When God Goes Viral!

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Jesus answered:

Don't let anyone fool you. Many will come and claim to be me. They will say they are the Messiah, and they will fool many people.

You will soon hear about wars and threats of wars, but don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.  Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes.  But this is just the beginning of troubles.

You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of me, you will be hated by people of all nations.  Many will give up and will betray and hate each other.  Many false prophets will come and fool a lot of people.  Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others.  But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved.  When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come.

Matthew 24:4-14

Today, men and women of faith are looking for signs of the End!  Turmoil and trouble all over the world tell, even those who don’t believe in Jesus that there are difficult times ahead!  

The “final sign” of the End is simple and often overlooked.  This “billboard from Heaven” is when God goes V iral and the message of Jesus spreads all over the world!  In our day of YouTube videos and social media we all know what it means for a message to go Viral.  

When the Gospel goes Viral it will heard by far more people than anyone ever expected and in the wake of that spread there will be countless people turning to Christ!  The best definition of a revival today might be a time when God goes Viral!  

The last thing to happen before the end will come, according to these verses in Matthew 24 is for the Good News about the Kingdom of God to be proclaimed all over the world!  

“Lord Jesus, give me an opportunity today to tell someone about You so that I may take part in ‘God going Viral.’  And Jesus, may Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen.”  

A Clear Conscience!

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Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God, when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive.

Christ then preached to the spirits that were being kept in prison.  They had disobeyed God while Noah was building the boat, but God had been patient with them. Eight people went into that boat and were brought safely through the flood.

Those flood waters were like baptism that now saves you. But baptism is more than just washing your body. It means turning to God with a clear conscience, because Jesus Christ was raised from death.  Christ is now in heaven, where he sits at the right side of God. All angels, authorities, and powers are under his control.

1 Peter 3:18-22

When a man says “I have a clear conscience” it usually means that he doesn’t believe he has done anything wrong.  But that is not what is meant  when a man turns to Jesus with a “clear conscience.” 

As a follower of Jesus, you can have a clear conscience because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, not because you haven’t done anything that is wrong.  

In another place the Bible clearly says that “all have sinned.”  So if you try to take care of your “sin problem” without the Blood of Jesus, you will fail and you will fail utterly!

Even today we are saved like Noah and his family were saved from the Flood!  The Grace of God saved mankind from extinction by providing a way for Noah’s family to escape death that was brought by the Flood.   And God’s Grace also sent Jesus to die on the Cross so that we might escape the fires of Hell!

Instead of spending all your time trying to be perfect and never sin, use every moment you have holding on to and loving Jesus with your whole heart!  The best way to avoid temptation when it comes, and it will is to cling to Jesus and never let go!

“Lord Jesus, my conscience can never be clear because of what I have done.  But I can always be totally at peace and am not guilty because of what You did for me on the Cross!  Praise Your Holy Name forever!  Amen.”

  

A Tsunami of Life!

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“Honesty will keep you safe, but everyone who is crooked will suddenly fall.

When crooks are in control, everyone tries to hide, but when they lose power, good people are everywhere.”

Proverbs 28:18 & 28

The Presidential election in the United States in 2016 is very unique.  One major candidate has never been elected to any political office and the other one is the wife of a former President.  One side claims the other candidate is “unfit” in almost every way to be the President and the other side says that his opponent is a “crook” and should be in prison.  Now there is rumor that a major foreign country is releasing stolen emails to influence the campaign.

Does it matter who the person is, who is the head of a country? Of course it does!  Are the people better off if their leader, as well as being competent and courageous is moral and God fearing?  Of course they are!

In countries where leaders are elected by the people those who lead are a direct reflection of the people who put them in office.  Godless, ignorant and immoral people, who might accurately be called “crooks” will vote for people like themselves.

It is not the leaders who change a nation, it is rather the nation who changes it leaders!  

So, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ and are concerned about the state of your nation, then pray that God will send a mighty wave of revival and conviction of sin across your land!  When that happens righteousness will win and evil will be turned away!  It will be a tsunami that brings life and peace instead of death and destruction!

“Lord Jesus, help me to change the world around me by telling everyone I meet about Your life-giving love.  May You, Jesus be praised forever.  Amen.” 

Beyond Belief and Into Faith!

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"Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses.  God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ.  All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life's blood, so by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus."

Romans 3:21-26

Men and women are able to stand clean before God because they have faith in Jesus Christ.  What does it mean to have “faith” in Jesus?  When I was a child I thought that “faith” in Jesus meant that you believed that He was the Son of God and that He came to this earth and died on the Cross.  But you see, you can be a “believer” without having any faith in Jesus.  

I believe in parachutes.  I believe that they exist and that many people jump out of airplanes with a parachute folded into a pack on their back and safely reach the ground.  I have no doubt that parachutes work, but I do not have any faith in parachutes!  I am not willing to trust my life to a piece of silk!

Many people believe in Jesus and their doctrines are absolutely correct, but they refuse to trust Him with their lives!  There is a huge difference in believing in parachutes and in jumping out of an airplane while wearing one.  There is that same kind of difference between those who believe in Jesus and those who trust Him with their lives every day.  

If you are a believer, that is good, but belief alone will not save you.  It is only when you have faith in Jesus Christ that He has promised to save you!  So then, ask yourself and answer honestly, “Do I have faith or just believe?”  When someone tells you that they believe in Jesus, remember that is only step one of a right relationship with Jesus!

“Lord Jesus, help me today to step beyond belief into the realm of Faith. I know that You desire more than belief.   May I trust Your Holy Name forever.  Amen.”

TURN OR BURN!

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The fourth angel emptied his bowl on the sun, and it began to scorch people like fire. Everyone was scorched by its great heat, and all of them cursed the name of God who had power over these terrible troubles. But no one turned to God and praised him.

Revelation 16:8-9

There will be Global Warming that is not caused by man.  The real, and horrifying Global Warming will be caused by God who will make it so hot on earth that people will be “scorched like fire!”

The idea that human beings have the ultimate power to control the temperature of the earth is foolish and arrogant to say the least!  Perhaps we can influence how hot or cold it is by a few degrees, but nothing like God Himself will do in response to man’s rebellion.  

If you believe that God Almighty can and will do only kind, sweet, and gentle things on this earth, you are greatly mistaken.  God will judge and punish those who oppose Him and refuse to believe in Jesus!  His judgement is more than frightening!

Many people believe that God made Heaven and Satan made Hell!  That is not true!  Hell was prepared by God for the Devil and his angels!  To fear God is not just to stand in awe of Him.  Those who reject Jesus have a perfect right to be “scared to death” of what will happen to them when they die!  It is not a pretty picture and it will last forever.  There will be no coming back to God after the judgement!

If you are one of those who says, God is really kind and so some day I will repent and turn to Him, just before I die, then wake up!  That time may be today and this may be your very last opportunity to accept Jesus before it is too late!

I saw a bumper sticker once that, even though it may be considered “rude and crude” said, TURN OR BURN!  So let your “What to do today” list have as it’s first entry today: REPENT  AND TURN YOUR HEART TO JESUS!  If you do, you will never regret it, but if you don’t you will regret it forever in Hell!

“Lord Jesus, help me today to realize how urgent it is that I turn my heart to You.  May I bow down before You now and forever.  Amen.” 

Searching for Someone to be Your Lord?

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The message about the cross doesn't make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God's power at work.   As God says in the Scriptures,

“I will destroy the wisdom of all who claim to be wise. I will confuse those who think they know so much.”

What happened to those wise people? What happened to those experts in the Scriptures? What happened to the ones who think they have all the answers? Didn't God show that the wisdom of this world is foolish?  God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him.  Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach.  Jews ask for miracles, and Greeks want something that sounds wise.  But we preach that Christ was nailed to a cross. Most Jews have problems with this, and most Gentiles think it is foolish.

1 Corinthians 1:18-23

When a lost man or woman hears about the Cross of Jesus Christ, their response is not “Well that makes sense!”  From the viewpoint of a man or woman who is controlled by Satan and sold out to the “wisdom” of this world the Cross is the pinnacle of foolishness!  

So what makes a man ready to hear the Gospel  and respond with a totally life changing AMEN?

There is only room for one Throne in your life. Someone, or something will be the Lord of your life, and for most people who have not turned their hearts to Jesus that “someone” is themselves!  Conviction of sin, pulls you off the throne of your life and leaves you searching for Someone to be your Lord!  That is when the message of the Cross of Christ becomes the Living Hope of Heaven and the only answer to your desperate situation!  Only when you come to know how bad you are, can you come to see how Good He is!

When you tell the smug and self assured about the Gospel of Christ, they may respond with interest, but not with the desperation of a drowning man looking for something or someone to hold on to!  But when you preach the message of Jesus to those who have no hope you will be bringing them just what they need, and they will see it!

“Lord Jesus, help me to see again today that You are all that I need in my life.  What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!  Praise Your Name forever.  Amen.”

Actions and Attitude!

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Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat.  It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord.   What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts.   But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin.

Romans 14:20-23

The definition of Sin is not really very simple.  Of course, if God says that you should not do a thing, and you do it anyway, that is a sin.  But there are things that God has not prohibited, but  in your own heart you believe they are wrong, and so, for you they are sin!  

This means, if you violate your own convictions, you have sinned!  

The seriousness of this truth is often overlooked, especially if I encourage a fellow believer to do something he or she truly believes is wrong!  I may be totally correct that God has not declared a certain action to be a sin, but I may be totally wrong in encouraging you to engage in that activity!  What this means is that God is more interested in my attitude than my actions! 

When your heart is right before God, the Holy Spirit will direct your steps and order your actions to be pleasing to Him!  But when your heart is not right before the Lord, all the “right actions” will not save you!  

Search the Word of God to find out if the things you believe come from the Bible.  Change your beliefs only to bring them in line with the teachings of scripture, not the teachings of men.  But never encourage a fellow believer to do something that they truly believe is a sin!

“Lord Jesus, help me to stand before You today with a peaceful and clean heart.  Keep me from the sin of doing even the right thing with the wrong attitude of heart.  May You Jesus, be praised forever.  Amen.” 

  

God's Word Unsealed!

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At the same time I saw the Lamb open the first of the seven seals, I heard one of the four living creatures shout with a voice like thunder. It said, “Come out!”  Then I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a crown. He had already won some victories, and he went out to win more.

When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come out!”  Then another horse came out. It was fiery red. And its rider was given the power to take away all peace from the earth, so people would slaughter one another. He was also given a big sword.

When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come out!” Then I saw a black horse, and its rider had a balance scale in one hand. I heard what sounded like a voice from somewhere among the four living creatures. It said, “A liter of wheat will cost you a whole day's wages! Three liters of barley will cost you a day's wages too. But don't ruin the olive oil or the wine.”

When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come out!”  Then I saw a pale green horse. Its rider was named Death, and Death's Kingdom followed close behind. They were given power over one fourth of the earth, and they could kill its people with swords, famines, diseases, and wild animals.

When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of everyone who had been killed for speaking God's message and telling about their faith. They shouted, “Master, you are holy and faithful! How long will it be before you judge and punish the people of this earth who killed us?”

Then each of those who had been killed was given a white robe and told to rest for a little while. They had to wait until the complete number of the Lord's other servants and followers would be killed.

Revelation 6:1-11

Jesus is the Lamb of God and He is the one who opens the seal on the Word in your heart!  No one knows what Words were contained in the scroll that was sealed with seven seals.  But Jesus is the only one who could open those seals and release the Word of God in the world!

When you came to know Jesus and gave your life to Him, you began to store His Word in your heart.  That process goes on as long as you live on this earth.  His Word in your heart makes you ready for battle with the help of the Holy Spirit!  When you put the Word of God in your heart, you are “loading” the most powerful weapon of Spiritual Warfare ever imagined.  When His power is unsealed in your heart, nothing is impossible! 

Is there room for more of His Word in your heart?  Of course there is!  Remember, when you fill your heart with the Word of God you will be ready for any battle that Satan may bring to your door!

“Lord Jesus, unseal Your Word in my heart, that I may be able to stand firm when the attacks of the devil come my way.  And may You Jesus, be praised forever.  Amen.” 

Somebody Loves Me!

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My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows we have been given new life. We are now God's children, and we know him.  God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him.  God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life.  Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven.  Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is truly in our hearts.

1 John 4:7-12

The best evidence of your “born again” life is your love for others.  If the Spirit of God is living in your heart, you will be continually used as a channel of blessing to carry His love to others!  

Love is the most powerful force throughout all of eternity.  When someone truly loves you, you are confronted with a serious decision.  You can either accept that love and return love, or you can reject love and the relationship that would have grown from it’s seed!

Every loving act that God has done on your behalf was focused on His desire that you love Him in response to His love for you!   Jesus came to seek and save the lost, not condemn them!  

Evangelism is best expressed in telling lost people that Jesus loves them!  Those are not just words, they are Wonders!  You are loved by the Son of God, the King of kings, the Creator of all there is!  Jesus gave His life so that you might live with Him forever in Heaven.  Jesus gave His life for you, and wants you to give your life and heart to Him!  

“Lord Jesus, there are many Wonders in this world, but none as marvelous as Your love for me!  Take my heart and pull it into Yours.  May my every thought and action come straight from You, my God and my Savior.  May You be praised forever.  Amen.”

Tested by Fire!

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"Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on.  God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear. You have faith in God, whose power will protect you until the last day. Then he will save you, just as he has always planned to do. On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while.  Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns."

1 Peter 1:3-7

When precious metal is tested by fire, the pure metal remains and the “junk” is burned up in the fire!  When your faith is tested by fire your heart is cleansed of the things that are not from the heart of God and you are left with a faith that is more precious than gold!

Your faith is tested when your eyes, and ears contradict what God has said in His Word!  The test is this: Will you believe what God has said or what you see and hear?  

The problem is that your five senses can be tricked to see and hear things that are not really there, but the Word of God is always true and can be trusted!

Have you ever seen an “optical illusion?”  It looks like something is there, but it is not.  A thirsty man in the desert can see a lake of water when there is none and is called a mirage!  

There are many “spiritual illusions” in this life when you look to the world for direction and clarity.  Spiritual illusions look real, but they are not based on truth.  

Faith that is pure will survive the tests of fire!  Trust the Word of God and believe what God has said beyond even the things that you see and hear around you!

“Thank you Jesus that I can trust You even more than what I see and hear in this world.  May Your Name be Praised forever.  Amen.”

All or Nothing - Praise Him

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Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running and said, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”

Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said:

“We bring nothing at birth;

we take nothing

with us at death.

The Lord alone gives and takes.

Praise the name of the Lord!”

In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.

Job 1:13-22

Job was the “man of God” that nobody wants to be like.  God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away the blessings that God had given him.  Job lost everything except his wife, and I think at the time, she was not being a blessing to Job. 

We may joyfully praise the Lord when we receive blessings from the Hand of the Lord, but can we praise Him when those same blessings are taken away?     

If God never blessed any of His children, He would still be worthy of praise!   Of course you should praise the Lord when He blesses you.  But be ready to praise Him if that same blessing is taken away!

“Lord Jesus, help me today praise You for who You are, not just what the things You have given me!  May I like Your servant Job be ready to say, ‘The Lord gives and takes,’ praise the name of the Lord.  Amen.”

I Am Always On His Mind!

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In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8:37-39

The greatest peace “on earth” is in the heart of child who knows that his parents love him!  Being certain that you are loved shields your heart from the storms that would otherwise bring fear and despair!  The affirmation of a loving parent protects the mind of a child from questioning his or her own worth and purpose in the world!

The love that God has for you and me is the same!  Sit still for just a moment and ponder the fact that the Creator of all there is, who is also known as Almighty Father, loves you!  He doesn’t just know you, or even like you.  God loves you!  That means that all we know of real love is true of God’s love for you.  When there is love, the one who is loving thinks of the one who is loved “all” the time!  “You Are Always on My Mind” is not just the name of a song, it is what we do when we love someone.  And it is what God does because He loves you!  You are always on God’s mind!  

And if you love God, He is always on your mind!  Think about God when you get up in the morning.  Think about Him as you work during the day, and think about God when you go to sleep at night.  Thirst for God like a man in the desert desires a cool drink!  Let the reality of God consume your every thought!

“Lord Jesus, may You be on my mind today, even as You are always thinking about me.  Thank You Jesus for loving me!  And may You be praised forever.  Amen.”  

Pray and Stand Guard!

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The people worked hard, and we built the walls of Jerusalem halfway up again.  But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So they became angry and decided to stir up trouble, and to fight against the people of Jerusalem.  But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night.

Nehemiah 4:6-9

When wagon trains traveled across the United States toward California there was a universal practice based on a real need, of having someone stand watch all night!  Without a watchman, who was ready to cry out if danger approached the travelers would be constantly vulnerable to attack!   

In a world that is filled with demons who are ready at every turn to attack followers of Jesus, there is also a real need for men and women who are willing to “stand guard” in prayer and watch out for the attacks of Satan!  When you see something, say something to other believers about spiritual dangers today!  And of course, “say something” to the Lord about what you see!  When you pray about any situation, that situation will change!  There is nothing more powerful or effective than inviting Almighty God into what is happening in your life, or the lives of those around you! 

“Standing guard” and praying are both necessary roles for Christians who are involved in the struggle against Satan!  If you have been watching without prayer, it is time to add prayer to your day.  If you have been praying without standing guard, it is time to look up and see what is happening around you, so your prayer will be even more focused!

”Lord Jesus, help me today to be one that not only prays in the battle against Satan, but also stands guard, ready to warn others of his attacks!  May You, Jesus be praised forever.  Amen.”

Walking With Jesus or Worrying?

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I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren't you worth much more than birds? Can worry make you live longer?  Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes.  But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them.  God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. God will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith? Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?”  Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all of these.   But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

Matthew 6:25-33

The short version of these verses is this:  If you know God you will not worry about anything else!  Your worry is the convicting evidence that you don’t know the Lord!  So instead of trying not to worry, spend your time getting to know Jesus better and better every day.  As you do, the temptation to worry will grow weaker and weaker!

Knowing Jesus cancels the temptations of this world!  It is impossible to walk in intimate fellowship with the Son of God and worry about things in this world at the same time!  That does not mean that you close your eyes and pretend that the problems in this world are not there.  They do exist, but Your Lord and Savior has the power to deal with every one of them today!

“Lord Jesus, I confess that worrying and walking with You cannot happen at the same time.  So, I chose fellowship with You, my Lord and Savior.  Praise Your Holy Name.  Amen.”