The Lord Knows Those Who Are His

There is a continual conflict on earth between the truth of God and the lies of Satan. The Father of Lies works overtime to destroy the saving, sanctifying truth God has given us in His Word. As we get closer to the coming of Christ, these deceptions, lies, and misrepresentations will increase. (The Master's Plan For The Church; appendix 7)

2 Timothy 2:19 (NASB)
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."

Such I may have been--but for free and sovereign grace!

(James Smith, "The Book That Will Suit You!")

"By the grace of God--I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

Consider what you were--before saved by sovereign grace. Your heart was enmity against God, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! You did not have one pure desire, one holy thought, or one feeling of love to God.

Further, what would you have been--but for the grace of God? Look at the vilest, the most debased, the most debauched of our race--and you may truly say, "Such I may have been--but for free and sovereign grace!"

"By the grace of God--I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

gracegems.org

God's prison!

(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment--but the righteous to eternal life!" Matthew 25:46

The lost sinner takes the greatest of all risks--he risks suffering the torments of Hell forever, rather than yield himself to God.

He is in DANGER--the greatest possible danger; for he has broken God's law, is under its curse, and cannot possibly be saved--unless its demands are met, and its penalty endured.

How can he meet its demands? He is insolvent, and has nothing to pay.

How can he endure its penalty, which is to be punished with everlasting destruction?
The penalty due to sin--is Hell.
Hell is torment, wrath, despair!
Eternal torment!
Just and infinite wrath!
Never-ending despair!

If even the thought of these things is dreadful--then what must it be to actually endure them--and endure them forever, without hope, or mitigation, or end!

O what a fearful thing--to be in danger of Hell-fire! O how terrible the thought of being shut up in black despair, with devils and damned souls--the refuse of God's creation!

Hell is God's prison--where all His enemies are confined!

It is the place of punishment--where everyone suffers the just desert of his crimes!

It is a place horrible beyond description--beyond conception!

O, lost sinner! Hell is a dreadful place! To be damned is a terrible doom! It is forever! Yes, the worm that torments you--will never die; and the fire that punishes you--will never be quenched!

If you, my dear friend, live--neglecting God--walking in your own ways, and gratifying only your own passions and propensities--then you must go to Hell, and suffer God's just wrath--the punishment due to you for your sins!

God asks you, "Why will you die?" Why do you prefer . . .
death--to life,
damnation--to salvation,
Satan--to Jesus,
Hell--to Heaven?

Why?

gracegems.org

Let Fear Do It's Work

Do not fear the evil underhanded and destructive ways of the devil rather fear the power of the almighty infinite God of creation who not only has the power to extinguish your mortal body but also cast your very soul into the fiery depths of Hell where suffering never ever ends.

REPENT of your sin and TRUST in Jesus Christ, there is NO OTHER who can rescue you from the day of wrath that is coming.

Flee FROM sin.
Flee TO the Savior.

An unsaved person's perspective of Christians

(James Smith, "The Book You Will Like!" 1859)

I do not believe that you Christians believe your own creed--for if you were persuaded that things really are as your Bibles teach, and that we poor lost people were really going to such a dreadful place as you say Hell is--then you would act more humanely toward us.

If you saw our houses on fire--you would run and help us to put the fire out; or if you saw us in danger of death--you would try to do something to save us. But you pretend to believe that we are going to Hell, and that Hell burns with fire and brimstone forever, and that once there we can never get out--and yet you talk to us about all sorts of things--but never say one word to us about saving our souls from this terrible doom!

So I have reasoned thus: either you Christians don't believe what you say--or else you must be the most hardened and unfeeling wretches in the universe! Now, as I don't believe that you are such cruel, hardened, and unfeeling people as this supposes--then I must conclude that, with all your talk--you Christians don't really believe what your Bibles teach!

For if you really believe what you say about sin, and Hell, and our danger--then you would act differently; and if you have a spark of kindness in your hearts--you would try to save us from such a dreadful doom. And, on the other hand, if you do not believe what you profess--then you Christians cannot be honest; and to say the least, there must be a great deal of hypocrisy among you.

Now, I honestly tell you that these are the things which have stumbled me more than anything, and until I can see you Christians act differently--I will not be persuaded to believe what your sort of folks say.

gracegems.org

Watch out!

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

"Be watchful!" Revelation 3:2

Satan is watching--to devour us,
the world is watching--to ensnare us,
and God is watching--to protect us!

Jesus, our best friend, says to us, "Be watchful!"

Watch . . .
against the vanity of the world,
against your besetting sins,
against seasons of temptation, and
against Satan, the sworn enemy of your soul.

Unite together:
prayer to God,
dependence on His holy Word,
and watchfulness.

Pray to be kept . . .
from sin,
in temptation,
unspotted from the world.

Watch therefore, and pray always!

--- gracegems.org ---

The Heavenly Traveler

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")

"They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth!" Hebrews 11:13

What heir, traveling to take possession of a rich inheritance, allows either a green meadow or pleasant garden to detain him; or a black cloud or a dirty road to dishearten him?

O my soul, you are traveling to take possession of a glorious eternal inheritance!
Will you turn aside--to pluck every flower?
Will you linger--to listen to every melodious sound?
Will you leave your way--to drink of every gliding stream of carnal pleasure?

What is this, but . . .
to lose a mansion--to view a meadow!
to sacrifice an eternal crown--for a dying flower!
to lose immortal felicity--for a flying vanity!
to forsake the way of Zion--to gather the grapes of Sodom!

Though, my soul, your way is in tears, and your days in sorrow, all clouded; yet here is enough to comfort you: that a loving Father, an unending portion, a sweet rest, and an everlasting refreshment--will make amends for all!

Therefore, this vain world does not allure me--for I will make no deviation, because my way lies to purer comforts, and surer glory! Vexing world, do not entice me--I will not halt, because I am traveling to my heavenly Father's house!

"They were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them!" Hebrews 11:16

Evidence That You Are a Christian and Have Been Saved by God

The evidence that you have repented of your sins and were saved is that you are still repenting today.

The evidence that you believe in Jesus is that you are still believing in Him today and you are believing more than before.

The evidence that you have been truly saved by grace is that you keep walking and following Jesus and He continues changing you day by day.

The evidence that you are a Christian is that Jesus has done something in your life, and THAT something that He has done is the thing that motivates you to follow Him, and you want to be like Him and you continue on and on daily following Him.

Do not think that just because you were raised in a Christian home that you are a Christian, it is by grace you are saved, through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Do not think that just because you read your Bible that you are a Christian.

Do not think that only because you believe in God that you are a Christian, even the demons believe (James 2:19).

The greatest desire of your heart is to be totally devoted to Jesus Christ, to honor and please Him and Him alone, continually putting away the desires of yourself, abstaining from the things that bring disgrace to His glorious name.

Are these things evident in your life? If not there is still hope.

Think about your sin and your disobedience.
Think about the Savior and that He died to save you from the wrath of God that you deserve. Agree with Him that you are a sinner and that you have been living for yourself.
Apologize to God for your disobedience and repent (turn away) from your sin once and for all and put your trust in the Savior Jesus Christ to save you and give you a new heart with new desires that honor Him.
Its called being born-again. Jesus said in John 3:3 "Unless a man is born-again he cannot see the kingdom of Heaven."

He WILL save you if you trust in Him and not your own goodness. Your goodness can never be good enough. The Bible says that our righteousness/goodness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). His goodness must be placed upon us, His goodness must be credited to our account.
Apart from Christ, not even the most kind, compassionate, loving and caring little old lady has any hope whatsoever of an eternity in heaven.

Plead with Him today to save you and He will hear; trust in Him and He will give you everlasting life; then read His word and follow His will all the days of your life, not in order to be good but because He is good.

Spiritual Warfare

During a discussion earlier this year in our Saturday men's bible study the pastor asked, "What are the things we are up against in this church when it comes to this spiritual war?"

All were a bit reluctant to answer that question and it made me think; Do we know what we are up against in this battle of good and evil?

After some thought, I considered some reasons for the inability to offer insight into the question posed; one being self implication of our own shortcomings. When we talk openly with others about the things that hinder the work of the Holy Spirit around us, we risk shining the light on our own sin. We are terrified to expose our lives that we ourselves may be lacking in some area and possibly found to be entertaining a lifestyle that displeases God.

A second reason we may not want to point out the evil around us is fear of being seen as judgmental and possibly even thought of as being better than others by pointing out the failures around us.

Another reason even being that if we expose the battles we face in our churches it could be seen as a poke in the eye of the entire congregation who for the most part claim to be believers in Christ.

We fear that someone will be offended if we stand for truth and righteousness, and we do not want to suffer the consequences.

Christians are up against a multitude of evil things that many times we do not even recognize. Spiritual warfare is the evil that we battle around us daily, it is the thing that stands in direct opposition to the word of God.

The recent messages on holiness bring to light even more the useless, evil, worthless things we entertain every day, in our lives and in our churches.

The direction of man, even with the best of intentions will fall short of God's perfect plan. The best of men are men at best.

I've since had to ask God's forgiveness for entertaining the thoughts that our selfish desires are in some way more important that His will for the church.

May we not lose heart in proclaiming the truth of scripture, daily repenting of our own sin and moving in a direction that brings glory to God while standing on the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reaching the Lost

The best way to reach lost people is to exalt the glory of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God, and the wrath of God. For 2000 years He has been seeking people with His gospel, and He is sufficient to do it. - David Platt

Blessings Are Often Hidden

Youth Ministry: It's Time to be Biblical

It's becoming painfully clear that the 'Cool and Fun Gospel' doesn't work. Due to the silliness an entire generation has been lost.

What happens when more concern is placed on creating fun activities for getting youth into churches than preaching the gospel and teaching the truths of God's word? Their hearts are hardened, lives are lost, they become spiritually shallow, Christ is mocked, and blasphemy toward the Holy God is considered normal.

Youth programs are not biblical and the segregation is destroying churches, it's not too late to repent of this and trust in God's way.

Sounds like some people are picking up on the problem.
As you watch this 3 minute video please allow the Spirit of God to reveal to you the problems and use you in turning this around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vEa0O5av7c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Blood Money (Film Trailer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYaTywSDmls&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Westboro (Baptist) Church

Recently I saw a post that read, "I get so tired of "christians" acting like idiots. Can you say "Westboro"?

When I read this I couldn't help thinking about how God's ways are infinitely higher than our ways; maybe God has hardened the hearts of such individuals in order to test the faith of others; surely there is a purpose in all of this; how and why people can read the word of God and get it so mangled has always been a mystery to me; but God's ways clearly surpass ours. Do some people not know that God is just as angry with their sinful ways as He is regarding the sins of others.

No doubt, God's plans are superior to any human mind; for example, I surely would not think that the persecution of Christians could be used to spread the gospel to unreached cities and towns as was the case when Saul was so wicked prior to his true conversion; but God did.
Read Acts 7- 9.

Terrible things used for good?
How can this be unless the sovereign God of the universe has ordained such?

Isaiah 45:7
I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things.

Disastrous events such as hurricanes, tsunami's, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and most recently the tornados in Alabama and Oklahoma have resulted in the dispatching of relief agencies such as Texas Baptist Men (just to name only one) to assist in cleanup efforts in these areas which result in these men verbally sharing the gospel of Christ as well. God's word is advanced once again.

Could it be that the United States itself has been so neglected as a mission field or become so lost that God is moving His word along in ways we could not even imagine?

Lamentations 3:37-40
Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?
Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!

Punishment for sins?
It appears that is possible!
Reasons to keep fighting the good fight and not to become weary in proclaiming the saving message of the gospel? Absolutely!

Can the evil and wickedness of rulers, leaders, judges, and false prophets cause people to repent, trust the living God and turn to Him for salvation? It has for centuries!

I do tend to agree that the Westboro (Baptists) are unstable in their ways, their understanding of scripture seems to have little room for God's plan for salvation but thanks be to God for these and other opportunities so we can tell others about the true Savior of the world Christ Jesus, and thanks be to God that His ways are not only higher than our ways but His ways achieve everlasting results.

Lord please give us a wise and discerning mind as we faithfully read and study Your word, give us a heart that breaks for the souls of the lost, give us boldness of speech to proclaim Your precious word, guide us with the truth, Your word is truth.

WOW 2

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3-11

Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) Comments on Abortion

Steven Tylers (Aerosmith) comments after pressuring his girlfriend to get an abortion:

Some sense of responsibility (or curiosity?) compelled him to watch the procedure, with an unanticipated result: "[T]hey put the needle in her belly and squeeze the stuff in and you watch. And it comes out dead. I was pretty devastated. In my mind, I'm going, Jesus, what have I done?"

Read the entire article:
http://online.worldmag.com/2011/05/09/dont-walk-this-way/

A Psalm of David

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. [14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. [15] My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. [16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Response to Abortion Advocates

Many of our governmental leaders keep saying we need to strive to make abortion safe, legal, and rare.

Are you kidding me? Abortion is murder!
Murder safe, legal, and rare??
What kind of insanity is that??

Ladies, don't fall for that ridiculous way of thinking.

What about rape victims, they say.

Rape is a horrible devastating act of violence and those who commit such acts should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Does the baby inside the rape victim deserve to die?

Will the rape victim not be traumatized because of the rape regardless if the baby is murdered or not?

Killing the baby will not keep rape victims from remembering the torture they endured at the hands of their attacker, however they will be traumatized a second time physically and emotionally for years to come because of their choice to end the life of an innocent baby! Many women who have aborted their babies have said that the abortion is the emotional trauma that continually haunts them the most, not the rape.

I've heard several testimonies from individuals who were the product of violent rape, thankfully the victims of these crimes knew that murdering a child was not the answer to their situation. These children that were allowed to live, now as adults, are extremely thankful that their mothers gave birth to them and I am too.

No one would say that it is easy to carry and birth a child of rape, just that it was the right thing to do. It is a grievous thing that so much physical, emotional, and psychological pain is involved.

The murder of unborn babies is a sin against Almighty God.

Someone said to me once, "So you think ALL (emphasis added) women who have had abortions will burn in Hell?"

Clearly the answer is no, not ALL, however, according to scripture liars, thieves, fornicators, adulterers, and murderers are deserving of eternal torment in the lake of fire and ANYONE who does not repent of their sins, turn from their wicked ways and trust in the finished work of Christ to save them from their sins WILL be cast into that pit and perish on the day of judgement. Yes, including that kind little old lady down the street who has not put her faith and trust in the risen Lord.

PRO Abortion or PRO Choice as people like to call it is just an excuse for PROmiscuity.

Our choices have consequences.
Choose LIFE.

God is a just and holy God. He is also long-suffering, kind, forgiving and those who repent, turn from their sins and put their faith in Him will be saved on the day of judgement. All their sins will be forgiven, the old things will pass away and God will give them a new heart with new desires that are pleasing to Him.

It is only by God's grace and mercy that we live and breathe.
He ALONE is to be praised.

Franklin Graham on Fox News: Obama, Rob Bell and the Gospel Message

Franklin Graham in an interview on Fox News w/ Bill O'Riley weighs in on Obama, calls out Rob Bell as a false teacher/heretic and shared the entire gospel all in less than 3 minutes.
http://ow.ly/4LFxU

It is true--I do love my sins, my lusts and pleasures

GraceGems.org

("A Few Sighs From Hell" or "The Groans of the Damned Soul" by that poor and contemptible servant of Jesus Christ, John Bunyan, 1658. Being an exposition of Luke 16:19-31, concerning the Rich Man and the Beggar, wherein is revealed the lamentable state of the Damned--their cries, and their desires in their distresses, with the determined judgment of God upon them. A good warning word to sinners, both old and young, to seek salvation by faith in Jesus Christ--lest they come into the same place of torment.)

Lost sinner, I beg you to consider the state of those who die outside of Christ Jesus. Yes, I say, consider their miserable state, and think thus with yourself: "What, shall I lose an eternal Heaven--for short pleasure? Shall I buy the pleasures of this world at so dear a rate--as to lose my soul to obtain them? What advantage will these be to me--when the Lord shall separate soul and body asunder, and send one to the grave, and the other to Hell; and at the judgment-day, the final sentence of eternal ruin must be passed upon me?"

Consider, that the profits, pleasures, and vanities of this world will not last forever--but the time is coming, yes, just at the door, when they will give you the slip, and leave you in such a dreadful condition.

And therefore to prevent this, consider your dismal state, think thus with yourself: It is true--I do love my sins, my lusts and pleasures; but what good will they do me at the day of death and of judgment? Will my sins do me good then? Will they be able to help me when I come to fetch my last breath? What good will my money then do for me? And what good will my vanities then do, when death drags me away? What good will all my companions, fellow jesters, jeerers, liars, drunkards, and all my harlots do for me? Will they help to ease the pains of Hell? Will these help to turn the hand of God from inflicting His fierce anger upon me? Nay, they will rather cause God to show me no mercy, to give me no comfort; and to thrust me down into the hottest place of Hell, where I will swim in fire and brimstone!

O consider, that your doom is forever, forever! It is unto... everlasting damnation,
eternal destruction,
eternal wrath and displeasure from God,
eternal gnawings of conscience,
eternal continuance with devils.

O consider, that just the thought of now seeing the devil, makes your hair to stand straight up on your head. O but this--to be damned, to dwell among all the devils, and that not only for a short time--but forever, to all eternity! This is so astonishingly miserable--that no tongue of man, no, nor of angels, is able to express it!

Endure Temptation and Love The Lord

James 1:12-15 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.