Has God Forgotten You?

Are you going through something, and you think God has forgotten you? Are you dealing with a "sin" in your life, and you find no relief?Do you have a loved one that is going through something that you can't do anything about? Do you pray and think God is not listening to you? Read what Paul said about his infirmities.

And he [God] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. [2 Corinthians:9-10]

Paul, as he said, had a "thorn in the flesh. Whatever the thorn was, he asked the Lord three times to remove it, and the Lord refused. The Lord heard him the first time and the second time and the third time. It was not that the Lord did not hear his prayers; it was that the answer of the Lord was no.

Sometimes you and I keep asking the Lord for something to which He has already answered no. If He doesn't give us what we ask for, we think He has not answered our prayer. I have noticed over the past few years, more often than not, that His answer to my prayers is no. And eventually I discover that His no was the best possible answer He could have given me.

He said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee." He said He would not remove the thorn but that He would give Paul the grace to bear the thorn. That is the wonderful thing about it all. "My strength is made perfect in weakness." In other words, it was obvious in Paul's ministry that he was so physically weak that the Spirit of God was empowering him. "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." This was Paul's response to the Lord's answer. Paul would glory in his infirmities.

What happens when that infirmity puts us on our back, or we hear the dreaded words "cancer," and all of our strength is gone? What, than?

God is especially close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. Even in the midst of pain, when it seems we can't take anymore, God will make the bed soft and will freshen it with His presence and with His tender care. He makes the bed comfortable and wipes away our tears.

What happens when we watch a "loved one" going through sickness and we can''t do anything about it?

He ministers to us with special tenderness at such a time and reveals His great love for us.

Have you ever watch the gardener trims and prunes his rosebushes, sometimes cutting away productive branches? he done it so that the blooms will be the best that they could be!

Likewise, when God’s people are afflicted, His hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good. Oftentimes He must deform us and mutilate our own image. Deformity sometimes precedes conformity.

That is what Paul is saying here, "therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong [2Cor. 12:10].

The reason God says no is so we will "rest" on Him. if you could do it all by yourself, you wouldn't need God at all! Think about that today.

I remember my mother singing a song when I was a child, and even in the years that have past, it has been a "mainstay" in my life. Even when the days got dark in her life, she knew the "Master of the storm" and she taught her children that as well. She knew "no one ever cared for her like Jesus"

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true; 

I would tell you how He changed my life completely, He did something that no other friend could do.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me, All my heart was full of misery and woe; Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me, And He led me in the way I ought to go.
Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance, More and more I understand His words of love; 

But I'll never know just why He came to save me, Till some day I see His blessed face above.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus, There's no other friend so kind as He; No one else could take the sin and darkness from me, O how much He cared for me.

Rest in Him, for He cares for you.

Are You Doubting Your Salvation

In a world filled with so much uncertainty, we look for something that we can hold on to. Many will look to wealth, bank accounts, stock, bonds, real-estate, and what ever else they can find. What about your salvation? Where are you going to spend eternity?

Often, in talking with people one to one, I am asked this question, "How can you know for sure if you are saved?" Consider 1 John 5:11-13;

• And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 
• He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 
• These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 

So then, who is it that has the Son? It is those who have believed in Him and accepted Him. see what  John 1:12-13 says:

• But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 
• Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

If you have Jesus, you have life.    Not temporary life, but eternal.

I want you to understand that: 

• He is wonderful. 
• He is God manifest in the flesh. 
• He is the only one who can save us. 
• He is absolutely unique. 
• There is no one else like Him. 
• He's the only begotten Son of God. 
• He died upon the Cross because He alone could pay the penalty for our sins. 
• He rose again, and He is living right this moment at God's right hand for us. 
• He is the living Christ. 

Do you have Him today as your Savior? That is the only question you need to answer. If you have Him, you have life -- you are saved. That is the record. Do you believe God, or don't you believe God? If you don't believe Him, you make Him a liar.

My friend, John has this down right where you can get it. You cannot miss this. The only thing right now that will keep you from coming to Christ is the sin in your life that you don't want to give up. That is the only thing in the world which will stop you. That is the decision you make.

God wants us to have assurance of our salvation. We cannot live our Christian lives wondering and worrying each day whether or not we are truly saved. That is why the Bible makes the plan of salvation so clear. Believe in Jesus Christ and you will be saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). 

• 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. 

• Acts 16:31
• And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 

How can a man be saved? By believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Could he believe for someone else? No. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and if thy household believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, they shall be saved also. That is the meaning here.

Do you believe that Jesus is the Savior, that He died to pay the penalty for your sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)? 

• Romans 5:8
• But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Are you trusting Him alone for salvation? If your answer is yes, you are saved! Assurance means “having been put beyond all doubt.” By taking God's Word to heart, you can “put beyond all doubt” the fact and reality of your eternal salvation.

Jesus Himself affirms this regarding those who have believed in Him: 

• “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:28-29). 

Eternal life is just that—eternal. There is no one, not even yourself, who can take Christ's God-given gift of salvation away from you.

We hide God's Word in our hearts so that we do not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11), and this includes the sin of doubt. 

Take joy in what God's Word is saying to you, that instead of doubting we can live with confidence! 

We can have the assurance from Christ's own Word that our salvation will never be in question. 

Jesus Christ took my place down here. He, who knew no sin, came that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He has given me His place, clothed in His righteousness, He took my hell down here so that I might have His heaven up yonder. He did that for me.

Christian friend, have you been able to get out this wonderful Word to anyone else? 

Maybe, as you are reading this, there is no doubt about your salvation. But, whoever you are, wherever you are, however you are, what are you doing today to get this Word of reconciliation out to a lost world? God is reconciled. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He feels toward you just as He did the day Christ died on the Cross for you and for all mankind. This is what the world needs to hear from you. The world is reconciled to Him, but they will have to turn around and by faith come to Him. We need to do all we can to get this word out, my friend.

Our assurance is based on God's love for us through Jesus Christ, and Him Alone!

Are Christians Losing The Culture War On Marriage? Or Are We Losing The War Completely?

Last week a pastor in Wyoming by the name of Michael Glatze wrote an article entitled, "Wake up, and smell the truth." His opening remark was, "Christians are losing the "culture war" discourse about gay marriage, because they are avoiding the topic at hand: homosexuality.

In March of this year, Heritage Foundation's, Ryan Anderson debates marriage with Piers Morgan, a British journalist, and Suze Orman, a lesbian who lives with her partner Kathy Travis. Morgan and Orman, who were seated on a stage looking down on Anderson, proceeded to lecture him about his beliefs. Anderson, who was seated among an in-studio audience, held his cool and refused to accept their premises, their goading, or their shouting.

Morgan, ended the interview by cuting off the discussion and declaring, “The idea that you want to stop people like Elton [John] and David [Furnish] or Suze and K.T. from getting married in America in the modern era, I just find a bit offensive these days. It’s not fair, it’s not tolerant, it’s not American.”

There were two quotes of Anderson's that caught my attention; they are as follows:

• “Marriage exists to bring a man and a woman together as husband and wife to be father and mother to any children their union produces. Marriage is based on the biological fact that reproduction depends on a man and a woman, and on the social reality that children need a mother and a father.”
• "The marriage debate is not about homosexuality, but about marriage." 

Many of the comments by Mr. Anderson went to great lengths to explain to gay people that we don't want to deprive you of companionship; we (Christians, presumably) just want to sanction the Godly form of marriage.

Hold on for a moment. First of all, you can't debate with the gay agenda people. They don't want to debate; they want their own way.

Secondly, this debate, for want of a better word, is not about marriage. Marriage does not need a defense. The issue is not marriage; the issue very clearly is homosexuality. Marriage would not currently need a debate, were it not for the rampant acceptance (and, blindness about) homosexuality.

In Genesis 19:15-17, you read where the Angel of God literally took Lot, his wife and two daughters by the hand and lead them out of the city of Sodom;
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

When God took care of Sodom and Gomorrah, he didn't send the two angels down to have a calm, nice dialogue with the men of the city, who were rampantly engaging in homosexuality, explaining to them, "it's not that we have a problem with your lifestyle, guys... please, feel free to hang out in each other's company... we wouldn't want to deprive you of companionship...," etc. 

Here is a man, Lot, who was God's man in spite of everything. If I only had the Book of Genesis, I am not sure I would believe that Lot was saved, but since Peter calls him a righteous man, we know that he was. Lot had become righteous because he had followed Abraham -- he believed God, and he had offered the sacrifices. God extends mercy unto Lot, and he now believes what God has said. The angels came to deliver out Lot and his family, before the judgment of the Lord on a wicked city, whose inhabitants had forsaken God. Even though there was supposedly a "witness" for the Lord in Sodom, sin continued to run rampant, as it does in America, today

God did not compromise with Sodom than, and He will not compromise with homosexuality, or any sin, now; so, how come so many "Christians" are?

Could it be that we don't know how to stand up to "sin" because we are so involved in "sin" in our personal lives each day? 

Are we scared that we will not be able to win in an argument about the actual topic of homosexuality?
We are failing countless souls when we do not clearly, honestly, and calmly, address the issues around a confusing human condition (homosexuality), and do not offer the right kind of attention, healing, and support for people who are dealing with that condition.

Christians are trying to win a political discussion – an attempt which, in its watered-down, selfish nature will only end in failure. We do not need to debate; we need to be actively reaching out and helping the people who are broken and in need of His healing.

Everyone of us have family members who either are involved in this life style and/or are being affected by it, and do not know how to deal with it.

 Let me say again, it is not a debate, friends; it is a call of God to take the Gospel to a lost and dying world. When will we realize that, "my son, my daughter, my wife, my husband, my father, my mother, my neighbor, my co-worker, my friend, the person in line in front and back of me at Walmart" who are involved in a sinful condition are dying and going to hell without Christ! 

• No Christian should turn from the actual reality with respect to sexual brokenness, homosexuality, prostitution, etc. 
• No Christian should begin to pretend that homosexuality is somehow just fine – "we only care about the marriage thing!!" 

Honestly, I think every gay person in America can probably see through that ruse, and is probably thinking, "Christian, you're lying to me when you say it's not about homosexuality; we all know what your God really thinks!"

It's time for Christians to begin reaching out to the brokenness in this world the way Jesus did, with loving, HONEST, open arms and a clear definition of right-and-wrong.

Anyone who has ever done "soul winning" know that the first step in receiving Christ, and the pardon for sin is admitting that you are a sinner, and you are doing something wrong, something that you would like, and need to stop doing.

When we as Christians decide to avoid the main issue, such as the "marriage issue," we are turning the heart of Christ far, far away from the souls in need.

We will answer to God for what we are doing, when we stand before Him in eternity.

And that my friend, is the rest of the story!

Are You Being Deceived?

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warns of the destruction of the Temple and the desolation of Jerusalem; but He also warns of a deception that would come to the believers as well. 

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.  [Luke 21:5-8]

The characteristic of the times in the days of Christ, and even today, would be that there would be false Christs. There were false messiahs in His day, and today there are those who claim supernatural power. Although they talk a great deal about Jesus, they move themselves into His place and take to themselves the glory that should be His. I think there are quite a few false Christs walking about, and certainly false religions abound.

“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ;” [Luke 21:8a].

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus warns His disciples that there is a deception coming and they need to be careful that they are not taken in by lies. The disciples had questioned Jesus about the end times and He was explaining the events leading up to the end. We now can see that the events He described are all around us and they are becoming more intense. His words were meant as a warning to Peter, John, and those who were first with Christ, but also these words are a warning to us. Throughout the ages many have come claiming to be Christ and we need to be alert to the deception, especially because we are in the very end time. “and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” [Luke 21:8b]. As always, the words Jesus spoke are certainly true. Many people over the years have claimed to be “The Christ”. The Greek word “polys” is translated into English as “many” and means: multitudes, huge throngs, masses. How many more will show up making the same claim? Jesus says multitudes. Don’t be deceived by these people.

Those who follow these pretenders obviously haven’t read the Bible. This same warning which is recorded in Luke 21 is also cited in two other Gospels. “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” [Matthew 24:4-5]. In Mark’s Gospel we’re given the same admonition. “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” [Mark 13:5-6]. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recorded Jesus’ words in order to advise the brethren to be alert, to be ready for the deception because the deception was beginning even then. The word “planaō” is translated “deceive” and “deceived” and means to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way. If we are not alert, the deception will lead us astray and we will follow a false Christ…a false teacher and false doctrine. Jesus doesn’t say the deception might happen, but that it will happen.

The disciples wanted to know about the end times. Jesus told them about the wars, earthquakes, and famines saying they would start gradually but would intensify as the end nears. Knowledge of the end days has been revealed throughout the Bible a little at a time.

• Daniel was given information about the future and wrote of the end times, but he was not allowed to reveal all he was told “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”. Daniel 12:4. Although Daniel had been given prophecy concerning the time of the Great Tribulation and the end, he wasn’t allowed to write all that had been revealed to him. 
• When the disciples asked Jesus about the end He revealed more to them with the warning to “be not deceived”. The disciples weren’t told everything, but after Christ was crucified and conquered death by His resurrection, a bit more was revealed. A new “entity” was created – the born again, Spirit filled group known as Christians. 
• Then more of God’s plan was revealed through the Apostle Paul when he told of the “Harpazō” – the “snatching away”, or Rapture. 
• Finally, John would be shown the horrors of the post-Rapture end times and write it all down in The Revelation. Satan knows his time is getting short and is hard at work to deceive as many as possible before he is bound for a thousand years. 

We who are not deceived by Satan’s lies can see that Jesus’ arrival must be on the horizon because the events are getting closer together with greater intensity.

Many today, have a distorted view of this one called Satan. To be perfectly clear, this fallen angel is a created being – a cherub. Not just any cherub but “Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” [Ezekiel 28:14-15].

Satan has a hatred for all humans – the entire human race is in his sights for him to deceive and to destroy. He has been working his lies since the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve. Eve made the mistake of talking to Satan and he was able to convince her that she and Adam had been deceived by God, who had told them not to eat the forbidden fruit because it would bring death. Satan lied and said their eyes would be opened and they would be as gods. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil”. [Genesis 3:4-5]. Adam and Eve found out who the liar is. God had not deceived them at all, but Satan had. Why is it that we continue to buy into Satan’s lies? We have God’s truth given to us in the Bible, yet we continue to question it. People who worship Satan haven’t a clue about how evil and deceptive he is. They are "spiritually blinded". He hates those who follow him just as much as he hates those who follow Jesus Christ. We cannot possibly understand Satan’s hatred, but we need to not listen to his lies.

Satan has always had it in for Christians, ever since he was de-throned, and Christ instructed His followers to "to go into all the world and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Satan will do all he can to deceive us and stop the spreading of God’s word.

One of the most damnable heresies from the pit of "hell" is  “All religions worship the same God” and “You are a good person so surely you will go to Heaven”, along with many more such deceptions. He has supplanted God’s truth with his version of events and his lies are now boring holes into the hearts and minds of many. The deception is great. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” [Galatians 1:8].

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. [John 14:6].

There is only one way to the Father, and that is Jesus Christ. He is the truth.

How can we recognize deception? I believe the "key" is found in God's Word:

• “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. 

If we know God’s truth we will not be deceived by lies. As we study God’s word we need to pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and help us learn. Everything that we do in our lives should be seen and done through the lens of Scripture. That is how we can know for certain that we are following the one true God. If we don’t respect God’s inerrant word we will undoubtedly follow the god of this world – the father of all lies.

Everyone who does not follow Jesus Christ is already following the deceptions of Satan and a false Christ. If we are to “be not deceived” then only God’s truth can keep us from that deception.

Jesus has told you to be on the watch for deception, stating that it will come. You nor I have any idea who might head off track and begin to offer a substitute Gospel. So we are instructed to "be not deceived."

And, although we cannot know the exact timing, we know these things for sure;

• The Rapture will happen very soon. 
• After that there will be the most horrendous time of Judgment known as the Great Tribulation. 
• Then comes the millennium. 

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.” [Revelation 20:1-2].

Satan knows that his time is drawing very near, and he will try every conniving trick he can to deceive as many as he can before he is bound. Don’t be deceived by a false Christ, but listen to Jesus’ words and “Take heed that ye be not deceived”.