SALVATION IS THE FOUNDATION OF ETERNAL LIFE

As I was reviewing last week’s message, one thing really stood out to me.  Actually, it was just one sentence.  It said salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  You know what, folks?  I have never seen or heard salvation presented in exactly that way.  I believe God dropped that nugget of truth into my spirit and said “Share this with everyone.”  That would be just for you, my friends.

Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service.  Everyone is welcome in this place.  The message of salvation is a very simple message that has been complicated by manmade religion and false and inaccurate teaching.  The book of John tells us what salvation really is.  Let’s turn to probably the most read, but also the most underestimated scripture in the Bible, John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

And that, church, is what we have been talking about for the last two weeks -  God’s love for us and the gift of his only begotten son to a lost and dying world.  Jesus had one mission, that being to reconcile us to God.  Jesus took on himself all the sin of this world so we could be set free from that very sin that had us in bondage and separated from God.  Jesus paid the price for our sin by being beaten, spit upon, publicly humiliated and finally nailed to a cross.  He had a spear pierce his side and was given vinegar to drink when he said he was thirsty. 

Little did the Roman soldiers and the unbelieving Jews at that time know that God was using their ignorance and evil actions to set the stage for the greatest miracle of all time -  the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Resurrection meaning, dying for us and three days later arising from the dead.  Returning to heaven to sprinkle his shed blood on the mercy seat of God.  This was received by God as the accepted and perfect substitute for us.

Our penalty for sin was paid fully by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Now, when you read John 3:16 again, you will see it in a much different light.  John 3:16 tells us clearly that if we believe in him, we will not perish due to sin, but will have eternal life with God and his son, Jesus Christ, forever. 

Let’s return to the thought I started with.  Salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  So what does that mean?  Let me put it to you this way:  Every doctrine of the Bible we hold dear to us, don’t we?  The doctrines of healing, deliverance, love, mercy and grace are not even possible or available to us without our receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  It makes no difference how good we are.  We could go to church seven days a week, confess our sins to the most sincere of priests.  Even live the Golden rule, treating others as we would like to be treated.  We could be the best of parents or spouses, the most reliable of employee or the fairest of employers, yet be lost and separated from God forever.

You see, folks, salvation is not based on our actions or intentions.  It is true, to be all of the above is a good thing, but it is not a saving thing.  Didn’t you ever wonder, folks, no matter how hard you try to be good, something always feels not quite right?  Well, what is missing?  The answer:  Salvation that comes only by receiving Jesus Christ into your heart – the true belief that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing him as the Lord and Savior of your life.  Remember John 3:16  said in effect that whosoever believeth on the son of God, which is Jesus Christ, shall not perish but  have everlasting life.  You know folks, in the book of Titus 3:3 we are told something about ourselves.  This scripture states:

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”

Now, does not that describe each of us in some fashion or other?  No matter how hard we try to not feel or do these things.  But, guess what happens when we turn to Jesus for forgiveness?   Let’s read on.  Titus 3:4-7 states:

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Is this all becoming more clear to you now?  My friends, we have all made mistakes in our lives, haven’t we?  Some by accident, some on purpose.  I have to tell you, church, as the above Bible scriptures have stated, no matter what spiritual, mental or physical state you are in, you may at this time turn to Jesus Christ.  His mercy and grace are available for you today. 

You see, God wants you to become an heir to all that he has.  The above scripture says that is possible according to the hope of eternal life.  That hope of eternal life is built on only one thing, church – the foundation of eternal life is salvation.  Salvation comes by only one way: Your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life.  Now look, I know I am repeating myself here.  Do not think for one moment that it is not on purpose.  I want you to get this.  Your eternal life with God and his son, Jesus Christ, depends on it.   Let’s look at Ephesians 2:8-9 and we will begin to wrap this message up.  This scripture states:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  It is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Now, does that not sum up all that we have preached these last three weeks?  Salvation is the gift of God just for you and for me.  A gift however, is only of value to you if you receive it.  Listen to me, just stop whatever you are doing or thinking at this time.  Clear your hearts and minds folks and repeat after me:  Jesus, I believe God raised you from the dead and I am coming to you a lost sinner.  Please cleanse me from all sin.  I receive you Jesus into my heart and I confess you as Lord and Savior of my life.  I believe at this moment I am saved.

This is important, folks.  If you said these words and meant them in your heart, you are saved and a child of the living God.  I told you last week this message would be the conclusion to the message on salvation.  But to be truthful with you, there is no conclusion to the message or God’s gift to you.  God loves you and he desires you to be reconciled to him.  This includes you, believer who have walked away from God.  Come on back home this day.  God has been available to you all from your first breath and will be available to you until your last breath.  Salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  Jump on that foundation, folks, and don’t let go.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

JESUS SAID: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN (Part II)

We ended the message last week with a scripture that detailed a very important truth.  That truth being this:  There are two different types of birth available to each person on this earth.  The first birth is not by our choice but the second birth is only by our free will choice.  Let’s look at John 3:6-7 again for confirmation of the above statement.  Jesus is speaking here.  John 3:6-7 states:

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.”

Is it not clear that Jesus is saying that he knows we all had a natural birth, but to be reconciled to God we must be born again by the Spirit of God?  Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service.  Everyone, let me repeat myself, everyone is welcome in this place.
  
Now listen to me folks, Jesus did not say you possibly should be born again.  He did not say it would be just a good idea to be born again.  No.  He said you must be born again.  Just as you received life by your natural birth, you can receive eternal life from our heavenly father.  By the way, eternal life means forever.  Do you get that?  To receive eternal life with God and his son, Jesus Christ, you must be born again.  You see, folks, Jesus came to this earth to give you the gift of eternal life.  Notice I said the gift of eternal life.

Salvation is not something we can earn or deserve.  It is given to us as a gift from God as the holiest expression of love that we could ever think or dream of.   You know, folks, in the church world we talk about physical and mental healings, the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.  We talk about spiritual warfare and how we depend upon God for guidance and deliverance and so many other things.  But the truth is, without the born again experience that we know as salvation, God is not in it and all of the above would be as Solomon said in the book of Ecclesiastes – vanity of vanities or better translated as just empty nothings.  Now you know why I am presenting this message of salvation to you.

Let me say this to you – salvation is the foundation of eternal life.  It does not come by or through any denomination.   You can be born into a Catholic, Jewish or Protestant family.  Your parents, grandparents and other family members may attend one of the above or other types of churches, but none of that will save you from your sins or give you eternal life.

Salvation comes by only one way.  By receiving Jesus Christ into your heart and confessing him as Lord of your life.  Many years ago when the apostle Paul and Silas were in a jail for preaching about Jesus, a Roman jailer asked them the most important question a person can ask.  The question was this “What must I do to be saved?”  Tell you what, let’s read about this in the book of Acts.  The jailer fell down before Paul and Silas and helped lead them out of the jail they were confined in.  This is explained in Acts 16:30-31 which says:

“And (he) brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Notice Paul did not say believe on a particular church or preacher.  No, my friends, to be born again we must believe only on the son of God, Jesus Christ.  So, who am I talking to here?  Each one of you.  That is why no one is excluded from this online church.  I want you to know that what Jesus did by dying on that cross was just for you.  He paid the price for your and my sins.  Why?  Because of the love God has just for you and for me. 

You might ask “If I live a good life, work hard and provide for my family.  And if I treat others right, why must I be saved?”  A good question.  The book of Romans tells us why you should.   When our first natural parents and representatives of the human race fell into sin, the curse covered all future mankind.  From that time to now each person is born into sin and a sinful world.  So you can now see why we are in desperate need of the one and only Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 3:23 states clearly:

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Paul also said in Romans 6:23:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

There’s that word ‘gift’ again.  Ladies and gentlemen, this scripture shows us clearly the goodness and love of God toward us, doesn’t it?  Although we were born in sin and deserved the sentence of death and separation from the Holy God – he said no!!  He would make a way for us to be reconciled to himself.  That my friends, is when Jesus comes into the picture.  He is the gift of salvation to each of us.  God loves us so much, he sent his only begotten son as a special gift and by him we may obtain eternal life.

You know folks, I have often told you the extreme ends of the Bible is not heaven or hell, but rather eternal life with God or eternal death by being separated from God forever.  That is why I said earlier the second birth is a birth of choice.  We can either accept the gift of salvation through Jesus, or we can reject it.  My choice is to be born again.  How about you?

You see, church, it is God’s desire that we come to repentance and walk with him.  Repentance means letting go of the things of this world and turning from sin to walk in the righteousness of God.  II Peter 3:9 will show you how much God desires us to be with him.  Let’s read it together.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise.  As some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Do you understand this, church?  God has promised salvation to all who would receive his son Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life.  This scripture is telling us that the promises of God are not like the promises of men.  The difference, God does not break his promises.   One thing I especially like about this scripture is this:  God is patient with us.  That’s what long suffering means.  God is the God of second and sometimes many more chances.  So, don’t give up on yourself.  God hasn’t given up on you.  You know why?  Because as this scripture says, God is not willing that any (that means you) should perish.  But that all should come to repentance.  What a wonderful God we serve.

My friends, this message isn’t over yet.  But as our Michigan pastor, John Bullock would often say – we just have to unhook here.  The message of salvation is the most important message you will ever hear.  So come back next week.  Part III of “You must be born again” will be a message you will not want to miss.



God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

JESUS SAID: YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Welcome back everyone to your 24/7, weeklong, online church service.  It is true, everyone is welcome in this place.  I trust that everyone enjoyed the holidays.  It is always fun and enjoyable to fellowship with family and friends, isn’t it?  We have survived another year of life.  All the trials, tribulations, and yes, the blessings of God have brought us to a new year.  2012 Is now upon us.

A new year with new promises.  The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries is glad to be a part of your life as we move forward in 2012.  You know, the start of a new year is a time of new beginnings, isn’t it?  New Years Resolutions abound.  By the way, how many of them have you broken so far?  Our prayer for you is that all positive spiritual resolutions you have made will come to pass.  Let’s make this a time to become closer to God and his son, Jesus.

As I’ve told you before, I always told my children, the closer you are to God, the better your life will be.  The farther away from God, the worse off your life will be.  Let’s go for the better life.  Does that sound good to you?  The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries is also looking forward to this New Year.  Our desire in 2012 is to give forth God’s Word to you in truth and by the Spirit of God.  This ministry is rededicating ourselves to sharing the revealed truth of the Word that God shares with us for you. 

Our New Years pledge to you will cover the following:  Please listen to me carefully, church.  No preacher of the Gospel knows everything there is to know about God.  Our pledge is to only preach from the Bible.  Anything the Spirit of God reveals to us through the scriptures, we will share with you.  Any part of the Bible we do not yet understand, we will not preach to you.

God has made it clear to me what our mission as an online church is.  We are to preach salvation and healing, both physical and mental.  We will also be teaching about deliverance from evil spirits.  Also, this year we will be teaching and preaching on and about the Holy Spirit.  We have not touched that subject much in the last two years, but this year we are ready to preach on this very important subject.  Let me say this, although we have not preached specifically on the Holy Spirit, we have always depended on the Holy Spirit for comfort, guidance and revelation. 

One other very important thing for this New Year:  Church, I am asking you very seriously – please pray for all prayer requests that are now posted and all future requests.  Let it be known your online church is a praying church.  These people are trusting us to lift them up to God for physical and mental healings, and for financial and personal needs.  Join with us as we pray daily for all prayer requests.  We are expecting great results from our prayers.   Yes, it is still true, God does hear and answers our prayers.

There is one other request for 2012.  We need to hear from you.  Please leave a comment after reading or listening to the messages we put forth.  Not every week, just when a message blesses you or you disagree with something we have taught or preached.  This is not just for us.  Other church members need to hear your testimonies or questions.  Let’s encourage each other by two-way participation.  We want to hear from you.

Well, I believe we have covered quite a bit of church business here, don’t you?  I want to start this New Year by touching on the subject of salvation.  God in his infinite goodness saw that man needed a way to be set free from the bondages of sin.  God loves us, ladies and gentlemen.  He desires that we be reconciled to himself.  He wants us to be his children and not just his creation.  This is illustrated beautifully in John 3:1-3.  Jesus in this scripture explains what being born again really means and why it is so important.  Let’s read John 3:1-3 together.

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him.  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

You know, Nicodemus sort of expressed what people of today think.  They have heard of Jesus, but who is he really?  Just a good man, or really the Son of God?  Jesus decided to just lay it all out for Nicodemus and for us all.  Once Jesus told Nicodemus he had to be born again, a question was asked.  Let’s  continue with John 3:4-5.  Consider carefully this question and the answer.  It is life changing.

“Nicodemus said unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?  Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

So what did Jesus mean born of water and of the Spirit?  He is talking about your natural birth when you were born as a baby and also about a spiritual birth.  Water?  Natural birth.  Of the Spirit?  Spiritual birth, which is brought about by God alone.  Just for the record, when Jesus speaks of water here, he is not speaking of water baptism as is sometimes taught.  But, isn’t that a natural and normal question Nicodemus asked?  This information is just for us folks. The reason many people make fun of the term born again, is that they have no idea what the Word of God says about the subject.  Jesus goes on with the explanation in John 3:6-7.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I have said unto thee, ye must be born again.”

What great scriptures we have just examined.  We will continue with Part Two of this message next week.   Stay with me, friends.  There are some very exciting things ahead for us all in the year 2012.

God Bless You,

Bro. Bob

Happy Holidays To Our Online Church Family

The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries extends our best wishes and prayers to our online Church family. This is a time to enjoy family and friends. We will return January the 8th with new and current messages. God Bless you and always remember, God loves you the best. Have a great and blessed holiday season. We are looking forward to seeing you again on January 8th, 2012. 

God Bless You, 

The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries 

Brother Bob Baker, Victoria Baker, 

Justin Rocque

Special Notice: We are presenting a special Christmas music video, "Oh Holy Night" sung by Celine Dion. You do not want to miss this one!! 

FEAR NOT MARY

Another year has passed us by, and once again we find ourselves one week before Christmas.  Let the games, the fun and the stress begin.  My suggestion to each of you is this:  Look at your budget closely and however much you plan to spend on gifts, cut it in half.  Gifts always look good on Christmas day, but some of the glow seems to disappear when the bills start rolling in.  Well, am I right or wrong on this?   Let me welcome everyone to your 24/7, weeklong, online church service.  Everyone is welcome in this place.

Thank you for taking the time to read or listen to this message.  I trust you will be blessed by the Word of God that we preach to you this week.  My second suggestion is this:  Put all the trappings of Christmas aside and put the birth of Jesus front and center.   Please parents, read the Bible account of the birth of the son of God to your children.  Notice I did not say ‘read the story.’  The reason for that is the Bible account of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus is not just  a story.  In fact, the Bible puts forth a historical and factual report of the Savior of the world coming to this earth; the ultimate expression of God’s everlasting love for us.

An interesting experiment would be this.  Start today and actually take note of the percentage of time you put toward gifts, Santa Claus, parties and decorations.  Now, compare that with the amount of time and consideration you actually give to the birth of Jesus Christ.  You know, folks, even people who complain about Jesus being left out of Christmas might be surprised about what the percentages say about them.  This is not a rebuke, church, this is said to point out the obvious.  What you do with this message is up to you.

Let’s take a look at the Word of God and really read or listen to what the scripture has to say.  This is important information for us all.  Turn with me to Luke 1:26-28 and let’s read it together.

    “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.   And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee:  Blessed art thou among women.”

So there is the beginning.  A number of things can be brought out here.  The first thing to note is that there really were angels back then, and if you really study the Bible you will see angels are still here to minister to us today.  The second thing to notice is that Mary really was a virgin.  There should be no dispute about this.  The birth of Jesus truly was a supernatural and a true miracle of God.  The Bible identifies this young virgin as Mary.  A young virgin woman who was engaged to Joseph.  You can begin to see where this could be a point of dissension between Mary and Joseph, but hold on, I am now getting ahead of myself.

The angel Gabriel goes on to say “Hail”, which by the way is a form of greeting.  “Mary, you are highly favored, the Lord is with thee.”  Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it?  Do you really believe God would choose someone out of favor with him to become the mother of his only begotten son?  Of course not.  Gabriel says, “Blessed art thou among women.”  Listen folks, sometimes Catholics exaggerate this proclamation by Gabriel while at the same time Protestants often times try to diminish the importance of what the angel Gabriel was telling Mary and us.

Now, let’s continue reading Luke 1:29-33.  Listen church, I know you have heard this before, but I want you to really open your spiritual ears and hear the importance of what God is imparting to you here.  Luke 1:29-33 states:

    “And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.  And the Angel said unto her, fear not, Mary:  For thou hast found favor with God.  And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest:  And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

There it is, my friends.   The prophecy sent forth by God to Mary by way of the angel Gabriel.  You will notice the young Mary was troubled at first.  But, Gabriel gave her the same message that God imparts to us when we are troubled.  “Fear not.”   Luke 1:34-35 sums it all up for us.  Listen carefully now.

    “Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man?  And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee:  Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Do you get this, my friends?  That which was born of Mary is the son of God.  Now that is something to celebrate, isn’t it?  Now just in case you are wondering, an angel also appeared to Joseph and explained to him what was about to happen.  Joseph and Mary became husband and wife and the baby Jesus was born.  Do you not believe this historical happening to be more important than a mythical Santa Claus?  Well, I sure do.

Let me give you some homework for this week.  Read the Book of Luke Chapters 1-2.  Once you read the full accounting of the birth of Jesus Christ you will truly be blessed.  My friends, there are many things about the holiday called Christmas that are not based on Godly foundation or principle, but you can’t go wrong in remembering and telling your friends and family about the birth of the Savior of the world.

God Bless You,

Bro. Bob

WHO IS GOD….. PART II

Did you read last week’s message entitled, Who is God?  Church, we are laying out some very basic foundational truths for you.  We have been impressed that many of you need to be introduced to the God above all gods and his son, Jesus Christ.  It is also true that some of you believers out there need to be reintroduced to your heavenly Father and to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our mission is not to bring you to a point where you know about God, but rather that you know God.  Believe me folks, that is a very big difference.  Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service.  Everyone is very welcome in this place.

I am encouraging you to read or listen to last week’s message again.  This week we will add to and build upon our teaching and preaching on the subject, Who is God?  You stay with me church, and together we will be blessed as we ask and expect to see a God given revelation of who he is. 

One of the best ways to find out about anyone is to check out their testimony and what their past record shows us.  So let’s start there.  We will use the Word of God, which is the Bible, as our benchmark for truth.  Is that okay with you?    Please, turn with me to the Book of I John and let’s continue our journey toward a full knowledge of God.  I John 5:11-12 states:

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son.  He that hath the son hath life; and he that hath not the son of God hath not life.”

That, my good friends, is the record.  Let’s look a little closer here.  John was talking to believers, but what he says here would also apply to nonbelievers.  The truth is God’s son Jesus, paid the full price to set us free from the bondages of sin even before we were believers.  This was God’s gift to all of humanity.  You see, Jesus didn’t come to this earth to save a select set of people to form a big, private club.  No my friends, the gift of salvation is for whosoever would believe in Jesus and receive him into their hearts. 

In other words, they would accept the sacrifice Jesus did for them and would repent from their sinful ways and begin to learn and live for him.  This scripture does not end there, however.  It goes on to spell out the consequences of our decision to receive or reject the only begotten son of God.  Let’s be blunt here.  Accept equals eternal life with God and his son Jesus, reject equals  eternal death and separation from God forever – all this after our physical death.  Are you still with me?

Now, I’m sure some of you may disagree with me on this point, but if you do, you also disagree with the very literal interpretation of this scripture.  That having been said, I would love to hear your viewpoint on this subject.  My email address is at the right side of this message, just above the featured music video.  I John 5:13 goes on to say:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God.”

John clearly states that he is talking to believers by letter.  But, I surely believe if you nonbelievers out there make a decision to believe on the name of Jesus, this scripture can also be applied to you.  Let’s back up this point with another scripture.  Remember, we are talking about the attributes of God.  Number one being he is love and he shows his love to us.  You know, sometimes when we are reading a good book we can’t help ourselves.  We look at the back of the book because we desire to know what happens.  Well, tell you what.  Let’s go to the last book of the Bible right now.  Let’s check out Revelations 7:13-14.  Judge for yourselves if this scripture doesn’t line up what we have already given to you in this two part message.  Revelations 7:13-14 states:

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, which are these which are arrayed in white robes?  And whence came they?  And I said unto him sir, thou knowest.  And he said to me,  these are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (The Lamb being Jesus).”

This elder was talking to John.  The elder basically explained to John this was a very specific people that came out of tribulation.  Anyone out there in tribulation at this time?  In fact, the elder was talking about those who were saved by trusting in Jesus and what he did at the cross.  As believers, that would be you and me.  God is a rewarder to those that believe in him.   Revelations 7:15-17 goes on to say:

“Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple:  And he that sitteth at the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living  fountains of waters:  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Oh my, church, the true picture of our God is becoming more clear, isn’t it?  You have just had a glimpse of eternal life with our heavenly father; God dwelling right in the midst of us, not only spiritually but physically as well.  God will see to it personally that no longer will we struggle with things like poverty or thirst that cannot be quenched.  Jesus will feed us.  All of our needs will be met in person by the Lamb of God.

I want you to get this, my friends.  The last sentence in Chapter 7 of Revelations says “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”  In other words, all things that have ever caused us sorrow will be forever gone and forgotten.  All because of God’s love for us and by our returning his love by receiving his son, Jesus, into our hearts and confessing him as Lord of all.  So the question is, do you know God a little better now?  If you do, we have done our job.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob

Who is God?

Well church, Thanksgiving has come and gone, hasn’t it?  That is the day set aside to give thanks to God for our blessings.  Thanksgiving Day has passed, but in truth, giving thanks to God should never be set aside, should it?  Maybe we should take this week to take another look at our heavenly Father.  It may answer some questions as to why we should be thankful to him every day of our life.  Welcome everyone to your 24/7, weeklong, online church service.  We must emphasize again, everyone is welcome in this place.

The question might be asked, who is God?  What are his attributes?   What does he mean to us and why?  You know folks, oftentimes this online church talks about God’s love, mercy, grace and peace.  The reason we talk about these things is to show who God and his son Jesus really are.  The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament is a good place to start.  Please, turn with me to Deuteronomy 4:29-31 and let’s read it together.

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and all thy soul.  When thou art in tribulation, and all these things have come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;)  He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swear unto them.”

What a great description of God’s love for us.  God is saying from the first time you look to and for him, he will show himself to you.  My friends, God is not hiding from you at all.  My prayer for each of you is that God reveal himself to you in a very real and personal way.  Why?  So that you may be saved from the bondages of sin and that you may walk with him in victory right here on this earth.

This scripture clearly says that God is a merciful God.  He sees your human flaws, yet he says “I will never forsake thee, neither destroy thee.”  Do you get this, church?  God is a God of life and not death.  He desires us to know him and to follow his ways so we can have a better life today and forever.  Why, if you listen to some people, you would think God is ready to strike you with a bolt of lightning, when in fact, all he really wants is to show his unending love for you. 

Now, read these scriptures again.  Take special notice of the “ifs” in the scripture.  Remember, I always tell you to circle the ifs, buts and lest when reading the Bible.  They give you instruction on how to receive the blessings of God.  They also help you to avoid destruction and defeat.  I have often referred to the Bible as the Handbook of Life.  With good reason, don’t you think?

Another important aspect of God is his Word.  How many here remember the old saying – “He is a man of his word?”  Talking about men who would do everything they could to back their words with action.  Well church, let me put it to you this way – no one keeps their word more than God.  That is why you can trust the Bible.  It is the Word of God in written form just for you.  Let’s take a look at Psalms 119:89-91 for confirmation.

“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:  Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.  They continue this day according to thine ordinances; for all are thy servants.”

I hope you are getting this church.  It is these truths that will build your confidence and faith in the  Lord.  So now, we know God is always available to us.  We now understand God is not out to destroy us, but to give us abundant life in him.  We have pointed out once again that God is merciful toward us and isn’t that something to be thankful for? 

Now, we clearly see that God’s Word is settled in heaven, not just for the saints of old, but for all of us today and for all future generations.  Who would that include?  Well, how about our children, grandchildren and all future great-grandchildren?  The 90th verse says God will be faithful to perform his Words of Life to all generations. 

You know folks, we all desire our close relatives and friends to be faithful to us and us to them, don’t we?  But the truth is, that just doesn’t happen as much as it should.  But with God, it is just the opposite.  He is always faithful and he always will be.  Another scripture that highlights these aspects of God comes from Psalms 89:2, let’s check it out.  This scripture says:

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever:  With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.  For I have said, mercy shall be built up forever; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.”

Oftentimes when I pray, I thank God for his love and mercy that endures forever.  I understand one thing for sure, my friends, God’s love and mercy does endure forever.  But that love and mercy is not just for me.  No.  It is for all of you.  I am asking you to allow yourself to receive God’s love and mercy into your life today.

This goes for you no matter what spiritual condition you find yourself in at this time.  You may already be saved, yet far away from God.  You may not know or believe in God at this time.  But, just remember  how Deuteronomy 4:29 starts:  It says, but if from thence – so what does that mean?  It means from the time your thoughts begin to focus on God, he is there to help you. 

God has given his son Jesus Christ to die on a cross to pay for your and my sins.  He loves us that much.  The very least we can do is to accept that love and mercy so generously given to us.  Some of you need to email me today for further instructions, don’t you?  After all, this is your online church.

God Bless You,
Bro. Bob