters and their husbands of the impending doom. They mocked him in the same fashion that the world mocks Christians today. Since they can not see the doom coming – it does not exist in their minds. Forever the fallback of the secularists – prove it!

The angels spend the night in Lot’s home, then awaken him at dawn.

15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Apparently Lot was “lingering” (vs. 16) – something many people do when presented with the Gospel. They delay leaving their old, sinful life, because they, like Lot, fail to see the gravely perilous situation they are in. We also see that Lot is being delivered, as we are, because of the Lord’s mercy. Not for anything that Lot did – and not for anything that we do.

lot-flees-sodom

17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:19 Behold now, Thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified Thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

zoar

21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

The map at right shows the approximate locations of the “cities of the plain.” Some scholars believe they were farther north, but the location is not germane to this study.

Lot – still the carnal believer – is terrified of being homeless. His weak flesh still has control over his actions. He feels that if he were too far from “civilization” he would not be able to live. He asks to be granted sanctuary in the “little” city of Zoar.

escape-from-sodom1

23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

Many archeologists have attempted to locate the remains of these cities. I find that rather ridiculous, because the Lord “overthrew those cities.” Working in my garden, I often turn the top layer of soil and its weeds completely over. When I go back a few weeks later, the weeds underneath are all dead. If that could happen in my garden in just two weeks – how could something the the Lord completely destroyed still remain after thousands of years?  Most experts now agree – that Sodom and the “cities of the plain,” are now what is known as the Dead Sea.  They were completely destroyed.  The Lord “overthrew” them – even turning them upside down, as one dumps out a garbage pail!

fire-and-brimstone3

26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. LUKE 9: 62

burning-sulpher

27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:

abraham-sees-sodom-burning

28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. Genesis 19: 15-29

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 18: 22

ALL sexual behavior outside of the God ordained marriage between one man and one woman is sin – gay or straight, plural, animal, whatever – including all fornication and adultery among “straight” people. Christians – when you are intimate with someone- you are permanently joined to them. Only God can separate that. Sexual sin is sin against your own body – and sin against God.

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is One Spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6: 15-18

The Lord Jesus Christ could not have been more clear on this subject –

Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Matthew 19: 4-6

struggle

If you are struggling with sexual sin – no matter if it is homosexuality, pornography, adultery, or fornication – it is the same sin of lust. Jesus can deliver you from this sin, no matter how heinous and unforgivable you feel. You may feel that you are beyond redemption. Jesus came and died to save sinners! If you are truly repentant, and truly want to be delivered – you can be delivered. Do you long to be pure? You can be – just like the thief on the cross next to Jesus. It’s not too late for you. . .  repent now, and turn to Jesus Christ.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. Psalm 51: 7-13

Bible Study – Abram’s Faithfulness and Reward

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After the king of Salem departs, the king of Sodom speaks with Abram, but this is an entirely different exchange.

king-of-sodom

21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

The king of Sodom, is in no position to make such a request. He has been conquered, first by Chedorlaomer and his confederates, then by Abram. Technically – all the spoils belong to Abram.

22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

Abram has made a very solemn promise to God –

23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. Genesis 14: 21-24

As far as Melchizedek is an Old Testament “type” of Christ – the king of Sodom is most certainly a “type” of Satan. The Lord has revealed to Abram that the king of Sodom would be first in line to accuse him of coming by his riches dishonestly. How like the evil one – Satan is the “accuser of the brethren.” {Rev. 12:10} Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments – the Godly and the ungodly are always presented together.

abraham-and-stars

1 After these things the Word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3 And Abram said, Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

Abram wonders if God means to give him a son though his servant.

4 And, behold, the Word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.5 And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Abram expresses his concern to the Lord. Yet another test – that resonates with us to this very day.

6 And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15: 1-6

What a high watermark in Abram’s faith! When he is first called out of Ur of the Chaldees to travel to an unknown land, he demonstrated complete trust and faith. It was challenging, but not impossible. But here – Abram is trusting in God to do what seems impossible.

Genesis 15:6 is the first record in Scripture of imputed righteousness. Genesis 15:6 is the foundation of the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Abram is Paul’s witness to salvation by faith –

salavation

“. . .faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. . .Rom.4:9

There is only one plan of salvation in both the Old and New Testaments – FAITH. Old Testament saints looked forward in faith to the coming Savior, while we look back in faith to the Savior.

abraham

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying,

In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3: 6-8

***Important note:  Followers of Les  Feldick and other ministries which teach that Old Testament saints received another “gospel,” are grossly mistreating the Word of God.  Galatians clearly states that God Himself preached the Gospel to His friend Abraham in Galatians 3:8.  There is only ONE Gospel, and has only ever been ONE Gospel.

The New Birth – #5 – Threefold Proof of the New Birth

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Every truly born-again person, has the threefold proof of the New Birth:

  1. Inward proof
  2. Outgoing proof
  3. Outward proof

1 John 5:1

 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of Him.

1.  “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”  Personal faith in Christ – that He is GOD – is personal evidence that the born-again individual is a child of God.

  1 John 5: 10, 13 – He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.

  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.  This is INWARD proof of the New Birth.

1 John 4:7-11

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

2. “Everyone that loveth is born of God.”  We are to love mankind with the love of God.  Our sinful flesh is not capable of loving what is unlovable;  we must allow God to love mankind through us.  Rom. 5:5 – And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  God’s love for man, expressed through truly born-again souls, is OUTGOING proof of the New Birth. 

1 John 2:29

If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him. 

3.  “. . .every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.”  When we are genuinely converted, and born anew, we will make a practice of doing right at all times and at all costs!  2 Cor. 5:17- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  This is OUTWARD proof of the New Birth. 

Dear Readers,  If you do not have the threefold proof of the New Birth as demonstrated in Scripture,  now is the time to get on your knees and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.  And when using the term “personal,” it simply means that it is between you and the Lord – no one can do it for you.  There is NO SALVATION  through  your priest, Pope, rabbi, minister, father, mother, family, religion, cult, ritual,  self-help program or book.  You must have saving faith in His vicarious death, burial, and bodily resurrection –  believing that He Personally  experienced torturous death in your place, and overcame the tomb by the power of His Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Tomorrow may be too late!