Aliment

What is an aliment? Let’s make reference to a car that can’t hold a straight direction. Forcing the driver of the car to hold the steering wheel against the pull, Causing, the tires to wear out quicker than they should last. This means the vehicle driving system is off centered.

Proverbs 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

The feeling of conviction (off centered)

Deuteronomy 28:65 Also look at Proverbs 4:27   12:13 and 14:12   
And among these nations shall you find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the LORD shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

Lamentations 1:20 Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; my heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaves, at home there is as death.

Peter was called by the Lord Jesus, and was told that he knows the truth, but ignored the warning.  

Acts 26:14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (This is like holding the steering wheel against the pull)

What happens when you let your sins rule your way?

Numbers 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Do not yoke yourself with unbelievers  

II Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (It’s like having a square tire with a round ones)

I 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.

Why go back to the milk when you pass that point of age Proverbs 14:14

Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

If you ignore the conviction for correction God will give you reprobate mind.  

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 

Going back to the car and your tires

If by chance, you have noticed a bald wear on your tire simply letting you know that your car needs aliment, and you are very aware of it, what do you do? This is like the conviction you are feeling when the Lord is warning you to correct your ways, it is like holding onto sin, and worrying about the consequence afterward. Throw away those old tires (Ephesians 4:22,23 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;     

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.

Strait is the gate, but very few will enter in

Matthew 7:13,14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Jesus: The friend of sinners

It has been said that a dog is man's best friend. It doesn't seem to matter what you do to your dog, he just keeps on loving you just the same. There are times when I am on the busy with everyone in our home, but that little dog of ours will come and remind me that she still cares. If you had a million dollars and a dog, you would have a million so-called friends and a dog. If you lose the million dollars and have nothing left, those million friends would also be gone, but you would still have the dog. He doesn't care about money, titles, position or privilege. All he asks is for the privilege of being near his master. If you speak his name, you make his day. If you pet him on the head, he thinks he is in dog heaven. His love is unselfish and undying. He is as constant in his love as the sun is in its course across heavens. I suppose it is true that among all the animals in God's vast creation, there is no greater friend to mankind than the dog.


I. Jn. 15:12-13 A REAL FRIEND SACRIFICES

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:12-15


Many think they need a friend with money, or power, or prestige, or influence, or a million other things the world places its hopes on. In truth, the sinner needs a friend who can save him from his sins and keep him out of Hell. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is that Friend! A thousand others could have died, but none other could have paid the sinner's due! Jesus died so that sinners might live in Him! The righteous died for the unrighteous. Jesus proved that He was and is the sinner's best Friend!)
Pro. 18:24 A REAL FRIEND IS STEADFAST

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov 18:24

A. I suppose there have been times when we have all been betrayed by someone we thought to be our friend. It is never pleasant and the pain never really goes completely away from our hearts. But, what a joy it is to find a friend that doesn't turn and walk away from us when we have hard times, or when we down.

B. Jesus is a steadfast Friend. There will never come a day when He isn't there beside us to keep us, guide us and to comfort us. He is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother!

A REAL FRIEND FORGIVES

And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. Matt 26:50

Think on this, that Judas came up to Jesus and pointed out this this was Jesus with a kiss of betrayal, and Jesus still call him friend, Jesus is true love.   




A REAL FRIEND ACCEPTS

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. Matt 11:19

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. Luke 19:7



One of the all-time greats in baseball was Babe Ruth. His bat had the power of a cannon, and his record of 714 home runs remained until Hank Aaron came along. The Babe was the idol of sports fans, but in time age took its toll, and his popularity began to wane. Finally the Yankees traded him to the Braves. In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several misplays that allowed the Reds to score five runs in one inning. As the Babe walked toward the dugout, chin down and rejected, there rose from the stands an enormous storm of boos and catcalls. Some fans actually shook their fists. Then a wonderful thing happened. A little boy jumped over the railing, and with tears streaming down his cheeks he ran out to the great athlete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around the Babe's legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, hugged him, and set him down again. Patting him gently on the head, he took his hand and the two of them walked off the field together such unreserved loyalty is what true friendship is all about. We have such a friend in the person of Jesus Christ. )

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15

 

                                                  “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. 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.                                   

My God Bless you

Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com

THE PERSONALITY OF THE TRUE VINE

A. The Genuineness Of The True Vine - Jesus and Jesus alone possesses life within Himself, John 14:6. All other vines are counterfeit. He alone is the true source of everlasting, abundant life.

B. The Gardener Of The True Vine - The word "husbandman" refers to the vine dresser, the gardener, the one who has the responsibility of caring for the vineyard. Jesus says that the Heavenly Father is the Gardener.

(Ill. The key phrase in verse 2 is "in me". This lets us know that we are dealing with genuine believers. Jesus isn't speaking about those who profess Christ and yet have never possessed Him, He is not talking about wheat and tares, but only wheat.)

The Gardener is involved in everything that has to do with the Vine. This verse zeros in on three specific duties the Gardener in regard to the Vine.

1. Protection - That is, the Gardener provides tender watch care and protection for the Vineyard. (Ill. Aren't you glad that the Lord sees it all? I praise the Lord for the sure knowledge that nothing passes the gaze of my heavenly Father - Pro. 15:3)

2. Purifying - The Gardener uses three primary methods of purifying his vineyard.

a. He Challenges The Branch - "Taketh away" means to lift up or to raise higher. That is, the Gardener will take the unfruitful branch and lift it from to dirt into which it has fallen giving it a better chance to be productive.

(Ill. On a personal level, this means that when we get to a place in our Christian lives where we are unfruitful and barren, the Lord will have to reach into our lives, disturbing our slumber and He will lift us up in an effort to challenge us and shock us to growth. There are times when the Lord can only accomplish this through chastisement. Which, if responded to with repentance, will help us to be fruitful for His glory. If, however, we choose to go on in our sins, there is a sin unto death, 1 John 5:16.)

(Ill. Has the Lord been challenging areas of your life? If so, do not run from His challenge. Instead of running from God, turn and run to Him. After all, His chastisement is always a proof of His love, Rev. 3:19, and of your relationship to Him, Heb. 12:8)

b. He Cleanses The Branch - That is, the Gardener removes things from the branch that sap it vitality and strength. Things like sucker branches, useless buds, misdirected shoots, spots, discolored leaves, etc. Anything that consumes life but produces no fruit must go!

(Ill. So it is in the life of the believer. When we allow things into our lives that hinder our walk with the Lord, then we are in danger of a pruning. Ill. "Pruning" by its very name sounds painful, and it isn't always easy to cut the junk from our lives, but if we do not do, the Lord surely will! Notice the advice given in Hebrews 12:1.)

(Ill. How is this pruning accomplished? By the Word of God - v. 3.)

1. Like a mirror, the Word of God reveals problems - James 1:23-24.

2. Like a knife, the Word of God cuts to the heart - Heb. 4:12.

(Ill. The question this morning is this, has the Lord been speaking to you through His Word? If so, have you been heeding the call from the Lord? If not, then I challenge you to allow the Lord to prune your life with His Word. If that is not accomplished, then he will take further and far more drastic measures.)

I. The Personality Of The True Vine

II. V. 2-8 THE PURPOSE OF THE TRUE VINE

A. V. 2 There Is A Distinct Purpose - The Vine has but one purpose: to produce fruit. The Vine exists for that purpose alone. Without the fruit, the vine and all of its efforts are wasted. The True Vine has a singular purpose and that is to bear fruit to the glory of the Lord.

B. V. 8 There Is A Distinguished Purpose - The reason the Vine desires to produce fruit is so that the vine dresser might receive the honor. When fruit is yielded in a vineyard, the Vine, the branches, the soil, even the fruit does not get the credit. All the glory passes on to the Gardener. So it is with the Lord Jesus. Everything He did and does was and is to glorify His Father.

(Ill. This ought to be the burning desire of every child of God this morning. That is, to so live our lives that every waking minute is bringing glory to the Father in Heaven, 1 Cor. 10:31. There is something wrong in any life when there is no desire to bring glory and hone to the God who loves us, sustains us and cares for us along the way.)

C. There Is A Delegated Purpose - Notice this truth. The Vine itself does not bear fruit! Its fruit are the branches. The branches have the obligation of bearing the fruit. The Vine supplies its life to the branches and they take that life and use it to bear fruit. Here is a word to the branches about our fruit bearing.

1. The Qualifications For Bearing Fruit - There are only 2.

a. V. 2 The Branch Must Be Attached To The Vine - If you are not in the Vine, then there is no way for you to share in the Vine's life. This is all about a vital union between the believer and the Lord Jesus Christ, the True Vine.

(Ill. We need to recognize our standing this morning. If we are in the Vine, then we were in Him at Calvary and when He arose from the dead, Rom. 6. If that is the case, then our old man has been crucified and we have been raised to walk a new life in Jesus. If we are in Him, then we are in Him today, that is, we have already ascended to Heaven and are seated there in the Person of our blessed Savior - Eph. 2:6)

b. V. 4-5 The Branch Must Abide In The Vine - That is, we must maintain a close fellowship with the Vine if He is to live through us produce His fruit in our lives. This is only accomplished by "abiding" in Him! How does one abide? Prayer, studying the Word, deny self, draw nigh to God! The closer we abide to the Vine, the more His life can flow through us to produce the fruit He desires. (Is there any wonder that so many Christian lives are fruitless and barren? How would you describe your life this morning? Are you bearing much fruit for the Lord?)

c. V. 5 The Branch Must Be Available To The Vine - May I remind you that fruit bearing is a passive activity on the part of the branch? If the branch will simply abide in the Vine, then the Vine will most certainly produce its fruit. I don't know about you, but I find that truth liberating! I am not required to do anything but abide. It is the Vine's responsibility to produce His fruit in my life. That frees us from having to work and labor to get His approval. If we will yield, He will live through your life and mine!

(Ill. When we speak of fruit, what do we mean? What will be produced in our lives when we yield? How will we know if fruit is being produced through us? There are three basic fruits the Lord bears in the lives of His children. They are:

1. Sanctification - That is, we become more like Him - Rom. 6:22; Phil. 1:11; Col. 1:10.

2. Spirituality - That is, we behave more like Him - Gal. 5:22-23.

3. Souls - That is, we are burdened like Him - Rom. 1:13.

2. The Quality Of Our Fruit - This is not the branches' responsibility! When we are abiding in the Vine and He is reproducing His life in us, we can rest assured that the fruit that is produced is honoring to the Lord. Again, this is a liberating truth!

3. The Quantity Of Our Fruit - Again, this is not the responsibility of the branch. Some will produce much, some will produce little. Which depends upon the will of the Vine. Our duty, to repeat myself, is to abide!

(Ill. However, it is clear from these verses that God anticipates a steady progression in the level of our fruitfulness. Notice verses 2 & 8 - no fruit, fruit, more fruit, much fruit! The closer we abide in the Vine, the more fruit He will yield through our lives.)

4. V. 6 The Quagmire Of Fruitlessness - Not every branch abides in the Vine as it should. It is still attached, but it has ceased to draw life from the Vine's fullness. As a result, it is fruitless and withered. When this happens, there will be three certain results.

a. Loss Of Fellowship - Cast out - Not Abiding (Ill. Cannot lose relationship. The withered branch still possesses the same nature as the Vine, but it is not longer attached in the sense of life drawing fellowship.

b. Loss Of Vitality - Withered - Possessing no life! Death and dried up. This describes many Christians this morning! It didn't use to be this way, but now there is deadness where there used to be life. There is weakness where there used to be power. There is emptiness where there used to be fullness. My counsel is for you to come back and renew that long fellowship. Once again start to draw that life giving juice from the Vine and begin again to produce fruit for Him.

c. Loss Of Reward - When this life is over, there will be many who name the name of Jesus and were unfruitful. They will experience the loss of every reward, 1 Cor. 3:13-15. Many think they will be content just to get to Heaven, but there should be a desire to have rewards to lay at His feet. Will you hear, "Well done?" Only if you are a fruitful branch!

I. The Personality Of The True Vine

II. The Purpose Of The True Vine

III. V. 7-11 THE PROMISE OF THE TRUE VINE

Those who abide in the True Vine can rest assured of certain precious and sure promises!

A. V. 7 An Unhindered Prayer Life - (John 14:13-14) Why? When we are abiding as we should be, and when we are drawing our life from Him, then His will, Will be our will. That is, every time we pray and everything we pray for will fit perfectly with His will and He will grant our requests.

B. V. 9 An Unending Love - Jesus loves all men always, but those who are abiding in Him have entered into a special, ever-deepening relationship with Him. This is the promise of the Vine to the branches!

C. V. 11 An Uncommon Joy - (Ill. Joy is not happiness, which depends upon happenings, but it is a deep settled inner pleasure.) It is the deep settled assurance and confidence in our relationship with the Father and with His Christ that fills the heart with "joy unspeakable and full of glory", and that ignites the heart to serve God.

Note these truths about joy:

1. Joy is Divine in nature - It originates with God and is only given by God. It is absolutely unaffected by earthly or material things.

2. Joy is not dependent upon happiness - God's joy abides at all times, even the most difficult!

3. Joy is the product of faith - When one is assured of one's standing in Christ, joy is the result!

4. Joy in the Lord produces faithfulness to the Lord - Neh. 8:10, His joy is our strength and that which gives us courage for the battles.

Conc: Jesus is the True Vine. His desire is to live through you life so that you might bear fruit unto the Heavenly Father. As we close, there are a couple of questions that need to be asked right now.

1. Are you "in the Vine"? Have you ever been saved and grafted into Jesus?

2. Are you "abiding in the Vine"? Are you drawing your strength from Him so that He is able to produce is fruit through your life?"

3. Are you bearing His fruit today?

Where do you stand with Jesus today? If God has revealed areas in your life that need to be pruned back or otherwise dealt with today, then I challenge you to come to Jesus and let Him take care of you need. If you have never been saved, please come and let me show you how you can be placed into the Vine and become a child of God. Is there a need? If so, Jesus is the supply! You come if the Lord has called you!

By Pastor John Carr

Praise God for this message

Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com

 

The Difference God makes

There is a line that no one can see, but God. It is a distinction that is made by God and his will. There is a line, that God will not cross when he in his sovereign will begins to pour out his judgment on the world.

In the Exodus story of Deliverance we find that throughout Gods dealing with Egypt he seemed to draw a line around his people and no matter what came upon Egypt, Israel was spared. Be it Flies, the plague on the cattle, hailstones, darkness or death, while Egypt suffered, God made a difference and honored the difference that he setup for his people. The distinction was a testimony to Egypt, that the God of Israel was the source of the judgment and therefore responsible for the protection for Isreal.

Before they had the Ten Commandments, before they had the Law, before they had a system of Sacrifice while still in Egypt God sanctified them for his purpose. While still in Egypt, God made a difference in their lives.

While still in Bondage, God made sure, though they were in Egypt, God took special care of them that they would be preserved to be led out and delivered. Even though most that came out, never came into the promise, God still made a difference between the Egyptian and the Jew.

In pondering this subject, I find great comfort to know that even while in sin, God is separating people out of the multitude to serve him in his purpose. When a wreck would have killed many, one will walk away to live another day, because God has marked them as a special project he has taken on.

If you view the history of God with Israel, it would seem that God being able to see the future, chooses rather to extend mercy in spite of his foreknowledge.

Why would God cause seed to be sowed by the wayside, the stony ground or the thorn-infested ground even when he knows that it will only bring fruit on the Good Ground?

This is a question I do not claim to know the answer, but I must say, I am thankful and in awe of his amazing ability to live and let live, to spare and deliver even when people are in “Egypt”.

When the Israelites were no more than a slave race in Egypt, good for manual labor, uneducated and of no national significance, God chose these poor penniless people to raise them up to become a special project to demonstrate his amazing mercy and power to the world.

Just as God made a difference between the Jews and the Egyptians, you and I God has made a difference when we were yet still in Bondage. While we were yet in sin, Christ died for the Ungodly. I can take comfort that no matter the calamity that falls on this world; I can take safety in the knowledge that just as God protected his people in Goshen, he will protect his people in this modern day world.

God makes a difference, and Thank God For it!

He has Made a Difference For Me!

Exod 8:22-23
22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.

“For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col 3:3-4

By Scott Phillips

My God give you understanding 

Pastor Rolando Ramos 
www.fghconline.com  

How to fight fire God's way

Daniel 3:1-30 HOW TO FIGHT FIRE: GOD'S WAY

Intro: Often, we see the Bible use times of trouble in the lives of its characters to teach the rest of us some extremely valuable lessons about faith, God and life itself. This familiar passage is no exception. In these verses, we see the testing, the faith, and victory of three of the great heroes of the faith in the Bible. As we look at what they endured, there are lessons that we too can learn this evening. Lessons about how to fight the fires we find ourselves burning in as we journey through life. Let's reexamine these verses and consider the thought, How To Fight Fire: God's Way.

I. V. 1-12 STEP 1: CONSIDER THE FIRE

A. V. 12a It Touches The Saint - Nowhere does the Bible guarantee the saint of God freedom from the fires and storms of life. On the contrary, the Bible is filled with references to the fact that storms will come and that they will be part and parcel of the life of every believer. (Ill. John 16:33; Job 14:1; Eccl. 2:23.)

B. V. 12b It Touches The Servant - Some people feel that being a servant of God should guarantee them freedom from troubles. Just this week, I heard a man say these words during a time of stress and difficulty, "Why is this happening to me? I have tried to do everything the Lord wants me to do!" What he failed to understand is that the Lord does not promise His servants freedom from trouble. It can, and will touch all of us!

(Ill. John Wesley was used to trouble in his life. One day, as he rode to a preaching obligation, it dawned on him that no one had even thrown a rock at him all day long. It bothered him that his day had been so trouble free. He got off his horse and started to pray to the Lord, seeking to confess every sin he could find in his heart. About that time, a piece of a brick sailed past his head barely missing him. The brick was followed by the curses of some men who heard him praying. Wesley jumped up and shouted glory to God and continued his journey. He knew that trouble stalked the servants of God.)

(If you don't believe me, just ask the Apostle Paul. He labored for the Lord while fighting the fire of an afflicting thorn in the flesh. A thorn, by the way, that God refused to remove! Ill. 2 Cor .12:7-10!)

C. V. 12c It Touches The Separated - There are some who feel that a clean life is a hedge against trouble. It is almost as if some saints use holiness and separation like some kind of a voodoo charm to please the Lord. If I can be good enough, then nothing bad will happen! If something bad does happen, then it must be that there is a sin in my life. This isn't necessarily true! Consider Job. He suffered like few other men ever has, yet God's own testimony about his life was that he was a man of God, Job 1:1, 8. A clean life does not mean a protected life. Sometimes, God will take the holiest, the cleanest and the best He has and put them in the fire. Not so that He can watch them squirm, but so that He can use them for His glory to prove that He is still God!

(Ill. The more we know about the fire when we are called on to face it, the better off we are! When we realize that it isn't for the bad, but that God will sometimes take the cream of the crop into the fire, it changes our whole perspective.)

I. Step 1: Consider The Fire

II. V. 13-18 STEP 2: COMMIT THE FIRE

(Ill. These 3 men committed the fire to the Lord. When they faced the fire, they knew they were unable to face it alone. Therefore, they committed it to the power of the Lord and trusted Him to take them through. When we face our fires, we too, should commit them to the Lord. There are 3 basic truths that we need to keep in mind and they are given to us by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.)

A. V. 17a Remember Your Connection To God - Take special notice of the words "our God." These men knew that they were in a special relationship with the Father. These men were the sons of God by faith and that is a good relationship to be in when the fire comes near your life.

(Ill. We need to remember that we are not bums wandering through this world. We are the children of the King! Our God is the Creator! He is all-powerful. He owns it all and is perfectly capable of aiding us in our time of crisis! If you are His child, you need never fear Him bailing out on you! He has promised to be there through it all - Heb. 13:5.)

B. V. 17b Remember The Control Of God - Two words used by the Hebrew 3 make all the difference. Those words are "is able." These are the words of faith! These men knew that the fire was hot. They knew that the fire was able to destroy them. They knew that there was no escape, at least from a human standpoint. As they faced the fire, they knew what it could do to them. However, as they faced the fire, they were also able to "faith" the fire! They knew that even if they were thrown into the fire, their Heavenly Father had the necessary power to bring them through the fire.

(Ill. God hasn't changed! He is still "able" to do anything that needs to be done in your life or mine! He is still God and He is still able, Eph. 3:20! Even if you go into the fire, God is still in control. He has His hand on the thermostat and He is in control of the situation. In fact, if the fire comes about in your life, it had to pass through the filter of God's perfect plan for you before it ever came your way. Remember Rom. 8:28 when the fire is belching in your life. Hey folks, God is in control!)

C. V. 18 Remember Your Commitment To God - Way back in Daniel 1:8-21, when these men were younger and new to Babylon, they took their stand for God and committed themselves to living for Him and for Him alone. This is a commitment that they took seriously. Here they are faced with their own deaths and still they are determined to serve the Lord. They stood in the day of testing!

(Ill. When the fire comes to your life and mine, often it will be accompanied by the temptation to quit on God. However, God has promised us help for our times of testing and trials. When you are tempted to quit, remember 3 things if you will.

1. God has promised not to allow you to be tempted above your ability to bear it - 1 Cor. 10:13.

2. During the worst trial Jesus ever faced, He didn't quit, Luke 22:42. He endured and kept His commitment because He loved you.

3. The hour of temptation and trial is when the truth of your profession is proven. It is easy to vow things to God when you get saved and it looks like the world is going to be perfect. However, when the tough times come, and they will, it is then that you get to honor the commitments you have made to the Lord. Commitments, may I add, that are binding and that you will be accountable to keep.

I. Step 1: Consider The Fire

II. Step 2: Commit The Fire

III. V. 19-30 STEP 3: CONQUER THE FIRE

A. V. 24 Overcome By The Presence Of God - Remember that when you face the fires of life, you will never face them alone, Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:20!

B. V. 26 Overcome By The Preservation Of God - Remember that God did not save you to lose you to a fiery trial. He will meet you in the blaze and He will strengthen you in the day of trial. Remember, it did not come to stay, it just came to pass! (Ill. 2 Cor. 4:17)

C. V. 27 Overcome By The Power Of God - Again, we are reminded that the God we serve is all-powerful and is able to take care of His children. It doesn't matter what you may be facing this evening, God is bigger than it is!

(Ill. Just ask David about Goliath. Ask Noah about that Ark and that flood. Ask Samson about those blinded eyes and a temple filled with Philistines. Ask Moses about those 40 years in the wilderness. Ask Joshua about Canaan land. Ask Abraham about having to offer up his son. Ask Joseph about the pit, the prison and the palace. Ask Mary about virgins having children. Ask Paul about a Pharisee preaching the Gospel. Ask a dying thief about a saving Lord. Get the picture? God is able!)

D. V. 29 Overcome By The Program Of God - Notice that God had a higher agenda in allowing these men to go through the fire! He did it to being glory to Himself and to speak to the hearts of a few heathen! God brought His child through to prove that He is God and that He is able to take care of His own. By the way, He is still doing it! He will let one of His children go through the fire, and He will bring them out in such a fashion that He gets all the glory and that men learn about Him. He may be using the fire in your life to spread His message.

E. V. 30 Overcome By The Promotion Of God - One of God's primary reasons in sending us through the fire is to purify us to promote us. Folks, the truth of the matter is that you probably won't be much use to the Lord until you go through some fires in your life. You see, fire has the remarkable ability to burn off impurities and to cleanse the object committed to its power. When God melts you, He is about to mold you into a vessel He can use for His glory!

(Ill. Remember Simon Peter? He wasn't much use until the Lord melted him and burned off some pride and some of his strong-willed nature. God melted him and molded him and fashioned him into a vessel of great honor and power. Another that comes to mind is Jacob. His name means "heel-catcher, trickster", and he lived up to it every day! However, one night, he met God by a river and the Lord melted Jacob that night. God renamed him "Israel", which means "a prince with God." After he faced that fire, he was useful to the Lord! Even someone as pure as Joseph was melted in the fire before he was promoted to the glory of God. With all this in mind, rejoice when the fire is kindled in your life. It may be tough for a season, but the Lord is about to use you to do some great things for His glory!)

Praise God for the fire of God

Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com

 

Are you Scared?

Are you scared? Are you thinking that now is not the time to get saved? Where are you going after this life?

Some may not understand how joyful it can be to serve the Lord. When I say joy, I am not talking about mere happiness or laughter, but a way of life. When you have joy in your heart from being a faithful servant of God, it will give you stability in your life that produces peace and hope.

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.

This is the reason why the people in this world need to repent.  

Genesis 6:5-6 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

When is the best time to receive salvation? (Ask the Church for the answer)

II Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

Luke 13:24,25 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

What benefits will you earn by living to service sin?

Mark 8:36-37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Let’s remember who give us our precious soul; it was God, and lets us remember the one that has regain hope to give us eternal life with God; and that is Jesus Christ.    

Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.    

Why wait, don’t be left behind, today is the day of salvation.    

Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

The time when God will not hear

Proverbs 1:24-28 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Have a wonderful day or, Evening wherever you are in the part of the world you are. My God bless you and touch your heart, and your mind of understanding.   

Written by Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com

"All you have to do is believe"

The hardest thing in life is to believe. This world works on proof, evident, and the carnality. God’s works are spiritual and not earthly. The works of the hands of the Lord are not logical and possible for the human mind to understand. We need to believe and except it by faith and fear not. We need to believe out of the box.  If you could see through the eyes of Jesus you will believe that all things are possible. What must we do to believe? Trust in the Lord.

Did the young lad David believe in his stones, or did he believe in the Lord? I Samuel 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

David even claimed is victory by saying I Samuel 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 

I we ask the impossible in the name of Jesus and believe your request will be given. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

Fear

We serve the God of the living not the God of the dead. What did God tell Moses? He said he was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.  

Moses questioned God with fear. Exodus 3:14-15 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 15And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. 

Fear again

Moses question God again

Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. 

The Lord repeated to Moses that he must tell the children of Israel that it is the same God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

Faith is something not seen

Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Lets Believe !!!!!!!

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

Ending words

In this life all things measure up to something. If you give the devil an inch he will be your ruler, But if you give your hand and heart to Jesus he will be your leader. Ask yourself this? Who is your ruler, and leader in your life?

Hebrew 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

My God Bless you

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com

 

External VS Eternal

Where do we start repairing our life? Let us begin by looking into our heart and the thoughts of our mind.

The Lord is looking at the heart. Your heart is you source of actions and ability to service the Lord and man.

I Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Example: It’s like preparing for a car race, your opponent has the best looking custom painted job on his car ahh look at those heads turning, and you have a basic looking paint job on your car. The crews looks hard at the opponents fancy painted car, and already the crewed is already  judging the win by the opponents custom painted car.  

And the race begins and, both cars are at the starting line and racing Christmas light starts from the yellow to the green, and there off! you hear the wheels screeching and the burning of the tires smoke raising up in the air both cars racing down the track at very high speed, and the crow yelling for the win, both car racers reach the finish line and the winners is called…Salvation is the winner! This was the car with the basic paint job. The driver with the fancy paint job put all his money and time on the outside finish. While the other driver put his money where it matters the most, in the engine. This is like your heart and your mind. This is a saying in the word of God that reads in the book of: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

We are not on the earth to please man, but God 

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Put this in mind that when the inside of your heart and mind are repaired, you will know how to present your bodies as a living sacrifices to the Lord. Romans 12:1  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. We are here on the earth to please God first; then man. 
The bible states that because of Adam and Eve. Sin was brought into the world and passed on through Moses and even them that had not sinned after the same way that Adam disobeyed God not to eat of the tree that was forbidding. It’s was a spiritual death that passed onto us that became a disconnection from God. Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. The figure to come without sin was Jesus Christ (verse 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.    

Verse 13 Paul has shown that keeping the law does not bring salvation. Now he adds that breaking the law is not what brings death. death is the result of Adam's sin and of the sins we all commit. Verse 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

The Law points out our sin and places the responsibility for it squarely on our shoulders. But the law offers no remedy. When we're convicted of sin, we must turn to Jesus Christ for healing.

   Can we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? The bible said no! God forbid. Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 

The old person was of this world and cares for the things of this world which are not for the love of God. Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. I 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.

Romans 4:13-15 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.       

Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Pastor Rolando Ramos
www.fghconline.com

WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER?

1 Pet. 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Intro: 2,500 years ago Solomon surveyed the course of human existence and concluded that life is all vanity, or emptiness - Eccl. 2:18-23. He saw the righteous suffer and felt that it was a form of injustice. Job must have felt much this way during his time of trial. Perhaps you too have gone through an extended trial and had questions and doubts about it.

Now, let me stop and say that everything isn't doom and gloom! In fact, we believers have it pretty good! Peter gives us several reasons for rejoicing - v. 3, We have a Living Hope; v. 4 We have a Lasting Inheritance; v. 5 We have a Long-term Salvation; v. 6 We have a Longed for Final Reward. With all this in mind, let me say that not all is bad! In fact, there is much cause for rejoicing in the Lord today! And, we ought to get about the business of doing just that!

However, there will be trials that will come our way. We may not understand them all, nor appreciate them when they come, but we need to be prepared for them just the same. That is Peter's purpose inthese verses. He wants to encourage his readers, but he also wants to prepare them for what is surely to come. Tonight, let's see what Peter's words can teach us about our trials and why Christians suffer. He gives us three words that we need to keep in mind about our trying times.

I. V. 6 A WORD ABOUT REALITY

A. Rejoicing Is Our Common State - If you spend enough time around some believers, you may come away feeling that the Christian life is one big series of trials and that there is no room for praise. In truth, we are to be a rejoicing people. We are to rejoice in spite of our troubles - Ill. Luke 20:10.

B. Redemption Does Not Guarantee Us Immunity From Trials - The Christian who thinks that just because he/she is saved that they are going to be shielded from trouble is in for a terribly rude awakening! Being saved is no hedge from trouble! Christians get sick! Christian marriages fall apart. Christian parents have trouble with their children. Christians have financial troubles. Christians walk through some pretty deep, dark valleys. Jesus said it as plain as it could have been said - John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

(Ill. Remember, that just because this trial came and took you by surprise and jerked the rug out from under your feet. It never took God by surprise! He knew about it before it happened and had already made a way to bring you out of that trial. He never changes and is still able to help you through - Heb. 13:8)

C. Rough Times Are In Store For Everyone - (Ill. No one is immune from troubles and trials! Ill. The struggles of Job. His life was going well, he was blessed, had a large family and was right with God, but his life fell apart!) Do not fall into the trap of the health and wealth preacher who tells you that if you are saved you will never have trouble again. He is lying to you. God wants you to know that there will be times when you will have battles!

(Ill. Peter calls these trying times "manifold temptations." This means that they hit us from every side and with often devastating consequences.)

II. V. 7 A WORD ABOUT REALIGNMENT

A. The Area Of Our Trials - "The trial of your faith." When troubles do come, they seem to concentrate their power against our faith in the Lord. Satan wants to do all that he can to make Christians doubt the power of God to meet their need.

(Ill. If anyone knew this, it was Peter. Jesus had already told him that he was going to die for Christ, (Ill. John 21:18-19) Jesus had already told Peter to expect rejection from the world, and Peter had already suffered for his faith - Acts 4 and 12.)

(Ill. Paul knew his share of suffering, Stephen suffered for Jesus, James was killed for his faith, Acts 12; over 68 million believers have died during the last 2,000 years for the name of Jesus. Christians who find themselves suffering, especially for the faith, are in good company.)

B. The Alignment That Takes Place - (Ill. Peter speaks of the refining process that gold goes through. When it is subjected to the flame, the impurities and dross in the gold come to the top. The result is far purer gold than that which was present before!)

(Ill. The same is true in the life of the believer, when Jesus allows us to go through the furnace of affliction, it serves to remove from our lives things that were not needed and it brings into a closer and purer relationship with the Lord Jesus.)

C. The Abundance We Receive - Peter nudges us to remember that we aren't home yet! Our trials are working for our good - Ill. Rom. 8:28. We may not see the benefit today, but when we stand before the Lord in Heaven, and we are rewarded for our walk with Him and for the sufferings we endured below, it will be worth it all them - 2 Cor. 4:17.

(Ill. The young eagle - When it is time to leave the nest, the mother will literally throw the infant from the nest. As he plummets to earth vainly attempting to fly, he fears sure and certain death. At the last moment, his mother swoops down from above and catches him and carries him back to the safety of the nest. This is repeated several times over the next few days. Finally, the little eaglet will spread his wings and soar upward. Eventually, he will be able to fly above all the storms below, but only because he endured the fear of falling. Just like that mother eagle, God knows best. He will not let you crash and burn. He just allows what He does to strengthen your faith and to grow you up in Him. Let's face it, if the Lord never challenged us, we would never grow!)

III. V. 8 A WORD ABOUT RELIABILITY

(Not that God can count on us, but that we can count on Him!)

(Ill. As we weather the storms of life and see God come through time and again, we can actually learn to develop a spirit of praise as we journey toward Heaven. We will find that our unseen Savior will see us through every trial! Just like the shepherd in Psa. 23, He ever abides with his own. When we face trials, He goes through them with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us - Heb. 13:5; His grace is always sufficient for every need - 2 Cor. 12:9. This ought to cause us to be filled with that unspeakable joy of verse 8!)

Conc: I do not know why the Lord keeps leading me to preach the sermons dealing with weathering storms. Either someone is in a difficult place now, or some of us are about to go into one. Whatever the reason, I am glad for this Book that gives us hope regarding the overcoming of life's difficult times. Do you need something from Jesus tonight? If so, this altar is open and Jesus is waiting and willing to help you and see that your need is met.


May God Bless you

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com

 

Where will you end up?

Matt. 7:13-14

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

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 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.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

Psalm 78:39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Isaiah 40:7-8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

May God Lead you

Pastor Rolando Ramos

www.fghconline.com