God is an author. He gave us a book called the Bible. It is the most printed and published book of all time. Nothing else comes close. In atheistic countries people are dying to read it. In our country we are trying to purge it. You should read it while you can. If you do, read a good translation. Leave the paraphrases alone. You will want to know exactly what He said, not what someone thinks He said.

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:2

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest (reveal) myself to him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest (reveal) thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. John 14:21-24

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha (accursed). I Corinthians 16:22

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:16&17

For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12&13

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Proverbs 30:5

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

This blog will lead you to Jesus Christ. What you do when you get there is between the two of you.

He (God) turneth the rivers into a wilderness, and the water springs into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. Psalm 107:33&34

Most of the right or correct decisions Christians make in life should be made in spite of how we feel.

The just shall live by faith, not by feelings.

Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction brought about by hearing the Word of God.*

*W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words – Copyright 1984, 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

The spirit of fear conveys timidity or dread. It is to shrink from dangerous or difficult circumstances; to be hesitant, fearful. The spirit of fear affects our ability to do right. It manifests itself first in our thoughts which become manifest or visible in our actions or lack of thereof. The spirit of fear is not from God.

But God has given us a spirit of power. A spirit of power comes from confidence in His Word.

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. II Timothy 1:12

But God has given us a spirit of love. Love (biblical love) is the remedy for fear.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

But God has given us a sound mind. A sound mind is a mind corrected and disciplined by the living Word.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

True Christians see and hate sin within themselves. Only when we are made alive in Christ are we able to truly feel the weight of our iniquity.

John MacArthur – Grace Partners 7-16-2024

God’s Perfect Lamb

(Chorus)
Sing Hallelujah! Praise to Jehovah!
Worship the God of Abraham.
Sing Hallelujah! Praise to Jehovah!
Once for all is slain God’s Perfect Lamb!

God spoke to Israel, “Bring Me a sacrifice,
Morning and Evening, every day.
Offer a spotless lamb without a blemish.
This is the command you must obey!” Chorus

Daily the lambs were brought; daily the blood was shed.
Laid on the altar built by man.
Then at the perfect time God said to Israel,
“I will now provide the ‘Perfect Lamb!'” Chorus

At God’s appointed time, Jesus Messiah came,
To make the sacrifice for all sin.
No longer bring a lamb– Jesus has paid the price.
Clap your hands and let your songs begin! Chorus

God’s Perfect Lamb by Ron Hamilton. © 1989 Majesty Music, Inc. All rights reserved; used by permission.

…he that hath ears to hear, let him hear…

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27

To be justified is to be declared righteous. Justification includes release from a verdict of guilty. If you or I refuse to acknowledge our sin before God, we deny our sin and our guilt. How then can we ever be declared righteous if we deny our sin and our guilt? To deny sin and guilt is to self-justify.

Forgiveness cannot happen without repentance. Repentance is a “changing of the mind” which acknowledges our sin and our guilt before God. It recognizes God’s love in that He provided a substitute and vicarious atonement for us on the cross (John 3:16) in His own Son, who rose from the dead. Forgiveness is granted in receiving His mercy. Mercy is something that is only granted to the guilty. Confess your self-justification as sin and receive His mercy by trusting Jesus Christ and His merit alone as your only hope of salvation.

For when we were yet without strength (spiritually dead), in due time Christ died for the ungodly (you and I).

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified (declared righteous) by his blood[1], we shall be saved from wrath (God’s judgment) through him.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation). Romans 5:6-11

[1] without shedding of blood is no remission (forgiveness). Hebrews 9:22b

Arise, My Soul, Arise*

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, oh, forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, oh, forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

[2]I now am reconciled; His pard’ning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

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

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

*Charles Wesley, pub.1742, copyright status is Public Domain.

[2]Wesley’s original lyrics say; My God is reconciled, but “Not once (in Scripture) is God said to be “reconciled.” The enmity is alone on our part. It was we who needed to be “reconciled” to God, not God to us, and it is propitiation (the gift which satisfies God’s justice and delivers from His wrath), which His righteousness and mercy have provided, that makes the “reconciliation” possible to those who receive it.” The phrase My God is reconciled, should therefore be rendered: “I now am reconciled!” W.E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of OT & NT Words, page 514.

Death is coming. For some of us, we can see the dust on the horizon rising from the wheels of his chariot, the time is so close. For others, the air is clear and still, there is no visible dust….., yet we are filled with apprehension, because we know he is coming. We ask ourselves…..will we see the dust or will we straighten up from some unfinished task as he pulls into the yard…?

Death is coming. It’s not a question of if he is coming, but when? His chariot wheels are already turning, his horse is lathered,…..and there is dust,….we just can’t see it yet. He’s on the way. The only thing to do….is to get prepared. Death will arrive shortly. Are you ready?*

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. Psalm 89:48

*From the gospel tract: He is Risen! by Monty McCoy copyright 1996.