Who is God?: The faithful Charity

Who is God?: The faithful Charity:   To live as a devoted Christian one must destroy the old man. You must possess a Christ like mind, and loving heart without partiali...

The faithful Charity

 

To live as a devoted Christian one must destroy the old man. You must possess a Christ like mind, and loving heart without partiality and predigest for anyone. What does the bible say about that? 

1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

James 3:7 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Partiality- unfair bias in favor of one thing or person compared with another; favoritism

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

We, the people, must commit our whole life to reflect the image of a loving merciful God. The bible tell us that in doing this. We are not only saved from eternal death, but bring an example to those that are lost, and blind, to help saved those that lack the faith to enter in into eternal life by the blood of Jesus Christ and the renewing of our minds and, heart.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. 

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

God is holiness! we represent the Lord Jesus Christ in Holiness. If the Lord is Holy we should be holy as well.

I Peter 1: 15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Cornelius Sends for Peter. The event beginning in Acts chapter 10

Remember the event that happen with Peter when God showed in a vision. The sheet that descended from heaven that had all manner of creeping things, and the Lord told Peter, kill, and eat. But Peter rejected it because what was on the sheet were things that we don't normally eat. The Lord was telling Peter if I send you anything from heaven it is clean and holy.

The Lord was preparing Peter that he was going to meet someone that was not a Jew, but was saved through Jesus Christ, and assigned to deliver the Gospel as Peter was called to do the same to deliver the Gospel.

Yes, Isaiah is God choosing people, but those that do the well of God will be accepted. St John 12:46-47  46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.    

Acts 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com  

 

Who is God?: Whatever happened to Love?

Who is God?: Whatever happened to Love?: By: William F. Hill   'But love is what counts. Love is the greatest,' unfortunately, many who make statements like the ab...

Whatever happened to Love?

By: William F. Hill

 

'But love is what counts. Love is the greatest,' unfortunately, many who make statements like the above are not aware of what real love is. So many will say that to have all the right standards of holiness and to lack love is a waste. I agree.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

"1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

A wise man told several of us young men years ago at our ordination service, "Go ahead and preach that hard message, young man, but make sure you can cry over it first." That sage advice has stood me in good stead at times. If you are like me, you have met those who had outward standards of holiness, but were mean and ugly in their spirit. I can only point back to (2 Corinthians 7:1) and remind all of us that it takes cleansing in both areas, flesh and spirit, to perfect holiness.

 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

External holiness standards without love must as big a disappointment to the earnest seeker as the fig tree without figs was to Jesus.

 

 

Mark 11:12-14

"And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves,  he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for  the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it."

We must state in all fairness, that many who believe in and practice holy living have not had much love shown to them by people who profess much love. Some believers in holiness have had the firmness of their dedication, and their lack of compromise mistaken for an ugly spirit. To all who really stand for holiness, I feel it necessary to exhort that you, above all others, must show love, or the cause of holiness suffers. It is important, however, that we know what love is. Many do not.

John 14:21

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and  i will love  him, and will manifest myself to him."

John 14:24

"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

We must establish that love is not just some sentimental feeling that brings tears to our eyes or makes us want to hug everybody. Real love can be tested and proven.

1 John 2:3-5

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, i know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."

So you see the measurement of love goes far deeper than a sweet, syrupy feeling. A few years ago a defendant at a murder trial was asked by the judge what kind of emotion she had as she was stabbing her victim several times. Her reply was that she felt much love for her. That kind of love I can do without.

 

1 John 2:15

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Here is another test. If we find ourselves attached to this worldly system we live among, we are in danger. We are not to love the amusements of the world. Most churches preached against worldly amusements years ago. Preachers in almost every denomination cried against drinking alcholic beverages, smoking cigarettes, attending to theatre and dance, gambling and sexual sins. Putting Christian words to rock and roll music and calling it Christian rock makes as much sense as putting Bible verses on cigarette packages and calling them "Holy smokes" or making the whiskey bottle in the shape of a cross and labeling it "Holy Spirits". There must be a separation from the evil system of this world if we are to please God and enter into heaven. There is a two-pronged test we can give ourselves to check out our standing with God.

1 John 3:10

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

It is extremely important that we know whether we are children of God or children of the devil. Most professing Christians will look at you with shock and dismay when you make a statement such as i have just made, but we must know where we stand with God, and there must be no doubt. In dealing with thousands of individuals over the years concerning their standing with God, i have received a variety of answers such as: "I think I am saved." "I hope I am saved." "I am trying to be saved, after all, no one can really know until the day of resurrection." I submit to you, that to wait until the day of resurrection to find out whether or not we are saved, is a very risky business at the least. We can know! To those who reply that their salvation and standing with God is sure I always like to ask the question, "On what do you base your answer?" Again, there are a variety of answers offered. "I was baptized when i was a baby", "I joined the church", I sing in the choir", i do good works, i have a good feeling." Let's go back to the Bible way of knowing of the sureness and certainty of our relationship with God.

1 John 2:3-5

""And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, i know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."

 

We can readily see by staying true to the scripture that there is a sure and certain way of knowing of our relationship with God and with Jesus Christ. It is not based on feeling, or surmisings, or suppositons. We know that we know God if we do what God tells us to do. Thus we have part one of our two-pronged test to check our relationship with God. Part two involves the latter part of  1 John 3:10....

1 John 4:20,21

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

Those who hate people or even are prejudiced against them because of the color of their skin or because they are of another race, nationality or religion need to read above the vcrses and then fall on their knees in repentance. There can be no right relationship with God when we hate our brother.

1 John 2:10,11

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. but he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darknes hath blinded his eyes."

So you see we can actually test our relationship to God by using this two pronged test of obeying God, and loving our brother. The amazing thing about this is that they work together. Some who have very high personal standards of holiness are very inadequate in their love. Holiness without love will cause a person to become a very bitter individual. Love, without holiness, will cause a person to be very giddy and shallow. There must be the two of these, holiness and love, together. Love is a test of true holiness. Holiness is a test of true love. We must stay in the scripture and not trust to our emotions, whims and fancies. these will only lead us astray. Talk about a powerful combination! Holiness, coupled together with love, cannot be conquered.

 

CAN GOD?

Psalms 78:12-20 

Intro: "A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn't hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff.

"So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that somebody passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. "HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? Help!" He yelled for hours, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

"`Jack. Jack. Can you hear me?'

"`Yes, yes, I can hear you. I'm down here!'

"`I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?'

"`Yes, but...who are you, and where are you?'

"`I am the Lord, Jack. I'm everywhere.'

"`The Lord? You mean GOD?'

"`That's Me.'

"`God, please help me! I promise--If You'll get me down from here, I'll stop sinning. I'll be a really good person. I'll serve You for the rest of my life.'

"`Easy on the promises, Jack. Let's just get you down from there, and then we can talk. Now, here's what I want you to do. Listen carefully.'

"`I'll do anything You say, Lord. Just tell me what to do.'

"`Okay. Let go of the branch.'

"`What?'

"`I said to let go of the branch. Just trust Me and let go.'

"There was a long silence. Finally, Jack yelled, `HELP! HELP! Is there anyone else up there?'

Sounds like us sometimes, doesn't it? We say we want to serve the Lord and know His will, then when He tells us what He wants us to do, we often balk at what the Lord is doing. This was Israel's problem. They were called out of Egypt to follow the Lord by faith. However, they seemed to constantly doubt the power, the promises and the presence of God as they traveled. The entire attitude of their hearts is summed up in the 2 word question they voices, "Can God?". When they asked this question, they were doubting everything about the Lord. They needed a lesson in trust.

This morning, I realize that we are a lot like Israel. We often ask the question "Can God?" Today, I would like to tell you, and show you from the Scriptures that "God Can!" The God we serve is still the Lord of glory. He is still the King of kings and He is still able to do all the things He has ever been able to do. You may be asking today, "Can God?" I want to show you today that "God Can!" Notice this great truth from this passage.

I. THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE

A. They Were Faithless - (v. 20, 41) Here was a people who called themselves by God's name. Here was a people who should have trusted the Lord without reservation. Yet, they seemed oblivious to the power of God in their midst.

(Ill. Isn't that a lot like the people of the Lord today? Instead of trusting God and living by faith, we worry and we fret. Folk, it doesn't have to be that way! I want to tell you now, that we have a God in Whom we can trust, without reservation and without fear. Let us resolve to be like Jesus challenged Thomas to be, "Not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)

B. They Were Forgetful - (v. 7-16; 20-29; 42-55; 65-72) The nation of Israel seemed to be unable to remember all the great miracles that God had performed on their behalf. How He had delivered them from Egypt by the plagues. How He had parted the Red Sea. How He made the waters of Mara pure. How He had put their enemies on the run. How He had proven Himself to be God and to be all powerful time and again. They were forgetful of the mighty power of God they had witnessed in their lives.

(Ill. Again, this describes us, doesn't it? How many times has God come through for you? How many times has He moved mountains, parted the waters in your life? How many times has He lifted the veil of affliction and suffering in your life and allowed the light of His glory to brighten the day for you? How many times has He spoken peace to your storm? How many times has He met the need, done the impossible, and proven Himself to be God for you? And, how many times have we forgotten all about what He did yesterday when the trial of today pops up? My friends, we need to take a look back this morning and remember all the things God has done for you and me. If God did it then, we can be sure that He will do it now! We need to take inventory and remember the Lord's power when the next storm begins to blow in our lives.)

C. They Were Foolish - By asking "Can God?" they proved their ignorance of His power and of His Person. This same scene was played out many times during the course of Israel's wilderness wanderings, and after they arrived n Canaan. One time that comes to mind is when the 12 spies were sent into Canaan. While there, they encountered a race of people known as the Anakim. They were giants. When the 10 faithless spies saw the giants, they looked at them and then they looked at themselves and compared themselves to grasshoppers, Num. 13:33.

(Ill. This same foolishness has followed the church to this very day. We are guilty of the same foolish comparison. Some problem will arise in our lives, in the church, wherever it may be, and the first thing we say is "Can God?" It may take other forms, but it is still the same. Our doubts say "Can God?", when He already has many times before.)

(Ill. This was the condition of the people, and I am afraid, we often mirror this same kind of attitude in our lives today. I want you to know that it does not have to be like that in our lives! We can trust the Lord, and we can know that He will demonstrate His power in our lives. One way we can know this is by having a better understanding of the Character Of God.)

I. The Condition Of The People

II. THE CHARACTER OF THEIR GOD

A. V. 5-7 His Promises - Israel had seen God keep His Word time and time again. He was always faithful to do what He promised to do for them.

(Ill. God hasn't changed! He is still a God who keeps His Word! Everything God has promised, He will do! There are some verses in the Bible that bear this out - Rom. 4:21; Heb. 6:18; Num. 23:19; Titus 1:2)

B. V. 4, 12 His Performance - Throughout their history, Israel had enjoyed the presence and the power of Almighty God. Time and again God had demonstrated His power in the midst of His people. Imagine seeing Him part the Red Sea, drop manna from the heavens every day for 40 years. Imagine seeing God defeat all your enemies. Imagine the thrill of seeing His glory as He came down upon the Tabernacle. Imagine the pillar of cloud and of fire. God had proven Himself time and again to His people.

(Ill. May I say that the Lord has not changed in this area either! He is still coming through for His people. Look back over the years and remember the times the Lord has displayed His great power in your life. Hasn't He parted the waters for you? Hasn't He opened the heavens and dropped the manna of His glory on your life over and over. Hasn't He moved in response to you cries of faith? He has proven Himself to you and me repeatedly!)

C. V. 4 His Power - Throughout their history, God had proven that He was stronger than every obstacle they faced. He was more powerful than Egypt, and the Amalekites. He proved Himself to be greater than their thirst and their hunger. He was able to overcome all they faced by His great power.

(Ill. My friends, God is still all powerful. The omniscient power of God has not, nor shall it ever flag. He is all-powerful and He shall remain so until the end of an unending eternity. I just want to remind you this morning that God possesses all power in Heaven and in earth, Matt. 28:18. (Ill. The power of God - Luke 1:37; Job 42:2 (Ill. Gen 18:14 is God's own testimony to His power!) Ill. Jer. 32:27. My duty this morning is to remind you that our God, Whom we serve, is able! Eph. 3:20)

D. V. 38 His Patience - While God continued to show Himself strong on behalf of His people, Israel continually lacked the faith to trust the Lord as they should. However, the Bible tells us that "many a time" He turned His anger away from them. He was patient with them and lead them along in love and in grace.

(Ill. Thank God we serve a patient God! How many times has He demonstrated that to you and me? There have been many times when we have failed to walk in faith in the Lord, but instead of throwing us away and taking a new people unto Himself, He continues to love us and work in our lives. We have a patient, loving Lord.)

(Ill. All I am saying is that we can trust the Lord for everything in our lives. We have a God who has demonstrated His power, His grace, His love and His character many times over.)

I. The Condition Of The People

II. The Character Of Their God

III. V. 6-8 THE CHALLENGE FOR TODAY

(Ill. When we look at Israel's history and the way God proved Himself to them. Then, when we consider how He has proven himself in our own lives and when we look at His power and His ability, what are we to do with that information? These verses tell us in no uncertain terms what the Lord expects from us in relation to these truths. Allow me to share three challenges that face us this morning.

A. Have Confidence In God (Trust) - Ill. Mark 11:22; Psa. 62:8; John 14:1. These verses teach us that we are to trust Him for all our needs and in every situation. When the world wrings its hands in despair and doubt and asks the question "Can God?" We, who believe the Bible should stand forth and cry out, "God Can!" When the world looks at declining morality, escalating violence,, Y2K, economic trouble, decrease in the popularity of the church, increasing evil and ask the question, "Can God!" We must be ready with the answer, "God Can!" This has always been the way it was throughout the Bible and it still is today!

1. Daniel in the lion's den. (Darius spends the night wondering in God can, Daniel enjoys the Lord's peace and rests well knowing that God can!

2. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar stood with a smirk on his face as he sentenced the 3 Hebrews boys and asked, "Can God!" Those boys came out of the furnace shouting loudly, "God Can!"

3. The Widow of Zarephath - She stood watching as the prophet ate the last of the meal and wondered, "Can God!" Three years later she was still eating while all around people starved and when she finished her meal, she could whisper, with all the assurance of her soul, "God Can!"

4. The Disciples on the Ship - They were in the midst of the storm and thought that they were finished and their hearts were filled with this question, "Can God?" But, in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus cam walking on the waves, displaying all the power of the Godhead reminding the disciples, "God Can, God Can!"

5. I remember a day when I stood condemned to die, under conviction of sin and lost without God. I remember feeling like I was the most awful and sinful person who ever lived. All I know was that my heart was filled with the question, "Can God?" But, when I bowed at the feet of Jesus and placed my faith in Him for salvation, I heard Him shout in the depths of my soul, "God Can, God Can!" I am hear to tell you this morning that He still can! He is still God and He Can, Yes, He Can! (By the way, He can do it for you too, if you are lost!)

B. Call To Mind His Past Works (Remember) - Think of the times He has delivered you, when He saved you and the times He moved mountains in your life. Remember His power and all that He has done. Let His past works remind you that He is able, no matter what you face in life. God is able and He will come through for you, every time. Let the past be your reminder and learn to trust Him no matter what!

(Ill. Old Uncle Oscar took his first airplane ride. Knowing that he had been somewhat apprehensive about it, his friends were eager to hear how it went. At the first opportunity, they asked him if he enjoyed the flight. "Well," commented Uncle Oscar, "it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. But I'll tell you this. I never did put all my weight down!"

That's how some Christians take the promises of the Bible. They have no trouble believing what is says about the Lord Jesus Christ saving all who place their trust in Him. They know their sins have been forgiven and that heaven is their eternal home. But they fail to take the Lord at His word when it applies to other areas of their lives. They've never "put all their weight down." As a result they are plagued by doubts, fears, and uncertainties.)

C. Carry Out His Commandments (Obey) - Genuine faith in the Lord always manifests itself in obedience to the Lord and His Word. Remember, Faith come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. When we get into His Word and allow it to lodge in our hearts, changing us, then we will learn to trust Him more and more.

Conc: Once I flew from Greensboro Airport to Houston Texas. As I walked from the airport buildings to the jet I was subject to the law of gravity. When I came to the steps leading up to the plane entrance door, I had to climb up the steps using my power to raise my body up each step. On entering the plane, I sat in the comfortable seat and just relaxed.

"When all was ready, the jet taxied to the runway, and after a while began to move down the long stretch ahead. The speed increased second by second until, when it was moving about 150 miles per hour, it left the earth and rose up into the sky above North Carolina.

"The force of gravity against which I had climbed into the plane was still seeking to pull the plane down to earth--the whole 150 tons of it, but there was another law in operation now against the law of gravity, a new law, the law of aerodynamics.

"I knew nothing of the law of aerodynamics. I did not need to. Because I was committed to the plane, and, because I was relaxing, I rose in triumph with the plane. The triumph of the jet was my triumph, its fantastic speed was my speed, all its possibilities were mine--because I was inside.

"Thus it is with the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. I do not need to understand the theology to benefit--all I need to do is commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ as I did physically to the jet. Notice that it wasn't the quality of my faith that took me to Houston in two and one-half hours. However, there was a frightened Catholic lady on board who spent the entire flight in anxious fear, but she got there just the same as I did. I am as strong as that in which I put my faith. If my faith is resting in Christ, then I am as strong as He is. Notice, too, that I did not have to help the plane to fly to Houston. It did not require any urging or pushing from me--the power was in the plane. Similarly, Jesus Christ can triumph in my life without help from me. The major difference between me and that frightened lady was that I enjoyed the flight and she didn't. So it is with us! There are many who fail to trust the Lord and fail to remember that God can. As a result, they live their lives defeated and discouraged. Folk, it doesn't have to be that way! I want to invite you to come to the Lord this morning and find out for yourself that God can! Will you bring you doubts, your fears and your questions and lay them to rest at the feet of Jesus? As I close, let me leave this thought in your minds, GOD CAN!!

By Pastor Alan Carr

Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com

Who is God?: His water never runs dry

Who is God?: His water never runs dry:   2 Kings 4:1-7 “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husba...

His water never runs dry

 

2 Kings 4:1-7

“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.”

** Elisha a prophet for the Lord had told this lady in simple instructions without hesitation on what to do. The Lord gave him spiritual wisdom on how he can help this widow solve this troublesome circumstance. She had said that her husband died and the creditors were to come to take her two sons to be slaves in replacement to these debts. So as she was instructed, (to due to her only having one vessel of oil); she went out in her neighborhood collecting as many empty vessels as she could, and brought it back home. He had told her to shut all the doors of her home, and fill those empty vessels with the oil she had. She was filling all the empty vessels full with just the oil she had. And when she saw she had no more empty vessels to fill, the oil stopped running out perfectly. (What a testimony) With the oil she had obtained from the Lord’s hand (miracle) she was told by Elisha to go out and sell the oil and she was to pay the debts and be at rest (peace) to live with her sons. **

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

** Proving on what God had done for the widow and her two sons, It is a testimony showing on what God does for those who seek Him. God knows our needs, and wants to fulfill those needs. But in order to do so, we must believe in Him, and allow Him to orchestrate your life (salvation), making sure to put Him first before all things and the rest (things in life-stress,etc) will be taken care of. **

 

Matthew 6:33

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

** Put the Lord first, and all things shall be added unto you. Simply stated, it will be done. **

John 4:13-14

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

                                                  “My Challenge to you”

 

If you are not a Christian, I invite you to receive the hope and peace in your heart that only Jesus gives.

  To become a Christian, you must deal with Christ Jesus directly. In A quiet moment, bow your head and talk to him. In your own words say something like this:

 “Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe that you died and rose from the dead to save me from my sins. I want to be with you in heaven forever. God, forgive me of all my sins that I have committed against you. Wash me in your precious blood. I here and now open my heart to you and ask you to come into my heart and life and be my personnel Savior. Amen.”

 If you say that to Christ and mean it, He will come in instantly. At once you will sense you have been transferred from the devil’s dominion to the kingdom of God. Read Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.                                   

By Missionary

Dinah Ramos

www.fghconline.com  

 

 

 

Who is God?: Preparation of the Heart

Who is God?: Preparation of the Heart:   Every task requires some type of preparedness. If you create a readiness of mind I Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among...

Preparation of the Heart

 

Every task requires some type of preparedness. If you create a readiness of mind

I Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

Lucre:  money, wealth, or profit

Psalms 51:9,10 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

If those that hear the word of God, but can't except it, is because they do not know our Lord Jesus Christ.

Example: If you were at a forest fire, and seen the fire, the heavy smoke, the heat from the flames, and the destruction of the damage and, you relayed the results to a friend on how destructive the fire and the devastation was. It would not be the same unless your friend was there. If you invite Jesus Christ in your heart it's the beginning to a transformed life.

Knowing the truth and applying the truth in your heart openings the results of  change.

John 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The Lord is the bread of life

John 6: 35-37:And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Jesus Christ has told us that he has made a prepared path that will lead us into a safe and a happier life.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 There is a false image in the minds of those in this world that can't come to the realization that Jesus Christ is warning us from the deception that we can't see the end of our life, to the result for eternal damnation in hell. The devil is as real as we are as humans, but the devil is not human, he is spiritual and very dangerous if we don't have Jesus Christ in our life.

Lucifer the devil had a place in heaven at one time.

Isaiah 14: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

To begin the preparation of the heart

To understand what is needed to except Jesus Christ in our life, is, emit your faults of sin to the Lord. Open your heart to receive him into your life as your personnel savior. Turn your eyes from the opposite direction to what God is not in this world, and read the bible every day with prayer to Jesus Christ daily. This will begin the transformation to a prepared heart. 

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Once you have made your transformation to a wonderful life, along the way. The devil will try to distract you to turn back to the old life, because the devil doesn't want you to have the greatest gift in the world, and this is a life of eternality in heaven with God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com

THERE IS A PLACE OF REST

Matt. 11:28-30            

Intro: Ever get tired?/Ever feel a need for rest? Ill. Our vacation left me more tired than before! We are a weary people because we rush from one activity to the other. We work long hours and fill our calendars with too many obligations. The fact that we need rest makes this invitation from Jesus so very appealing.

      Look at verse 29b – “rest for your souls”. He is not talking about physical rest, but He is talking about spiritual rest. Most people are weary in their spirits today. Henry David Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Many are troubled and agitated in their souls, and they try to find rest in all the wrong places. Some look to a mate/ a bottle or a pill/ friends/ pleasure/ entertainment/ a job/ money. People look everywhere and try everything in the effort to find rest for their souls. No thing and no one in this world can give you the peace and rest you seek.

      While people run here and there trying to find peace, Jesus says, so simply and so calmly, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” There is a place of rest; a place of quietness; a place of peace and His name is Jesus. He invites you to come to Him to find the rest your soul seeks. People are looking, running, seeking, struggling, striving, fighting, loving, rushing, searching all in an effort to find what only Jesus Christ can give.

      There is a place of rest for the weary soul and that place of rest is Jesus Christ. In these verses, through a series of commands, Jesus invites you and me to enter that place of spiritual rest. Let’s examine His invitation as I try to preach on the though There Is A Place Of Rest.

  I. v. 28                              THE CALL TO SALVATION

A.  The Plea He Delivers – That is the essence of salvation. Salvation is coming to Jesus! It is not coming to a church, a creed, a man, a denomination, an altar, a baptistery, a new way of living, etc. Salvation is coming to Jesus, **1 John 5:12; **Acts 4:12; John *14:6; Acts 16:31. (Ill. He invites “All” – Anyone who sees their need of a Savior can come to Jesus and they will be saved, John 6:37; **Isa. 1:18; Isa. 42:3; Heb. 7:25.) (Ill. Come to Jesus!)

B.  The People He Describes – He is referring to those He has been dealing with in this chapter. Some are struggling under the burden of doubt, v. 1-6, the yoke of religious legalism, v. 7-19, and the bondage of sin, v. 20-24. He wants them all to know that they can have rest!

1. You can see your doubts put to rest – ***1 John 5:13 – Come to Jesus!

2. You can be free from legalism and self-righteousness – Ill. The Jewish religion and the oppressions of the people by the Pharisees – ***Matt. 23:3-4; 15:10 – Come to Jesus! (Ill. All of your efforts can never please God and earn you salvation – **Isa. 64:6; **Eph. 2:8-9.)

3. You can be free from the bondage of your sins – **Rom. 6:6-14 – Jesus has the power to set you free! (Ill. If you want to be free come to Jesus!)

C.  The Promise He Declares – “rest” = “quietness, calmness, peace, refreshment.” All those who come to Jesus are given rest.

1. We are given peace with God - (***Rom. 5:1;) 2. Rest from our attempts to please God - Eph. 1:6 3. Calmness concerning our salvation - **Rom. 8:16; 4. Quietness about our future - **John 6:37; John **10:28; 5. Refreshment for our journey - (***Isa. 40:31) (Ill. If you want rest, come to Jesus!)

 II. v. 29a                     THE COMMAND TO SURRENDER

(Ill. Salvation always precedes surrender. Ill. Can’t live like a married man until you are married. After you are saved, you should live like a saved person. A yoke is a wooden implement designed to allow two oxen to pull a load together. It harnesses the power of both oxens to the load they are attempting to move. Ill. The image of the yoke was also used to speak of submitting to the instructions of a teacher.) 

A.  We Must Surrender To A Person – Jesus wants us to surrender to His control in our lives. He desires that we bow to His authority. (Ill. He has the right to demand this – 1 Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 14:7-9; 2 Cor. 5:15.) Does He have the reigns to your life?

B.  We Must Surrender To A Partnership – Jesus is saying, “Get in the yoke with me.” He is not calling us to walk alone; He is calling us to walk with Him. He knows that we cannot live this live on our own. He goes with us and enables us to live for Him as we yield to His control in our lives, **Gal. 2:20; John 14:16-18. (Ill. We are not in this thing alone! True rest in the Christian life comes from surrendering to His control.) (Ill. Little boy, his dad and heavy bucket.)

 III. v. 29b-30                    THE CHALLENGE TO SERVE

A.  v. 29a  Our Pattern In Service – Jesus tells us to look at His example. He is gentle and humble, completely yielded to the Father’s will. Jesus was sent to this world to serve, Mark 10:45. While we are not saved by works, we are clearly saved to work, **Eph. 2:10; James 2:18; **Titus 2:14. (Ill. The word “learn” is the same word that is translated “disciple”. Jesus is looking for people who will lay everything on the line as He did and serve Him with no reservations –** Matt. 16:24; Luke 14:25-27; ***Phil. 2:5-8***.)

B.  v. 29b  Our Peace In Service – When we trust Jesus by faith, we are given rest, v. 28. When we serve Him faithfully, we find rest. There is a rest that gives us peace with God and peace of soul. There is a rest that comes from serving Him. There is a joy, a fulfillment, a happiness that can be found no where else in life. There is something special about being in the center of His will for your life. If you want true commitment, come to Jesus for salvation, yield to His will for your life and serve Him faithfully. The fullness of peace and rest are found under the burden of His yoke. (Ill. To be accepted and used of the Lord is a blessing beyond words!)

C.  v. 30  Our Promise In Service – The word “easy” means “fits well”. Ill Jesus was a carpenter. He will design a yoke that will fit us perfectly. His burden is “light”. As we put our shoulder to the path He has chosen for us, there will be burdens along the way. But, we will find that His yoke brings peace, joy, satisfaction and fulfillment and that every difficulty in life is turned to our good by His grace, (***Rom. 8:28). As we walk with Him, we are aware that our trials here will work for our glory there, (**2 Cor. 4:17;) (**Rom. 8:18).

 

By Pastor Alan Carr

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com