Sat, Dec 31st - 5:14PM

Romans 1:18-25

^{Romans 1:18} For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

²⁴ Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. ²⁵ For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. (NASB)

These verses show the downward spiral of mankind.  Paul says God has revealed Himself in His creation but mankind chose not honor God or recognize Him as God or give thanks to God and our foolish hearts became darkened.  Professing to be wise we became fools and tried to replace God with our own ideas of God.  Therefore God gave us over to our own lusts and we exchanged the truth about God with a lie and worshipped the creation instead of the Creator.

The evidence of God is all around us.  This world, even mankind are evidence of the Creator but mankind refuses to recognize Him and instead we create our own ideas about creation or replace the God of the Bible with our own ideas about what God should be.  Mankind refuses to accept the fact of the existence of God or the fact He created the world so we create our own ideas of the creation with theories like the Big Bang Theory and evolution and even those who believe in God refuse to accept the God of the Bible so they recreate God in the ideas of what a God should be and then you have New Age teaching that teaches man himself is a god.  What foolishness.  God must be seating in Heaven shaking His head at the stupidity of man.  Imagine thinking ourselves as gods.  This world is in a mess and it is because mankind has rejected God and have tried to run the world without Him.  The lie is the same old lie of Satan that he told Eve in the garden.  Mankind can never be like God or exalt himself above God.  Mankind throughout history has tried this and failed and now we see in the end times a turning away from God and mankind once again trying to exalt himself as his own god but we can read in the Book of Revelation that God has the final say and those who reject God will feel the wrath of God.  I spoke in general terms about mankind but we know a minority of people still worship God and have accepted the salvation of Christ and you can also read in the Book of Revelation the award of those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior and still follow God.

Fri, Dec 30th - 10:53PM

Romans 1:17

^{Romans 1:17} For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^f]"> (NIV)

We live by faith.  We have faith in God, we have faith that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for us and that through Him we have the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.

Thu, Dec 29th - 11:17PM

Romans 1:16

^{Romans 1:16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (NIV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.  Why would I be?  The good news of the Gospel is that God loved you so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins that all who believe in Him and accepts Him as their Lord and Savior will be forgiven of their sins and receive the gift of salvation.  Who would be ashamed of that?  Accept Christ as your Savior and live.

Wed, Dec 28th - 9:44PM

Acts 26:24,25

^{Acts 26:24} While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” ²⁵ But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. (NASB)

Many say the Christians of today are out of mind because we believe in a God and read from an ancient book but just like Paul we speak words of sober truth.  God is very real, the Bible is the word of God, and if you have not accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ you are headed to hell.

Tue, Dec 27th - 10:48PM

Acts 26:15-18

^{Acts 26:15} And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; ¹⁷ rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ (NASB)

Shouldn’t this be a mission of every believer?  To be a minister and witness to every person in their sphere of influence.  To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, from the dominion of Satan, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and inheritance among believers.  Just think if every true believer would witness to those in the sphere of influence the number of people we could bring to Christ. 

Mon, Dec 26th - 11:06PM

Acts 24:25

^{Acts 24:25} As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (NIV)

This is how a lot of people treat the Gospel.  They have no problem with hearing how Jesus died for the sins and they like the idea of heaven but when you talk about sin, righteousness, and judgment they have a problem. 

There is not a more convenient time to give yourself to God.  This very night could be your last and if you have not received the salvation of Christ then you are heading to hell. 

Sun, Dec 25th - 11:12PM

Acts 21:13,14

^{Acts 21:13} Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!” (NASB)

Paul has just be warned what would happen to him if he continues to Jerusalem and this is his reply.  It seems we sometimes forget under what circumstances the early church was established.  Jesus and every one of the disciples except John were executed and John spent his last years in prison.  The Jewish leadership and the Roman Empire were very hostile to the new church.  Not only was the Apostles persecuted but most members of the early church suffered persecution and thousands lost their lives under Roman and Jewish persecution but in spite of this the early church grew. 

The church in the Western world is declining spiritually.  You could once say that the U.S. and most Western European countries were Christian countries but you can’t say that today.  Secularism and liberalism has taken its toll on Western society.  So many churches are more concerned with being politically correct than preaching the Gospel and what has been the result.  Look at how Western society has turned on the Evangelical churches that stick to the fundamental truths of the Gospel.  They are labeled as intolerant and hateful.  Well I guess in a sense they are right.  We refuse to tolerant sin and we do hate the sinful nature of the society around us.

Sat, Dec 24th - 11:35PM

Acts 20:33,34

^{Acts 20:33} I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. ³⁴ You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. (NASB)

In other places Paul mentions how he worked as a tent maker to support his needs.  He would have been in his right to ask the local congregations to support him but he didn’t want the people to get the wrong idea about his ministry.  The Bible is suppose to be our example for everything.  How do today’s word of faith preachers and prosperity preachers compare to Jesus and the Apostles.  Jesus himself lived the life of a lowly carpenter’s son until He started His ministry and then He and His disciples traveled from place to place often living off of the kindness of believers.  The disciples gave up everything to follow Christ.  They didn’t follow Jesus to acquire material wealth. God had a plan for them that would cost all of them their lives but they followed God anyway.  Paul himself would spend many months in prison and would eventually be executed.  He never acquired great amounts of wealth.  We have prosperity preachers today with several mansions, large bank accounts, expensive cars and clothes, with private jets to fly them around.  Well I hope they enjoy it now because they will answer to God for preaching a heresy that leads people away from the true Gospel.

Fri, Dec 23rd - 10:53PM

Acts 20:28-30

^{Acts 20:28} Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; ³⁰ and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. (NASB)

I can never stress enough the need for personal Bible Study.  There is so much false teaching out there such as universalism, prosperity preaching and others that you have to study the Bible to discern what is the truth.  People fall for these false teachers because they don’t know the scriptures.  Biblical knowledge is a key weapon against false teaching.  STUDY THE BIBLE. 

Thu, Dec 22nd - 9:41PM

Acts 19:13-15

^{Acts 19:13} But also some of the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ And the evil spirit answered and said to them, “I recognize Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” (NASB)

Of course the demons of hell knew who Jesus was and they knew about Paul because Paul had invaded enemy territory and was snatching people away from hell.  But these verses remind me of a couple of quotes.

"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are "harmless," and therefore unharmed. We are spiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are "sideliners" -- coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous!"
- Jim Elliot

“I pray that when I die, all of hell will rejoice that I am no longer in the fight.”

C.T. Studd

So which quote best explains you or your church?  Are you so commonplace that you are seen as harmless or do the powers of hell see you as a threat and a real soldier of God?

Wed, Dec 21st - 9:23PM

Acts 18:5,6

Acts 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. ⁶ But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (NASB)

The shaking of the garments was a Jewish custom, it basically meant I am so done with you I am shaking your dust off of me.  Paul had done his part he had tried to tell the Jews about Christ but they refused to hear so now on he would preach to the Gentiles.  He had done his part he had tried to tell them the Gospel now God would judge them for rejecting it.  Every Christian has responsibility to tell the good news of salvation to all of those around them.  Look at it this way, you have the cure for the biggest, most fatal disease affecting mankind, sin.  The cure is Jesus Christ.  He is the only way to cure mankind of this fatal disease but they will never know the cure unless we tell them. 

Tue, Dec 20th - 10:01PM

Acts 17:30,31

^{Acts 17:30} Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, ³¹ because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (NASB)

Salvation is in Jesus and Jesus alone.  Why?  Because it was Jesus who died on the cross for you.  It was Jesus that paid the sin penalty on the cross for you.  He died for all of mankind that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord may be saved.

Mon, Dec 19th - 10:30PM

Acts 17:21

^{Acts 17:21} (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) (NIV)

This explains mankind perfectly.  Why are we always looking for something new?  New Age, enlightment, Karma.  All of these are repackaged pagan and Eastern beliefs.  They aint nothing new.  They led to nowhere today just the same as they did a thousand or two thousand years ago.  There is only One true Way and that is through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for your sins.  Jesus is the One and only Way to heaven.  Any other path is a one way ticket to hell.  It is only through Christ that your sins are forgiven and it is only through Christ that you can have salvation. 

Sun, Dec 18th - 9:34PM

Acts 17:10,11

^{Acts 17:10} The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹ Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. (NASB)

We all need to be like the Bereans.  The reason people fall for false teaching is because they don’t know what the Bible says.  Most Christians are very lazy when it comes to reading the Bible.  We have people who have been Christians since childhood who have never taken the time to read the Bible.  How do you know what your church or pastor is preaching is Biblical if you don’t know what the Bible says.  Don’t assume just because your preacher seems to be a good man that he is always right.  He himself might have been misled.  Read the Bible for yourself asking the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to understand God’s Word. 

Sat, Dec 17th - 11:42PM

Acts 16:29-31

^{Acts 16:29} And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰ and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  ³¹ They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (NASB)

Becoming a Christian is easy, as it says believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.  It is spelled out in more detail in Romans chapter 10

⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

How many of you have heard the ABCs of salvation?

Admit you’re a sinner

Believe Jesus is the Son of God, that he died on the cross for your sins and that He is the only Way to heaven

Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

These are the first steps in a lifelong journey as a Disciple of Christ.

Fri, Dec 16th - 11:27PM

Acts 9:16

^{Acts 9:16} for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (NASB)

This is God instructing Ananias before Ananias goes to meet Saul.  Notice God didn’t say “go and tell how rich I am going to make him,” or “go and tell him I am going to give him everything he wants,” no God say he will suffer for His name.  Jesus told His disciples that would be hated because of Him and every one of the disciples except John was killed for the Gospel, and John spent many years in prison for preaching the Gospel.  Paul explains that we are in a spiritual war against the powers of darkness.  Who thinks the live of a soldier is easy?  It is not expected to be easy.  The job of the enemy is not to make it easy for you.  We are soldiers of God involved in spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness.

Prosperity preaching straight up is a heresy.  A religion created by con artist to scam people out of their money.  The only people prospering is the preachers of this heresy who live the good life off of the donations of their followers.  Look at Jesus and the Disciples did they live a life of luxury?  No, they knew their award was in heaven.  Jesus never promised us prosperity here on earth He promised us an award in heaven. 

Thu, Dec 15th - 11:34PM

Acts 9:15

^{Acts 9:15} But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; (NASB)

This verse is part of the story of Saul’s conversion.  If you don’t know anything about Saul, Saul was a Pharisee that brought severe persecution on the early church.  He had many Christians threw into prison and no doubt some of them probably died there but yet God choose him to be a great evangelist (after his conversion) to the Gentiles.  This Saul would be the Paul that wrote a good part of the New Testament. 

The Bible never says why God specifically chose Paul to be his missionary to the Gentile world or for a matter of fact why he chose the twelve disciples.  Paul was a former persecutor of the church with the blood of Christians on his hands and the disciples were common men.  When can look back at the Old Testament, Moses had murdered a man and David was a son of a shepherd but they were chosen to do great things for God.  The Bible says that God doesn’t look on outward appearances but that God looks at the heart.  He knows our hearts and knows us better than we do.  You can look back through church history see that some of the biggest leaders were common men chosen by God to do great things.  Don’t think that God won’t use you to no matter your background or your past sins. 

Wed, Dec 14th - 11:30PM

Acts 8:20,21

^{Acts 8:20} But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. (NASB)

You cannot buy the blessing or gifts of God.  Don’t ever listen to these con artist that try to sell you the blessings of God.  You don’t have to give money to any person or church or group to be blessed by God.  Don’t get me wrong I aint saying don’t tithe or give money to the church.  I am talking about these professional con artist on TV trying to con people out of money by trying to sell the blessings of God.  The blessings and gifts of God are free to all of His children.

Tue, Dec 13th - 9:44PM

Acts 5:40-42

^{Acts 5:40} They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. ⁴¹ So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. (NASB)

The Apostles were beaten and ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus and what was their response?  They REJOICED that they were considered worthy of suffering for His name.  And not only did they rejoice they kept right on preaching in the name of Jesus.  How different from so many churches today in the West.  So many of our churches today have bowed to pressures of society to confirm to their lifestyle, to accept what they accept out of fear of being seen as intolerant or hateful.  They preach that God wants us to be rich and live a life of luxury while we forget that Jesus and so many disciples in the history of Christianity have died for the faith and many more Christians around the world live in real physical danger but yet keep on preaching the Word of God no matter the cost.  This is living your faith, living for God no matter the cost.

Mon, Dec 12th - 10:28PM

Acts 5:29

^{Acts 5:29} But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. (NASB)

Now don’t get the wrong idea here.  This verse is not giving us a free pass to break the law.  Later on in the Bible Paul teaches on being law abiding citizens.  What is going on in this verse is that in the prior verses the Jewish leaders had ordered the Apostles not to preach in the name of Jesus but the Apostles ignore this ordered and continued to preach in the name of Jesus and now they have been arrested again and this is Peter’s response. 

And this is the point for today.  When the will of God and the will of society clash the will of God should always prevail among believers, and they will clash.  In Western society homosexuality, abortion, sexual immorality, alcohol and drug use have become norms and acceptable practices in society but as believers we know these things clash with the will of God and no matter what society says we must obey God as believers.  Taking a stand on issues of morality won’t make you popular but as believers we live to please God not mankind. 

Sun, Dec 11th - 8:25PM

Acts 4:13

^{Acts 4:13} Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them ^k]">[k]as having been with Jesus. (NASB)

Let me start off by saying I don’t disagree with getting an education.  Myself I am an online student with a Christian college working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies but nothing replaces the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  To many times in Christian circles leaders are judged by how much education they have or what seminary they went to and overlook the most important indicator of Christian leadership, what fruit they producing.  We forget that just as these verses indicate the Disciples were not educated men but they had the best training in the world at the feet of Jesus.  Most people probably would be surprised to know that some of the most successful evangelists in history never attended seminary.  My grandfather was a very successful country preacher for many years and he never graduated high school.  Like I said in the beginning I am not against education but the point is that God looks at the heart when He chooses a person not where they came from, or who their family is, or what education they have.    Don’t forget the Holy Spirit is our guide in any ministry and God can and does want to use.  Don’t think because you don’t have formal training that God won’t use you. 

Sat, Dec 10th - 9:37PM

Acts 4:12

^{Acts 4:12} And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (NASB)

There is no other way to heaven but through Christ.  If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior then your fate is hell.  This idea of Christlam or Unitarianism is a lie, a deception from Satan.  Not all religions lead to heaven.  Christ and Christ alone became a sacrifice on the cross for you that through His blood you can have the forgiveness of sins and salvation through Him and Him alone.  Don’t fall into the trap of modern society with its political correctness and pluralism.  As Christ said enter through the narrow gate for the path to destruction is wide.  In other words following the crowd because it is popular leads to spiritual death.  It isn’t popular to stand on our Christian beliefs that salvation is only through Christ and Christ alone and that everyone who has not accepted Christ will go to hell but we must stand firm on the fundamental truths of the Gospel.  Accept Christ as your Savior or go to hell.  As John chapter 3 says you must be born again in other words born again spiritually through Christ.

Fri, Dec 9th - 10:23PM

Matthew 28:19,20

^{Matthew 28:19} Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NASB)

Most people probably recognize this as the Great Commission.  What it is a commandment.  Jesus didn’t suggest we go make disciples, He commanded we go make disciples.  In other words tell the world about Him.  As believers you know the cure to the biggest disease affecting mankind, spiritual death.  They are spiritually dead because they don’t know Christ.  You can cure this disease by telling everyone about Christ and leading them to salvation in Christ. 

Thu, Dec 8th - 10:01PM

Revelation 22:14,15

^{Revelation 22:14} Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. ¹⁵ Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. (NASB)

I know it aint popular to say in our modern society but if your sins have not been washed away by the blood of Christ you won’t see heaven.  If your sins are not forgiven and if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior you will not enter heaven.  You will be one of those on the outside like the ones mentioned in verse 15. 

Wed, Dec 7th - 9:43PM

Revelation 21:7,8

^{Revelation 21: 7}He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

⁸But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

I think this says it pretty clearly.  If you are a sinner, if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior your destiny is hell. 

Tue, Dec 6th - 9:43PM

Revelation 20:11-15

^{Revelation 20:11} Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NIV)

The judgment of God is very real.  I know some people like to discount it as fantasy, or just not think about it or hope they will be good enough to get into heaven.  If your name is not written in the book of life then you are not going to go to heaven.  And how does your name get added to the book of life?  By accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior. 

Mon, Dec 5th - 10:04PM

Revelation 3:14-19

^{Revelation 3:14} “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:

¹⁵ ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, ¹⁸ I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. ¹⁹ Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. (NASB)

How many of our churches are lukewarm?  How many of them are just going through the motions?  How many members show up on Sunday and play Christian for an hour or so and then go back to their lives with no sign of any spiritual life?  God is saying wake up out of your slumber before He wakes you up.

Sun, Dec 4th - 9:43PM

Revelation 3:1-3

^{Revelation 3:1} “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirit of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.  (NIV)

A lot of modern churches could be compared to the church of Sardis.  They appear to be alive but are in fact are spiritual dead.  As Jesus said of the Pharisees they are white washed tombs.  They look great on the outside but in fact are full of death and decay.  Why is this?  Because they have rejected the teachings of the scripture with a feel good message that makes people feel good but has no backbone.  Some of our biggest mega-churches in the U.S. fit into this category.  People fill the seats every Sunday to hear a feel good message that tickles the ears but leaves them spiritual hungry.  Most of our mega-church pastors never speak of sin, immorality or the need for repentance out of fear of offending someone and loosing members.  The time is drawing to end.  We have to get back to the basics and getting people saved for the day of the Lord comes. 

Sat, Dec 3rd - 11:54PM

Jude 22,23

^{Jude 22} And you must show mercy to^h]"> those whose faith is wavering. ²³ Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.^j]"> (NLT)

We must remember the Gospel is for everyone.  Even the most wicked of people can be saved if they give their lives to Christ.  Even people we don’t want to associate with because of their lifestyles we must witness to.  Remember the story of Paul and Annanias.  What if Annanias had refused to go see Paul, the Paul that became a great Christian that wrote over half of the New Testament and brought the Gospel to a large part of the Roman Empire.  That atheist, or drug user, or drunk you don’t want to witness to could be the next Paul after all Paul had blood on his hands but God still had plans for him.  As the saying goes, “hate the sin not the person.”  We must look past the sin in their lives and see them for what they are, a lost soul in need of a Savior.

Fri, Dec 2nd - 11:22PM

Jude :17-19

^Jude:17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁸ that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” ¹⁹ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. (NASB)

Jude here aint talking about people outside the church but those inside the church.  False teachers that pursue their own lusts, who are worldly minded, cause division and devoid of the Spirit.  This is why I stress Bible study.  These people prey on those who don’t know the Bible.  If you know the Bible you will see straight through a false teacher.  The Bible is our guide.  It is the written Word of God.  Anyone who preachers contrary to the Bible is a false teacher.

Thu, Dec 1st - 9:52PM

Jude 3

^Jude:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (NASB)

So many Christians are spiritual weaklings.  We don’t contend for the faith.  We left our beliefs get mocked, distorted, and misused and do nothing.  This world is heading into moral bankruptcy and we do nothing.  A lot of Christians hide their beliefs out of fear of offending someone.  Well the Gospel is offensive to some because they are living in darkness.  They don’t like to be told they are sinners that are heading to hell but it is a truth they need to hear.  We let wolves in sheep clothing represent us on so called Christian TV and do nothing while most non-believers don’t know what real Christianity is all about because we are too afraid to witness to them.  It is time to come out of our spiritual recluse and be the light Christ demanded us to be for Him in our homes and our communities.