In 1 John 4:7-18, it says:
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
Friday, January 20, 2012
Desire gives birth to sin.
In James 1:13-16, it says:
"Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren."
"Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren."
Don't Doubt.
In James 1:2-8, it says:
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
Doers of the word.
In James 1:18-25, it says:
"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does."
Live for the will of God.
In 1 Peter 4:1-7, it says:
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past life-time in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past life-time in doing the will of the Gentiles -- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers."
Thursday, January 19, 2012
1 John Verses: Born of Him (3)
Then it goes on in 1 John 2:29, it says "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."
1 John Verses: Love of the Father (2)
In 1 John 2:15-17, it says,
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Deny yourself of your flesh. Focus on what is more important, and that is the things that are of the Father.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Deny yourself of your flesh. Focus on what is more important, and that is the things that are of the Father.
1 John Verses: Right Track (1)
I would like to share with you some of the things written in 1 John that I think are really important. It's sort of like a self-evaluation to see if you really are on the right track.
I read from 1 John 1:5-10, and it says, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
Then it goes on in 1 John 2:2-6, and it says, "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
I'd bold, italicize, underline, and write in all caps everything that is really important. But if I would do that, everything in 1 John would be like: "HE WHO SAYS HE ABIDES IN HIM OUGHT HIMSELF ALSO TO WALK JUST AS HE WALKED......... YEAH, ALRIGHT! I FEEL GREAT!" It'd just be obnoxious and seem like I'm shouting on the mountaintops, blowing a trumpet after every sentence. And, bear in mind, that's just one sentence; just imagine every single verse being like that!lol.
Anyways, my friends I encourage you to read more in the Bible!
May Jesus bless you!
I read from 1 John 1:5-10, and it says, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."
Then it goes on in 1 John 2:2-6, and it says, "And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
I'd bold, italicize, underline, and write in all caps everything that is really important. But if I would do that, everything in 1 John would be like: "HE WHO SAYS HE ABIDES IN HIM OUGHT HIMSELF ALSO TO WALK JUST AS HE WALKED......... YEAH, ALRIGHT! I FEEL GREAT!" It'd just be obnoxious and seem like I'm shouting on the mountaintops, blowing a trumpet after every sentence. And, bear in mind, that's just one sentence; just imagine every single verse being like that!lol.
Anyways, my friends I encourage you to read more in the Bible!
May Jesus bless you!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Love, love, love
Jesus wants you to love your neighbors as yourself. He wants you to treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is one of the greatest commandments Jesus has told us to keep. The greatest is love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength. Jesus does not want you to exclude anybody, whether if it is your actual neighbor across the street or a cold-blooded murderer; he wants you to love everyone. He calls you to forgive others for what they did to you, even forgiving them for the nastiest evil deed they had committed against you. Please Jesus by loving others as you love yourself.
What are they teaching us?
What do dogs desire? They desire a lot of things. They desire things like food and water. If they had more power to think and to choose, they would've used that power to get the things that they desired immediately. Most teachers today unfortunately are teaching us to act that way. They're teaching us to be selfish. Most teachers believe we are "intellectual animals" that have evolved from primates, apes. After listening to these teachings, I feel that they are teaching us to be like animals, like dogs. Since we have the power to think and to choose, they teach us to think about the economics for MANKIND, telling us to think of ALL the possible benefits we can achieve if we did something THIS way or THAT way. They tell us we are naturally prone to use our power to think and choose to fulfill OUR desires and needs, but for nothing else. Certainly not for God.
My friends, don't be like dogs, that desire the things of this world, that would do anything to get what they want. We need to understand that we are living for God, our heavenly Father. Do not live for yourself. Deny yourself. Don't be like animals, otherwise you'll be slaughtered like animals.
My friends, don't be like dogs, that desire the things of this world, that would do anything to get what they want. We need to understand that we are living for God, our heavenly Father. Do not live for yourself. Deny yourself. Don't be like animals, otherwise you'll be slaughtered like animals.
Be serious.
Be SERIOUS about the relationship you want to have with Jesus. It's difficult to do so because we are living in peace and safety, that destruction can't possibly happen soon. You have to understand that God is never changing. He is the same from the beginning and will be until the end. Satan is pumping laughing gas to the world, and the only thing that concerns us is what funny story to tell to impress the ones who are on the top of the friends list. The only thing that concerns us is what to say to them to essentially please them. We have to seek Jesus with all our hearts, all our minds, all our strength. Please be serious.
Have Faith
Have faith in Jesus Christ! Always remember and put in your heart that He will never give up on you, never forsake you, never stop loving you. Count all your blessings. Jesus is a really nice guy! He will send people to encourage you, keep you strong in faith, and tell you that your sufferings will not be in vain, if you ask Him! After all, you are seeking to build on to the Kingdom of Heaven, something that is not of this world; of course you're going to feel weak, poor in spirit, hungry; of course you're going to feel like crying sometimes; of course you're going to receive nasty persecution. Don't be sad that you are! Rejoice!!! Jesus said blessed are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who are hungry, for they will be filled. Blessed are those who weep, for they will laugh! Do you see and understand? If you are experiencing these things, you are on the right track! It's just men have told you that these are things to avoid! Jesus also said Woe to those who are rich, for they are empty. Woe to those who laugh, for they will weep. Woe to those who are filled, for they shall hunger. Have faith, brothers and sisters! God has plans for you! Life does not stop here when you die in this world. Life BEGINS when you die. That, my friends, is the life we need to live for.
Bell is about to ring.
Every day when we wake up, every breathe that we still take on Earth is an opportunity God--because he is very loving--gives to each and every one of us to repent and turn away from all sins. It is an opportunity to seek the Lord Jesus Christ, build a relationship with Him, and do what He tells us to do. Don't procrastinate! This isn't like school where it's okay to turn in an assignment late for partial credit. This is like a class where your teacher gives you just ONE assignment to do for his class (Some of you might release a BIG sigh of relief when you hear this). This assignment though will not be easy, since you will only have one assignment to do. It will require you to work outside of class, to spend A LOT of time on it, to work diligently on it, to perfect it to the liking of the teacher, until the very end. Many of us will procrastinate because we're either lazy, arrogant, or busy with our own lives. Many of us will forget what the teacher had instructed us to do. Many of us, trying to find the best shortcut for ourselves, will find other ways to do the assignment. Many of us will ignore the teacher simply because he's a teacher. Many of us will complain, mock, and ridicule the teacher for having to give them a tough assignment. Many of us won't even bother to put any effort into the assignment. However, very FEW will diligently complete the assignment and earn a superb grade on it. Those people will be very pleasing to the teacher.
Time is running out. The bell is about to ring. Are you truly ready?
Time is running out. The bell is about to ring. Are you truly ready?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Jesus Is Coming Very Soon
Many are caught up in what the world has to offer them. The world provides people many opportunities into their future life, for example, the many careers people can pursue for the BEST of their OWN benefit. Specifically, Americans have been given this goal in life, already planned and nicely set out for them, called the "American Dream." All they have to do is follow this dream by working hard to be successful later on in life. It works. It has worked ever since the dream was cleverly crafted, because what's MORE important than being successful in this WORLD, right? The dilemma here is that society has been "improved" by "good humanitarian efforts" (I put quotation marks because that's what people want to see, "Man's improvement") to the point where people believe they are living to benefit man and create and provide every comfort imaginable to the human race. Because they have all that they want, and all that they need, there's no need to "have God in their lives." No worries, no troubles, "It's perfect." "What's there to worry about, a coming apocalypse? Ha, what lunatics." This ultimately lulls society to sleep.
Open your EYES, WAKE UP. Satan has lulled many to SLEEP. It is not US we are living for, WE were not the reason why we were created! My friends, God created us so that we may glorify Him, to live for Him! We were created to do the will of our FATHER almighty. Humbly and earnestly repent now to Jesus, and seek to please Him with all your heart.God will come to bring His mighty wrath on those who have been disobedient to Him!
Jesus is coming VERY soon! Are you truly ready?
Open your EYES, WAKE UP. Satan has lulled many to SLEEP. It is not US we are living for, WE were not the reason why we were created! My friends, God created us so that we may glorify Him, to live for Him! We were created to do the will of our FATHER almighty. Humbly and earnestly repent now to Jesus, and seek to please Him with all your heart.God will come to bring His mighty wrath on those who have been disobedient to Him!
Jesus is coming VERY soon! Are you truly ready?
Monday, January 16, 2012
Be Blameless
Be blameless before men so that they cannot use a single thing against you. If someone takes your coat, give him your shirt as well. If someone slaps you on the cheek, turn to him the other. For those who are blameless, shall be called sons of God. If you do something wrong and realize this later on, apologize for it and, most importantly, ask the Father for forgiveness.
Preach the Truth
God wants us to know the Truth. He wants us, servants to the Lord Jesus Christ, to spread the Truth to all nation everywhere, because The Truth will set the captives free. No matter what, preach the Truth even when it might cost you your life.
Jesus Christ
Jesus is the son of God. He was sent by God to do His Father's will. God sent His only begotten son to die on the cross on Calvary to pay the ultimate price of sin so that we may be with our Father in heaven. That was His way of showing His perfect love for us. Through Jesus Christ, there is salvation! Through Jesus, we are able to conquer the consequence of sin, which is death. Satan no longer has the keys to death. That is Jesus' triumphant victory!
Jesus is the Truth, the Way, the Life. He is everything! He will never fail those who truly believe in Him. He knows every heart, every thought, every motive. He knows everything! It's impossible to try to hide anything from Him. He knows. If you believe in Him, He will give all that you desire in His time, therefore be patient and faithful to Him until the very end. Don't give up on Him. Jesus is perfect, He will never give up on you. It is only up to us to decide whether we choose to deny ourselves, carry our cross, and follow Christ with all our hearts until the very end. Trust Him. Your sufferings for Him will not be in vain. It will be all worth it.
Jesus is the Truth, the Way, the Life. He is everything! He will never fail those who truly believe in Him. He knows every heart, every thought, every motive. He knows everything! It's impossible to try to hide anything from Him. He knows. If you believe in Him, He will give all that you desire in His time, therefore be patient and faithful to Him until the very end. Don't give up on Him. Jesus is perfect, He will never give up on you. It is only up to us to decide whether we choose to deny ourselves, carry our cross, and follow Christ with all our hearts until the very end. Trust Him. Your sufferings for Him will not be in vain. It will be all worth it.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Through Jesus Christ, there is salvation.
What will Jesus say to you when you get to the gates of Heaven? Will he welcome you in, or will he say: go away, I never knew you. My friends, wake up! Don't sleep while there must be things to be done. God created us for His purpose, but most of us live as WE will, not as HE wills. He loves us, but we ignore His love. He loved the world so much that he sacrificed his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross on Calvary, to pay for the penalty of ALL sins, so that we may be with our Father in heaven. But most of us ignore His love, and STILL choose to live for ourselves when He did all those things for us. God is just. He will destroy those who disobeyed Him, who hated Him, who spit in His face, who continued to live in vain, who put the Lord's name in vain, who continued to sin after knowing what God did for them. Repent now to Jesus, humbly seek His forgiveness, ask for His mercy, obey Him, deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow Him. You still have a chance to please Jesus. Don't pass on this opportunity. There might not be one tomorrow. Wake up!
Come to Jesus
What is more important: the world, a place that is in constant decay, or heaven, a place of eternity? The kingdom of God is more important than anything this world has to offer. It is a place that God, our heavenly Father, wants us to be in, to build on, to live for. But, I have to break the bad news. There will be very FEW who enters the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said it himself. In all love and respect for you, I am asking this: Do you know why that is? It is because many of us do not KNOW Jesus. Many of us believe we are saved because we feel satisfied with how we're living OUR lives. We feel complacent when we are doing what we THINK is right. My friends, I'm sure not ALL of you are like this, but how can we know what the truth is if most of us don't genuinely KNOW Jesus, the one who is the Truth? People are not the Truth. Only through Jesus Christ are we able to know the absolute Truth. My friends, we need to know Jesus. We need to build a relationship with Him. We must live for Him, to have the desire to please Him each and every day. We must deny ourselves, carry our cross, and follow Him. We might say that we don't want to forsake the things of this world, that we are already comfortable with the way that we are living. My friends, Jesus promises that He will never forsake us. He promises us salvation, an invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven, a place of ETERNITY, to those who seek Him. Satan has deceived us to believe many lies, that all we need is the comforts of this world not Jesus. Although many THINK they have not been deceived, if they don't bother to seek Jesus, their Everything, with all their hearts, satan has successfully deceived them. My friends, I love you, and I want you to go to Heaven, to our Father who has the perfect love for us. Go to Jesus, seek Him with all your heart, build a relationship with Him, deny yourself, forsake the worldly things which have NO value, carry your cross for Him, and follow Him. He will lead you, and you will know His voice. He will not fail you. Trust Him and let Him take control. Go to Jesus, the light of the world!
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