Powered By Blogger

Saturday, February 28, 2015

The power of believing


Why is it hard for some of us to believe in the glory of God?

We are Living in the carnality of life on this earth, because we are only human, we want to see the evidence to be convinced. What did the Lord say in the word of God.

Luke 11:29,30  And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. 30. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

The bible tells us that we must first be born again in order for us to enter in the Kingdom of Heaven.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

How do we get born again? Let see the story of Nicodemus

Verse 1 Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews

John 3:1-15 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Verse 2 Let us understand that Jesus was a man of God, but Jesus seen that he was not clean of his sins in his life.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We may think that we are saved just knowing God, but we lack a renewed heart and mind, have not asked Jesus to wash us in his precious blood of Jesus Christ we are yet a sinner.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

I John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2.The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Verse 4 Nicodemus question Jesus about being born again Nicodemus was looking at the words of Jesus through the eyes of the flesh.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Verse 5 Jesus speaks on the requirements to be born again.

Christian baptism in water is the public symbolic outward representation of the Born Again Baptism, identifying the newly born again believer with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is done in obedience to Christ, by believers, to a born again believer signifying their prior spiritual new creation in Christ.

And, the Spirit which is the spirit of God that convicts you of you sins. It doesn't feel good when you feel goodness inside of  you, and still have bad in you also. This is where the bible said that the flesh is fighting against spirit, and the spirit against the spirit of God.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Verse 12 Jesus told Nicodemus if  you don't believe the words that I speak of  earthy things, How will you except those things that are heavenly things. 

 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

If we live by worldly religious tradition we will have a hard time excepting the heavenly things that we cannot see yet. We do not live by logical theory, or by eating healthy foods alone. We live by the word of God.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.   

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
Pastor Rolando Ramos

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Worry


Do we worry and have the pressure (Stress) of not knowing the results on concerns in your life, and others? The Lord is good. He got the matter in his control when we are wondering what the outcome will be always turn to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:25,34  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

There are times that you will say, since I am a believer in the Lord Jesus, and live my life to please him that I will always have it my way. That is not true all the time.

Philippians 4:10,11 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 
The Lord is telling us that in what situation you are in that if things don't go your way, always remember to strengthen yourself in the Lord. He Loves us unconditionally Jesus Christ will not leave you nor forsake us.

Hebrew 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Fear not!
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

God knows your needs and is there to provide them for you, but in respect to your true needs. Do not be anxious about anything,  

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I can do all things through Christ that strengthen me

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

When it comes to the Lord's limits for our needs to be filled there are none. The Lord's bank account never runs dry, so you don't need to worry about that.

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

If you live and prove your righteousness you will not lack favor with God.  
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

The Lord knows your needs before you ask for them in prayer.
Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Covet the things that are needful for your life in the in the sight of the Lord, not the things that will weaken your faith in this world, you will know what they are when you see them through the eyes of the Lord. (Spiritual)

Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Pastor Rolando Ramos





Tuesday, February 17, 2015

WHERE WILL YOU END UP?


Matt. 7:13-14

Intro: I would like to share an observation with you that I have made over the years. Now, this is profound, so hang onto your hats: Where you wind up depends on which road you take! In other words, you cannot go south from here and expect to go to New York City. You cannot go east from here and wind up at the Mississippi. I realize you could do this if you were to circumnavigate the globe, but using the roads which are in place now, it would be absolutely impossible for you to do that. Just as this is true in the physical realm, it is also true in the spiritual realm.

Where you wind up in eternity will be determined by the road you take here on earth. It is impossible to take the wrong road and go to Heaven, and it is impossible to take the Heavenly road and go to Hell. What you do while in this world will determine forever, where you spend your forever.

This life has been described as nothing more than a brief pause between two very long eternities. Now, that shouldn't take any of us by surprise. After all, we are surrounded by death from the day we are born into the world. Loved ones pass away, friends leave this world, and deep inside, we know that it will happen to us someday as well. The fact that you will not live forever is a common theme throughout the Bible. Notice some of these notable passages, James 4:14; Job 9:25; Job 14:1; Psa. 78:39; Psa. 90:10; Isa. 40:7-8.

Since we are going to leave this world someday soon, and when we do, we will continue to live either in Heaven or Hell forever, it is essential that you know where you will end up. I would like to take these 2 verses and preach for a while around this question, "Where will you end up?" As I do, please allow the Lord to speak to your heart. You may not like this message, but you need to know where you are going when you leave this world more than anything else in this world or the one to come. My prayer is that every individual will be able to answer this question before they leave this room today.

I. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS IN LIFE

(Ill. Jesus tells His audience that there are only two possible roads in which one can walk. Many in our day want to tell us that there are many paths a person can travel through life, however, Jesus limits the choices to just two. Some may feel that this is a narrow view. I guess that they are correct. However, Jesus is correct regardless of what the world thinks, Rom. 3:4. Let's spend a few moments discussing these two roads in which man can spend his days.)

A. There Is A Broad Way - The word broad means "spacious." Jesus says that there is a spacious road upon which a person can walk. What does He mean by this "broad road"? The idea that Jesus is trying to convey is that the broad way is wide open. In other words, anything goes on the broad way. You can do anything you like, you can carry all the baggage of your sins, you can live like you want to live, you can call all the shot and make all the rules! You can be king of the road on the broad way. When you walk the broad way, you can be your own person and not have to answer to anyone. You can live life to the fullest. Go where you will, do what you will and be what you will. It is your life and you call the shots. It is an easy way to live, because there is no one to please but yourself! That is what the broad way is all about!

(Ill. There is a sinister side to the dark way that the open-minded, pleasure seekers fail to mention to those who travel this road. There are a couple of things you need to know before you decide to live out the rest of your life traveling the broad way.

1. You aren't really in control - Eph. 2:1-3 (You are nothing more than a pawn of the devil, Ill. John 8:44)

2. Sin brings with it pain and sorrow - Gal. 6:7; Pro. 13:15 (Il. The Jukes family - There has been careful research in to the history of one criminal family known as Jukes, and it is conspicuous for a long line of pauperism, waste, imbecility, insanity, prostitution and drunkenness. A total of 1,200 decedents have been traced from this prolific family tree. Some 400 were physically self-wrecked, 310 were professional paupers, 130 were convicted criminals, 60 were perpetual thieves and pick pockets, and 7 were murders. Out of the 1,200, only 20 ever learned a trade and 10 of these learned it while in prison! Sin carries a high price tag!)

3. God offers a better alternative - (Ill. God has a plan whereby those who follow Him enjoy the fullest of God's rich blessings day by day. Things like peace, John 14:27; Phil. 4:6; joy, 1 Pet. 1:8; assurance of salvation, 1 John 5:13. There are multitudes of other things which the Lord gives to us, and you'll never find a single one of the while traveling the broad road!)

B. There Is A Narrow Way - While the Broad way is wide open and easy, the other way a person can live is called "narrow". This word refers to a "grape press". It has the idea of being constricted, it can also carry the idea of being distressed and difficult. You see, the narrow way is exactly the opposite of the broad way. On the narrow way, you cannot take all your sins with you. If you try, you will find that there isn't enough room for you and them. When you walk the narrow way, you must choose to give up your rights. You can no longer do as you please, but you must do those things that please the Lord. You cannot make the rules, but you are expected to keep the Lord's rules.

(Ill. Some people have the mistaken idea that they can live as they please and that the Lord is obligated to smile down on them and just bless them real good. In truth, when you walk the narrow way, you should expect some difficulty. After all, these fleshly bodies will resist the confines of the narrow way. The sinful natures will find the narrow way to tight and constrictive. How many say they are saved, and yet they try to walk in the broad way nonetheless? No one ever said that living for the Lord would be easy! No one ever said that living a separated Christian life that honors the Lord would be simple and as fun as living a life that gratifies the flesh. However, living for the Lord brings with it certain benefits that cannot be obtained by any other means. Notice some facts about living the narrow way.

1. It honors God - 1 Pet. 1:16

2. It brings His blessings and power into your life - 2 Chron.. 7:14.

3. It offers a far better life from every perspective - Heb. 11:25; Gal. 6:8-9.

Nobody ever said that it was easy, but it the only way to honor the Lord and to be His Disciple - Matt. 16:24; Luke 14:26-27. It's a life lived in surrender, devotion, dedication and obedience to God. It is a life that He will bless! Sounds tough, but it's worth it!)

Which road are you walking on this morning?


I. There Are Two Possible Directions In Life

II. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS IN ETERNITY

(Ill. All roads end somewhere. There used to be a saying about 2,000 years ago that went, "All roads lead to Rome." Well, all roads lead somewhere and the same is true with the roads we are considering this morning. They lead somewhere and since everyone here is on one or the other, we need to find out where we are going!)

A. There Is A Place Called Hell - Jesus tells us here that the broad road leads to "destruction." When we think of something being destroyed, we usually think about something be annihilated and forever done away with. This word, however, refers to "loss". It speaks of total and absolute ruin. In all honesty, it refers to loss one suffers in the fires of Hell. My friends, the broad road ends in Hell. Every person who chooses the broad way will eventually find themselves in the fires of Hell. That, to me, is the most awful thought my mind ever tried to understand. What makes it so terrible is that some of you are headed there right now! Allow me to give you a little insight into this place where the broad way ends.

1. Unquenchable fire - Mark 9:43; Luke 16:24

2. Memory and Remorse - Luke 16:25; 27-28

3. Unsatisfied Thirst - Luke 16:24-25

4. Frustration and Anger - Luke 13:28; Matt. 24:51

5. Unspeakable Pain and Misery - Luke 16:24-26; Rev. 14:10-11

6. Eternal Separation - Rev. 21:8; 2 Thes. 1:9

7. Undiluted Wrath - Rev. 20:15 (Ill. There will be no more mercy or respite. Hell will be eternally real and eternally awful.)

(Ill. Regardless of what men think, Hell is real and every second lost souls drop off into the searing heat of that horrible place. No matter how I tried, I could never adequately describe Hell, but if I were to be able to exhaust all the vocabulary of English and paint word pictures that conveyed the truth of that place the half would be told as to the horror that awaits everyone headed to the land of the damned. A place from which there will never be deliverance. A place to which you will surely go if you choose to follow the broad and easy road through life. Where will you end up?)

B. There Is A Place Called Heaven - Just as the broad road has its destination, the narrow way does too. This road doesn't end in Hell, but it ends in Heaven above. Jesus promised those who would follow this way life. Not just life down here, but everlasting, glorious life in the realms of light above this wicked, perishing world. If Hell is a place of horror, pain, separation and suffering, then Heaven is a place of joy, rest, peace, unspeakable beauty and glory. Everything that Hell isn't Heaven is! Just a brief glimpse at the glories of that city tell me that that's where I want to end up. Consider these truths about that splendid place.

1. No Tears, pain, sorrow, death, etc - Rev. 21:4

2. No Sin - Rev. 21:8

3. No Night - Rev. 21:25

4. No Curse - Rev. 22:3

5. With God and Jesus - Rev. 21:3; 22-23; 22:4

6. A Glorious City - Rev. 21:11-24

7. Glories beyond description and beyond the ability of man to comprehend and understand - 1 Cor. 2:9.

(Ill. The narrow road may be the more costly of the 2 down here, but the end of the road is worth the price for the child of God. So what if we walked a bit out of step down here? So what if we were misunderstood? So what if we did without some things that the rest of the world indulged in and seemed to enjoy? When we get to Heaven, the trials of the road will seem as nothing! The past will be behind us and all the glories of eternity with Jesus will be unfolding before us. The journey will be over and we will be home - John 14:1-3. Where are you going to end up?)

I. There Are Two Possible Directions In Life

II. There Are Two Possible Destinations In Eternity

III. THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE DECISIONS YOU CAN MAKE

(As we read these verses, Jesus makes it clear that man must choose which gate he goes through and what kind of life he lives. If man makes these decisions, then he also decides where he spends his eternity. My friends, just as there are only 2 possible directions and 2 possible destinations, there are also only 2 possible decisions you can make. Let's consider these before we take our leave from this place today.)

A. There Is A Wide Gate Which You Can Choose To Enter - In reality, there is no real choice made in entering the wide gate. When a person is born into this world they are born in sin, Rom. 3:23; Psa. 58:3. As a result, they are already on the broad road. Yet, that little baby knows nothing of sin or of the choice to follow sin. However, as that child grows, there comes a time when he knows right from wrong. We call this time reaching "the age of accountability." At that time the child makes a conscious decision to either do evil or to do good. When that decision is made, the wide gate has been entered and the broad way becomes the course of life. Now we all know where that road will end up!

(Ill. Notice that Jesus said that this was the crowded way. Many, many more will find their way onto the broad road than onto the narrow way. Many, many more will spend in eternity in Hell than will ever be in Heaven. That is a sad thing! But, what's really sad about the whole thing is that men have many chances throughout their lives to change roads. They ignore these opportunities and plunge headlong toward Hell with reckless abandon and without visible concern for their souls! Please do not let this happen in your life. You have the opportunity to change today, take advantage of it and come to Jesus for salvation!)

B. There Is A Narrow Gate Which You Can Choose To Enter - While the wide gate is easy to find, man is born staring right into it, the straight gate is something that must be sought out. What I mean in this, when God calls the sinner to come to Him for salvation, he must choose to look away from the allurements of the broad way and see that the narrow way offers life and hope while the broad way offers only death, pain and destruction.

(Please note that this narrow way offers some clear opportunities for those people who decide to enter.

1. It is an open gate - Rom. 10:13; Rev. 22:17; John 6:37.

2. It offers life to all who will come in- John 10:28; John 6:47.

3. It, alone, promises Heaven to those who come this way - John 14:6.)

4. It is a small gate - This reminds us that you cannot bring your junk with you. If you are going to come to Jesus for salvation, then you are going to have to be willing to turn your back on the sins and the junk of this world, Luke 13:3. You are fooling no one but yourself if you think you can hang onto the world with one hand and Jesus with the other. The only way into Him is a narrow way and it requires that we lay down everything and cling simply to Jesus and Him alone!

("Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling!" What are you holding on to today that is keeping you away from the Lord Jesus Christ? Let me tell you, whatever it is, it isn't worth the price you will have to pay to keep it! Throw it down and cast yourself on Jesus for salvation!)

(Ill. Notice that Jesus said that there would be few who found this gate. Man is not, as I said earlier, at a crossroads. He is walking the broad way, until he turns his eyes away from that way and places them on Jesus. Then and then alone does man have the opportunity to be saved. Perhaps few will be saved because few are looking for what God offers through Jesus. Perhaps they are so filled up with the world and their own ways that they have no time for what God offers them. May I remind you that when a man is left to his own way, he will always wind up in Hell? - Pro. 16:25)

Conc: Have you thought it over? Where will you end up when you leave this world? Will it be Heaven or will it be Hell? Will it be the narrow way of walking with God or the broad way of anything goes? Where will you end up? You say, "Preacher, I sure do want to go to Heaven!" Then come to Jesus and enter into salvation through faith in Him. Be saved today. Be sure today. You had better not wait. As we learned at the outset, life is short and eternity is long. Today is your day to get ready to meet God in Heaven. Will you do it? Will you come and get it nailed down forever? The gate is still open, but the day is coming when it will close for you forever. Where will you end up? It all depends on what you do with the Lord Jesus Christ. Will you come to Him and get it settled forever today?
By Pastor Al Carr
Pastor Rolando Ramos

 

Friday, February 13, 2015

(Except Nothing Less Than Jesus In Your Life!!!!)


Be satisfied with nothing less, than the Lord Jesus abiding in your life.

He is the Light of the World. He is the Life of the World. He is your Savior,

Your Lord, and your friend.

He has promised to come to you, and abide with you.

Then accept nothing less than Jesus in your life.

Invite Him into your heart

Embrace Him.

Talk often with your friend, and His light will fill your life!!

If There Is No Prayer

Bill Brinkworth

One of the most important tools a Christian has, in his spiritual arsenal, is prayer. It is not utilized properly by most. Prayer by Christians will change situations when God answers them. Here are some consequences in people’s lives when little or no prayer is offered in their behalf:No salvation. Since prayer is talking to God, no salvation can be obtained, by anyone, unless they pray.
Acts 2:21

 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

* Calling unto God for salvation is one of the first prayers God will answer.*

Joel 2:32

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”

No healing. One’s cancer, infirmity, or health problem may not be changed if there is no prayer offered. Death and continued sickness will result if a Christian does not seek God’s intervention in the situation. What an awesome responsibility we have to prayer for others and ourselves.
James 5:14

 “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:”


James 5:15

 “ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.


James 5:16

 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

No Godly control. There is no hope for supernatural assistance if prayers are not offered about the situation. One is on their own, without God’s help, and taking their chances on how the matter will turn out.
Luke 11:2

 “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

*His will and way may not be performed unless He is asked.*

No protection.
*Jesus knew His prayer could change the circumstances he was in:*

 Matthew 26:53

“ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?”

 


Matthew 26:41

 “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

* Temptation to sin can be avoided with prayer.*

No needs being met. No blessing.
Philippians 4:6

 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” –

* All things can be asked for.*
Matthew 21:22

 “ And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Matthew 6:11

“ Give us this day our daily bread” -

* from the Lord’s model prayer. Daily needs may not be met if they are not asked for.*

No change.
Ephesians 6:18

 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” -

*Watch and see how prayer changes situations.*
Matthew 5:44

 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” -

*The best cure for bullies and other things that threaten you is prayer. Not praying will not change anything!*
 
By Ministry Dinah Ramos

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Faith through Fire


 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were three faithful Jews who refused to worship the golden image that king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon set up. They were cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace, but they were protected by a fourth “man” in the fire, and they emerged without even the smell of fire upon them.

Daniel 3:8-18

Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. 9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. 10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: 11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

 

They stood up for their God, the true living God that is powerful. That they were not to bow down to any graven image, and to serve any other gods that were set up by the king.

 
 

Exodus 20:3-6

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
 

Daniel 3:19-30

Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. 20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellers, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.”

 

Deuteronomy 4:27-29

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. 28And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
 
By Dinah Ramos

 

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Keep the fire of the Lord burning


2 Chronicles 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

When the Israelites built the tabernacle and alter under Moses' guidance, the fire of God started it.

Lev 9:23-24  And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. 24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

The priests were ordered to never let the flame go out. Later when they built the temple of Solomon, the fire of God lit that fire too, and the priests were ordered to keep the fire burning continuously.

God starts the fire inside of each of us when we first come to him, but we are to keep the fire burning. You can take a ember out of a roaring fire and set it on the mantle by itself and alone it will soon grow cold. Place it back into the fireplace with the other and it will glow hot again.

The fire of the Lord is like the story when Elisha proved God's great power over idol god Baal when Elisha prayed unto the Lord he sent fire from Heaven and started the alter of the Lord soak in water, and God burn the alter and dried all the water on and around the alter. I King  18:37-39

Don't let your fire of the Lord ever go out. Think about this? You are about to walk in the room and it's a big room at that. You enter the room and you find yourself in the room and suddenly the lights go out, its pitch dark, and you can't find your way out, because of the darkness, now you are lost in a room fall of darkness how do you feel? lost don't you?

The fire of the Lord is greater than the fire of sin. Living in darkness has not secretly, has not comfort, brings fear, and sadness.

The bible tells us to always be ready, and that our glory of God be always lit.

Luke 12:35  Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

If we live the life to please our Lord Jesus Christ we will always have a lit path to walk on. The Lord will show you the way, because the path that he leads you on will be strait, and bright. Let your light shine before man that the you may also lead someone to the glory of God.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.    

End :Prayer, worship, daily study and being around others that have the fire will all help keep your inner fire burning. God started it. No one said that it would be easy. You can do this and with God's help you will make it through.

Pastor Rolando Ramos