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 Why would God say, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," if there is only one God?
The truth is, whatever we run to for comfort, entertainment, happiness, security, self-worth, etc., if it's not the God of the Bible then it's another "god."
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 AGONIZING IN THE GARDEN
"'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44) The cup is that of dying for the sins of the world. Not only will Jesus have to face beatings, torture, excruciating pain and the slow death of crucifixion, but He would take on the sins of the world... yours, mines, everyone who will believe! Scripture says, He who knew NO sin BECAME sin! At this moment the holy becomes blemished and the Holy Trinity is broken. Since eternity past and through eternity future, the Trinity has never been separated. But now because of our sins, Christ was forsaken. Thats why He cried on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" So Jesus, as He prays in anticipation of all of this, sweats drops of blood. But what does He say, "Yet not my will, but Yours be done." And because of His obedience God raised Him up (Philippians 2:5-11). As we face trials in this life, may we remember what Jesus went through for us so we could be freed from the wrath of sin, giving us eternal life. May we endure as He endured. And may we have the same outlook as Jesus, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)  The word Maundy is the Latin word for “command.” “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper when He washed His disciples feet, that they should love and serve one another. Serving people, especially those you feel are below you, is commanded. When we have an attitude to serve others we imitate the same humble attitude of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11). May God be glorified through our works of service as we we follow our true role model, Jesus.
 Trump? Bernie? Hilary? Cruz? Does it matter? Some 2000 years ago people were shouting Hosanna, which means "Save us," to the one they saw as a great political figure who would bring their nation out of oppression. By the end of the week, because this "political" figure could not deliver, they were yelling "crucify Him."
No matter where you go and what time period, we see people angry and frustrated. Unless we bring sin and the fallenness of man into the picture we will continue to place faith in man only to yell "crucify" the moment that person lets us down. Man's primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation. Only Jesus can deliver and only when in this life, all is said and done, will we be able to experience true deliverance and the true peace our hearts are longing for. Place your trust in Jesus today. He has a plan for your life unlike anything you could ever imagine. You will not be disappointed if you seek Him with all your heart.  Tomorrow is Palm Sunday. If you look in any of the four gospels in the Bible you will find the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem for the last time (before He was crucified). As Jesus entered (on Sunday) the people were shouting Hosanna! Which means "save us." Yet by the end of the week (Friday) the crowds were shouting "Crucify him!" Why the change of heart? Why the change of faith? Could it be they didn't know the One they were following and His sovereign plan? Quite often, it's the same way with us. We honor Him on Sunday then deny Him the rest of the week. Why the change of faith? Do we not know the One we follow?
 "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:18-19)
How's your eternal treasure chest looking? The ongoing folly is to live for this world. In the process of doing so we may gain something while here but we forfeit eternity. God's word tells us to be generous with our time, talents and treasures and if we do it for His sake we gain treasures in heaven. Our treasures on earth can be taken from us at anytime, while our treasures in heaven will be stored up for us for eternity. In the former process we slave away to gain that which we cannot keep. In the latter process we gain treasures in heaven and gain the added bonus of finding true LIFE on earth, which is the greatest treasure one can find.  THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS when people don't know what the Bible says and start to follow what man says. READ YOUR BIBLE!!! America's so-called Christian standards are PATHETIC!!! It's not Christianity at al!!
"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:20-21)  Have you ever considered studying the Bible to find the answers to the struggles of life rather than going to the tabloids and self help books? The bible has answers for all of life and the struggles that come with it.
My name is Pastor Stephen and my goal is to start Bible study groups that meet in homes, in coffee shops, at the beach, park or anywhere on the island. I am so confident that the Bible will help you find answers, that I am willing to meet up at any location, day or time that is most convenient for you. I will also give out free leather-bound study bibles to whoever wants to commit to doing Bibles studies. This is a great way to not only get excited about God but to invite your friends, families, co-workers, classmates, etc., and get them all excited about God. Please message me if you would like to get involved in a current study group in your area or would like to start one.  WE SAY WE KNOW GOD BUT WE DON'T!! PERIOD!! Read the Bible and see for yourselves how far off the mark we are from living the way God wants us to live. Stop comparing your good to the bad of others. All that does is gives you a false sense of what is good. In and of ourselves we all think we are good. But according to the bible we are all sinners and stand condemned before a holy, perfect and pure God. We are in desperate need of a Savior. Jesus is that Savior. The only Savior. Turn to Him today and start following Him.
 "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:41-42)
Questions I ask myself: -Does Jesus weep over America? Hawaii? My lifestyle? -Do we know what will bring us peace as a nation, as individuals? -Has it been hidden from us since we have stopped pursuing God in our court system, schools, homes, daily lives? Our nation is spiraling downward and out of control, spiritually and morally. We have lost faith in God and are turning to man made images for our peace, joy and satisfaction. We are an extremely idolatrous nation. May God have mercy on our nation and open our eyes so we can see the true joy giver, JESUS. |
Pastor StephenSnippets are what pops in my head while having my daily quiet time with God. I write it down to maybe encourage, challenge or inspire others to read God's word. Please feel free to share your snippets as well. Enjoy and God bless! Archives
January 2022
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