"Don't I know you from somewhere? Haven't we met before?"

 You ever felt like you knew someone already when your were introduced? "Don't I know you from somewhere? Haven't we met before?"

Well, that is the way it is when we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. You see, He did know us before . . . before we were even in our mother's womb! Now that is something to make your sit back and ponder! Young people especially, read these verses carefully. . . .

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. (Jeremiah 1:5-7)

Since God knew us and has a special plan set out just for us, then we need to do what He intends for us to do . . . or we will be forever spinning our wheels in life! Stop trying to be someone else or living out someone else's plans for you.

Who knows us better than God . . . don't you think it is time we get to know Him better so we better know ourselves?

So how do we as believers act?

Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. (1 Corinthians 10:12-14 Amplified)

Ok everyone . ..school is coming to a close . . . the Class of 2021 is having a somewhat normal graduation . . . people are getting vaccinated . . . the world is about to "open up" again. 

So how do we as believers act?  I believe the verses above are fairly appropriate to exam in light of our society today. 

We cannot think we are "immune" to not Covid-19, but the temptations offered now that we are a bit free-er. We still must be diligent, not simply from viruses and germs, but from the temptations of this world! You think Satan hasn't been preparing for this?

Temptations will abound this summer for young and old alike. Be diligent. Be on the look out. Know that God is able to keep us. Be watchful for opportunities to witness for Christ, not chances sin against Him! It is simple but challenging: do not love anything more than God! 

Can we do it? Yes, we can and God is there to assist!

Never compromise . . .

O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babbling and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

As Paul is advising Timothy in pastoring the churches in Ephesus, he warns him not to give in to the knowledge of the day. We can learn form these verses today. We hear so much (even as recent as yesterday) of church leaders, denominations, and others twisting and adapting the early church doctrines and teachings and traditions into modern philosophies and doctrine. Compromise is never good when it comes to our faith! Never compromise!

You see, there are the basic doctrines of the faith and there are the traditions, or teachings and practices, of the early church. If it is not written in stone, then we look to the early ways the followers of Christ worshipped and lived. In today's CHRISTian culture, we find compromise in both areas . . . doctrine and practices!

As Paul warned Timothy and we are warned today . . . both young and old . . . never compromise! It becomes a slippery slope we sometimes cannot climb back up.

 . . . in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created . . . (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

So again, do not give in to today's culture of compromise and casual CHRISTianity. Be warned as well of those who are advocating a legalistic approach to our relationship with Christ. Jesus freed us to follow Him, not the world!

 Never compromise!

The Holy Spirit is alive and working

Spirit Week II. . .

How does the Holy Spirit work? What does He do? I could not say it better. The Holy Spirit is alive and working in every believer! Read on . . .

The Holy Spirit today plays a major role in the application of salvation to the individual. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light.Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature. The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church. He also unites the believer with Christ in His death, enabling him to live victoriously over sin.The Holy Spirit controls the believer who yields to God and submits himself to God's Word. When these conditions are met, the believer lives in the power of the Spirit and produces the fruit of the Spirit.The Holy Spirit indwells the believer permanently.While the child of God may sin and grieve the Spirit, the Spirit will never leave the true believer. Absence of the Holy Spirit is the mark of the unsaved. The Holy Spirit seals the believer. This ministry guarantees the security of the believer "until the day of redemption." (https://www.moodybible.org/beliefs/positional-statements/holy-spirit/)

So you say you want to read these words from God? OK . . .

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:8-11)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:9)

 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

Wow! To think we ignore Him so often, as if He is not right here with us! Look at all He does and calls us to do in partnership with Him. God is right here with us . . .living and working right in us! Will we just allow Him the freedom to work in and through us?

Be Prepared!

 Tuesday of Holy Week . . . . BE PREPARED!

And I am going to be lifted up from the earth. When I am, I will bring all people to myself.”  He said this to show them how he was going to die. The crowd spoke up. “The Law tells us that the Messiah will remain forever,” they said. “So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light. Do this before darkness catches up with you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. While you have the light, believe in it. Then you can become children of light.” When Jesus had finished speaking, he left and hid from them. (John 12: 32-36) 

Even before His crucifixion, Jesus’ heart would be pierced by Israel’s lack of faith. Their failure to recognize His deity left the people unprepared. The mourning of the nation of Israel would be great. 

Today . . .after all the facts . . . are you and I prepared for His coming?