The Watchman and the Gospel

You have a choice, in which of these do you see yourself living? This one?

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” [Rev 21:3-4]

Or this one?

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” [Rev 21:8]

Our calling as Christians includes the privilege to participate in the biggest life saving project spanning 2ooo years so far, with only GOD knows how many people and under all circumstances you may imagine optimum and horrific. It is this: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [Matt 28:19]

The project was, is and continues to be sharing the gospel. The Apostle Paul was inspired by GOD to pen this: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” [1Cor 9:14] One way we preach the gospel is to share our own experience both vocally and by example. 

“But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [Gal 1:11-12] And so the same gospel is what we live and share.

This is a testimony of the effects of the  gospel on those that hear it and respond: “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” [Rom 10:15]

This was written thousands of years ago yet the principle remains as true today as it did then. We should not neglect our privilege to share the gospel. “‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' [Eze 33:6]

It even applies within the Church. “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. [Matt 18:15]

It is a tough world for most people now and not surprising as today’s headlines were already written down back in about 64 AD believe it or not. Here is what was written. 

“But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty,  blasphemers,  disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 3 having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, 4 betrayers, headstrong, puffed up [with pride],  lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power;  and from these turn away.” [2 Tim 3:1-5]

Also consider this opening to the Revelation of things to come that many should bear in mind. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. [Rev 1:7] Let this not be you.

Yet, the gospel has a focusing peace, joy and love that is not tainted by the world we live in. Words of ‘truth’ that is immutable. It brings life to everyone who accepts it. We were all on the path of destruction. It is simple, direct, yet intense and one never tires of the deep dive that only the Holy Bible provides. 

Not lastly but certainly worth reading is this strong statement. Let your imagination entertain you as you begin to see some of the many benefits of the Gospel of Jesus. If you can, read all of Chapter eleven in Isaiah.

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,

The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a little child shall lead them.” [Isa 11:6]

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

Walking Alone or with GOD -- Gospel

New Years Resolutions much?

As Chrisitians familiar with our cherished Word of GOD, the Holy Bible, we know man generally just hums along thinking they will go here and there. But this: “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” [James 4:15]

If you made resolutions did you acknowledge GOD’s Will in your resolutions? Did you say I plan to live with an eye to healthy choice, GOD willing. Why shouldn’t HE be? That is a great choice to make in honoring the Holy Spirit dwelling within our body/temple. 

Resolutions, goals, dreams, everyone has them. Christians are no exception. Yet perhaps reviewing GOD’s perspective on our future new year should be a requisite each time we think upon it.

First off, as Christians who have dedicated our lives to our Lord, Jesus, we prayerfully remember each new day to allow for the following: “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” [Jer 10:23] So while we have perhaps embarked upon resolutions did we sincerely first check with the Lord? He is the ONE who does direct our steps.

If we have accepted the loving offer in John 3:16 to believe in Jesus is to not perish but have everlasting life the next step is to acknowledge our ‘nature’ as being sinful. As we tarry in contemplation of the life we have lived with all our mistakes, our sins, everything for which we may or may not feel guilty, we acknowledge our sin. It is  understood we must make a 180 degree about face from them and walk away. We have ‘faith’ the Lord is altogether willing to negotiate our new life choice with and for us is essential. 

Here is the step by step Biblical directions: ““8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 

• 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
• 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”Rom 10:8-11 Will not be put to shame. Isn’t that an incredible statement of truth? Who doesn’t want a do over. Actually, belief in Jesus is a new life in HIM not a do over of our old sinful life. 

In this behest we are encouraged to allow the Lord to work HIS miracle in your transformation:“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” [Rom 12:1-2].The greek word for transformed is metamorphoō. As you can probably guess the greek word looks alot like our word metamorphosis and that will clue you as to the changes you will begin seeing over time in your new life in Jesus.

As we wrap this up a couple of more guideline scriptures to keep in mind.

“All this I have seen, and there was an applying of my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, [during] the time that man has dominated man to his injury.”  [Ecc 8:9] All of human history supports this GOD inspired verse!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” [ Psa 37:23] Just ask the LORD to order your steps. HE is sovereign in your life but being humble and trusting in HIM it is good to ask. 

To be clear, this is not written to newly saved individuals only but rather an introductory idea of the progress one makes as they embark upon their everlasting journey with Christ Jesus. It is something all followers of Christ must bear in mind but also be reminded of from time to time. We get busy in our lives and before you know it there is not time nor energy to spend time with our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and High Priest. HE should be first thing in the morning, throughout your day and last thing before dozing off. Deserving of our trust having given HIS life for us our first and last thoughts are safe in HIS keeping. 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

 EM: lightwritingmatters@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.

From Christmas to the Gospel

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16

Most are familiar, or aware, of this statement whether they claim to follow Christ, or another religion or are indifferent altogether. It has been a bumper sticker, a T-Shirt message, spoken on religious radio and TV as well as by the media. And now YOU the reader have witnessed the statement as well.

There is context however many who are not followers of Yeshua Hamashiach, in English Jesus the Messiah, are aware in order to  grasp the core of the why and whosoever of this topic.

Consider the preceding verse: ““15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” and the following verses: ““17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “18“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” It helps to understand context. 

Regarding vs 14, the lifting up of a snake in the wilderness by Moses [Numbers 21:8-9] had the same life saving component as vs 16 [above] makes clear: Belief. Only those bitten by the poisonous snakes in the wilderness who went to Moses and believed that the snake pole that GOD told Moses to make would save them. But if they refused to go to Moses for that reason they died, each and every one of them. 

BELIEF/Faith is a powerful influence in our minds and hearts because it frames the outcome of so many of life’s challenges. However, belief in the machinations of the devil presented as miraculous while it will influence your choice it does not always end well. In fact, it generally corrupts logical thinking and begins to gnaw away at a faith based on the Bible for the one whose armor was not sufficiently donned or incomplete in it’s suit up.

The moral of this scriptural discussion is the ONLY way to everlasting life is BELIEF in Jesus’ perfection in birth, death, resurrection all combined provides the foundation that our heavenly Father required so that we may approach HIM in prayer because HIS SON’s sacrificial life imputes righteousness to us now when we are imperfect and incapable of righteousness beyond our attempts to only do the right thing.

So, the bottom line is it is up to each of us to accept the offer to live everlastingly through belief in Jesus as outlined in John 3:14-18. If you haven’t will you? 

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

If you need help, please feel free to leave a comment and I will respond.  †

DISCLAIMER: The thoughts published on this blog, in total, are the opinions, thoughts and considerations of the writer/author of every post published. It is assumed that research by the reader will lead the reader to their own conclusions. It is not the writer’s intent to make a judgment of anyone but to allow GOD’s Word to do what it does. “For the word of GOD is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from GOD’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:12 [NIV]

>>>>>>All artwork contained on this blog entry as well as archived/historical entries belongs to ©Lightwritingmatters 2015<<< permission must be requested and approved by the author to reproduce in any format and for any reason.√† 

 NOTE: Artwork not copyrighted by Lightwritingmatters 2015 stands with this statement: “no copyright infringement is intended” or is otherwise attributed.