Forgetting The Past

...But I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past

and looking forward to what lies ahead, - Philippians 3:13

If there’s one thing that will keep you from moving forward, it is the voice of the past. The voice that keeps reminding you of how many times you’ve messed up, given up or failed at what you were trying to accomplish. Maybe it’s the voice telling you of how good things used to be and it will never be as good as it was, so why bother? If you’re going to move ahead in life, you are going to have to quit listening to that voice. It’s the voice of the accuser and the Bible describes the devil as the accuser. The Greek word for accuser is katēgoros, which means “against one in the assembly."

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD,

and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. – Zechariah 3:1

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God,

and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night,

has been hurled down. – Revelation 12:10

The way to get rid of the voice of the accuser and the voice of the past is to focus on something else – the voice of the present and the voice of the future. The word of God is the voice of the present and future. God’s word tells you who you are in Christ, what you will become in Christ and where you are going in Christ. It is simply not enough to try and ignore the voice of the past; you have to drown it out with another voice – the voice of the Holy Spirit. He is there to remind you of everything that Jesus said.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things,

and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. – John 14:26

When the voice of the past is trying to remind you of all your failures, sins and shortcomings that is when you need to confess and remind yourself that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. You can do all things through Him. Your faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Things that are impossible with men are possible with God. God does exceeding abundantly above all that you think or ask. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who reminds you of what the Word of God says.

We were ministering at a cowboy church service at a rodeo once in Laughlin, Nevada. We were running our music through the sound system in the arena. The only problem was that the speakers were about 200 feet behind us across the arena. Just before the service we got up to do a sound check. When I sang into the microphone or played my guitar, there was a 2-second delay. The result of that was I couldn’t concentrate on what I was supposed to be playing or singing and I couldn’t focus on where the song was going. The only sound I could hear was what I just did 2 seconds ago – the voice of the past. No matter how hard I tried to concentrate on what I was doing, that 2 second delay had me all messed up. I stopped and looked over at Coy Huffman, who was preaching that morning, and said “This isn’t gonna work, there’s too much of a delay in the sound.” Coy grinned and said “Just ignore it!” Well I had already tried to do that and the only way I was going to be able to move forward was to hear what was happening right now, not 2 seconds ago. I went and got another speaker and put it right in front of us. That speaker was like the voice of the present. When I turned up the volume on the voice of the present, it completely drowned out the voice of the past and we were ready to move forward.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night,

so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8

If you’re going to get victory over the voice of your past, you are going to have to drown it out by speaking the word of God to yourself. For you to reach your destiny and future that God has for you, your focus will have to be on who and what God says you are and what God says you have and can do in Jesus Christ.

The Word

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.-Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is one of the most powerful things we have as believers. The Apostle Paul describes it as a weapon“divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses” in 2 Corinthians 10:4. It is the very foundation for the building of our faith, according to Romans 10:17. Satan himself knows how powerful the Word is, as he even tried to trick Jesus with it in the wilderness. But, Jesus himself being the Word could not be shaken. In the same way, you can be unshakable if you know God’s Word and have hidden it in your heart. The Bible describes the Word in several ways:

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness –

2 Timothy 3:16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. .. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. – John 1:1; 14

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. – Matt. 24:35

He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God – Rev. 19:13

The bible teaches that Jesus is the Word. He was with God in the beginning of creation and He is God. He will never pass away. He is there to teach us, to correct us and to train us in righteousness. There is no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ. The Word reveals God’s character, His attributes, and how to become more like Him. It also tells us to speak the Word to others. To be ready at all times to preach Jesus.

Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. – 2 Timothy 4:2

In Paul’s final letter written to Timothy, it is very significant that he would write the words “whether the time is favorable or not.”  Just as Jesus said when He gave the great commission. He said GO. Don’t wait for times or seasons, the time is NOW. One of the reasons for that is because people don’t want to hear it. They are comfortable where they are and they don’t want to move forward. Usually, they know the right thing to do and when the Word of God pierces their heart, it makes them angry.

A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. – 1 Peter 2:8

It’s amazing to see people at a worship service with no joy in hearing the Word. They are not at all like Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 - you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. We’ve come to a place where we have allowed the enemy to steal our joy in the Lord with the cares of this world. To a point where when we hear the Word, we are unfruitful.

"And others are the ones on whom seed was sown among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” – Mark 4:18-19

I’ve witnessed first hand how quick, powerful and sharp the Word of God is – to the point that I am surprised and taken back. Have you ever tried bringing up scripture during a conversation? It’s amazing that people who are supposed to be Christians get so offended when a scripture is quoted during a normal conversation. It is a rock of offense.

And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. – Luke 21:17

So how do we get back on track?

When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else. – Jeremiah 29:13

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. – Psalm 119:11

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. – Luke 11:9

So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won't let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. – Hebrews 12:1-2 CEV

I encourage you to be strong in your commitment to the word of God. Stand without wavering. Speak it in every situation without hesitation. Believe it regardless of persecutions. Live it in spite of the circumstances around you. Thank God for it.

Who You Are

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ - Colossians 2:8

Who do you say you are? If asked, what would you say? Some would say their gender; their profession; their name; etc… Your friends or family may say the same, or they might say who you were when you were younger. If you played sports they might say you were fast, good or talented. On the other hand, they might say you were no good, a failure or a weakling. The people around you may call you a winner one day, and a loser the next. Your boss may call you a good worker one day, then a lazy un-motivated dead-beat the next. The government, the people, the nation, the media, friends, family may have told you that you are nobody and a failure. The opinion of the world concerning you will change from day to day based on how they see you. A scientist says we are small and insignificant, but God made the world and everything in it for us. He created everything in the world with you in mind. God does not see you as an after-thought. God’s view of us does not change from day to day. He sees us through the finished work of redemption of Jesus.

The world has told you who you are from the time of birth, but just like Paul, God said Paul was chosen before he was born. Jeremiah said God knew him before he was conceived. God told Joseph in a dream who he was. Joseph’s brothers hated him for it and were jealous of him. God said David would be the next king. David’s brothers said he was a young runt & thought he should just tend the sheep. God told Abraham who he was and what he would do, and Sarah laughed. The prodigal son’s brother was mad and said his brother was a reprobate. His dad said he was still a son. They said Jesus was just a carpenter’s son. God said He was well pleased with His son.

God says you are an over-comer; more than a conqueror; you can do all things through Christ. God has created you to be a champion. Whatever you do you can be the best you can be in who God created you to be. God says you are blessed! He says you are prosperous; you are strong in Him. You are valuable. You are worth it. You are significant. Begin to search the scriptures and find out who God says you are. Then, through the saving grace found only in Jesus Christ, become the person God says you are.

God says you are fearfully & wonderfully made – Psalm 139:14

God says you are the apple of His eye – Psalm 17:8

When we repent from sin and turn to God, baptized in water to Jesus Christ & baptized in the Holy Spirit,

God says you are:

a friend, His child, justified, united, chosen,

redeemed, complete, established, anointed, sealed, appointed;

you are His workmanship, adopted, bought with a price, free, His temple,

an heir, a new creation, reconciled, an ambassador, a saint, righteous,

the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a living stone, a priest, a king,

saved & triumphant...

God is constantly at work, thru the Holy Spirit, to get us in touch with who He says we are. Be who you are in Gods eyes, according to Christ Jesus. Jesus is the word made flesh. Be who the Word says you are, not who the world thinks you are.

Renewing Your Mind

Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge,

to make you know the certainty of the words of truth?...Proverbs 22:20-21

NASB

As Believers, if we are going to truly live in victory each and every day, we are going to have to make a choice to renew our minds every day. We will have to choose if we believe the Word of God or not. Decide if God in fact, is the truth and every man a liar. Decide if His promises for us are real, or just words on a page.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what the will of God is,

that which is good and acceptable and perfect.- Romans 12:2

NASB

There is a warning in this passage of scripture that the way the world thinks and perceives things is always contrary to what God says in His Word. Be not conformed to this world. Tradition or religion would normally use this scripture to start putting the "Do's and Don'ts" on people, for example "Don't act this way" "don't talk that way" "don't do this, don't do that..." In fact it is just the opposite. If we would spend the time reading the Bible and meditating on God's Word, pretty soon our minds would start being renewed by the promises of God's Word. Our inner spirit man would be strengthened by the "spiritual food" of the Word, and we would change our way of thinking. The way we think about ourselves, the way we think about world affairs, the way we act and react; we would literally be transformed by the Word of God - no longer being conformed to this world, or wordly thinking. And, as we read the truth of that Word more and more, we would understand what the will of God is, and more importantly be able to prove what that will is by being able to find it in the written Word of God.

You would know what God's will is about health, prosperity, salvation, blessing, etc. We need to start seeing ourselves by who God says we are. For instance, we are not the poor trying to get ahead, we are the rich who the devil is trying to keep poor. We are not the sick who is trying to get well, we are the healed who the devil is trying to make sick. We are not the depressed trying to be happy, we are the joyful who the devil is trying to keep depressed. Start seeing yourself as Jesus sees you. After all, poverty is nothing more than stolen wealth. Sickness is nothing more than stolen health. Depression is nothing more than stolen joy. Fear is nothing more than stolen faith. And who steals other than a thief? And who does Jesus say the thief is? It's the devil.

When we truly get the revelation, wisdom and understanding on what the will of God is, we will no longer be wasting our time sending up countless, worthless prayers of "...if it be your will, God." There are only a few instances when you should ever pray about what God's will is for a situation. He has already given us what His will is regarding salvation, health, prosperity, provision, protection, security, love, fear, faith and numerous other things in His Word. We just need to renew our minds to what God says, and not what the world says or anyone else says. The Bible should be the final word and authority in the life of a Christian.

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ. - Col. 2:8

NASB

Don't be someone who bases their beliefs about things based on what tradition has said, or by someone else's experience, or what happened to some other Christian brother or sister who you thought was super spiritual. Don't do that. Instead, fix your eyes upon Jesus, who is the Word, and believe what the promise says, no matter what happens. This scripture gives a warning that there will be many who will try to sway you away from the promises of God based on traditional thinking. There is an example of this in the Bible in Numbers 13:25-33. God told Moses to send a group of men to spy out the land that God was giving them. The land was flowing with milk and honey, but there were giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb, based on what God had said, spoke by faith saying "We are well able to seize the land". But the rest of the men gave what the Bible calls an "evil report", saying we are not able to overtake them and we saw ourselves as grasshoppers in their sight.

These men gave a report based on what they could do in their own power. This is what traditional thinking is. It is based on what we are able to do or not do by our own strength or thoughts. There is too much preaching in too many churches based on this type of thinking. It all has to do with what we perceive is possible. But God is a God of the impossible. What is impossible with us, is possible with God. Faith is not doing what we think we can achieve. Faith is based on what God has said. Joshua and Caleb gave a report based on what God said they could do and what He said was theirs.

Make up your mind today. Are you a grasshopper or a giant killer? Renew your mind to the "giant killer" way of thinking. Renew your mind to the promises of God. Live by what He says about you, and who He says you are in Him. And then, see yourself that way. God said in Isaiah 43 "Behold, I am doing something new - can you not perceive it?" The Bible says without a vision, the people perish. Develop a new vision of yourself of who God says you are, and renew your mind to that every day.

Spirit Led Works

Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? – 1 Cor. 3:12-16

I’ve heard this passage preached in traditional ways, generally by how we as humans value “things”, but today I want to look at this passage in a different light, according to 2 Peter 1:20-21 & Colossians 2:8. This will be our “theme” for all future devotionals and lessons.

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,

for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,

but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world,

rather than according to Christ - Colossians 2:8

As I study the Word and the Holy Spirit gives me “revelation” (revealed knowledge) of the Word, I learn more and more that the Bible confirms itself. Because the answers to Bible questions are always found in the Bible. So let’s dive into this and let the Word of God be our guide for what this passage really says.

First of all, we know that the foundation is Jesus Christ. We also know that this is a spiritual foundation, not a physical foundation. John 1 teaches that Jesus is the Word. So Jesus Christ, or the Word of God, must be the foundation on which we base everything we believe, hope for, base our decisions, etc. Just as God chose us, and no one calls Jesus “Lord” except by the Holy Spirit, (1 Cor. 12:3) God has also planned works, or has a “calling” for each one of us. (Eph. 2:10) So how do we know what those works are, or what that calling is? By the Holy Spirit. Jesus said when he left, God would send the Holy Spirit, and He would teach us all things. (John 16:13-15)

We should not base our “calling” or the spiritual things we are involved in based on peer pressure or feelings of guilt brought on by church leaders, or even by our own selfish desires. We should pray about everything we do, everywhere we go and every commitment we make. Then follow peace. (Col. 3:15) Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in all things and make known to you the things you are to be doing.

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. – Romans 8:14

The subject passage describes works as “building” and building with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw. This is traditionally preached as the wood, hay & straw being bad works, or works that don’t matter. The gold, silver and precious stones are typically preached as being the works that will stand the test of fire, or the “good works”.

I present to you today that by the Word of God, every one of those things are works that don’t matter. Some just appear to be of more value than others. You can be involved in things that are obviously of no eternal value. That could be classified as wood, hay or straw. You may also be involved in things that are of great significance, but you were never led by the Holy Spirit to be involved in them. These could be classified as gold, silver or precious stones. They look like great things to be doing or be involved in, but God never meant for you to do them. There are many people who are always working at the church building “putting in their time” or “putting in their good works”, but have never prayed about what God’s will is for them, or what their real “calling” is.

Let me put it this way. I’ve known people who had their whole house burned to the ground. Though they searched through all the rubble, they never found any of their jewelry. Because when the fire is hot enough, gold will be destroyed; silver will be destroyed; precious stones and diamonds will even be destroyed.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar

and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. – 2 Peter 3:10

Your good works will not gain you favor with God, or help you get into heaven. Only works planned by God and led by the Holy Spirit (even though they can't save you) are of any importance or eternal value. Your good works don't save you, but your good works are what causes others to be saved and come into the the knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Let’s look through the Word of God and see what it has to say about gold, silver and precious stones.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.

For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold.

She is more precious than jewels; - Proverbs 3:13-15

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. – Proverbs 16:16

So we see that by the Word of God, it is better to be led by the Holy Spirit by faith, and “build” upon the foundation of Jesus Christ with wisdom and understanding, rather than what appears to be the “right thing to do”. If you are led by the Holy Spirit, then you will always be doing the “right thing”.  He will give you wisdom and understanding and lead you in every aspect.

…that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable,

even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ; - 1 Peter 1:7

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time,

because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15-17

Then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. – Job 22:25

You can be saved and do good things only to have it all burned up in the end because it wasn’t led by the Spirit of God. Verse 15 does not mean that some folks will come so close to going to Hell, they’ll smell like smoke when they get to Heaven. That’s non-sense. That’s self-righteous garbage that someone made up. The Bible says you’re either saved or you’re not. You’re either going to heaven, or you’re not. There is no gray or “luke warm” area. But we can get to heaven and sadly not have accomplished any of the works that God planned for us because we were too busy doing our “own thing”, instead of being led by the Spirit of God.

The good news is that you can be led by the Spirit of God, because the Holy Spirit lives in you. You can get wisdom and understanding on what the will of God is for you, because the perfect place to be is right in the middle of the will of God. Exactly where He wants you. That is where the path of blessing is. You can be doing all the right things, be involved in every function there is at the local church, be at every meeting in town, just busy, busy, busy. So busy that you can’t hear what the Spirit of God is trying to tell you. You can arrive at a place where it appears you’re doing all the right things in the eyes of man, but be missing out on the Blessing of God. Stop – get still – listen to God and get His wisdom and understanding. All you need is the Holy Spirit. You don't need a "new anointing" or an "impartation". Once you have the Holy Spirit you have all you need, you just need obedience to step out and follow His lead and do what He is leading you to do.

The Rock

And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros--a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra--a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. - Matt. 16:18 -Amplified

This verse of scripture has been inaccurately quoted and explained countless times. So it's time we do some research  and get down to the real meaning in Matthew 16:18

First of all, let's look at the real meaning for the Greek word "Petros". The Amplified Bible gives a short definition of petros, which is "a large piece of rock". When in fact this is an incomplete definition. Petros in the Greek actually means "a piece of rock, or stone; detached; a moveable stone". So we can see why Jesus gave Simon the name of Simon Petros, which we translate to "Peter". Peter is a piece of rock or stone, and when assembled with other "stones" can form an assembly of stones or "building".

You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 2:5

So, Peter is not the foundation rock of the church. He is only a piece of stone. So just who or what is this rock that we have always heard preached that it was Peter? We don't have to look very far. I have chosen three examples from the book of 1 & 2 Samuel:

"There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God." - 1 Samuel 2:2

He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; - 2 Samuel 22:2

"For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? - 2 Samuel 22:32

So we see that the Lord God, in the person of Jesus Christ is the only true rock. The "Petra" - the immovable rock. One important thing to remember is that scripture always confirms scripture. One verse interprets another. Answers to Bible questions are always found in the Bible. Again, in the book of Psalms we can see there is no doubt of who the real rock is:

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, - Psalm 18:31

The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be the God of my salvation, - Psalm 18:46

Jesus is the ROCK. He has always been the rock. He will always be the rock. He didn't say that we should build our lives on Peter, He says that we should build our lives on Him - the Word, the ROCK! Peter is not the foundation of the church. Peter wavered and denied Jesus three times. That is not an example of a solid foundation. Peter was human as we all are, and eventually was put to death and buried. Jesus Christ is everlasting and lives forever!

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. - Matt. 7:24

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. - 1 Cor. 3:11

" Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. - Isaiah 26:4

Jesus was the rock in the desert that poured out water for Moses and the Israelites to drink. That's why Moses could not enter in to the Promised Land. He was told to strike the rock the first time, symbolizing Christ being struck by the Roman guards. The second time Moses was told the speak to the rock, symbolizing our new covenant relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, the risen savior. Moses struck the rock twice and could not enter in to the promised land where the New Covenant would later be established.

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; ...and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. - 1 Cor. 10:1;4

There are so many more verses in the Bible that tell of who the rock is. I hope this has set the record straight once and for all of who our rock is. The solid rock that the church is built upon. The solid rock of Jesus Christ and the revelation by the Holy Spirit that causes us to confess that HE IS LORD! That is the rock!

"BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." - Romans 9:33

Jesus or Judgment

If anyone sins deliberately by rejecting the Savior after knowing the truth of forgiveness, this sin is not covered by Christ's death. - Hebrews 10:26 - TLNT

We are living in the age of grace in which we, the sinful human race, can receive mercy and forgiveness of everything we have ever done, or will do. God had a plan for salvation before the foundation of the world. There will never be another sacrifice for sin. Jesus has paid the price, once for all. What God is really saying here is that once we have been presented the truth of salvation in Jesus Christ and we reject it, we have rejected the only way to heaven and eternal life. When we get to heaven we won't have a second chance to get into heaven by pleading our case of how we were a "good person" here on earth. This life is the only chance to receive God's free gift of salvation.

Many people have been taught wrong to believe that this verse says that if we commit a deliberate sin after becoming a Christian that we are condemned to hell. That is impossible. This verse actually says just the opposite. This verse actually says that if we deliberately sin after RECEIVING the salvation and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, those sins ARE covered by His death! Think about it. If it says that a deliberate sin is not covered after REJECTING the forgiveness, it must mean that a deliberate sin is forgiven if we have RECEIVED the free gift of forgiveness. But we must repent. We must turn from sin. The Holy Spirit will bring about conviction, and when He does, we must repent from that sin. The Bible says if we continue in sin (repeat the same sin over and over and over and not turn from it) then we don't truly know God. Friends, it simple. You and I, and everyone around us commit deliberate sins every day. We choose to say the things we say. We choose to do the things we do. We choose to think the things we think. It doesn't happen by accident. Every sin we commit every day is not done without our knowing about what we're doing. God isn't stupid. He certainly knew long ago that the final sacrifice for sins would have to be a living sacrifice that stands for all time. Simply because we can not be perfect in this flesh. That's why God sent His son Jesus to be judgment for us, because He knows we will mess up from time to time. He knew that Israel could not keep even 10 simple commandments. But because of their pride, arrogance and self-righteous attitudes, He had to give the commandments to prove it to them. Some folks are so puffed up in their minds today that they actually believe that we can somehow still keep those commandments. God spoke through Paul in Galatians 2:21 and said:

...if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. - Gal. 2:21

Trying to keep the 10 commandments will never put you in right standing with God. Matter of fact, it will put you under the curse! (Galatians 3:10). You see, salvation and forgiveness is all about what God does and nothing about what we do, except receive it by faith. When we think it's up to us to perform, that takes the focus off of God and puts it back on us. God says no. Salvation is not about works so that none of us can boast. (Ephesians 2:9) Salvation is about faith in Jesus Christ. So if we have faith in Jesus, then we will do what He says. If we have faith, we repent from sin. If we have faith, we get baptized in water to Jesus Christ. If we have faith, then we get baptized with the Holy Spirit. These are not "works" of the flesh, these are "works" of the Holy Spirit that God does in us when we are obedient to what Jesus has commanded us. It is salvation.

So, what's it going to be friends? Salvation through Jesus Christ, or judgment on your own? I think I'll let Jesus take my judgment at Calvary - 2000 years ago.

Freedom In Christ

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free,

and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. - Galatians 5:1 NLT

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 3:6 that we are servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The life we have in Jesus Christ is a life of freedom from our old self. A life of freedom from the Law with it's ordinances and rules and regulations. Freedom from the power of sin. Not a freedom to serve the desires of our flesh, or our feelings and emotions, but a freedom to serve one another by the power of the living God.

So, as you live the life of freedom in Jesus Christ, don't get caught up again in slavery to rituals and religious rules and requirements. The only requirement in this new blood covenant, is to repent from sin, be baptized in water to Jesus Christ, be baptized in the Holy Spirit and be led by the Holy Spirit each and every day. Remember, the Law made no one perfect. We'll never enter into heaven by keeping the 10 Commandments. It is by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Because...

we are under the New Covenant, not the Old Covenant

Not under Law, but under Grace

Not under condemnation, but conviction

Led by the Spirit, not the Law

Not an old sinner, but a new righteous man

Not under guilt, but under forgiveness

Not under judgment, but under God's Love

Not under the curse, but under the Blessing

Not dependence on myself, but dependence on God

Not by works, but by Faith

Not self-serving, but serving others

Not living my way, but living God's way

Not under religion, but set free

Not a life of sin, but a new life of obedience to God by the Holy Spirit.

It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily. - Galatians 2:20-21 The Message

Holy & Blameless

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world t

o be holy and blameless in his sight. – Ephesians 1:4

Do you have a revelation on this verse? Do you realize that as a child of God that He sees you holy and blameless? I believe there are many Christians who need to really study and meditate on this verse of scripture. There are so many of you who have a low self-worth, and because of your past or circumstances in this life, you feel second rate and carry around a constant burden of failure and a negative can't-do attitude. You need to realize that God does not see you this way, but in fact sees you as a new creation, holy & blameless! This is confirmed in at least two other scriptures:

…and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. – Eph. 4:24

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. – Col. 1:22

God sees you according to the spirit. He has cleansed us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus. Many of us can’t get a grip on this because it is the exact opposite of what we constantly see, hear and experience here on earth in the world’s system. We are impressed at a very early age that we must be “good enough” to be accepted.

In sports, for example, we have to try out for the team and be judged on our performance as to whether or not we are good enough to make to team. We are even judged further as to who will be a “starter” and who will be a “bench warmer.”  This is true in every facet of society. We must be good enough to be on the honor role at school. We must be good enough to get a driver’s license. We must be good enough to hold a job. We are constantly judged in life in regards to how well we perform, how well we look, how well we act, how well we talk, how well we dress, and how well we conform to society's idea of "acceptable"  to be accepted in society and to maintain that acceptance.

Everyone wants to be accepted. Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to feel they are worth something. This is where the world’s logic ends and God’s plan and wisdom begins. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all accepted, all loved and all worth it:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. – Matt. 18:12-14

None of us are good enough to get to heaven on our own, but that is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ – we don’t HAVE to be good enough! The devil will constantly try to tell you that you have to be good enough. He’ll tell you that you aren’t good enough to fulfill God’s plan for your life. He’ll tell you that you’re not smart enough, not talented enough, not gifted enough. Do you feel cursed, unable and not good enough? Listen – quit relying on yourself and start standing and relying on God’s word and His promises. Have you recognized your sin and repented from sin? Have you been baptized in water to Jesus Christ? Have you received the Holy Spirit?

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. – Jeremiah 17:5

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. – Zechariah 4:6

God has a great plan for your life and wants to do great things through you, but it will only happen if you quit depending and focusing on yourself, your abilities, your ideas, your logic, your finances, and your righteousness, and start trusting in Him. God has made you holy and blameless by the blood of Jesus Christ.

He that began a good work in you WILL see it through to completion. – Phil. 1:6

Let God take you through to completion. It’s not up to you to carry out God’s promises. It’s up to Him. It’s not up to us to try to be good enough; otherwise grace is no longer grace. (Romans 11:6). God says you’re more than a conqueror, an over-comer, that He meets all your needs, gives you perfect peace. He says He has planned your steps and ordained your path. He is your supplier, your provider, your comforter, your counselor, your Shepard, your strength, your shield, your fortress, your strong tower, your rock, your salvation, your strong hold, your deliverer, your hope, your guide, your teacher, your king, your Lord, and your God. Let Him prove it.

Expectation

Expect Things To Happen

Psalm 5:3  In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. – NIV

Expectation is a vital ingredient of faith. Think about it. When we receive God’s free gift of salvation, Jesus Christ, our hope and expectation is that He is going to, and will, do what He has promised to do for us in His word. That is eternal life and salvation in heaven, all the blessings that are listed in Deuteronomy 28, plus all the other things He has promised us throughout the Bible.

We know that we are saved by grace through FAITH, and that Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Faith IS expectation. If we don’t expect from God, how is He going to bless us without our expectation, or faith in Him to do it? James chapter 1 addresses this:

James 1:14-20 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – NASB

So, faith and expectation go hand-in-hand. If you don’t have faith then you don’t have expectation. If you expect nothing, then that is exactly what you will receive – NOTHING. The world (unsaved people) and people without revelation knowledge and understanding teach that concept continuously and try to get us to fall into their trap of unexpecting, because they think this sounds logical:

Well, I’m just gonna go not expecting anything so when I don’t get anything I won’t be disappointed.

How many times have you heard someone say that? Or, how about this one:

Well if you get your hopes or expectations up, you’re just setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

1 Corinthians 1:27 says God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. The world thinks that it is foolish to expect things from God. Religion will try to tell you the same thing. Colossians 2:18 says don’t let ANYONE condemn you by insisting on self-denial. If Deuteronomy 28:11 says “the Lord will make you abound in prosperity”then where does this false idea of a “vow of poverty” come from? Where does the “poor old sinner saved by grace, just drudging on through life” attitude come from? It comes from the ENEMY! The enemy is the one who gives you the ideas and notions to not have faith; to not have expectation; to not have hope; to not persevere, but to fail, be miserable, and just lay down and die a loser.

With faith comes expectation, and with expectation comes hope, and with hope there has to be perseverance.

Romans 8:25 - But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Hebrews 10:36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 11:27 - By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

James 1:4 - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

What we are talking about here is being Holy Spirit led. Jesus says that his followers can ask God for anything in His name and it will be given to him. We must realize that there are keys to being a follower of Jesus Christ:

Confess Jesus as Lord

Repent and turn away from sin

Be baptized in water to Jesus Christ

Be baptized in the Holy Spirit

Be obedient to all that Jesus has commanded: Preach the gospel, lay hands on the sick, cast out demons, baptize in water and the Holy Spirit, love God and love others . . .

When you pray, do you expect results?

Do you get up every morning and make your requests known to God and then wait in expectation?

Do you give up expecting because God hasn’t answered immediately?

Do you persevere, or do you pray in faith for one thing and then go do another?

Do you expect God to change your situation and are you willing to step out in faith, refuse the lies of the enemy, and persevere until the end?

When bad news comes, do you expect miracles and good things from God, or fear the worst?

Do you constantly speak negative or bad things into your life, or do you “call the things that are not, as though they were?”

When you witness, or preach the gospel, do you expect people to respond and get saved?

Jeremiah 29:11 -  For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Live your life expecting good things from God. Put your hope and trust in Him. Persevere in your expectations and faith, no matter what the circumstances look like. Remember God loves you, and you are valuable to Him!

Staying In Freedom

Galatians 5:1 Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again

by a yoke of slavery. NIV

Once you get the revelation that Jesus Christ has set you free from the guilt, shame & condemnation of sin, the enemy will constantly try to remind you of your past and your mistakes that you make on a daily basis. But, God is telling us here in Galatians 5:1, to not be tricked into being burdened with guilt & shame over the sins of the past. Stand firm in knowing your freedom in Christ. God sees you holy and blameless through the blood of His son Jesus Christ. Remember that your sins were forgiven by the shed blood of Jesus when you repented. Remember that your sins were washed away in the waters of baptism.

  Acts 22:16  arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

  Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 1:22 But now He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience…

Holiness is not something that is for tomorrow or when we get to heaven, it is for NOW. The definition of holy is “to be set apart” or “belonging to a divine power.” We belong to God – the divine power. He has set us apart from the power of sin, from the power of Satan, from hell and from the world.

Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Hebrews 2:14 …by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil.

God tells us in His word that we are in the world, but not of the world. We are “set apart” and will not be condemned with the world. But, we are to go into ALL the world and be the “salt” and “light” in a dark and dying world that has no hope, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ - to baptize in water & the Holy Spirit, to lay hands on the sick and cast out demons. We are set apart in the fact that we should not be conformed to the world in the way we talk, act, or treat the people around us. The hope that we have in Jesus and the joy that He gives us should be the factors that separate us from the ways of the world, and not a holier-than-thou attitude. But if we are under constant guilt and shame, how will we be able to walk in that victory every day? How will we be a “picture”, or a walking example of the abundant life that Jesus gives if we do not walk in the freedom that He died to give us? Be sure that there will be those who the enemy will send to discourage you and try to keep you in the “just an old sinner” mentality.

Colossians 2:4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Colossians 2:8 Do not let anyone fool you by his wise words. They are not true. They are what men say. They are the teachings of this world and not what Christ says.

Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.

There are people who like to concentrate on their sin and sinful nature. They like to think of themselves as a humble and unworthy person who will just drudge on through this life, and are nothing more than just a condemned old sinner that doesn’t deserve anything. God says here in Colossians not to let those types of people deceive you or persuade you into joining them in their “false humility”, or in other words, their self condemnation, guilt and shame. The bible is very clear and plain - no one who is born again can continue in sin, but he who continues in sin is of the devil. (1 John 3)

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

  1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

They will try to tell you that you must think that you are God and you are deceived. If we say we do not sin, then yes, we are deceived. But we are simply saying and believing God’s word that we are free from the control of sin and the guilt, shame and condemnation that it brings. We are putting the new wine into new wine skins – not the old. We are taking the steps in walking in the abundant life that Jesus died to give us! If anyone is trying to persuade you from having this attitude, they are the ones whom the enemy is deceiving. They need to re-connect themselves with Jesus Christ – the head of the body, “the church”. Or they simply may have not fully obeyed the gospel and need to be baptized in water to Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:19 But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body.

Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Run the race. Stay focused on the prize. Live the life of freedom and the abundant life that Jesus freely gives. Stand firm. Be steadfast

Christ Set Us Free

Freedom is something that all people desire. For America, freedom was worth fighting a war with Great Britain. Tired of being under the control and law of the “old country”, Americans fought and gained that freedom on July 4, 1776; and so, we have enjoyed that freedom for over 225 years. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 tells us:

Oh death where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (NAS)

Freedom from sin and sin consciousness has been available to us for over 2000 years.

Jesus came and died to give us freedom from the old law of sin and death according to Galatians 5:1

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free.”

The dictionary defines freedom as:

The condition of being free of restraints;  The right to unrestricted use; full access.

Because of what Jesus did (and through Him), we as Christians have “full & unrestricted access” to God the father and no longer have to rely on a priest or anyone else to be a mediator between us and God. Jesus is our mediator, according to 1 Timothy 2:5. Our freedom from the bondage and condemnation of sin is addressed in Romans 8:1-2 –

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you FREE from the law of sin and of death.

Christ is our covering and our payment for sin once and for all. Now if there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, then why are so many Christians down and defeated, under constant guilt and shame for things that were done in the past? Things that God has already forgiven and separated “as far as the east is from the west…” Psalm 103:12. Get a globe and find the equator. Start from the South Pole and go north. When you get to the North Pole and continue, you will go south again. But, if you follow the equator around the globe in an eastward direction, you will go east for an eternity. You will only go west if you turn around and back up. That is why Jesus said in Luke 9:62

"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (NIV)

If you are constantly looking at your past and all the things you’ve done wrong, then Jesus says you are not ready yet. That’s why Paul says in Philippians 3:13

…but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. (NLT)

God can’t fully use you and you will not reach your full potential if you stay focused on your sins and not HIM. You are free from the past. Jesus said it himself in John 8:36 –

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)

A big part of the problem in our modern, compromised preaching these days is that many people have to been obedient to the true gospel of the bible that the first apostles preached: to repent from sin, be baptized (in water) to Jesus Christ and be baptized in the Holy Spirit. When we repent from sin, God forgives us and gives us a new heart. But now we are dragging around the old dead sinful nature and it must be buried. We do this in the waters of baptism. Then we must receive the power of the Holy Spirit to live the new life we've been given in Christ. Many have been told only to confess and believe and say a short prayer. Although that is a good starting place, we must not stop there. The bible is very clear about the gospel and how to obey Christ. Repentance, baptism and the Holy Spirit. When we have done that, or better yet - when we have obeyed that and God has done the work in us through our obedience to what Jesus has commanded (repentance, baptism in water & Holy Spirit) then we can truly come into the life that Jesus died to give us. Paul said in Galatians 2:20 that we are crucified with Christ, and it is Christ that lives in us and that to the law we are dead (free).

Romans 6:6-7 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin– because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

Romans 6:18 “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Hebrews chapter 10 tells us that the law was to make us conscious of our sins, and God sent Jesus to make the ultimate sacrifice ONCE and for ALL so we could have our sins taken away and forgotten. Once we are saved, God calls us adopted sons and daughters. Everyone knows that an adopted child can never be disowned. The sacrifice Jesus gave is able to make us perfect forever according to Hebrews 10:14.  Galatians 5:1 tells us “…don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

In other words, once you have been freed, don’t go back and put yourself under the power of sin, guilt & shame. You are under grace. You are forgiven. You just have to receive it and know it. John 8:32, Jesus says:

“…and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NAS)

Live in the freedom that Jesus Christ died to give you. He died to set you free from the power of sin and the guilt, shame and condemnation that comes with it so that we could go out in freedom and preach the gospel to all creation.

Fear

What controls you, fear or faith? Fear is the opposite of Faith and God’s word tells us that we are to walk by Faith not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7

Going through life and acting on what we see can get us into fear, and fear will keep us from living the life of freedom that Christ died to give us.

Think about it – when you came to the moment in your life that you received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the faith that you had at that moment was greater than any fear of being ridiculed or persecuted for what you believed in. It is so important in our Christian walk to continue in faith in what we believe and in what God’s word say’s about us as Christians.  We need not get caught up in the same fears that the world has. It seems that so many Christians are caught up in the fears of the world – sickness, disease, lack, fear of man, fear of evil; but God’s word tells us just the opposite:

For by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Bless the Lord…who heals all our diseases. Psalms 103:3

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19</p>

The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Psalms 118:6

I fear no evil; for You are with me. Psalms 23:4

It is important to be cautious, but we need to follow and listen to the Holy Spirit in everything we do and not be afraid when he leads us to do something. Fear will cause you to speak death to situations in your life.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

Do you react in fear, or speak death in your daily decisions? – “Oh I better not go there or this might happen”, or, “I better not do this or I’ll get sick”, or, “We better not do this or we’ll catch a disease”, or, “I can’t do this because I might get hurt”, or, “I’m afraid if I do this I’ll run out of money”. It seems that we get stuck in a place where we expect a curse more than we expect a Blessing, when God’s word says we are Blessed. (Ephesians 1:3) Do we really believe God’s word when He say’s He has given us a sound mind?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power and love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

We have a sound mind to overcome fear. We have a spirit of love to carry out a command that Jesus gave us –

Love your neighbor as yourself. Matt. 22:39

By walking in this love, we receive all the blessings of Deuteronomy 28:1-13. We have God’s power to do what he’s called us to do. Ephesians 1:19. There is a great lesson to be learned about fear in the book of Job. Being in fear can destroy your life –

What I always feared has happened to me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. Job 3:25

Do not be afraid. Matt. 14:27

The Bible says Do Not Fear 365 times. That's once a day for a full year. That should tell us that God has us covered. He does not want us to live in fear, but in faith in Him.

Jesus - The Only Way

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life;

no one comes to the Father, but through Me.”  - John 14:6 NAS

In this passage of scripture, Thomas is explaining to Jesus that they did not know where He was going, and that they did not know the way. Jesus’ reply was very simple, just as the gospel message is very simple. He was stating to Thomas and all of creation the He, Jesus, is the only way, the only truth, and the only life. There is no other way to heaven. Jesus is the only way.  

The Only Way -

Acts 4:12 tells us again that “there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” NAS

This scripture tells us that the only name that we can be saved by is the name of Jesus. Calling on the name of Mary, or the name of a saint, or our own self will not save us.

Philippians 2:10 says “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

That scripture covers everyone. There is no one that can be saved any other way. By calling on the name of Jesus, we give glory to God because God gave Jesus his name.

Philippians 2:9 - God “bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.”

We can not be saved on our own merit. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that it is by the grace of God that we are saved, not by our works. Grace means unmerited favor. We only receive God’s unmerited favor by believing in, and calling on the name of Jesus.

The Only Truth -

Jesus said in John 8:32 “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

And in verse 36 Jesus again says “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”

The truth here is that Jesus is the only one that can set us free from our sins, and when we know this truth, then we are free. We can be told the truth day after day, after day. But until we know that what we have been told is the truth, that is the only way we are free - by knowing. The only way to know the truth is to study the new testament of the Bible. The truth of the gospel, the “good news” is that we are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ.

The Only Life -

Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”

If we believe in Jesus Christ, the devil or anyone else can never steal us away from God. We are His - forever. And finally, when it comes to the “only life”, let me just say friends that there is an eternity - an eternity of life with God, or an eternal death in Hell. John 17:3 tells us what eternal life is:

“And this is eternal life, that they may know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.”

Do you truly know Jesus Christ? Have you completely obeyed the gospel? Have you repented from sin, been baptized in water to Jesus Christ and received the Holy Spirit? Secondly, to know Him is to obey Him.