Mon, Jan 31st - 11:53PM

Acts 8:18-21

Acts 8:¹⁸ Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,

 ¹⁹saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

 ²⁰But 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)

Perhaps Simon should of lived in our time.  He would of found plenty of people willing to sell him the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He could of turned on TBN and find a whole list of false teachers willing to sell the blessings of God.  Don’t be fooled people the gifts of God are not for sale.  They are free blessings from God.  If anyone ever tells you have to gift a monetary gift to their ministry to be blessed they are a false teacher.  God gives his blessings freely to his faithful servants.

Sun, Jan 30th - 3:43AM

Luke 16:15

^{Luke 16:15} Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

What is that the world honors?  The world honors pride, wealth, fame.  The very things the Bible preaches against.  Jesus taught humility, selfless service.  We live in a society that worships celebrities; we even call it celebrity worship.  We watch shows like American Idol or watch celebrity reality shows that show the lives of celebrities.  Why?  Why are these people famous why do we make role models out of people who shouldn’t be role models?  Most of these people are drug users, live very decadent life styles and live very self centered lives without any thought of God whatsoever.  We live in a society that pays million of dollars to athletes for playing kids game while paying a police officers, firemen, and school teachers barely enough to survive. 

There is a saying that goes “a proper place for a ship is in the sea, the proper place for the sea is not in the ship.”  In other words the proper place for the Christian is in the world, the proper place for the world is not in the Christian.  God doesn’t expect us to live in a monastery somewhere but he does expect us to live a life separated from the influences of the world.  God wants to be an example to the world around us without giving into the influences of the world around us. 

1 Corinthians 15:33 says “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

Who you hang out with does influence you.  What you watch on TV, the movies you watch and the music you listen to does influence your thoughts.  If your heart is truly in the right place you would have a true desire to be around people that have the same beliefs as you, you would desire to watch Christian based programming and listen to Christian music.  You wouldn’t find church boring.  You would have a strong desire to grow closer to God and the way we grow closer to God is by praying and reading the Bible.  The Bible is God revealed in written word.

1 Peter 1: 14-16 says, ¹⁴ so you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy

We are called to live holy lives.  What does it mean to live a holy life?  Peter tells us to be like our heavenly Father—holy in everything we do. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for his special use and set apart from sin and its influence. We’re to be set apart and different, not blending in with the crowd, yet not being different just for the sake of being different. God’s qualities in our life make us different. Our focus and priorities must be his. All this is in direct contrast to our old ways (1:14). We cannot become holy on our own, but God gives us his Holy Spirit to help us obey and to give us power to overcome sin.

Romans 12:1, 2 says, 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,^a]">[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^b]">[b] ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

What does it mean to give ourselves as a sacrifice?  The Apostles knew what it meant.  They left everything they had to follow Jesus.  Every one of them except for John gave their lives for the Gospel and John spent the last years of his life in prison.  Even today in places like Sudan, North Korea, China, the Middle East Christians give their lives for the Gospel. 

All Christians are expected to be Disciples of Christ.  Disciple means a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another.  Basically it means we are followers of the teachings of Christ.  In other words we should live our lives in the same manner as Christ.  We can never live the perfect life that Christ did but we are expected to try.

As Christians our whole life focus should be fulfilling the will of God.  What is the will of God? 

Matthew 28:19,20 spells out one of the things that God desires of his Disciples, ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,^b]">[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We are to continue the mission of Jesus and the Apostles, spreading the good news of Salvation through the name of Jesus.  The world often talks about love but true love is caring that your fellow man might spend eternity in hell and doing everything you can to see that doesn’t happen. 

The world likes to portray Christians as being intolerant because we say Christ is the only way to heaven and everyone without Christ is going to hell.  This isn’t intolerance it is truth.  It is truth because that is what the Bible says.  Without Christ your destiny is hell.  Anybody that has refused Christ as their Savior will spend eternity in hell.  That is truth because that is what the Bible says.  If you want to show true love tell your fellow man about Christ.  Christ gave his life that mankind could have a way to heaven; surely we can risk a little bit of ridicule to try a direct our fellow man away from hell and toward a path back to God.

When the Apostles was brought before the Jewish council in Acts they gave one answer, we must obey God rather than man.  No matter what society says about homosexuality, abortion, marriage, and other religions we must stand firm on the Word of God, for it is God that we will stand before to give an account of our lives.  Can you stand God before knowing you stood strong on his word or will you be one of those who have compromised their beliefs to be politically correct, to be popular, or to avoid controversy?   How many of religious leaders have sold out the Christian faith to suck up to society.  Is it any wonder that a common word threw at Christians is hypocrites?  Jesus himself said he came not to bring peace but a sword.  Jesus meant he was about to turn the world at that time upside down and he did.  We should be doing the same thing.  Preaching the Word of God without compromise.

As I mentioned earlier every one of the Apostles sacrificed their lives for the Gospel.  They could have spared their lives by quitting and going home but they knew true life lay in Christ.  They knew this life on earth is temporary and that their true award was in heaven.  Let the world build up treasures on earth.  It is temporary and soon will be gone but we have an eternal award in heaven.  A lot of Christians suffer in this world while a lot of evil men live lives of luxury but be sure of this everyone will stand before God to be judged.  How will you stand?

Hebrews 9:27 says, ²⁷ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.

The question you have to ask yourself is do you want a good life now or a eternal life with Christ?  Just like the Bible says it is easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle then a rich man go to heaven.  Why?  Because that man has learned to rely on his riches then to rely on God.  Tell me how a celebrity who has gotten use to having people worship them show true worship to God?  Let them have their award now I will have mine in heaven.

Thu, Jan 27th - 11:24PM

Ephesians 6:12

^{Ephesians 6:12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Satan and his demons are very real and so is the spiritual battle that has been going on for thousands of years between the forces of evil and God over control of this world and the souls of its people and this battle will continue to go on until the end.  Don’t be deceived this is very real and it’s a war with neutrals.  Either you are a child of God or a slave of Satan. 

Wed, Jan 26th - 7:27PM

Luke 5:31,32

^{Luke 5:31} Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. ³² I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” (NLT)

Have you ever tried to witness to an Atheist or a Universalists who thinks everyone is saved already?  They are difficult people to witness to.  How do you convince someone that doesn’t believe in God that they need God?  How do you convince the Universalists who believe everyone was saved automatically on the cross that they need to be saved?  It is like beating your head against a rock with these people but we know with God all things are possible.  We have to confront these people in love no matter how nasty and defensive they get and plant that seed and let God bring it to maturity. 

Tue, Jan 25th - 11:59PM

Acts 5:27-29

^{Acts 5:27}And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

 ²⁸Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

 ²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

This is the second time that John and Peter was brought before the council and ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus and for the second time they gave the same answer, they must obey God rather than me no matter the cost and they would pay the cost.  All the apostles paid the price for preaching Christ and many today in third world countries still pay with their lives for preaching Christ.  In the West Christians are often ridiculed for their beliefs.  Their beliefs that do not fit in today’s liberal society but no matter what we must stand on our beliefs and preach Christ.

Tue, Jan 25th - 12:01AM

Acts 4:1-20

Acts 4:1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. ' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (NIV)

These few passages has so many lessons contained in them.  Verse 12, there is no other name by which we are saved except Jesus. 

Verse 13, Peter and John wasn’t scholars, they didn’t go to seminary but they had studied under the master.  One of my biggest complaints against organized Christianity is that so many of our church leaders are chosen because of what school they went to or what degrees they have not on their walk with God.  I am currently a online student at a certain Christian school working on a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies and I have come across some professors who know textbooks but they don’t know the Bible and I wonder do they truly know God.  My grandfather was a old country Baptist preacher and before he became a Christian he couldn’t read or write but my grandmother taught him how to read using the Bible.  This man bought hundreds of people to Christ before he died without any formal training.  He didn’t have a degree but he did have the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Verses 18-20, how beautiful.  Could you stand before your accusers and give the same answer.  We have to preach Christ no matter the cost because it is a matter of life and death.  Eternal life and death.

Sun, Jan 23rd - 8:27PM

John 3:16

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

There is only one Way to Heaven and that Way is Christ, the one who died on the cross for your sins that through his blood which was shed on the cross you can have eternal life.  All it takes is believing he is the Son of God and submitting your life to him and leaving your old sinful life behind.

Sun, Jan 23rd - 12:56AM

Acts 4:10-12

^{Acts 4:10} let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that⁾by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.

 ¹¹"^O)"> He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.

 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)

Don’t be fooled by society and false teachers.  It aint politically correct but it is Truth.  There is only one true path to heaven and that is through Christ.  The one who died on the cross for you.

Thu, Jan 20th - 8:13PM

James 1:2,3

James 1: ² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (NLT)

I won’t sit here a lie and say I handle tough times gracefully.  I need a lot of work.  I often questioned why things happen to me.  But I can say the tough times I have went through has strengthened me to be the man I am today. 

Wed, Jan 19th - 8:34PM

Matthew 28:19, 20

^{Matthew 28:19} Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen

The Great Commission wasn’t just for the original disciples but all disciples of Christ and if you are a Christian you are a disciple and as disciples of Christ we are expected to tell the world the good news of the Gospel.

Mon, Jan 17th - 11:53PM

Matthew 27:46

^{Matthew 27:46} And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Had God forsaken his Son?  At this very moment Jesus was bearing the sin of the world upon himself.  At this very moment Jesus was suffering the death we all deserved for our sins.  At this very moment Jesus was the sacrificial lamb being offered for our sins.  He was the sacrifice for our sins.  He died in our place so that through his sacrifice we can have access to the Father if we accept him as our Lord and Savior.   He will never leave us or forsake us.

Mon, Jan 17th - 1:49AM

Matthew 26:39

Matthew 26:³⁹ And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

I don’t always know why we go through tough times and difficult situations but I know that God has a plan and he is in control.  We just have to have faith and trust he is in control and he will lead us through. 

Sun, Jan 16th - 12:48AM

Matthew 25:31-46

^{Matthew 25:31} 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:

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

 ³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

 ³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 ³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 ³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 ³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 ³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 ³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 ⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 ⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 ⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 ⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

 ⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 ⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 ⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

I really have a hard time understanding how those who claim to be Christian and claim to read the Bible can deny the coming judgment of God and the reality of eternal punishment when it is written about in the Bible in some many places.  If you have rejected Christ as your Savior you will spend  eternity in hell.  Don’t let these false teachers who say otherwise put your soul in danger.  Receive Christ as your Savior and your destination is heaven instead of hell.

Sun, Jan 9th - 11:22PM

Matthew 21:13

^{Matthew 21:13} And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

How many pastors today run a house of thieves instead of a house of prayer?  How many televangelists are constantly on TV begging for money to supposedly run their ministries but yet they live in mansions and drive luxury cars.  How many pastors have turned their churches into a house of deception?  Teaching lies and a watered down politically correct version of the Gospel instead of the true powerful Word of God.  The true Word of God that changes lives and causes the enemies of God to run in fear.

Mon, Jan 3rd - 1:27AM

Luke 6:39

^{Luke 6:39}And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

So many people are looking for truth, happiness, and peace in all the wrong places and in all the wrong people.  No matter what the humanist tell you you won’t find truth in self.  No matter what society tells you you won’t find happiness in material wealth and financial success.  You won’t find peace in a self help guru.  Oprah, Dr. Phil and all the others are just as blind as you.  The human soul will never find true peace until it returns to its maker, the Lord God Almighty.  True happiness can only be found in the name of Jesus.

Sun, Jan 2nd - 1:31AM

Romans 1:16

^{Romans 1:16} For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I refuse to be ashamed of the Gospel, the true Gospel, that Jesus is the one and only Son of God that died on the cross for us that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.  It is through Christ and Christ alone that we have eternal salvation.  Let others preach a watered down version of the Gospel not me I will preach that Christ is the one and only way.