Trying to Outrun God

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa.”

- Jon_1:3

Have you ever run from the Lord? If so, did you outrun Him? Jonah ran from the Lord and wanted nothing to do with the task that God set before him. He was unable to outrun God. God knew where Jonah was and where he was going. He was going in the opposite direction that he was directed to go.

God could have just let him go but His love for Jonah was great and he went after him to put him back on the right track. There are times in our walks that we may go against the Word that God gives us and He pursues us to set us back on the right path. We may run out of fear of what might happen or out of our hatred for what we are asked to do.

We must hold to the scripture, "2Co_9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: " God will not lead us to do something that He will not see us through to the end if we obey His voice.

The Right Way

Pro 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

There are many people who believe they can make their own way to God. They believe they can climb the mountain of God with no problem at all.

A few years after the flood, man tried to build a tower that would reach to the heavens and eventually to the throne room of God. The tower of Babel is only a memory now as it did not come to completion. It proves man's inability to reach God without a mediator.

Jesus Christ is the mediator between man and God. There is no other and all who claim they are mediators are liars,

It is time to speak to the mediator and allow Him to enter into your heart. Now has the day of salvation come unto you.

Sin in the Heart

Many do not seem to understand, God destroyed the world with a flood because of the sin that was in the hearts of men. The Word of God says that the hearts of man was evil, continually. It means there was nothing good about what they thought or what they did.

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. God still gave them space and time to repent. Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. Noah preached for 120 years but they refused to listen.

Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because their sins came up before God. Gen 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

God always gives space to repent. No one is left out in the cold without a chance to make things right. God will take care of sin in one way or another. Those who choose to hold to their sin will be cast into the lake of fire. Those who repent and confess Jesus will be spared from the wrath to come.

Don't you think it is time to make things right with God? Repent of your sins and be saved from His wrath. There is no promise of tomorrow and we cannot know if we will still be here. There is no time like this time right now to give your life to the Lord.

Independence Day

In a few days, we will be celebrating the birth of the United States of America. Men and women have fought and died for the freedoms that we enjoy. Contrary to popular belief, the Founding Fathers of this nation founded it upon Christian Principles.

You can find quote upon quote by searching Google. The mention of God was not something to be ashamed of then and even today, should not be ashamed of. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you." Who wants Jesus to be ashamed of them?

The freedoms we enjoy right now are under attack. The enemy has come in like a lion seeking whom he may devour. The passing of laws that legalize sin will destroy a nation. Not only laws but idols also.

This nation is on a downward spiral but those whose hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be spared from the wrath to come. Judgment has come to the USA. We have been found lacking. Repent now before it is too late. Let the Lord Jesus Christ save you from your sins and the death that comes, for the wages of sin is death.

I know many will not read through all of this without rolling their eyes. Some will think I am full of delusion but that's OK. I still love you but even more importantly, Jesus loves you.

As the preacher said a few days ago, first there is the lie. At first the lie feels good but eventually, you want to get away from it. The person who believes the lie, will fall deeper and deeper into sin.

Finally, no matter what someone might say, no one wants to hear those three words at the judgment seat of God, "Depart from me." Hell is not a party place but I am positive many are praying there and seeking repentance but finding none. Once there, it is too late.

Just as the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell, many others will be there before you finish reading this. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers to not come there. Abraham proclaimed that even though one would come back from the dead, they would not believe it. Jesus Christ proved it. He is the first and the last.

Trust

Psa 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust

Do you trust in the Lord? Trust is a big issue with people. Trust is not given overnight. It takes time to build trust in someone. Our friends and family will fail us many times in our lives, but God has never failed man, when we trust in Him.

Trust is mentioned several times in the Bible. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Our understanding is not even close to what god actually knows. We also know that His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts.

When a situation seems impossible to reconcile, God is able to make things right. There is nothing to small nor too large for Him to handle. Let's purpose it in our hearts to trust in Him and stop allowing small things to get us down. Our problems are merely opportunities for God to show His power and might.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 2Sa_22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
2Sa_22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Trust in Him now, while time is still here. Seek His face while He may be found. In all our iniquities and transgressions, His arms are stretched out still.

Word of God

Heaven and earth will pass away but my Word will always stand. (paraphrased)

The Word of God is better than diamonds and precious stones. it is what gives us life and keep us alive. God has offered many benefits to those who come to Him with faith, through Jesus. Let us love His Word by studying daily and believing everything He says.

Eternal Life

“And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
- Joh_10:28

What does eternal life mean to you? God is eternal meaning time has no effect upon Him at all. These fleshly bodies are temporal and will wither and die one day. This spiritual body is eternal and was always meant to be eternal. God created man in His image and likeness.

Just think about what Jesus has promised to those who believe in Him. our minds cannot comprehend eternity because we are fleshly and carnal in our thinking. When it is revealed unto us., then we can see eternity for what it truly is. Let's keep our hearts open to the Word and our minds clear of the clutter that is so easily picked up these days. If we do this, we shall never perish, though we may die, yet shall we live forever and ever.

What are God's Thoughts Toward you?

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Why are we so afraid of what God has in store for us? We seem to think God wants to destroy us at times when we mess up but that is far from fact. God has declared His thoughts toward us in that he wants to give us peace.

God also states there is an expected end for us. The Bible declares that Jesus will come back with a shout and the trump of the Archangel to call His children home to the place He went to prepare.

How about we stop being so fearful of what God is doing in our lives? Let's start living up to our full potential in Christ. Jesus' disciples were able to heal all manner of sickness and disease while casting out devils. What they could do, we should be able to do also. Purpose it in your heart to draw closer to God and allow Him to use you for His thoughts are always good toward you.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus has been discussed, spoken about, sung about, poems have been written about Him. He was beaten, hung on a cross and died there. He was buried and raised Himself from the dead on the third day. He ascended back to heaven on a cloud. We can tell people about Jesus until doomsday, but they will not receive Him until He is revealed to them. God always reveals.

Jesus asked Peter, "Who do people say that I am?" Peter said, "One of the prophets." Jesus then asked Peter, "Who do you think that I am?" Peter stated, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."Jesus replied to Peter, "Blessed are you Simon Son of Jonah for flesh and blood did not reveal this unto you but my father who is in heaven revealed this to you."

It takes a personal revelation to meet Jesus. Each person will have Jesus revealed to them at some point in their lives. Then a change will take place in them. Some will accept and believe while others reject and get more vile.

Why are so Many Unhappy?

Failure to read the Word of God makes it impossible to know the Word of God. It is possible to know the words of the Bible and still not know the meanings.

Understanding doesn't come in an instant. It is a process which takes time, not because God is lacking but because we lack the ability to absorb everything that God has given us. ( Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; ) Understanding comes as we are enlightened by the Word of truth. it takes time to understand. It is like a child in school. Most first grade students can't do high school algebra. Some will not get it even when they go to high school. Others will get it when the time is right (but then only if they desire to get it).

God requires us to walk in HIs ways and abandon selfcenteredness and sensual indulgences.

Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

God of Extremes

Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed,

Did you know God will go to extreme measures for His children? He will do insane things sometimes to let us know He hears our cries. Joshua was in a battle and the day was coming to a close. He realized he needed more time to close the deal and win the battle. God made the sun and moon to stand still and gave Joshua time to win the fight he was in.

God caused the earth to rotate backwards 10 degrees on the sundial just to confirm to Hezekiah that he had fifteen more years to live. Never before in history nor since has this happened. Why would God do such a thing for man?

The most radical thing God did is to send His only begotten Son to die for the sins of the world. Imagine how extreme a measure this must have been for God. To pour Himself into a body of flesh so that we might have life. Yes, God goes to extremes when it come to His children, but He also did it for those who are lost. There is not a person alive today, or has ever lived, that Jesus did not die for.

Witness of Christ

What is the most important piece of evidence to prove that Jesus is the Son of the Living God?

John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

The works Jesus spoke of in this verse were the works that He did on a daily basis. He healed the sick, open blind eyes, cleansed lepers, etc. . . He was also talking about the work that was ahead of Him at the time. This work was going to the cross. He didn't go because it was His desire to die, but it was His desire to save man from their sinful ways.

When Jesus' works witness of Him, they show the evidence that He is who He says He is. Many agree that Jesus was a good man and even a great teacher, but in doing so they fail to realize who He really is.

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

This is one of the works that Jesus spoke about. Notice that he didn't say the Father will raise it up in three days. He said, "I will raise it up." This is very profound for someone who is merely a teacher. If many believe Him to only be a great teacher or a good moral man, then they must also believe He was a liar.

Jesus died a death He did not deserve. He was counted among thieves and murderers, yet all that He did was always good. As He hung on the cross He said, "Luke 23:46 Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost." Death could not come to Him on its own. Death seeks out all who have sinned, "Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death." In order for Jesus to die, He had to humble Himself and give in to death. He was perfect and, though He was tempted at all points, He never sinned.

Jesus was buried in a garden tomb. A stone was rolled against the entrance of the tomb and sealed with the Roman seal.This was not a small rock that could be picked up and carried by one man. Anyone who was caught breaking the seal was put to death by Crucifixion. Remember how all Jesus’ disciples ran when he was arrested.

The stone would have weighed between 1,500 and 2000 pounds. Not an easy object to move around. Guards were placed at the tomb. These were trained guards who were commanded to kill anyone who attempted to steal the body of Jesus.

Some have said that Jesus wasn't really dead but near death. I am sure this may make sense to some but what doesn't make sense is how He got out of the tomb if He was so near death. Surely He would not be able to move such a huge stone by Himself. You must also remember the guards outside and His disciples were cowards.

I realize that many will refuse the evidence presented here. They want to touch, taste, smell, see with their fleshly eyes, and hear with their fleshly ears. If there is not enough evidence presented, here you can get more evidence yourself. It requires humility to get it.

Simply ask God to reveal Himself to you. Do it with your heart not just to try and prove someone right or another wrong. You must want the proof for yourself just so you will know for sure.

The Dark Times

“For there stood by me this night the angel of God.”
- Act_27:23

Through the darkest time in Paul's life, the Angel of God stood by him. The scripture above was written as a storm raged for two weeks so strong and powerful that the sun was blocked for the duration of that storm. Paul was told to tell everyone to just stay on the ship and there would be no loss of life.

At the darkest times in our lives, we will cry out and ask God where He is. We accuse Him of abandoning us, much like the disciples did when the storm raged and they asked Jesus, "Don't you care?" Of course, God cares. He cares about everything in our lives.

No matter what is going on, no matter how dark it looks, the angel of God will stand by those who love Him and seek Him. If we listen closely, we can hear His voice and discern what we need to do, whether it be to stand still or move. Listen for the voice of God and heed His Word. You will be surprised at what he can do.

Signs of the Times

Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The first time Jesus came, it was to show the love and mercy of a God full of giving grace. Though we cannot know the hour that He will come next, we do know the signs because we are no longer in darkness.

When he comes back again, it is to call His children out of the Earth and the wrath of God will begin pouring out. God's wrath has never been poured out without a warning first and time to repent.

For 120 years, Noah built the ark and preached the salvation message. No one listened to him. We do the same today but many will not listen, calling us fools and psychotic. "Those Christians are delusional," is what many say.

Their unbelief does not negate the truth. God is true and will always be true even if no one is save or believes. There is only one winning side. Jesus defeated the devil at Calvary. The cross is the symbol of the great sacrifice made on the behalf of all men.

It is written, "I set before you life and death. Therefore choose life, that you may live." Don't you think it is time to come back home to the one who loves you more than anyone else can? Even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus Died For You Too

This is the very first poem I ever wrote. It was written in February of 2007. I guess I was kind of a late bloomer as far as poetry goes, but I merely tried to follow the leading of the Holy Ghost in my writing.

"Father forgive them," I heard Him say

He hung on the cross, on this dreary day

The blood He shed, fell down to the dust

To pay for our sins His death was a must.

"They know not what it is that they do"

As He gave up the ghost for me and you

As darkness swept above all the land

His Father in heaven... held back His hand.

And after the earth began to quake

They still mocked Him as their heads they did shake

I stood and watched as He died that day

Desired to stop it no words did I say.

One thing I know that happened this day

He died for the sheep that had gone astray

Now I know why He had remained true

Glory to God! Jesus died for you too.

What will you do, when He comes again

And He sees that you, are still in your sins?

Repent at that time?...Hide in your shame?

Praise God! Now you know it isn't a game?

Trust in Him now while time is still here

Repent of your sins, and shed many tears

He loved you so He died on a tree

Our sins on His back for you and for me.

The time is here repent of your sins

To be lost no more NO! not ever again

Nothing can remove us, from His hand!

As His love spreads throughout all of the land.

Joh 19:30 Then when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.

Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

He That is Without Sin

A phrase that has been used consistently lately by many people is the phrase, "(Mat 7:1 Judge not lest ye be judged.)" It is as common as written words lately. Much of the time it is used when someone has been told they believe wrong, speak wrong, etc. . . So how are Christians supposed to act or say when someone is believing wrong things or teaching wrong things? Are we to allow people to believe every wind of doctrine even though it may take them into hell?

Another verse of scripture that is overused is (Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.) Two scriptures here that seem to be very direct and in fact were spoken by Jesus himself. There is a problem in the way they are used, however. If they stood alone with no other verses around them, then yes they would mean exactly what they say. In order to truly understand them, one must read more than just the two verse. The surrounding verses must also be read. The full context of what is being said must be read and understood.

Let's first take a look at John 8:7. The Pharisees had brought a woman out to Jesus and accused her of committing adultery, of which she was indeed guilty. They brought the woman to Jesus and put her in the center telling Jesus of her heinous act. They demanded that she be judged according to the law. A few things come to my mind. Where was the man with whom she committed adultery? How did so many Pharisees find out about the act?

It makes me wonder if they were watching or maybe even set her up in some way. They were also testing Jesus hoping to find some way of accusing Him of heresy. If Jesus had told them to stone her, He would have had them stoned also for participating in the act. He also would have asked for the man to be brought and stoned also. Jesus didn't actually say, "Don't stone her." He knew what the law required. He simply said to them, "If you are without sin, cast the first stone."

They all knew they were guilty. He knew what they were up to when they first brought the woman out to Him. One must also keep in mind that these are the same people who had tried many times to trap Jesus. They were snakes in the grass so to speak and could not be trusted. Their word was not reliable. (Joh 7:25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? Joh 7:26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? ) Many fail to realize that earlier Jesus made another statement. (Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.) We are to judge but only judge in righteousness. Sort of like seeing a man who is filthy and dirty. If we judge him by his filthy and dirty appearance only, we have judged him wrongly. he may be a man who works at a job in which filth and dirt is a part of life. Coal miners who work underground can't help but get filthy during their shift at work.

Judge Not

In addressing Matthew 7:1, it must be taken in context just as John 8:7. Let's read more than one scripture.( Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. ) We are exhorted to make sure we are right with God before judging anything. This is about removing the beam from your own eye first. Then we can make sound and righteous judgments.

We are to judge, but judge carefully and righteously. we must always remember, there is a soul at stake. We cannot judge in a hypocritical manner and be right with God. Jesus made judgments all through the gospels.( Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ) Jesus made judgment in these two scriptures. Can we be like Christ if we do the opposite of what He did?

In Conclusion

We must look at more scriptures. We are to have nothing to do with darkness other than to expose it where it manifests itself. ( Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. ) We must do the commands that God gave us through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

War Between Flesh and Spirit

Introduction

In our walks with Christ we are constantly at war. The flesh is against the spirit and the spirit is against the flesh. We fluctuate from spirit to flesh and vice versa. In order to gain a spot in the Kingdom of God we must be holy and acceptable to the Lord. Sin cannot enter into God's kingdom. Blameless, spotless and perfect in every way is what is required of us. Until we get our flesh under subjection, we cannot be perfect in the Lord. To walk by faith and not by sight means to walk in the Spirit.

Adam

Adam was the first man created by the hand of God. Everything else, God spoke into existence, but Adam was formed by God's own hand. God molded and shaped him completely from head to toe. I can imagine God working like an artist sculpting out a statue. Massaging and rubbing getting everything perfect. His head and face created in the image of God. His body in the likeness of God. We must understand that God is spirit. He has no fleshly form as we do. Man likewise at the time had no fleshly form as we have.

Adam also warred against the flesh after he sinned in the sight of God. His sin caused flesh as we know it to come upon him and opened his eyes so that he no longer saw in the spiritual realm, but in the flesh. Knowledge of good and evil came upon him and cause him to be ashamed. He tried to hide from God because of his nakedness. This is the beginning of the war between flesh and spirit.

Cain

Cain murdered his own brother because of jealousy. His sacrifice was not acceptable to God. Some say it is because it was not a blood sacrifice. I can understand what they mean, but I am not sure that is the reason. The Bible states that without the shedding of blood there is no remission. God said to Cain, "Sin lies at the door." Sin was there and Cain had every opportunity to deal with his sin. He chose not to deal with it but to give in to it.

Samson

Samson was a strong man. The spirit of the Lord would come upon him and shake him causing him to have enormous strength like no other man ever had. He did many mighty works against the enemies of God. God had ordained him from birth to be a prophet. With the spirit of the Lord working so strongly in him, Samson still warred against the flesh. Many times the flesh won and eventually became his downfall.

King Saul

Samuel anointed Saul to be the first king over Israel. He followed God's instructions in doing so and Saul was a good king up to a point when he tried to do something that was not his calling to do. Saul failed in walking in the spirit at that time. The flesh has won again.

King David

David was a man after God's own heart. The Bible states that David was the apple in God's eyes. He was a mighty man of war against the enemies of God and worshipped God in spirit and in truth. Even with all that David did for the Lord, he still warred against the flesh and the flesh did win. he saw a married woman bathing from his rooftop one day and gave in to the desires of the flesh.

Simon Peter

Peter was a fisherman whom the Lord called to follow Him. There is no doubt that Peter loved Jesus but many time Peter failed to walk in the spirit. He walked on the water to meet Jesus but became afraid and when the flesh took over, he began to sink. When Jesus was arrested, Peter ran away but followed from a distance. He ended up denying knowing Jesus three times and each time the flesh was prevalent.

Grace of God

Even in our failures, God's grace is sufficient. His mercy endures forever and never ends. God claims in His Word that He will have mercy upon whom He will. In order to stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh we must get closer to God. The only way to get close to someone is to get to know them personally. This is the essence of a relationship between two people. If there is no communication, there is no relationship. God always speaks in a still small voice and that voice is like a whisper. A whisper cannot be heard by a person who is distant from the whisperer. We must be close to God to hear His voice.

Once we get close enough to God to hear His voice, we must then be obedient to Him. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obeyis better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. .) Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice and a stranger they will not follow. " How many times have we followed the wrong voice? When Peter walked on the water then began to sink it was because he became fearful. He doubted that he was able to walk on water. This is what caused him to sink. His faith failed him and he started walking by sight. What he saw was not pretty but scary indeed to the flesh.

Until we bring our flesh under subjection to the spirit, we will continue to fluctuate between spirit and flesh. it is like being double minded. The book of James states that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. What it means is that a man can't make a decision. Why do you hesitate between two decisions?

Make a decision right now whom you will serve and serve him with all your heart, mind, body and soul. (Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And 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. ) We must renew our way of thinking. We must be conformed to what God wants us to be. This is how we can put on holiness without which we cannot see God.

How to Live a Life Devoted to God

Introduction

Are you devoted to God according to His Word?

God has always been concerned with the affairs and state of those who follow Him. This concern for direct focus upon Him is revealed in the first commandment. (Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.) The same focus was affirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ) If you want to know where your focus is, examine how you spend money. What you spend money on is where your focus really is. If you spend money to buy things that are not needed but only desired, maybe your focus is on the wrong things.

Can Riches Bring Happiness?

Many people have gained riches beyond anything they will ever need. They always seem to want more and more. They like the power that money brings and they like the respect they get from others who look up to them. Even with these riches, they are not happy. I am reminded of Uncle Scrooge. he had riches and kept them locked up in a giant vault. Even with his riches he wasn't really happy. he worried all the time that someone might come and get some of his money. This caused him to check his vault constantly making sure it was all still there.

Now I ask you, where is your focus? Do you buy things just to have something to play with? Do you hoard up your money to try to gain power and respect from others who have less? You do not have to answer these questions in comments. Just answer yourself with an honest heart.

Psa 119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

The word blessed in this verse and other verses throughout the Bible means happy. The word walk suggests moving toward something. Undefiled means clean in every possible way. It means unpolluted in any way. I wrote above that money is sought after by many in the world today. They seek happiness by gaining money which in turn brings power and respect. The power and respect gained by being rich are both false. The respect is not for the one who is rich, but for the money the rich has. The power will only last temporarily because money will eventually fade away. (1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil:)

Does Fulfilling Desires of the flesh Bring Happiness?

Others think fulfilling pleasures of the flesh will make them happy. They do anything they want to do in the hope of fulfilling their carnal desires. The things we think will make us happy often have the opposite affect upon us. Only a life devoted to God completely will bring happiness to us. We must give Him all that we are able to give and hide His Word in our hearts. Living a life of integrity and abstaining from potential defilements which could bring us pain and anguish.

God requires us to walk in HIs ways and abandon selfcenteredness and sensual indulgences.

Psa 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

To keep His testimonies means we walk in His Word completely. These testimonies are often considered restricting and negative. The Psalmist says they bring blessings (happiness). Can happiness be restricting or negative? In order to keep His testimonies, we must study, understand, and hide the Word of God in our hearts. (Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. )

Why are so Many Unhappy?

Failure to read the Word of God makes it impossible to know the Word of God. It is possible to know the words of the Bible and still not know the meanings.

Understanding doesn't come in an instant. It is a process which takes time, not because God is lacking but because we lack the ability to absorb everything that God has given us. ( Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; ) Understanding comes as we are enlightened by the Word of truth. it takes time to understand. It is like a child in school. Most first grade students can't do high school algebra. Some will not get it even when they go to high school. Others will get it when the time is right (but then only if they desire to get it).

Happiness

 We must love His testimonies. If we do not love the Word of God, we will never understand it. When we understand that the Word of God comes from a God who loves us and wants to give us His best, we can then be happy and we will love His ways. It is impossible to love God and reject His Word. We read about many who say they love God, but yet they refuse to accept His Word. Let's not be like those who have no understanding. Let's be more like Lazarus who died and was comforted instead of being like the rich man who died and was in torment. Let us not be like the prodigal was before he realized where he was and who he was. It wasn't until he came to himself and realized his position in life, that he was able to come home to his father.

Finally, keeping His testimonies means to obey Him. His Word does more than just teach the mind. His Word also gives guidance and direction in life bringing us to a place where we can find peace and happiness. It isn't enough to only know His Word, but it is essential to also do His Word.

What the Cross Means to Me

The cross to me is a symbol of death and torment. Jesus was nailed to the cross and died the death of murderers and thieves. He said we should pick up our crosses and follow Him. To do this we must go through all that Jesus went through. We must die the death reserved for murderers and thieves. This is not a literal death as in dying of self-inflicted wounds. It is the death of the ungodly desires of the flesh.

I must carry my own cross at all times and make sure that my flesh is under subjection to the spirit. This is what the cross is for. We hang our sinful desires on the cross and crucify them. Jesus became sin so that we would not have to die a literal death. Paul wrote about carrying this old body of death. We do that daily. We can be as spiritual as anyone, but we still carry the body of death with us.

This is all personal to me. It is how I see things myself. All believers must carry their cross with them wherever they go. To hang your flesh on the cross is to be like Jesus. We are the body of Christ and should have the mind of Christ in us. Christ went to the cross willingly and we should do the same.

The cross means salvation has come to any and all who will accept the offering of Jesus for their sins. It is freely given, though it cost Jesus His life.

He's Alive

Introduction

 This is the second poem I ever wrote. The first one is titled Jesus Died for You Too. I have written a few poems, but this is one of my favorites. It was written to encourage all believers who are bombarded daily by those who believe Jesus to still be dead.

I hope you enjoy this poem. It certainly is a blessing to me.

He is risen

“But now is Christ risen from the dead.”
- 1Co_15:20

You can find His grave and look inside but He is not there. You can go to the cross and seek Him there but He is not there. You can search high and low for His body and will not find it.

Jesus told the pharisees, "Tear down this temple and in three days, I will raise it back up." He is alive and behold He is alive forevermore. His place is in eternity never to be removed again. Because he lives, we can live also and no longer have to walk in death. We are no longer bound by the cuffs of the devil. Whom the Son has set free is free indeed.

He's Alive

The room is cold and dark,

Sealed with a mighty stone

You think you'll find nothing,

But you enter alone,

The stone was rolled away

Was removed from it's place,

You peer into the dark

Your heart. . . begins to race,

Not knowing what you'll see

You enter the room,

To see a stack of clothes

All you can feel is gloom.

You know that He's alive,

You run back out the door

You spread the word to all,

Spread it even more.

Nothing can stop this man

Not death and the grave

He is risen above

All of what Satan gave

To defeat Satan, one

Must follow Jesus' lead

All the way to heaven

To Him you must concede

Everything you have done

Will all be cast away

Forever forgotten

Our sins they cannot stay

Why do you not accept

The offering of Jesus?

Everything that He did

So we could be sinless.

He lives still this day

Convicting of your sins,

Sitting at God's right hand

Giving us all. . . the win.

Luk 24:5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Luk 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Luk 24:7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.