As many of you know I have a southside office called "Starbucks" located in our local food store called "Smith's". Well, I was in my "office" this morning enjoying my venti mocha, non fat, no whip extra shot when Brian came in. Brian is a salesman for our local Ford dealer. I asked him how things were going. He replied that he had to make a hurried trip into Albuquerque which is about 30 miles from Edgewood. I said, "what's up?" "Well", he replied, "my wife works at Kirtland Air Force Base and forgot her pass this morning and can't get on base". I asked, "you mean they won't allow her to get to her job on base without her I.D. pass." "That's correct" he stated.
Well, that got me to thinking about Christianity and the Bible. You know folks, that's the way God's Word describes our journey down here with our appearance up there. Even though many folks think we are "all going to the same place", the Bible begs to differ. Here's a couple scriptures for your consideration and meditation.
1) John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by me." These are the words of Jesus. HE said NO one gets to the Father but through HIM. Also consider:
2)Act 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.
Act 4:11 "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.
Act 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."
Do you see it friends? Here's the reason we "go and make disciples". Here's the reason we talk to our neighbors. Here's the reason I show up at Starbucks, the credit union, What-a-burger, and at the bowling alley.
People matter to the Lord Jesus Christ. Each one counts. Each one is precious. Each one has to be introduced to Jesus Christ. WHY???????
HE IS THE ONLY WAY! Just like my friend Brian said this morning. His wife COULD NOT get on base with out the I.D. pass. She had to present it to enter Kirtland Air Force Base. Brian had to drive 60 miles round trip to give it to her so she could arrive at her job on the base. All because of the I.D. pass.
LISTEN UP...THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO HEAVEN BUT
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
On the back of my calling card are these words; "if you meet me and forget me you have lost nothing. BUT, if you meet my best friend Jesus Christ, and forget Him you have lost everything. May I tell you more about HIM?"
So friends, listen to the words of Jesus Christ and may they be our calling card for today and everyday.
Mat 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
PEOPLE NEED THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO MAKE IT INTO HEAVEN!
When we get to stand before the Father, He will ask one question...may I see your I.D. pass. Will our name be written in the Lamb's book of life? Will He find your name there? Will your family's names be there? How about your neighbor? Your banker? The attendants at Starbucks?
You get the picture! If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
Don't give up! Don't give in! NO COMPROMISE!
I am praying for you and your family,
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Let the revival begin!
Just doing a little thinking about revival in the land, ABQ.
Some steps to begin NOW!
1) Prayer. The people who are tuned in now via Twitter, KKIM, DeweysDailyCup, Mark's network of emails and Leonard's contacts must be engaged. We must call people to PRAY, NOW!
II Chronicles 7:14, "if MY people, will humble themselves and PRAY and turn from their wicked ways". He first calls on HIS PEOPLE to begin the process. The revival never comes without HIS people repenting of their neglect, laziness, and complacent attitudes. IT MUST FIRST START US, WITH THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
2) No revival in the history of mankind has EVER OCCURRED without people returning to THE BOOK. Revival comes when people recommit themselves to be readers, studiers and researchers of the Bible. Remember, I said, NO REVIVAL has ever occurred without people turning to God's Word. i.e. Nehemiah. They rebuilt the walls but revival and renewal came when the law was read. They discovered what God wanted them to do in their personal lives and the life of their country.
3) Obedience. Remember II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if...turn from their evil ways, THEN, I will hear from heaven and heal their land". The healing of the land, renewal of our lives and spirits, and revival to our city, state and country comes when WE God's people repent of our high walls of division, repent of our complacency to doing what God's says, and repent of our distractions that the devil has placed in our lives. "Love the Lord our God with all of our body, mind, soul and spirit AND to love our neighbor as ourselves".
These HAVE to be preached and encouraged via every means possible. It must start with ME. I must pray, repent, get into God's Word, and DO WHAT IT SAYS. Those who claim to know Him must follow what HE said, "if you love me, keep my commandments."
Just thinking.
Some steps to begin NOW!
1) Prayer. The people who are tuned in now via Twitter, KKIM, DeweysDailyCup, Mark's network of emails and Leonard's contacts must be engaged. We must call people to PRAY, NOW!
II Chronicles 7:14, "if MY people, will humble themselves and PRAY and turn from their wicked ways". He first calls on HIS PEOPLE to begin the process. The revival never comes without HIS people repenting of their neglect, laziness, and complacent attitudes. IT MUST FIRST START US, WITH THE CHILDREN OF GOD.
2) No revival in the history of mankind has EVER OCCURRED without people returning to THE BOOK. Revival comes when people recommit themselves to be readers, studiers and researchers of the Bible. Remember, I said, NO REVIVAL has ever occurred without people turning to God's Word. i.e. Nehemiah. They rebuilt the walls but revival and renewal came when the law was read. They discovered what God wanted them to do in their personal lives and the life of their country.
3) Obedience. Remember II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if...turn from their evil ways, THEN, I will hear from heaven and heal their land". The healing of the land, renewal of our lives and spirits, and revival to our city, state and country comes when WE God's people repent of our high walls of division, repent of our complacency to doing what God's says, and repent of our distractions that the devil has placed in our lives. "Love the Lord our God with all of our body, mind, soul and spirit AND to love our neighbor as ourselves".
These HAVE to be preached and encouraged via every means possible. It must start with ME. I must pray, repent, get into God's Word, and DO WHAT IT SAYS. Those who claim to know Him must follow what HE said, "if you love me, keep my commandments."
Just thinking.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sweet smelling to God
The smell of fresh bread baking. Know what I mean? Ever been in a store where they are popping popcorn? Doesn't the aroma draw you to the concession stand? How about coffee brewing? Some have said that coffee brewing is better than drinking coffee. How about bacon cooking? Wow! When ever I am driving into town in the mornings there is a restaurant that just draws me in that direction. Bacon cooking. Oh, what a tremendous pleasing smell...o.k.
maybe just to me.
Do you know what smell is SO VERY PLEASING to God?
Our Bible Boost for today comes from Revelation 5:8, "and when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
Do you see it? It looks to me that all the prayers you and I have ever said, prayed or uttered is in a golden bowl held by one of the 24 elders. It is a bowl of incense. In the Old Testament the table of incense was prepared and sustained 24 hours around the clock as a sweet smelling aroma to God and the Lamb.
Our prayers are never futile, fragile or insignificant. Every one of them is treasured before God and stored as incense in golden bowls which becomes a sweet smelling aroma before God.
So, as we pray don't ever think that God is absent, silent, or on vacation. Every one of our prayers is held in a special golden bowl..."the prayers of the saints".
"Pray without ceasing"
maybe just to me.
Do you know what smell is SO VERY PLEASING to God?
Our Bible Boost for today comes from Revelation 5:8, "and when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints".
Do you see it? It looks to me that all the prayers you and I have ever said, prayed or uttered is in a golden bowl held by one of the 24 elders. It is a bowl of incense. In the Old Testament the table of incense was prepared and sustained 24 hours around the clock as a sweet smelling aroma to God and the Lamb.
Our prayers are never futile, fragile or insignificant. Every one of them is treasured before God and stored as incense in golden bowls which becomes a sweet smelling aroma before God.
So, as we pray don't ever think that God is absent, silent, or on vacation. Every one of our prayers is held in a special golden bowl..."the prayers of the saints".
"Pray without ceasing"
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