Leading Others to Christ

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8
Christ loves us and died for us. What a great God we have! In the world, we have only one true hope. And without Jesus, there is no hope. So we must lead others to trust that Jesus is the answer. This should not be a new concept, yet how many of us really put out our best efforts on a daily basis to lead others to Christ. Everyday is a day that the Lord has made. He wants our attention! Time to stop listening to the world and start living the life that God meant for us to have! Let’s get busy.

Plan of action:

Who do we talk about Jesus with? Our family, fellow church members and close friends is the easy answer. But everyone we meet needs to hear the good news! It’s not a easy subject, but what are we really afraid of? We need to please God, this should be our first priority! Count your blessings, share your testimony, pray and praise God. We may not be rewarded for our efforts in this life, but everything we do for Christ will be worth it!

Healing-God’s promise

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

1 Corinthians 10:13

We all experience pain and sorrow. When great tragedies takes place like last week’s senseless loss at Sandy Hook Elementary in CT, it is normal that we step back and question how  such an act could happen. Yet as the verse above states, God is faithful. We have to put our trust in him for healing.  We may not ever have all the answers, but we can forgive. Sure that might be easier for me to say.  Yet what if this was in my hometown, or directly affected my family. Would I have the same attitude?

 Yes, I am sure my attitude would be different but I can only stand on the Word of God and just do my best to trust Him. He will one day dry all our tears away. We will live free from the presence of sin. I must continue to be a “doer” of the Word until he comes back.

Plan of Action:

I hope to get more opportunities to share the clear message of the Gospel to others before my time here ends. If we, as true believer’s of the living God unite and declare that healing is available to all who seek it, we will be performing our reasonable service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The hope of everlasting life is the most important message that we can share! Press on!

Review of Ken Ham’s The Lie: Evolution/Millions of Years

 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Gensis 3: 21,22

I read this book several years ago and it opened my eyes to the truth. Today, evolution is a theory that is mostly accepted in the mainstream. But to many conservative Christians, it is questioned. I was always suspicious of the whole Millions of years debate myself. Several years ago, I was in the audience of one Ken Ham’s ( Founder of Answers in Gensis) lectures and I was truly amazed how simple the truth of God really is!

After reading this book, I can say that the whole evolution-busting fact deals with the truth about Sin. Before Sin entered the world there was no death, Period! Dinosaurs did not live for millions of years before Man because God’s Word states that they were created the same week as man and woman. Now some would say the word day used is Genesis 1 does not mean how we view our 24 hour periods. This is not the truth. Exodus 20:9-11 states-

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

God is speaking about 24 hour periods in the Creation Story. Sin caused the first death. In the verses at the top of this post, man and women were suppose to live forever.  Simple truths. Yet the world does not want see it this way.

To order this book visit this website: http://www.answersingenesis.org/store/product/lie-25th-anniversary-edition/?sku=10-2-418

True Purpose- A Review of Past Posts and Preview to the Future

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8

On March 27, 2009, I wrote my very first post in the devotional journal that I call True Purpose. (Here is a link to that first post: http://truepurpose.wordpress.com/2009/03/27/what-time-is-it/

Now after 779 views  and 22 post later,  I still strive to share the knowledge that God has given me to live life for its true purpose. On January 23, 2011 I had my highest view day at 49 views. I hope to  triple that in the near future.  Many will read this journal for the first time with this post. I thought it would be a good idea to share some my favorite parts of this journey and talk about what the future holds for this site.

Ten things to do to keep on track: This was  originally a Facebook Status update that I wrote on March 10, 2010:

Here are ten things that we can do to keep on the right path. Take risks; Look Adversity straight in the eyes and say Ha! ; (Ha! Ah, that feels better now); Serve others; Smile; Think happy thoughts   Laugh; Hug; Love one another; Praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; and Count our blessings

Mission Statement – Do you have one? if so please share it with us. Here is mine from June 13, 2010

Every day, I will accomplish everything that I expect to achieve.  I will stay focused and sharp in all of the plans that I have skillfully prepared.  Each and every project that I undertake will be completed with the best possible result and my desire to walk in His steps will motivate myself and everyone I come in contact with. I fully understand that this charge will only be accomplished through the powerful Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are an Insrument of  God- In this post from September 8, 2010 I wrote how we can be used by God:

Good  works affect our true purpose, specifically the work we perform for our Lord.  We do not enter into  our reward by our works. But we were created for our works. I often compare my life to that of a Grand Piano. The instrument can only perform well if it is in tune, the right notes are played at the right time, and the performer has the proper training and  practice to play the piano as it was meant to be played.The last point is an easy one to explain because God is able and willing to lead and guide us to perform a great symphony. He knows us better that we know ourselves.

The second point is where things can be complicated. Are we letting the master perform a great work in our life? Are we at the right place, at the right time?  How do we become “in the right place”? Only  through prayer and study of His Word on a regular basis. If we follow his lead, we will stay  “in tune” and become usable when he is ready to utilize us for His Kingdom.

All that Glitters is not…I started 2011 with this thought:

As children of God, We are given a measure of discernment from  our Lord. We need to take the Knowledge that God’s shows us in his Word and “Teach the World to Sing.” If Coca-Cola adds life, only God  presents us with the gift of Everlasting  Life.   Cheers!

Pathways- This post was written in July, 2011.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

I see these verses often in my walk with the Lord. Until recently I did not realize the plural form of path was used. But, I came to understand that we travel many paths, and God wants to be in the midst of them all. We should not lean on ourselves when we have God to lean upon. And he wants us to trust him and forget about what seems logicial. He is our Compass, our GPS.

So what does the future hold. I just reread a great book ( I highly recomend it!)  on Creation by  the Founder of the Ministy, Answers in Genesie, Ken Ham called The Lie: Evolution  http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/lie and I will discuss other books that are worth reading in future posts. I will share my review of the The Lie: Evolution soon.

God Bless!

Michael

Work Out

Here’s  a short post to talk about working out.

A leap of faith cannot happen overnight. Its needs a lot of prayer, bible study and sharing of God’s message.

I have a great faith that God is refining my talents for his purpose and when I am ready, I will be a part of  a great revival. I need to keep moving forward.

Next week, I will share what this devotional online journal means to me and discuss my plans for its future. Please continue to pray for each other!

God Bless!

Working for a Living

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10

The preceeding verses in this chapter mention that Salvation is given to us by his grace and not by our works.  Yet Salvation is not   a stay out of Hell Free card.  Now that we are part of His family, we  should live for our Lord and Savior.We will receive rewards for our service.  Christ is counting on our talents to fulfill his ministry on Earth (as it is in Heaven)

So here’s a thought. Why do we seek to have it our way and not fully trust his provisions for our life?  Life is hard.    When we can no longer trust ourselves, we must trust the One who has our best interest at heart. We can enjoy life to the fullest if we step out of our “comfort zone”  We must take a leap of Faith.

How? Come back tomorrow for some more warm up exercises before you take that Giant Step…

Two Roads- Christ’s Freeway

…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23b

Christ always gives us hope. When we accept his gift, we are dead to sin and enter onto His freeway. It’s that simple!

Trust Jesus, accept his free gift, and live with him forever.

Why do we make life so hard on ourselves?

If we make Jesus our “driving” force. He will show us the way. (He is the Way!)

Tomorrow we will discover what it means to be on his road.

It’s not just the way to Heaven.

Once again, we need to see the big picture in our True Purpose for living.

Two Roads

What would you rather drive on? The tollway or the freeway. Life is a lot like driving on these two roads. I would rather drive on the freeway. My number 1 rule when I was in college was: If it’s free, it’s for me!

Yet, we all start life on a certain type of toll road….satan’s  tollway.

For the wages of sin is death… Romans 6:23a

There is a price for our sin. A price that we don’t have to pay because someone took our place and payed the price for us. When Jesus Christ died on the old rugged cross, be became the sacrifice for our sin.

Once we trust Jesus and become his purchase possesion. We can exit  off this road onto another.

We can clain our independence from the lies of that old serpent, the devil.

Come back tomorrow to hear the good news of where this one way exit will take us to.

 

 

 

 

 

The Reason for the Season

In my neck of the world, it is evening on Christmas Day, 2011. Sure, presents were part of the celebration, and great food also was a major part of the day.  But  the celebration of the Birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ made it special. I think many of the readers of True Purpose understand this, but take a moment to decide what really makes this day special. Luke, Chapter 2 really shows me that even though the circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ were not ideal, Peace on Earth was made posible for the first time since the Fall of Mankind. How? Because God in the flesh arrived. Our relationship with our Father would ultimately be restored because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. We may not have the same struggles as Mary and Joesph did on the birthday of Jesus, but they were in the middle of God’s purpose for their lives. If we listen to what God is telling us though his Word, Prayer, and by just doing what we need to do to serve him, we will  be where God wants us. The road we travel today will one day lead to one that is paved with gold.

Wow! Now what?

And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Matthew 8:8-10

I like these verses because they are an excellent example of what true faith is all about. The centurion knew Christ’s power through His Father and made a simple request. Just speak the word.   Christ saw that this man had a “great faith” .  Jesus even was impressed that this faith was made manifest where he has not seen it before.  This man understood what faith is all about.

Now what about in our own lives? Do we understand the power of Christ to exhibit this same faith? I must admit that there are times in my everyday pathway when I just don’t understand why I am in certain situations. Yet in the Big Picture, I  trust and realize that everything will be fine. I will cross that bridge, climb that mountain,  drive in unfamiliar territories. I may not know what lies behind curtain number 2 but that’s OK. I understand that I am living on a need to know basis and there are things that are often best left unknown.  This is what faith means…and one day I will know and understand the reason.

Plan of Action:  Cherish those wow moments, but don’t be caught in the undertow of great expectations.  Everything has a purpose (I wrote that before in another post if you are keeping track) Keep the faith and you will not be disappointed.