Tag: charity

ASHAMED

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ASHAMED

By Rick Mathes

Romans 1:16 for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

The day has finally arrived for you to climb the golden stairway to the summit of the Hill of Zion and approach the throne of God. You were faithful and He was true to His Word. Now is the time to take that first step, trembling in excitement as you slowly pass walking the opposite way into the abyss of endless flames, you son. “Daddy, why didn’t you tell me about Jesus?” he sobs. There goes your daughter, wife, best friend hysterically calling back to you, “How could you have done this to us. You never shared the Gospel with us and now it is too late!” What would you respond to them.

I didn’t want to offend you. I didn’t want to look like a religious fanatic. You would probably ignore me. Religion is a private matter. Right now, get out a piece of paper and write out in a sentence why you aren’t telling souls destined to hell the way to salvation!. Now shot it to the Lord. Ouch? You bet Ouch!

To convince others you need to be convinced. “Evidence Deserves a Verdict” by Josh McDowell will reach your mind intellectually. “The Gospel According to Jesus” by John MacArthur Jr. will have you confessing Jesus as Lord like you never have had before. Once the realization that God became man, died for our sins and rose from the dad for our eternal redemption, you will never look back but you will press on, keep the faith, fight the good fight and finish the course laid before you.

To convict others of sin you must be convicted of sin yourself. Everything I communicate to others as a minister I first minister to myself. I figure that if it worked for me it might work for you. Then I pray that if I misspeak the truth that the Holy Spirit will change it to your hearing.

Lastly, to convert someone you must first be converted. All of these benchmarks convince, convict and convert mean absolutely nothing if the cross is nothing more than a sing or jewelry. How can you possibly be ashamed of Jesus? Then how can Then how can you hold back the good news from those you love when they have the spiritual cancer and you have the cure? What is your excuse and what is the Lord’s response to it?

FAITHFUL

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FAITHFUL

By Rick Mathes

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB77) 13  No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

There was once a time when a man’s handshake was his bond. Not anymore. There is no honor among thieves. There never was. The only thing you can rely on with the devil’s advocate is unfaithfulness. When the going gets tough it’s every man for him. You stand befoe the judge alone.

Not so with God, He is infinitely faithful and will always provide you with a way out of sin. He is established in righteousness and evil not only cannot comprehend Him it can’t occupy Him.

The incomparable blessing from this is that He will never give you more testing that you can bear. Yes, I said testing because Satan cannot tempt you without God’s permission and God doesn’t temp, He tests.

Our Lord’s unfailing faithfulness is jaw dropping. Let me ask you, what was he worst disaster or sinful act you have ever experienced? Did you survive it to glorify His name? Of course you did! Does He need to prove His faithfulness again? No. He will never leave you nor forsake you His faithfulness to you is everlasting into the very end of eternity. Where He is you will be: count on it.

This great faith He has in you was born in His faithful Son who loved you so deeply that He suffered and died for your sins. Jesus took the unimaginable punishment that the devil reserved for you.

Great faith begets great faith. Will you at least trust Him more than fear the world’s worst enticements to sin and death? Even though your body rejected His unconditional escape from the flames of hell, at least try to let your spirit soar to a safe place in His protective love and faithfulness to His Son and you.

Try with all that is within you to be worthy of His faith in you. He is vulnerable to any pain your rejection and sin may cause Him. Hasn’t He suffered enough for you? Thank Him for His unbending faithfulness and pray with all your might that you can reply in kind.