To Sin Or NOT To Sin

One of the battles, we (Believer, Yet-To-Be-Believer, and Unbeliever, as well) All fight, on a moment-by-moment basis, is whether or NOT to commit a sin (Rebelling against God Almighty).  Sin is a destroyer of outcomes, hopes, and dreams, of relationships, of lives, and so much more.  When sin enters a situation, the results are always devastating, sooner or later.  Ask yourself this, why does The Holy Bible describe sin, as darkness?  Why does The Holy Bible describe people who commit sin, as wanting to do it, in darkness?  Folks, darkness does NOT always mean, absence of light, it also means that other people are unaware, YOU are committing it. 

When we commit a sin, why do we immediately feel ashamed?  Come on now; be honest, when YOU commit a sin, YOU feel ashamed, right.  Have YOU ever wondered why that is?  Well, let’s look at Adam and Eve, and see what happened to Them, immediately after They disobeyed God Almighty, “Then the eyes of both of Them were Opened, and They knew that They were naked.”  In other words, both Adam and Eve felt immediate shame!  They had eaten the fruit, from The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and evil.  So, what did this give Them knowledge of, The Knowledge, of Good and evil, Light and darkness, Right and wrong, most importantly, NOT to commit a sin and to sin.  This also means, being aware of sin or blind to sin.  When God Almighty gave Us, His Commandments and Statutes, God gave Us, His Laws (Rules) to live by; we clearly were told Right from wrong.  Obey His Laws, live in The Light, but disobey His Laws, commit sin, and pay the penalty, for doing so.  This is one of the reasons Jesus Christ told the People, because They had God’s Laws, They were accountable for disobeying those Laws, because They were NOT blind, to what those Laws were.

“In The Beginning, was The Word (Jesus Christ), and The Word (Jesus Christ) was with God (God Almighty), and The Word (Jesus Christ) was God (God Almighty).  He (Jesus Christ) was in The Beginning with God (God Almighty).  All Things were Made through Him (Jesus Christ), and without Him (Jesus Christ), nothing was Made that was Made.  In Him (Jesus Christ) was Life, and the Life was The Light of Men.  And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did NOT comprehend it.  That was The True Light (Jesus Christ), which gives Light to every man, coming into the World.  He (Jesus Christ) was in the World, and the World was Made through Him (Jesus Christ), and the World did NOT know Him (Jesus Christ).  As many as Received Him (Jesus Christ), to Them He (Jesus Christ) gave the Right to become Children of God (God Almighty), to those Who Believe in His Name (Jesus Christ): Who were Born, NOT of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of Man, but of God (God Almighty).  And The Word (Jesus Christ) became flesh and dwelt among Us, and We Beheld His (Jesus Christ’s) Glory, The Glory as of The ONLY Begotten of The Father (God Almighty), Full of Grace and Truth.”

“The Lord God planted a Garden, eastward in Eden, and there He (God Almighty) put the Man (Adam) whom He (God Almighty) had formed.  And out of the ground, The Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.  The Tree of Life, was also in The Midst of The Garden, and The Tree of The Knowledge of Good and evil.  Then The Lord God said, “Behold, the Man (actually Adam and Eve) has become like one of Us, to know Good and evil.  And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of The Tree of Life, and eat, and Live Forever (have Everlasting Life).”  “Therefore, The Lord God sent him (actually Adam and Eve) out of The Garden of Eden, to till the ground, from which he (Adam) was taken.  So He (God Almighty) drove out the Man (actually Adam and Eve); and He (God Almighty) placed Cherubim at the east of The Garden of Eden, and a Flaming Sword which turned every way, to guard The Way to The Tree of Life.”  “He who has an ear, let him hear, what The Spirit (The Holy Spirit) says to him, who overcomes, I (Jesus Christ) will give to eat, from The Tree of Life, which is in The Midst of The Paradise of God.”

The Word, Jesus Christ, IS The Light of the World!  Now, His (Jesus Christ’s) Light is The Light of Life, for All Men (actually Men and Women).  Being aware of Jesus Christ and everything about Him, is being in The Light!  When We accept Jesus Christ, as Our personal Lord and Savior, Our eyes are open to The Truth, and Our ears are open to hearing The Truth, as well.  We are now aware; Jesus Christ abides within Us, through The Holy Spirit!  We willingly, give Our Life over to the control of Jesus Christ.  We are keenly aware, that We will still sin, the difference is, Our sin will be Forgiven and forgotten, no longer held against Us, by God Almighty, as long as We ask for Forgiveness.  So, if Our sin will be Forgiven and forgotten, as long as We ask, what keeps Us from committing a sin?  Well, first of all, We have Ears to hear and Eyes to see, meaning, We know Jesus Christ abides within Us, through The Holy Spirit, so, He (Jesus Christ) sees everything We do!  We also know that God Almighty sees and knows everything!  Remember, when We commit a sin, We feel ashamed, because We have acted against God Almighty (Rebelled against God Almighty)!  Which is why We feel anxiety, before or in the process of committing a sin (Rebelling against God Almighty).  Yes, We know it’s wrong (committing a sin), sounds like this should deter or stop Us, but alas, it does NOT!

The Word, Jesus Christ, took human form, lived a sin-free Life, died upon The Cross (His Crucifixion), paying Our sin debt (Once for All), was buried, on the third day, was Risen from the grave (His Resurrection), Alive, by God Almighty (defeating death, itself), and forty days after His (Jesus Christ’s) Resurrection, He was Taken Up, on Clouds from Heaven, Alive, into Heaven (His Ascension), to sit at The Right Hand of God Almighty, where He still resides, Today!  These are details, We MUST accept as fact, without a single doubt!  By God’s Amazing Saving Grace, through God’s Free Gift of Salvation, We can have Everlasting Life!  We will be able to approach, The Tree of Life, to have Everlasting Life, and Live Forever, but ONLY through Jesus Christ!

Next time, YOU are tempted to sin (to Rebel against God Almighty), think of this; Jesus Christ is right there with YOU, watching everything YOU are doing, through The Holy Spirit.   God Almighty is also watching everything YOU are doing, as well.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s a pitch dark room or a well lit room, They see everything!  Can YOU feel your anxiety building, as YOU prepare to disobey God Almighty?  Are YOU beginning to feel shame, as YOU commit the sin (to Rebel against God Almighty), because YOU know it’s wrong?  Are YOU wondering, if anyone has witnessed YOU commit the sin (Rebel against God Almighty)?  Are YOU beginning to feel regret yet?  These are some of the thoughts, which should be going through your mind, each time YOU think about committing a sin (to Rebel against God Almighty), my prayer for YOU is, that it will help deter YOU from committing a sin (Rebelling against God Almighty) next time, and in the times (opportunities to Rebel against God Almighty) to come.  Amen.

A Taste Of Elijah’s Story

Elijah (The Prophet), the Tishbite, said, “As The Lord God of Israel Lives, before whom I stand.”

Elijah’s Mount Carmel Victory

Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him (Elijah), “Is that YOU, O Troubler of Israel?”  And he (Elijah) answered, “I have NOT troubled Israel, but YOU and your father’s house have, in that YOU have forsaken The Commandments of The Lord and have followed the Baals.  Now therefore, send and gather All Israel to me (Elijah), on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”  So, Ahab sent for All The Children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel.  And Elijah came to All the People, and said, “How long will YOU falter between two opinions?  If The Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.”  But the People answered him NOT a word.  Then Elijah said to the People, “I (Elijah) alone, am left a Prophet of The Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.  Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put NO fire under it; and I (Elijah) will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put NO fire under it.  Then YOU call on the name of your gods, and I (Elijah) will Call on The Name of The Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”  So all the People answered and said, “It is well spoken.”  Now Elijah said, to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for YOU are many; and call on the name of your god, but put NO fire under it.”  So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal, from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!”  But there was no voice; no one answered.  Then they leaped about the altar which they had made.  And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.”  So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them.  And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice.  But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention.  Then Elijah said to all the People, “Come near to me (Elijah).”  So, all the People came near to him (Elijah).  And he (Elijah) repaired The Altar of The Lord that was broken down.  And Elijah took Twelve Stones, according to the number of The Tribes of The Sons of Jacob, to whom The Word of The Lord had come, saying, “Israel shall be your name.”  Then with the stones he (Elijah) built an Altar in The Name of The Lord; and he (Elijah) made a trench around The Altar, large enough to hold two seahs of seed.  And he (Elijah) put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four waterpots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.”  Then he (Elijah) said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he (Elijah) said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time.  So, the water ran all around The Altar; and he (Elijah) also filled the trench with water.  And it came to pass, at the time of The Offering of The Evening Sacrifice, that Elijah The Prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this Day, that YOU are God in Israel and I (Elijah) am Your Servant, and that I (Elijah) have done all these things at Your Word.  Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this People may know, that YOU are The Lord God, and that YOU have turned their hearts back to YOU again.”  Then The Fire of The Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.  Now, when all the People saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God!  The Lord, He is God!”  And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal!  Do NOT let one of them escape!”  So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook, Kishon, and executed them there.

Elijah Ascends to Heaven

And it came to pass, when The Lord was about to take up Elijah into Heaven, by a Whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.  Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for The Lord has sent me (Elijah) on to Bethel.”  But Elisha said, “As The Lord Lives, and as your Soul lives, I will NOT leave YOU!”  So they went down to Bethel.  Now, The Sons of The Prophets, who were at Bethel, came out to Elisha, and said to him (Elisha), “Do YOU know, that The Lord will take away your master (Elijah) from over YOU Today?”  And he (Elisha) said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”  Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for The Lord has sent me (Elijah) on to Jericho.”  But he (Elisha) said, “As The Lord Lives, and as your Soul lives, I will NOT leave YOU!”  So they came to Jericho.  Now, The Sons of The Prophets, who were at Jericho, came to Elisha and said to him, “Do YOU know, that The Lord will take away your master (Elijah) from over YOU Today?”  So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”  Then Elijah said to him (Elisha), “Stay here, please, for The Lord has sent me (Elijah) on to the Jordan.”  But he (Elisha) said, “As The Lord Lives, and as your Soul lives, I will NOT leave YOU!”  So the two of them went on.  And fifty men of The Sons of The Prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan.  Now Elijah took his ^*mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.  And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask!  What may I do for YOU, before I am taken away from YOU?”  Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of Your Spirit, be upon me.”  So he (Elijah) said, “YOU have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if YOU see me, when I am taken from YOU, it shall be so for YOU; but if NOT, it shall NOT be so.”  Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly, a Chariot of Fire appeared with Horses of Fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up, by a Whirlwind into Heaven (Alive).

Question: Do YOU have the Faith, in God Almighty, Elijah had?

^*The Mantle was the official garment of a Prophet.  The Mantle marked a man as a Prophet, a Spokesman of God.  The Mantle represented a man’s gift, The Call of God, and the purpose for which God had Called him.  The Mantle was a Sign of God’s Gift, which enabled a man to fulfill The Prophetic Office and Ministry.

[Note: John, The Baptist, was asked if he was Elijah, Our Lord Jesus Christ, was told some people believed He was Elijah.  What YOU have read above, gives YOU a “taste” of Elijah’s Life, if curious, read the rest of Elijah’s Story, in The Holy Bible]

It’s NOT About Us

“Jesus said, I Am The Light of the World.  He who Follows Me, shall NOT walk in darkness, but have The Light of Life.  I now send YOU, to open their eyes, in order to turn them, from darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan, to God (Almighty), that they may receive Forgiveness of sins, and an Inheritance, among those Who are Sanctified by Faith in Me.”

“Therefore, since We have this Ministry, as We have received Mercy, We do NOT lose heart.  But We have renounced, the hidden things of shame, NOT walking in craftiness nor handling The Word of God, deceitfully, but by Manifestation of The Truth, commending Ourselves, to every man’s conscience, in The Sight of God.  But even if Our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds The God of this Age, has blinded, who do NOT believe, lest The Light of The Gospel of The Glory of Christ, Who is The Image of God, should Shine on them.  For We do NOT Preach Ourselves, but Christ Jesus, The Lord, and Ourselves, Your Bondservants, for Jesus’ Sake.  For it is, The God, Who Commanded Light to Shine, out of darkness, Who has Shone in Our hearts, to give The Light of The Knowledge of The Glory of God, in The Face of Jesus Christ.”

“He who does The Truth, comes to The Light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

“If YOU instruct the Brethren in these things, YOU will be a Good Minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in The Words of Faith and of The Good Doctrine, which YOU have carefully followed.  Exercise yourself toward Godliness.  Godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the Life that now is, and of that which is to come.  This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.  For to this end, We both labor and suffer reproach (criticism), because We Trust in The Living God, Who is The Savior of All Men, especially of those, Who Believe.  These things command and Teach.”

“A servant of The Lord, must NOT quarrel, but be gentle to All, able to Teach, patient, in humility, correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps, will grant them Repentance, so that they may know The Truth, and that they may come to their senses, and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him, to do his will.”

Fellow Believers, We are to shine Jesus Christ’s Light, so brightly, that people see Jesus Christ, and NOT Us!  We ARE Jesus Christ’s Light, upon a World full of darkness!  We ARE Jesus Christ’s Vessel, to share and Preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Fellow Believers remember, Jesus Christ abides within each of Us, which is how We can be Jesus’ Light upon the World!  We simply MUST allow Jesus Christ, to speak to the World, through Us!  When We truly do this, the words We speak, are NOT Our words, but Words given to Us, through The Holy Spirit.

Remember, it’s about God’s Amazing Saving Grace, through God’s Free Gift of Salvation.  It’s about relationships, a person’s relationship with God Almighty, a person’s relationship with Jesus Christ, through The Holy Spirit, but also a person’s relationships with Fellow Believers, as well.  It’s about Our Father’s, God Almighty’s, Unconditional Love, for each of Us.  It’s about Our Savior’s, Jesus Christ’s, Unconditional Love, for each of Us.  It’s about God Almighty’s Ultimate Plan, God Almighty walking with Man and Man walking with God Almighty, Forever, for Eternity.  It’s about The Word, descending from Heaven, taking human form (in the form of a Man), and at His Birth, being given the name, Jesus.  It’s about a Man (Jesus Christ), dying upon The Cross (His Crucifixion), paying a sin debt, the price for All Man’s sin.  It’s about this same Man (Jesus Christ), being Raised from the grave (His Resurrection), on the third day, Alive, by God Almighty, Himself.  It’s about this same Man (Jesus Christ), forty days after His Resurrection, ascending on Clouds from Heaven, into Heaven (His Ascension), Alive, to sit down at The Right Hand of God Almighty, Himself.

Fellow Believers, We have no idea, when the opportunity, for someone to accept Jesus Christ, as his/her personal Lord and Savior, will no longer be available.  Be it by his/her mortal death, or The Return of Jesus Christ, Himself.  So, We must take advantage of each opportunity, to share, to Preach The Gospel of Jesus Christ, to All.  Yes, I know, not everyone, We encounter, will be open to hear (i.e. have Ears to hear and Eyes to see) The Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I’m also talking about sharing, what We learn (what God Almighty Reveals to Us) with each other.  To shine Jesus Christ’s Light, so brightly, that people see Jesus Christ, and NOT Us, and it’s NOT limited, to Yet-To-Be-Believers and Unbelievers, but for Fellow Believers, as well.  We are All, on different Paths, remember God Almighty has Created a specific Path, for each of Us to walk.  Therefore, I cannot walk Your Path, nor can YOU walk My Path, but Our Paths do cross each other’s, obviously.  We Fellowship with each other, to pray with and for each other, to teach each other, to comfort each other, to rejoice with each other, but most importantly to Glorify God Almighty together!

May The Light of The Gospel of The Glory of Christ, Who is The Image of God, Shine on All.  Amen.

God Almighty Asks YOU

God Almighty asks, how many ways do I speak to YOU?  I speak to YOU, by My Voice.  I speak to YOU, when YOU commune with Me, through Prayer.  I speak to YOU, by My Written Words (what YOU refer to as, The Holy Bible).  I speak to YOU, as YOU read My Words, did YOU realize this?  I speak to YOU, through My Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.  I speak to YOU, through The Helper, The Holy Spirit.  I speak to YOU, through Fellow Believers.  I speak to YOU, in ways YOU cannot understand or comprehend.  But I, God Almighty, Am, always speaking to YOU!  The question is NOT, Am I speaking to YOU, but are YOU, listening to Me? 

Have YOU ever opened up a Bible, without intending to actually read, anything specifically, yet YOU are drawn to a Book, or Chapter, or even a Verse, and YOU begin reading, anyway?  As YOU read the words, YOU come to understand something powerful, perhaps something mind changing?  Well, it was Me, God Almighty, speaking to YOU; I was telling YOU something I wanted YOU to know, at that particular time.

Have YOU sat down, and opened up a Bible with the intention of reading a particular Book, or Chapter, or even a Verse, and as YOU read it, YOU realize its meaning at that particular moment, in a different way, than YOU had before?  Again, it was Me, God Almighty, speaking to YOU, telling YOU something I wanted YOU to know, at that particular time.

I have a few questions for YOU, when, where, for how long (duration), and how often, do YOU commune with Me, through prayer?  It’s a rhetorical question, because I already know the answer.  Do YOU have a routine or do YOU NOT pray that often?  Do YOU only come to Me, out of desperation?  Do YOU only come to Me, when things are NOT going your way?  I think YOU get the idea.  Did YOU know, I want YOU to come to Me, with everything?  I want YOU to come to Me, with your questions, your concerns, with decisions (to make or NOT to make), with your struggles, to ask forgiveness for your sins, etc.  I also want YOU to come to Me, with your praises, when things are going well.  Did YOU know, your sins are Forgiven and forgotten (that’s, NOT held against YOU, anymore), by Me, every time that YOU ask Me to forgive YOU?  Well, they are, so stop stressing over your past sin, which YOU have already asked for forgiveness, and have already received, forgiveness.  So, let’s commune more on a daily basis, shall We?

My Only Son, Jesus Christ, abides within YOU, through The Holy Spirit (The Helper), so Jesus is always with YOU, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  This means Jesus witnesses, every single thing YOU do, including every single sin, YOU think about committing, and every single sin, YOU actually commit, as well.  This also means Jesus is beside YOU, whenever YOU wish to speak with Him.  Meaning, as YOU are walking down the street, YOU could be speaking with Jesus.  When YOU are sitting in your living room, YOU could be speaking with Jesus, as He sits next to YOU.  When YOU are lying in your bed, if there is a chair in the room, YOU could be speaking with Jesus, as He sits in the chair.  But if there is no chair, YOU could be speaking with Jesus, as He stands by your bedside.  This should bring YOU comfort, knowing Jesus, is so near to YOU, witnessing everything, YOU are experiencing, at the very same time.  Do YOU doubt that Jesus cheers with YOU, in your triumphs, and feels your pain, in your despair?  Who do YOU think nudges YOU, when YOU think about committing a sin, Jesus!  Who do YOU feel, giving YOU a hug, when YOU have had a bad day, Jesus!  Who do YOU think weeps with YOU, when YOU mourn the loss of a loved one, Jesus!  That’s right, Jesus, and He does so much more, just for YOU!

Your Fellow Believers, are yet another way, I speak to YOU.  After all, I speak to them, in the same ways I speak to YOU, revealing myself to them, and telling them some things, I want them to share with YOU, at that point in time.  This is why Fellowship, with Fellow Believers is vital, to your Spiritual Growth, because YOU can learn so much from each other, but can also support each other, as well.

Did YOU know, I have chosen The Path, which I, God Almighty, want YOU to walk?  And when YOU walk away, from The Path, I have chosen for YOU to walk, and walked your own path, which YOU choose to walk instead; things just don’t seem to go your way?  Well, call it a “swift kick”, by Me, God Almighty, telling YOU to get back to walking The Path, I have chosen for YOU to walk.  Yes, I know, my “swift kicks” can be painful.  YOU may call them “trials or tribulations or valleys”, and yes, they are meant to be painful.  A Good Father disciplines His Child, because He Loves him/her very much, and only wants the best for him/her and out of him/her.  Remember, I have chosen The Path, I want YOU to walk.  I have designed it, with lessons for YOU to learn, and also tasks for YOU to perform.  Sometimes, these tasks can only be done by YOU, and if YOU don’t perform them, no one else will.  Sometimes, the lessons are chosen by YOU, did YOU know this?  YOU may call them, “choices”, but for each choice YOU encounter, each one can change which Path YOU decide to walk, Mine or yours.  Remember, I will always nudge YOU back towards The Path, I have chosen for YOU to walk.  The result may be instantaneous or it may take awhile, for YOU to get My Hint.  Sometimes, I may have to “nudge” YOU more than once, and sometimes, several times, because for some reason, perhaps stubbornness, YOU just cannot get My Hint.  Remember, My Discipline is always with My Love, and for your benefit, because I’m always molding and changing YOU, from the inside out, to be more like Me, God Almighty, and less like the rest of Humanity.  My Plans for YOU, span well beyond, your finite Mortal Lifetime, do YOU realize this?

Now that I have your attention, let’s get to know each other, shall We . . .