Preaching the gospel is the most wonderful, scintillating, and powerful way to communicate to another human being. Jesus’ believers know that from the time they wake up till they go to sleep at night, they should seek any opportunity to share the truth about the Grace of Jesus Christ with someone who is lost and is willing to hear. It is truly exciting! The angels in heaven sing praises to God for every one who is saved.
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? that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:14, 9-10, 17
There was a time when the Church in Jerusalem was persecuted so severely the believers were driven out of Jerusalem but did that discourage them from preaching the gospel? No! Everywhere that they went they shared the good news of the Kingdom of God and salvation through Jesus Christ.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.- Acts 8:1, 4
One doesn’t have to be ordained to teach the Word of God. Jesus made it plain enough that we are commanded to teach others what He has taught us. At one time Jesus sent out 70 disciples to teach His word to anyone who would listen.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.- Hebrews 5:12-14
Don’t be idle as one on milk! Spread the Gospel! There are literally billions of people on this earth who are not saved especially in China and India, the two most over populated nations in the world. And above all, pray that you be given opportunity as Jesus commands.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: – Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus is effectually sending all believers out to teach the word of God.
I pray that Jesus blesses you all that you bear much fruit!
A blogger made a comment to me: “maybe the reason God allowed Obama to be president was to give America a wakeup call”. That is a very interesting thought. God could be waiting to see how we react, now that we have a new president, to see if we take the opportunity to turn back to HIM. I firmly believe that God was directly involved in the presidential election. God has made it apparent that He wants us to take notice.
When God gave the nation of Israel their first king He told them to serve God and don’t rebel against His word and everything would work to the good for them. We as a people need to follow this example and be sure we follow God. God is willing to bless this nation now if we will only turn to Him and stop all the ungodly things that America has embraced in recent years.
If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king. — 1 Samuel 12:14,25
It is time to stand up and be counted that we are committing to God, the president, and this nation. Then we will be blessed beyond measure. God can take away blessings and then restore them twofold. Read the book of Job in the bible to see God in action. Our problem is we don’t believe God.
Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD. — Lamentations 3:40
It doesn’t matter whether someone is professing Christian or not. God is not a respecter of persons. God does not withhold the needs of people because they are unbelievers. God loves all people. He loves you! God created the heavens and the earth to be inhabited by men for a very important reason. All creation is meant for the inspiration, edification, and encouragement to men everywhere to learn about God and to have free moral agency as to whether they want God in their lives. But He does not discriminate against anyone. He loves you and wants to give you His blessings only if you let Him. He says in His word that He is always at your door knocking patiently waiting for you to let Him in.
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. — Matthew 5:45
You can trust God and He promises to never forsake you or leave you.
God teaches us to love Him and to love our neighbors just as we would like for them to love us. May God bless your life for reading this!
Have you ever read the story about how butterflies go through a life cycle known as complete metamorphosis. The life cycle stages that they go through include: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The butterfly lays a very tiny fragile egg on the leaf of the milkweed plant. The egg then begins to grow and change into the larvae (caterpillar). After a short while the caterpillar excretes a substance that covers its whole body. This substance protects its body as it goes through a miraculous change. Then a most beautiful creation appears in the form of a fabulous butterfly.
We humans are very much like that caterpillar worm until God attracts our attention and we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ. He sends His Holy Spirit to spin a protective cocoon over us and we begin to be transformed into a new creation that will burst forth into a glorious new body into the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? Philippians 3:21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, 1 Corinthians 15: 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
We shall see Him as He is and be as He is, we will share all His glory in the Kingdom of God.
John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 1 Peter 3:4… with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
We become a beautiful, gentle and quiet spirit in the family of God.
Here are the words of God that puts us back into perspective in the midst of all the talk on both sides concerning the candidates for the presidency of the United States of America. Please take note! This involves both non religious people and those who have religious beliefs.
Does this describe you?
Jude 1:16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
Politics can be used for good or bad as is often displayed by people all over this nation, but because we are blessed to live in such a free society, we can express ourselves any way we please. That is not always a good thing! The whole population of the nation who votes for their choice for president is made up of individuals who speak for themselves. What and how we speak reveals our character, personality, and qualities. This brings to the for-front the real bearing of our purpose by the verbal communication that spews from our mouths .
James 3: 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
I implore you to restrain from the common “political correctness” and let the goodness in your heart prevail instead of scorning the opposing candidate and whoever votes for them.
Colossians 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but let the spirit of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and self control be your beacon to this nation and the free republic in which we live under God.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
God will deliver us from those who are our political enemies if we believe in Him.
2 Kings 17:39 But the LORD your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”
Wake up!
God will provide the right person to lead this nation. Now is a time to believe God can do what He says He can do.
No matter how much we are attacked, persecuted, or maligned, and it doesn’t matter who we are, what race, religion, atheistic, or political leanings these words are good to us and for us all and a perfect guideline to follow.
As I start to write about the fourth fruit of the Spirit, I cannot help but think of civil unrest in this nation right now. If there was ever a time for the implementation of the fourth fruit of the Spirit it is now. As I write there are numerous rioting events actively taking place. I realize that not all people are of the Christian faith and will not give heed to this but we all need to consider being longsuffering even those who are not Christian or of any religion. To rashly take up an attitude of violence is not the answer. But loving your neighbor as you would yourself is!
Here are some of the events of this year alone and seemingly increasing.
List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States
2016 – Democracy Spring rally in April. March to Washington D.C. and sit-ins lead to arrests.
2016 – Donald Trump rally in Costa Mesa, California, April 29. 20 people were arrested as crowd turns violent outside the Trump rally. Anti-Trump protesters clashed with pro-Trump supporters.
2016 – 2016 Charlotte riot, September 20-21. Riots started in response to the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by officers. What started as a protest turned violent. Protesters were hijacking trucks, looting their contents then setting them on fire. Traffic on Interstate Highway 275 was stopped, forcing the occupants to drive while rioters sat on top of their vehicles. At the site of the shooting police vehicles were destroyed, and nearby the windows at the Omni Ritz Hotel were shattered. Looting occurred at a Walmart in northeastern Charlotte as well as a CVS pharmacy, a convenience store, and the Charlotte Hornets team store in Uptown Charlotte. After 12 officers were injured, the use of tear gas was approved to disperse the crowds. The National Guard and the North Carolina Highway Patrol were also called in.
God’s Word always inserts the way of peace in man’s heart!
The fruits of the Spirit are listed in God’s Word.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
This nation needs God’s intervention in the hearts of all the people. This nation needs to consider doing what God says in His word.
Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Those words have a lot of power in them if only people will believe. There is no need for what is happening to this nation. I am certainly not condoning killing of people by police or rioters.
Romans 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
We need to strengthen ourselves according to God’s word not the word of men.
Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering
God loves you and He wants kindness and gentleness for you!
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Leaving all things in God’s hands leads to a life of peace where there is no crime, killing, riots, or fear in the streets of our cities.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation
SALVATION!
Yeah I know! there are those who will read this and say: The do-gooders always want to bring God into it. What is happening isn’t God’s way. What is happening is man’s feeble attempt to bring on anarchy and is failing miserably. God’s way is the opposite. Here is how He would handle it.
1 Timothy 2: 1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings (world leaders) and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
It all starts with you. You can make this good and acceptable in your sight!
Here is a thought for today in the midst of all the intense political unrest in this nation concerning the upcoming elections. It is good to stop and take a deep breath and examine ourselves and consider this.
Psalms 1:1, 3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
I pray that God gives us all an earnest, upright heart and divine discernment of the needs of America. Amen!
The third fruit of the Spirit helps mold our minds to be Christ like.
As I continue to expound upon the fruits of the Spirit we come to the third fruit of the Spirit. Let’s be mindful of how important they are to God. God wants us to understand why we need the impact of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
How do we get this peace that Jesus talks about so much in His Word? First of all if God calls you to salvation through Jesus Christ and His saving grace and you acknowledge that you are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins He will do so. His Holy Spirit will then begin to dwell inside you and fill you with understanding of the fruits of the Spirit.1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
Jesus shares His peace!
Jesus wants to share everything about Him with us and He gave His life to make it possible. He tells us in the gospel of John just before He was crucified on the cross how much He wanted us to have His kind of peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
God sent Jesus to this earth in the form of a man to preach a message of peace.
Jesus came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and taught all things pertaining to the Spirit because as of that time no one had received the Holy Spirit of salvation. The Jews thought they would be saved by keeping the LAW, they did not understand the things of the Spirit. That is why it was imperative for Him to teach about the fruits of the Spirit and explain peace, the subject today.Acts 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all —
God teaches us that to do good, be spiritual minded, and to preach the gospel of peace to all people will also build a well of peace in our own hearts.
Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
On June 4, 2016 I wrote about the first fruit of the Spirit which was love. Now I write about the second fruit of the Spirit which is joy.
The fruits of the Spirit are very important to God and He wants us to know what they are for a reason. They are expressly about the Spirit, the character of the Spirit and we should imitate Him, have His character. The ways of the Spirit are Holy to God and He expects us to reverence the Holiness of the Spirit. Jesus severely chastised the Pharisees about being disrespectful of the holiness of the Spirit inMark 3:29 “but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”
Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit for the Spirit dwells in them. The fruits of the Spirit should be our nature as we follow the Spirit of Christ in us.Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
What more joyful thing could you want than that? Jesus says inJohn 17:13 “But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”
Later after the church had grown in the Spirit and increased in numbers we find inActs 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul gives us more insight to how joy is an important aspect of our lives when he says inRomans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us what our joy should be like inPhilippians 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Then Paul sums up the spiritual meaning of our joy as being like a crown in the hope of glory.1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
The fruit of the Spirit is Gods holiness in believers and should be on display and shared with everyone.
WORLDWIDE INTERNET EVANGELISM 