Follow Righteousness

" 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 ) During these time of challenges many are tempted to seek relief from our financial woes... we must remember that God blessed us the first time and loves us that He desires nothing but good for us. Let us encourage each other in this down time for the Lord will lift us up if we don't give up on Him in this season of drought. ( Ephesians 4:30 ) The forces of evil would like us to believe that all is lost and give up on God. IF we call on the Lord for help in the midst of temptation, he will provide a way of escape. Will you take the escape or continue on the path to sin? Remember, " Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." ( 2 Timothy 2:22 )...." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ( James 4: 7 )

Don't be overcome by evil!!

" And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." ( Galatians 6: 9-10 ) Have you ever been in a situation that no matter how much you did what was right, things continued to get worse? I have, and many times I wanted to stop doing what the Bible said and start doing what my flesh said. My flesh and ego tells me that I don't need these hassles! But the Holy Spirit reminds me that God brought me through those situations before, but I realized that he was working pride and arrogance out of me. Today, many of us are in situations where we work hard and can not get a raise or promotion. The state of the economy is that we are working more and have less. There is more month left at the end of our money, more people are asking for help, many are growing tired and the voice of doubt is speaking louder and louder. We are in situations where we are nice to people and respect them, yet feel like they treat us like dirt. If you are experiencing these situations, this e-mail is to encourage you to continue to do what the spirit of God requires of the Children of faith. God will work things out if you don't give up. However, it may not come in the way you expect it. Remember, " And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience, hope. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." ( Romans 5: 3-5 ) Therefore, " Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." ( Romans 12:21 )

LET US LOVE IN DEED AND TRUTH

" In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far." ( Mark 8: 1-3 ) Jesus Christ had compassion on people he had never met. When He saw a need, he fulfilled that need without asking for an offering; a thank you; and without boasting about what he had done. Today, many of us see people in need, however instead of helping these individuals and glorifying Christ, we have to pray; get permission from a pastor, an elders or a deacon; or go tell everyone about what we did. It is so easy for us to cast a judgement about others situation with knowing all the facts. We act as if others experiences are just like ours. Christ knew He was the son of God but never considered himself too good to serve us. He said 'I came to serve, not to be served'. Jesus Christ has showed compassion to all of us; it is time we do the same for others. Remember, " But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3: 17-18)

A Nasty and Perverse Tongue

" A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers.

Frowardness is in his heart,
He deviseth mischief continually;
He soweth discord.
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly;
Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy." ( Proverbs 6: 12-15 )

Many of us have to deal with co-workers, bosses, and family members who have a nasty and perverse tongue. These people vex your spirit whenever they come around, even before they say a word. I encourage each of you to pray for these individuals, because we are commanded to do so. Prayer will also help you to endure this sin nature and overcome their unclean spirit. Getting upset and arguing with the spirit of Satan will only give Him more power over you. You will find yourself wearing this Satan spirit like a shadow; it will wake up with you and go to sleep with you! Remember, " For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." ( 1 Peter 2: 21-23 )

The Joy of the Lord is My Stengh

"Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our lord; neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength." ( Nehemiah 8:10 ) Joy for many of us is meeting sales goals; being recognized for doing a good job; making money; obtaining material things; having a spouse or significant other love us; being highly esteemed among men; or having power and control over people. Sadly, many of us are never satisfied because none of the aforementioned things will last; are consistent; nor will provide us with the strength to deal with life's trials as they come. The only consistent joy any of us will ever have is the joy in surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ. There are those who don't know Christ... they have heard of Him but don't know Him. Let us pray for them today so they can come to a place of completion in their spirit and that thier faith in Christ is increasted day by day. " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ( Matthew 11: 28-30 )

The Fearful and the Unbelieving

" To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne." ( Revelation 3:21 )..." For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." ( Hebrews 4: 15 ) Many of us have overcome terminal illnesses, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, depression, obesity, credit woes and economic distress. While these are all worthwhile accomplishments, they mean nothing if we have not overcome sin. Jesus Christ was tempted with everything that we are being tempted with today, yet he overcame the temptation and never sinned. He expects us to do the same. We will all die of something one day. However, we can not die in sin and expect to spend eternity with the Lord. Remember, " He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimestone: which is the second death....And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21: 7-8, 27)

Believe and Be Baptized

" And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein ye are also risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses..." (Colossians 2: 10-13) When we finish working out, running, or doing yard work, we use soap and water to cleanse ourselves. We do this because society tells us to be clean. We trust the makers of Ivory, Coast, Irish Spring, and Dial. Jesus Christ commands us to be baptized for the remission of sins and we disobey him. Rather, we listen to denomination after denomination distort the Word of God (Matthew 15:9; Titus 1:14) . We let denominations tell us to just believe and we will be saved. Believing will not wash away our sins. Salvation is a process defined by God, not man. We do not have the power to change ourselves; only belief in Jesus Christ can do that (John 15:5). Have you been circumcised by Christ? If not, remember, " Then Phillip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8: 35-38)...He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

Have you chosen life???

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." ( James 4:8 ) Many of us are being taught that God will come to us, regardless of how we are living. This is a false teaching. We must make the choice to come to God through his Son, Jesus Christ. This requires hearing God's Word ( Romans 10:17); believing God's Word ( Mark 16:16); repenting of our sins ( Luke 13:3 ); confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour ( Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9 ); and being baptized for the remission of sin ( Acts 2:38 ). We can not draw closer to God while willfully living in sin. Do not be fooled into thinking that giving money and doing works while in sin is pleasing to God. Consider your time in study, prayer and meditation. Remember, " But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passeth over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deuteronomy 31:14-19)

Christ a Sure Foundation

" For we are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." ( 1 Corinthians 3: 9-11 ) My foundations were what people thought about me; material possessions, prestege, the sound of hands clapping approval... all of those things that man can give and take away. I soon realized that I could not depend on; afford, satisfy, or build upon any of the aforementioned foundations. The only foundation that any of us can depend on is that of the Jesus Christ. We must continue to build upon our faith in Christ if we are to spend eternity with him. Remember, " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone." ( Ephesians 2: 19-20 )..." And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." ( 2 Peter 1: 5-10)

The Path to Distruction

" 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: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Many times I have been denied access to an event or a gated community because I either left late; forgot an access code or card; or failed to let someone know that I was coming. I was left with a feeling of helplessness and frustration. Those feelings will be nothing compared to the feeling of being denied access to the gates of heaven. Our access to heaven depends on the life we choose to live here on earth. It depends on whether we choose to serve Jesus Christ or Satan. Will you have gate trouble on judgment day? Remember, " And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God: and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." ( Revelation 20: 12-15 )..." And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." ( Revelation 21:27 )

Hear From God Be Heal

" For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, That do I not; but what I hate, that I do....For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now, if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God: but with the flesh the law of sin." ( Romans 7: 15, 19-25 ) After being delivered from the bondage of alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality and the love of money; we find ourselves falling into the sin of gossiping and complaining. We know that we should not do those things, however sometime it appears that we cannot help ourselves. Sometime we cannot wait to join in on a pity party, or find someone to tell how badly things were going. Hypocritically, we then pray to God to help us ( He does not hearing us ), because we donot exercise self control ( temperance ) to help oursleves... If my people called by my name should humble themselves and pray, turn from their wicket ways, seek my face then I will hear from heaven and heal their land. Once we repented and renewed our mind, Christ will give us the strength to stop gossiping and complaining. Today, all of us are struggling with something and the only answer is Jesus Christ. There is nothing good in our flesh, however a renewed mind surrendered to Christ, will allow us to walk in the spirit ( Galatians 5:16 ). What are you struggling with today? Remember, " For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it." ( Acts 28: 28-29 )..." Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

" So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)...." And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe." ( Acts 15:7 )..."But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." ( James 1: 22 ) Had I believed the gospel that I heard and done what the word told me to do; I would not have spoken evil of anyone. I would not have complained when people did me wrong and when afflictions came my way. I would not have doubted when financial hardships arose. I would not have participated in gossip sessions; nor would I have compromised my integrity just to please someone in authority over me. Today, many of us remain in hardships and without peace of mind because we do not believe what the word of God says. We are quick to quote scripture, but do not live it day to day. The best teachers of the gospel are those that work day by day to show the love of Christ in them. Many can talk a good game but do you love your brothers and sisters enough to make sure that you are there for them in a time of need? Do you believe and do what you hear? If not, remember, " And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." ( Matthew 14:58 )..." But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8)