Romans 2:4 declares,
The goodness of God leads you to repentance.
Ephesians 2:4-6 says,
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:"
God is not holding your sins against you. He sent His Son to pay a debt that had to be paid in order to liberate you from sin. God extends His…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 10, 2009 at 8:39am —
No Comments
Coming from a western culture - Texas - the peacemaker was a gun. However, this is not what Scripture was referring to. While we are to defend Scripture on attacks against It, that does not mean that we are to go around looking for fights. We are not called to be bullies, but rather are called to be the sons and daughters of hwhy (YHVH). (Matthew 5:9)
Scripture warns us about the effects of biting and devouring each other. “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love…
Continue
Added by Scott Ledbetter on November 9, 2009 at 3:03pm —
1 Comment
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom versus foolishness. Proverbs 26:25 says, speaking of the foolish person who rejects wisdom, “When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.” A person who does not fear God does not have understanding, does not walk in righteousness, and has no regard for the truth. He may be pleasant, well-mannered, polite, gracious, and an interesting communicator, but the fool is full of deceit, holding seven abominations in his h…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 9, 2009 at 5:33am —
No Comments
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3).
The Galatian Christians, like so many people today, trusted Christ for their initial salvation, but depended upon the flesh for spiritual maturity. When the word "flesh" occurs in the New Testament, most of the time it refers to that part of man which is hostile toward God (Romans 8:7) and wars against the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). Every person born into this world comes equipped with "flesh"…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 8, 2009 at 4:33am —
1 Comment
When you are aware that something or someone tempts you to do something sinful, you must make every effort to distance yourself from whatever or whomever it is that is tempting you. If a sinful thought comes into your head because of something or someone, you need to immediately remove yourself from that place or person. Do not hesitate, because the longer that you stay there in that position of allowing something or someone to tempt you, the more likely you are to give into that temptation.
If…
Continue
Added by Scott Ledbetter on November 7, 2009 at 3:49pm —
No Comments
Canadian Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio Canadenis)
Sometimes the most precious gems can be plucked from the mud; but before you actually get there you may have to wade neck-deep in excrement. I finally found what I was looking for although it is impossible for me to give the reader all the exact ancient spellings and depictions of the name o
…
Continue
Added by Bro Jake on November 7, 2009 at 6:30am —
5 Comments
“Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
-Ecclesiastes 4:6
Part of living in a cursed world marred by sin, filled with sinful people, and oppressed by the prince of the power of the air (Satan) is that we will regularly and frequently encounter stressful situations. In fact, life can be so stressful that it can begin to negatively impact us emotionally and spiritually, sometimes even severely. We can get stressed when we have too much…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 5, 2009 at 6:41am —
No Comments
Matthew 6:1-4, gives some important insight into giving,
"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms ma…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 5, 2009 at 6:06am —
No Comments
Already, just by the title, I can tell that some of you have your blood a boiling. One of the things that I deal with everyday is that people justify what they believe and do on what someone else has told them that Scripture says. Now I have already debunked all of the man made teachings, but not everyone will listen. There are way too many who willfully tune me out and reject what I have taught simply because it is not convenient to their way of life. And they think that by quoting the teaching…
Continue
Added by Scott Ledbetter on November 4, 2009 at 5:16pm —
1 Comment
John 10:10-11 gives us a great truth,
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Is your concept of God that He is good sometimes, but not all the time? That sometimes He is blessing you; but other times, He is the source of your troubles? If so, I want to put that notion out of your heart and mind today.
Jesus c…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 4, 2009 at 7:12am —
No Comments
"Today I want us to return to Luke 12, but focus on verses 16-19,
"And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, ea…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 4, 2009 at 6:58am —
No Comments
In Luke 6:38, Jesus said these words,
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
That is a promise of Jesus that you can stake your life on. Give, and what happens? It will be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!
But notice that He also added this, "…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 3, 2009 at 7:22am —
No Comments
Take a look at 2 Corinthians 9:2 where Paul writes these words,
"For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many."
Did you notice those last seven words, and your zeal hath provoked very many. Passion is contagious.
What do you think might happen if a community saw a church that was utterly on fire? Where all the members in that church were passionate about their worship, passionate…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on November 2, 2009 at 5:44am —
No Comments
It is one thing for you to say that you have faith, but it is another thing entirely to actually step out of the boat that you have been drifting on the waters of life in and walk on that water. No one claims that this is an easy feat, but when you are called by the Savior to come to Him, you can not sit in the safety of the boat. The waters of life are full of peril and storms, but the Master of all creation controls these waters, and when He beckons you to follow Him, you have nothing to fear.…
Continue
Added by Scott Ledbetter on November 2, 2009 at 12:00am —
1 Comment
“And the LORD appointed a set time,” – Exodus 9:5
The old neighbors from across the street had moved, and new neighbors were moving in. I became apprehensive about these “new” neighbors when I saw how many people were going into the house. My apprehension grew when, the next morning, I saw six cars parked around their property.
Since I am a Christian, my first thought was that somehow I must let my light shine. Various ideas entered my mind as to how to approach the neighbors on the subject of…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on October 30, 2009 at 7:39am —
1 Comment
In Titus 2:9-10, Paul writes a very interesting and important command,
"Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."
In our society, it is important to understand that this passage is giving us instructions as employers and employees. And simply stated, as an employee, you are to be obedient to your boss.
One o…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on October 30, 2009 at 7:25am —
No Comments
Yesterday we learned from Romans 13:1-3 that we need to submit ourselves to the laws of the land if we want to live lives free from fear. I want to focus your attention today on the remainder of that passage, Romans 13:4-7,
"For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, b…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on October 29, 2009 at 8:46am —
No Comments
"For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens;
God himself that formed the earth and made it;
he hath established it, he created it not in vain,
he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD;
and there is none else."
( ISAIAH 45:18 )
Dearly Beloved,
It is important to remember that GOD is always in Control,
even though things in our lives may seem totally out of control.
This includes when the events of this World seem to be out
of hand as well with terrorists and wars etc.
After all; IN THE…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on October 29, 2009 at 8:33am —
No Comments
This time of year causes a major rift in both Jews and Christians alike, for many hold that Halloween is a harmless holiday of getting dressed up and going in search of candy, while others view it as an occultic holiday. Now we have heard from many different sources the origins of Halloween, but I wish to take a slightly different look at the celebration, one you might never have looked at before.
Now the very first place I wish to begin at is with words. Words are powerful. They can do a lot o…
Continue
Added by Scott Ledbetter on October 28, 2009 at 2:44pm —
1 Comment
In Romans 13:1-3, the apostle Paul gives us some clear instruction on how we are to relate to our civil authorities,
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good…
Continue
Added by Gary Cardwell on October 28, 2009 at 6:19am —
No Comments
Real Goodness
Blessed are the Peacemakers
PLUCKING DIAMONDS OUT OF THE MUD
