Encouragement of Hope

Don’t Listen to the Lies, Remember What God Says

encouragementofhope — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:20:25 +0000

Has the voice inside you ever told you that you are not good enough? Has it said that you are dirty, rotten, and worthless? Do you ever feel like God will never love you, or forgive you because you have done too many bad things? Those thoughts come from the enemy. His name means accuser. He is the father of lies (John 8:44). He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for those whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8-9). His only goal is to get back at God, but God is way too power. So, the devil gets back at Him by destroying the lives of humans. Too often, I listen to the enemy’s lies. I don’t live in the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He hit him with Scripture. So, let us look to the Word and see how God handles satan’s accusations.
In Zechariah 3, we see the devil coming against Joshua (Jeshua) the high priest. Now remember Israel has done some pretty bad stuff (a lot of idolatry). As a result, God sent them into captivity. Joshua was a part of the first group of Israelites to come back home. The devil tries to appeal to God’s holiness. He tries to discredit the Israelites because of their past sins.

Zech 3:1-3 (NLT) states, “Then the angel showed me Jeshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. The Accuser, Satan, was there at the angel’s right hand, making accusations against Jeshua. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.’”

I love that text. God, himself, rejected the claims. At the LORD’s rebuke the devil must leave! The LORD has chosen His people. Joshua was like a burning stick that would have been burnt up if it were not for the work of Christ!

When we are truly a child of God nothing can separate us from Jesus’ love.

Romans 8:35-38 states, ”Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The rest of the text of Zech 3 talks about how Joshua stands before an angel with dirty clothes. Next, the angel takes the dirty and stinky rags. Then he gives him festive robes and a new turban. I love the picture of this. This is what justification through Jesus is all about. Not only does God dismiss a believer’s sin, but God now looks at that believer with the righteousness of His Son, Jesus!. Now when the devil lies to me I only need remember how the Father looks at me. (Rom 3:21-26).

Eph 2:10 states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So remember if the enemy tries to get you down. Remember who you are in Christ and what Scripture teaches. This may mean you need to get into the Bible more to learn what it says. If you are not in Christ. Then really think about what He has done for you and how much He loves you. Jesus died and rose again for His glory and so that you could have a right standing with Himself. Also, you will share His righteousness.

Have a great day!!!!

Tell someone about Jesus!!!!

God’s love

encouragementofhope — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:08:44 +0000

In 1 John 4, Scripture tells us “God is love.” Most people would agree with that statement, but what does that really mean? So, let us look at what God’s love does not mean, what it does mean, and what should be a believer’s response to the love of God.
God’s love does NOT mean tolerance. The first part of John 15 talks about if one does not remain in Jesus, that person will lead a fruitless life. That person will be cut off and sent to hell. Jeremiah 16:5 states, “ For this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not enter a house where there is a funeral meal; do not go to mourn or show sympathy, because I have withdrawn My blessing, My love and My pity from this people,’ declares the LORD.” God Hates sin. He must hate sin or else He would cease to be God. Because God is Holy, He must love righteousness and hate evil.
How would one describe God’s love? Ephesians 2:4 describe it as “Great.” Jeremiah 31:3 talks about God’s love being everlasting. Romans 8:35 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Once God has saved a person NOTHING can separate that person from Jesus’ love. John 14:21 says, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.” Ephesians 3 talks about Christ’s love as being so huge that no one can fully comprehend it.
Now, what does this mean for the believer? First off, one must understand that one can only love God because He first loved that person (1 John 4:19). How can dirty, stinky, raggy, unclean, and deserving-hell sinner love a perfect and just God? They can’t. While a person is still an enemy of God, He laid down His life for them. Jesus’ love is sacrificial, and if one wants to be more like Jesus that person must laid down his life for Jesus. 1 John 3:1 states, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” How awesome is it to be called a child of God? Jesus said that if we love Him then we must obey Him. We must respond to the love of Christ with obedience. Also, the God of love should always make one go wwwwoooohhhhoooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Have a great day!

Tell someone about Jesus today!

Christian-A Dangerous Title to Claim book out now

encouragementofhope — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:03:28 +0000

A really good friend of mine has just finished writing a new book. It is out now.

Press Release ~ Now Out!

Posted: 30 Nov 2009 09:23 PM PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jeremy B. Strang Writes Book, Christian, a Dangerous Title to Claim

Jeremy B. Strang writes book, Christian, a Dangerous Title to Claim

CARLSBAD, N.M.—November 10, 2009—Holy Fire Publishing (www.christianpublish.com ) releases:

Christian, A Dangerous Title to Claim (Paperback, US$12.00, ISBN# 978-1-60383-257-1). Jeremy B. Strang challenges believers to reevaluate their Christian commitment.

“It is what you are not being told: it is what most people do not know; it is what the majority of pastors are afraid to preach . . . [and] it is time to stop playing [at] Christianity and to find out the truth about yourself.”—Jeremy B. Strang

Christian, a Dangerous Title to Claim boldly challenges readers to examine the depth of their commitment to Christ. Whether used in discussion groups or for personal introspection, Strang’s probing questions will help readers understand that claiming the Christian faith is a dangerous claim, because it not only requires submission to Christ, but also “promises persecution, and [demands] a lifestyle backing the verbal claim of faith.”

Strang’s book, Christian, a Dangerous Title to Claim, calls professing Christians to action: “[Who] dares to stand up for the truth? Now, I am not talking about standing against abortion, although we should. I am not talking about standing against the godless immorality of our culture, although we should. Nor am I talking about standing against the mistreatment of Scriptures by crooked politicians, although we should. I am talking about standing firmly against our own corruption and selfish desires, against the sin which is engrained within us. I am talking about standing up in our homes as leaders of our families and of leaders within our churches. Though many talk of spiritual reformation, who will become indigenous missionaries to the blind Christian culture and lost churches in America?”

Jeremy Strang believes “men void of the Holy Spirit will show themselves to be hypocrites. Without the power of the Holy Spirit bringing new birth, true biblical manhood cannot be found, and brings catastrophic results. The eyes of such men are blind to the truth […] when a man’s lifestyle contradicts his profession of faith, he lives a lie. Taking the name of Jesus Christ is no game. […] A lack of commitment to God’s Will blinds others to the truth, robs us of true salvation, and damns our children to hell.”

“My friend Jeremy Strang has experienced the traumatic consequences of living life with only partial knowledge of and adherence to the truth. Throughout the world millions of people are perishing! [They] experience emptiness, frustration, hopelessness, and in some cases, false hope because their faith is affixed to only half of the truth. Many have never heard, understood and believed in the whole gospel; we have listened to, received, and bought into only half of the truth. If this has happened to you, then you understand the harsh reality awaiting those who die in ignorance. In this book, Jeremy faithfully presents the full truth of the gospel and the Word of God. It is only by hearing and believing in the whole truth that we are saved. Ask yourself, “Have I heard and believed in the whole truth, or just a part of it?” Peace, joy, comfort and hope await those who hear, receive and seek to live out the full truth of the gospel. So read on and ask the Spirit to speak to your heart.”—Steve Shullanberger, pastor

Jeremy B. Strang, 37, lives in Carlsbad, N.M., with his wife Patricia, daughter Madison, son Isaac, and expecting their third child. Jeremy is an area representative for Voice of the Martyrs and volunteers for Gospel for Asia. All proceeds go to support indigenous missionaries and persecuted Christians around the world. Contact him at his website: www.urgencytorise.com.

Holy Fire Publishing (www.christianpublish.com), publishers of hundreds of Christian books, helps Christian authors reach the world through the printed word.

Be like Jesus– grow in holiness

encouragementofhope — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:21:12 +0000

God said, ”wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong (Is 1:16).” What is this verse talking about? Holiness. The main goal of a Christian is to look more like Jesus! First, we must understand what holiness is. Next, we must realize the reasons to grow in holiness. Finally, the consequences of not growing in holiness are examined.

Holiness is “separated, marked off, placed apart, withdrawn from common use. The Scriptures declare God is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Rev 4:8, Is 6:3). The Bible emphasizes the fact that God is Holy. I do not recall any other attribute of God that is stated three times in a row to add to the importance of the Holiness of God. God is perfect in every way. God by His very nature is Holy. Some might say “angels are holy beings right? They have never sinned.“ Paul Washer said, “It is because holiness is not primarily a reference to God’s sinless perfection, but to His transcendence above even the greatest of His creatures.“ God cannot sin, take part in sin, approve of sin, or be anything less than perfect. Again, if God could be anything less than Holy, He would cease to be God!

The reason to be holy is because it is commanded of us. God calls Christians to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15,16). The LORD tells people to love and forgive, but not to be love and not to be forgiveness. Moreover, He tells His people to be holy. As Christians, we need to be separated from this world. Becoming more like Jesus will result in holiness. The Holy Spirit does this work in our lives (1 Peter 1:2). We need to be holy because of Jesus 2 Cor 5:14-15 states, ”For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (See also Rom 12:1-2 and Eph 4:22-24 for verses on holiness)

What happens if we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to make us holy? Eph 5:5 states, “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Is 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Psalms 5:4-5 says, “You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with You the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all who do wrong.”

To often I find myself not growing in holiness. If I say I love Jesus then I should keep His commands. When I find I am not growing in holiness I need to put my focus back on Jesus and not on my self. 1 Samuel 6:20 states, “The men of Beth-shemesh said, ‘who is able to stand before the LORD, this holy God? And to whom shall He go up from us?’” The answer is Jesus!

Trust Jesus today!

Tell someone about Jesus today!

God Will Provide!!

encouragementofhope — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:46:09 +0000

Too often I forget that God has done great things for me. I get stuck, and I forget about His Goodness and the way He provides. Circumstance of life may cause me to worry and wonder how things will be taken care. I need to trust the Savior, Jesus. If God did nothing more for us than die on the Cross, then that is more than enough. Not only does He give us a way to be in a right relationship with Him, He looks at us with the righteousness of Jesus! That is awesome!

God provides everything for His creation. First, let us look at the Israel in the wilderness. God has just rescued them from four hundred years of slavery; He has promised them a great land; and He provides manna for them everyday. But the people can only remember the great food they ate in Egypt. The people say they would much rather be in bondage and eat good food then to be free and eat manna. (Is not this how sin is, sometimes we only remember the fun of it and not how horrible it really is ?) God even tells Moses He will provide meat for the people. Remember Moses has seen first hand the miracles the LORD did in Egypt, Moses wonders were God will get the meat. God says

“The LORD answered Moses, ‘Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.’” (Num 11:23)

I need to remember Philippians 4:19 more often

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

That is just an awesome verse all our needs are supplied through JESUS. Think about how rich is God and be careful not to underestimate God’s riches?

Romans 2:4 states, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

In closing, if you are God’s child, He will provide for you. This next verse talks about God providing for our needs and not our wants. Since God provides all that we need we should worship Him and serve Him with all our heart.

2 Cor 9:8 states, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

LET JESUS BE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIVE!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

TELL SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS TODAY!

Trust Jesus

encouragementofhope — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:42:13 +0000

As I see the world around me too many people are hurting and depressed. It feels like at times that people just don’t care. I fall victim to that because I get wrapped up in what I want to do instead of being lead by the Holy Spirit. I tell God alot of things, but what I need to do is listen. What I need to do is trust Jesus! The world needs to trust Jesus! God by His very nature cannot lie. So when Jesus tells us that we will have trials; we must believe Him. He will take care of us if we trust Him.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage;I have overcome the world.”

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Every difficult ordeal can lead to growth in the LORD if we use them to trust Jesus more.

I heard this story on a sermon today(Adrian Rogers): A man was watching a caterpillar coming out of a cocoon. He thought that he would help the caterpillar turn into a butterfly. There was a slit the caterpillar was started to make in the cocoon. So, the man took his knife and opened it completely for the butterfly. The butterfly fell from the cocoon. It feebly tried to move its wings but eventually died.

The young butterfly needed to make the muscles need to fly by beating against the cocoon, eventually breaking it.

The trials in life can make us stronger in God if we trust Jesus!

One must never think that if one is going through “stormy times” then he or she is out of the Will of God.

Look at Job.

After Jesus feed the 5,000, “He made the disciples get into the boat.” (Matt 14:22) Jesus knew there would be a storm coming. Look at Matt 14:33 which concludes that section about Jesus walking on water: “And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying ‘You are certainly God’s Son!’” God’s Glory was shown through the mist of the storm. Peter would have walk alot farther on the water had he trusted Jesus more.

Trust Jesus!

have a wonderful day!

Tell someone about Jesus today!

Extreme Vision Ministries

encouragementofhope — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:50:11 +0000

My church just started a blog. We are a small house church. Where we just learn about our awesome Jesus. The community is great. check it out

extremevisionministries.wordpress.com

There is a really awesome challenge.

Street Evangelism

encouragementofhope — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:42:51 +0000

God has been teaching more and more how to witness to others. We need always be lead by the Holy Spirit because without Him we witness for selfish ambitions. In order to be effective we must be prayed up. We must always remember that it is a duty of a Christian to share their faith with the lost. A great way to starting talking about things of the LORD is when you go to a restaurant when the server brings you your food say to them “I am a Christian and I am going to pray for my meal, is there anything I can pray for you?” Almost everyone will say something. This may lead to a deeper conversation about God.

I hear someone say the other day that we are witnesses not lawers meaning God calls us to bear witness to what He has done in our lives and we cannot arugue someone into heaven. So don’t try.

Always use the law to show people their sin. I want to be honest with people I will tell them you know I fall terribly short of keeping the law like you do, but I know JESUS HAS PAID MY FINE. HE HAS PAID MY SINS WITH HIS BLOOD! And with the LORD’s help I repent and turn from my sins. Jesus said in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?”

2Cor 5 :11-21 ¹¹Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹²We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

¹⁶So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹God made Him who had no sin to be sin^[a] for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Wow great stuff we should only be a part of street evangelism because we love Jesus. God is making His appeal through us! When we are truly born again God does not count our sins against us, that blows my mind. I need always be remember that Is 64:6 states

⁶But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

So let Jesus’ righteousness shine thru you!

have a great day tell someone about Jesus!

God is the answer to economic problems

encouragementofhope — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:52:47 +0000

Turn on the news the first word you probably will hear is recession. With so many people struggling today, let us look to God’s Word for encouragement. I want to begin with Matt 6:33 states,”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus never promises wealth, He never promises the “American dream” He says, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matt 28:20).

I strongly believe that the sinfulness of the world is why there are economic problems today. We as a people need to drop to our knees seek the God of the Bible for who He is. Choroncles 7:14 states,”and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My faced and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Listen to this John 9:31 says,”We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. I used to be a top notch sinner. I would boast about the sin I would commit. Drunkenness was a way of life for me. Until! God saved me! Now, God looks at me and sees the Righteousness of Christ. So, if we want God to hear our prayers we need to surrender to Him in all things!

God says in 2 Chronicles 24:20, “Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.’”

Listen to what happens when someone seeks God. Uzziah was king of Judah 2 Chronicles 26:5 states, “He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.” Too often in my life I give God control for a while then I take control back then He convicts me then hopefully I listen and give control back to Him. Uzzaih harden his heart trying to do life on his own. In verse 16 of that same chapter it states,”But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. “

I want the faith that Job had Job13:15 states,”Though He slay me, I will hope in Him Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. “ That is amazing, what faith in the LORD!

The great news is that God is in control even in the economy. He is sovereign. Nothing happens apart from His will. So if we are a child of God, He will take care of us. Nahum1:7 says,”The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

In closing it is not more social programs. government bailouts, or anything man can think of to fix the probelm, but it is all from God. 2 Chronicles 32:8 (talking about the king of Assyria) states, “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.”

So let us rely on God because only He can fix it!

Praise Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior

Tell someone about Jesus today!

Have a finer than frog hair split in 4 ways day.

Evangelism for GOD’s Glory

encouragementofhope — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:26:16 +0000

As my wife so reminded me the other day, what is the number one reason for evangelism? think about.

for the Glory of God

I recently heard a sermon my Arthur Pink entiled “Present Day Evangelism.” It was great here is the link http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=130910513010. listen and enjoy.

Getting back evangelism, it should only be done for God’s Glory. If one is to tell people about Jesus they must do it for the Lord and not for selfish-ambition. If you are doing it for yourself you are waisting your time. Or if one evangelises so one’s church attentence will increase you have missed the point. True evangelism needs to be only about God’s Glory. Matt 9:12 states,”But when Jesus heard this, He said,”It is not those who are healthy who need a physican, but those who are sick.” This is not saying that some people are good enough and are just “saved”; but it is saying the ones who can become saved are those who know they need a Savior like Jesus. Too many people I have run into have told me that are saved because they were baptised or they go to church and they are good people. This saddens me deeply because the Bible is very clear all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and God’s children are saved my grace through faith not works. Moreover, people just dont know that they are sinners because they are not told they are. Man is wicked from birth. He does not want anything to do with God. I know because i was there once, but praise be to God because he has worked on me and proved a way out through Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior.

In evangelism we need not give people false assurence. though one might say they are a Christian but life totally opposite the Word of God and “if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1John2:15). So the evangelist must preach about sin and what it does to a Holy and Just God. Pink said this that we need to preach a message to show people their moral depravity and this will push people away, but it is better to push people away than to push the Holy Spirit away because we are not preaching for God’s Glory. As I said before when need not be concerned about how many people are listening to us, but are we preaching truth. that without Christ people will go to hell. But all praise goes to God because He sent His son to be an attoining sacrifice so that we can have a way out, repent and believe the gospel of Christ. Luke 13:3 states, (Jesus speaking) “I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Friend if you have not repented and sought after God with everything you will die and be in hell. I love you too much to see that happend. So dont put it off another moment bring yourself to Jesus.

tell someone about Jesus today

have awesome day

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways knowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Prov3:5,6