The Wages of Sin

When I was a sophomore in high school, I got my first job. I worked at an art gallery and was paid minimum wage which was $4.25 an hour. I was paid for the work I did and I would have be fired if I didn’t meet the boss’s expectations.
The same is true in our spiritual lives. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death..." When we violate God’s commands (sin), we are faced with eternal punishment in hell. Revelation 21:17 states, "But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." So, how do we make it into heaven if we can’t work our way there? Praise God He has provided a plan, a gift! The rest of Romans 6:23 says, "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Jesus came to this earth to die to pay the price for our sin. All we must do is receive this free gift of salvation!!

Whom Do You Boast In?

As a New York Yankee fan, it’s very easy to boast to a Boston Red Sox fan because of the 26 World Series titles the Yankees have won in their existence. Did I somehow have a say in them winning a game, let alone a title? Absolutely not! It’s the same way with God. I cannot take any credit for what the Lord has done. In Romans 4:2, Paul is talking about how Abraham can't take any credit for his salvation even if he worked for it. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” Just like I cannot take credit for the Yankees winning by going to the game or wearing a shirt and hat, I can’t take credit for my salvation. Jesus already paid the price for my sins by dying on the cross. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus isn’t a taskmaster, but sometimes we will be asked to do hard things for His glory.

The only thing I can boast in is Jesus. I can’t save myself and there is nothing I can do on my own to earn salvation. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

A Time Such as This

Recently, my wife was given the green light to start the preparation for a missions trip to Honduras. When she graduated college, she originally wanted to go to Honduras, but her parents felt it was not the right time. After having one of the missionaries come to speak at our church, she felt the Lord's leading to organize a trip. Although she felt that she was not ready to lead the trip, the Lord spoke to her that He was with her, and would guide her through the process. Several years before, it was discussed to do a youth missions trip, however it was not the Lord's timing. NOW IS THE TIME, and we are weeks away from going to Honduras!

In Esther, we see that the Jews where on the edge of being killed and Esther had the opportunity to intercede on her peoples behalf, even though she could be put to death for going to the king without prior consent. Her Uncle Mordecai said to her, "For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) How often are we presented with an opportunity to do something for the Lord but we don't act on it and therefore miss out on watching God do something wonderful. Esther risked her life by appearing without first being called and eventually used the King's forgiveness as a way to warn him about the plot against the Jews. Are you ready to be used when God presents an opportunity to be used to do His will?

Are You Persuasive?

Persuasive: convincing, compelling, forceful.
Have you ever convinced someone to do something that you want them to do? We all have at some time or another; sometimes with great ferver. Have you ever been that way while you witness to someone? We see in Acts 26, that Paul is witnessing to King Agrippa and Festus and when he is done speaking in verse 28 King Agrippa says, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." Most Christians in America want to let their lives do the witnessing instead of bringing the Gospel to our friends, neighbors, and co-workers. When we witness, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with the words that will speak to that person. We also need to allow the Holy Spirit to give us a burning desire to share from our hearts what the Lord has done for us. He will give us power... (Acts 2:8). If we don't have a personal relationship with Christ, we can't convey to others the depths of Christ's love by dying for us. We need to live it and speak it!!

Who Would You Die For?

Is there a person in your life you would die for? Your mom, dad, or another family member? What about Jesus? In America we normally don't have to face the persecution that the early followers of Christ, or those under communism, have had to face. We see in Acts 21:13 that Paul said, "I am not ready to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." I have been reading the book "Tortured for Christ" which is about men and women who have sacrificed everything to preach the Gospel to the lost under the rule of communism. Would you be willing to lay down your life for Jesus to reach the lost?

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?

Acts 20:29-30 - "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Have you ever heard of the emerging church? The basic premise is more about the worship experience and less about the teaching of God’s word. Dan Kimball, one of the prominent leaders of the emerging church, had this to say about worship: “We should be returning to a no-holds-barred approach to worship and teaching so that when we gather, there is no doubt we are in the presence of God. I believe that both believers and unbelievers in our emerging culture are hungry for this. It isn’t about clever apologetics or careful exegetical and expository preaching or great worship bands...Emerging generations are hungry to experience God in worship.” The Bible teaches that there needs to be a balance between worship and the teaching of God's Word. When we step out of balance, we leave ourselves open to perverse things. Is there something you can do to keep yourself from being drawn into these churches that are changing God’s word? Are you stepping out of the care of the Shepherd and into the wolf pack?

Jesus I Know, But Who Are You?

In Acts 19, we see the seven sons of Sceva try to cast out a demon “by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” The demon says to them in verse 15, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" The demons know who Jesus is. They also know if Jesus lives in you. The sons of Sceva thought you just needed to use Jesus’ name to cast out the demon. They didn’t have a personal relationship with Him. You can’t expect to get a job at a big corporation using the bosses son as a reference if you don’t know him. It’s the same way with God, you can’t live eternally in heaven if you don’t know Jesus personally. Jesus died to pay our debt of sin that we couldn’t pay ourselves. By being covered in Jesus’ blood, we are recognized as children of God.
Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? If not, you can make that decision today. You can pray the following prayer and really mean it in your heart: “Dear Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.” If you made a decision today, would you please let us know? We would love to help you in your new relationship with Jesus by providing you with some materials.