Sunday, December 20, 2009

Merry Christmas!!

Most people celebrate Christmas with their own traditions in mind. Some people don't even celebrate Christmas; instead, a different holiday. Some traditions are placing the star on the Christmas tree at midnight, some kids (actually probably most kids, lol) stay up all night long, some sing carols in the dark with only the tree lighted, some just get together for family gatherings every year, and some even do like ten different Christmases in one year because of so much family coming in at different times!!! Tradition isn't neccessarily wrong, but making that the main goal of the season... feeling as thought "it just isn't Christmas" without our festive traditions............?
I heard a story of a family who made it their tradition to give Jesus a part of every Christmas with them. Even though he was not there in flesh, they set an empty chair at one end of the table - just for Him. They made a birthday cake, even though He did not eat any (lol). And they sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus! Now you know He heard them singing. Ü One year a distant relative came for Christmas. When he asked the six year old girl of the family if she got everything she wanted for Christmas, she thought for a moment, and then replied, "No... but then, it isn't my birthday."

"Out of the mouth of babes..." Psalm 8:2

That little girl knew and understood the true meaning of Christmas, when most adults don't. She'll touch her generation. She has touched every generation, even though we don't know her name! This year, whether you celebrate Christmas or another holiday, if only once, remember Jesus and thank Him for His gift to us. Even if December 25th is your birthday, it's the time we remember Christ's. And no one would be here to celebrate this blessed day if He had not come on that glorious night. Born to die, Jesus my Saviour. Have a merry Christmas and God bless!!!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Once Saved Always Saved... With Proof

Okay y'all, I'm gonna tackle one thing about salvation before this year is over, and then start a series about it after 2010 hits. I want y'all to know that once you have asked Jesus into your heart to save you from eternal hell (which you got yourself doomed to with your sins) you cannot lose Him.

A very good friend of mine once told me she did not believe this because she read this verse out of Revelation 22: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

So, according to this verse, if any one who is saved, takes any information from the Bible's prophecy, he loses his salvation and he is once again doomed to meet all of hell some day. But I want to open a new thought to some of you... which may sound absolutely CRAZY... oh well... I think believing you can lose your salvation is absolutely crazy!!! lol...

Here's the thought: What if, with the understanding that we are all wanted and hoped for by God, everyone's names are written in the book of life from the beginning? Hold your horses - I'm getting somewhere with this!

Romans 8:29-30 says "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

What does that verse tell you? Answer for yourself. Has God EVER justified the wicked? No! He's a just God! You are justified when you get saved. God has called everyone to repentance. He has foreknown every person to ever be born - and unborn. He has predestinated everyone to be saved. But just because someone is destined, it doesn't mean they will fulfill that destiny - because we are all given a choice. God has crowned man with glory and honour from the beginning. He made us all upright, but we have sought many inventions. (Ecclesiastes 7:29) We have not sought after God, but after ourselves. I believe every person's name was, at one time, written in the book of life. So, what now?

There are two sins that get your name blotted out of the book of life: The one in Revelation 22 and denying the Lord Jesus Christ while on earth (Matthew 10:33). If on earth, and you do not accept Jesus's blood to cleanse you from all your sin, then after death your name is blotted out because you rejected - denied - His offer. A truly saved person will not deny Him anyway. A truly saved person won't take away from His Word!!! Even if you believe in God, believe in Jesus, believe in heaven and hell, your name will be wiped out of that precious book if you go your whole life without accepting your need of a Saviour. Think about it - Who goes to hell? Who is in hell? The dead which are unsaved - whether they refused to be saved or knew not of their need to be saved. Right up until that last breath, there was still a chance for them to accept Christ and be eternally secure. But once they deny Him - swipe. Once they change His Word - swipe. Is forgiveness possible? Always - this is the age of grace. But death is the happening that seals the deal - when we are either separated from, or brought into God's presence. Once that last breath is taken, it is too late.

Now, I cannot even commit to you that a saved person would actually do such terrible things. "What if I just try it out... ya know, see what happens?" you might say. You-are-a-fool. In fact, might wanna check your heart to see if it's genuine.

In 2 Timothy 1:12, Paul said, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have comitted unto him against that day." So, therefore, Christ is obligated to me, to keep my salvation. He promised. Our part is to trust, His part is to keep us.

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

You can't argue on this point because then you'll be pushed to prove that you're right. How prideful.

Now - if you believe that this concept is too far to grasp, that's OK. By no means am I pushing you! But it is important to me that all know the truth. This is a subject that defines how a daughter or son of God views their Father in heaven. Remember, we were put under grace when Jesus came, and were freed from the law. So without further ado, here is your proof.

"Then he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first [law], that he may establish the second [grace]. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Hebrews 10:9-14

I'm going to stop right here for a second and bring to light that those verses say "for ever" ... not "for ever, unless the sanctified defile themselves again." If you are a true child of God, why would you change or take away from His words? Why would you deny him? You wouldn't. So why even consider the possibility of losing one's salvation? It continues on in verses 15-18:

"Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us; for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

The debt that we owed (our sin debt, as seen in Romans 6:23) was paid in full by Jesus, once for all, from the beginning of our sinful lives, to the end of them. And God knew all the sins we would commit... don't you think He would make a way for us? Even for the most lost - the most wretched? The Lord says He will remember our evil no more! So what if someone takes from God's Word - or flat out rejects Him during their life before death? That's what atheists do. Is it possible for those souls to be saved before death? Hebrews tells: once for all. Of course it is possible. BUT, they have to accept Christ BEFORE they die. Remember, death seals the deal! 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."

...not an everlasting life that depends on one wrong choice. Works cannot save you (Ephesians 2:8,9), neither can works un-save you. Do you doubt? God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He saves anyone who will call on the name of His Son... for ever, because God is not partial. I really hope y'all see the truth presented right from God's Word - not with your eyes, but with your heart.

Jesus, Who is Faithful and True, said this in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."







Saturday, December 12, 2009

'Bout Time

Hey y'all....
I think it is about time I told you about my brother's blog! He started it about a month ago, but wanted to wait til he had got everything all fixed up and ready. Here it is:
www.strongandofagoodcourage.blogspot.com

Go check it out - he'd LOVE some new followers!!!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

SORRY GUYS!!!

After recently editing my playlist, this head-bangin' metal song somehow wormed it's way onto my playlist. I took it off when I noticed it, but some of y'all may have heard it, since my playlist is set on shuffle. I want y'all to know I don't listen to that kind of music - it's from the devil. So, if any of y'all were so unfortunate as to hear that song while it was on my playlist, know that it was totally accidental and I'm sorry about that!