Contending for the Faith Part 2

God never intended for Christianity to become a legalistic doctrinal concept of rules and regulations.  God will  write His laws within your heart as you embrace His Word. Christianity is a daily lifestyle! The HOUSE of GOD is supposed to be the PILLAR of TRUTH! Learn to  focus more on the Lord than upon your issues when you are in worship. Yes, be mindful and cognizant of what is going on all around you. For spiritual warfare persists everywhere…  And remember  your place of worship is supposed to be a place where the Spirit of the Lord is welcomed. Many gather and assemble together to worship, thank, honor, adore and praise GOD.  

It is written!

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy. He was concerned about what was going on during worship. He was well aware of the contentions as well as the false unspiritual teaching that was circulating. Paul charges Timothy as a Pastor to teach sound doctrine, war a good warfare, embrace his faith and steadfastly adhere to the Word of God. These concerns remain today. Paul writes;

“These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

But if I tarry long, that thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God, which is the Church of the living God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received into glory.” I Timothy 3

Jesus came to give us a better life!

Christ died so we could have an abundant spiritual life in every way. Yet today many make their issues the theme of life and ministry. Jesus did not come to build hospitals or mausoleums.  He could have built places of worship for all his disciples or simply spoke them into existence… Think about Joseph his earthly father was a professional carpenter. The Gospel is about Christ Jesus from the beginning.

Jesus came to give us a better life and to teach us the way; centered upon God. He came to overcome sin in the flesh and show us how to live victoriously in the Lord.  Everything was spoken into existence through Him and everything consists by and for Him. He came to share with us the beauty of His creation. And to direct us on; “the path of righteousness for His namesake.” Yes indeed, He died on the cross and rose with all power for us all to have an abundant life in every way.

Much is going on in these latter days.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils…” I Timothy 4

Jesus made no one feel comfortable in sin. It is so very important to know God’s Word for yourself. This way you will not easily be misled. Notice what happens  as  you read  His Word. Your understanding will expand and your faith will increase. You will learn how He always stood for what was right.  

Jesus was terribly misunderstood by those who should have known better.   He was falsely accused.  As a matter of fact it was the religious leaders that conspired to discredit Jesus and secretly sought to destroy Him. How ironic they called Him evil. All due to their own insecurity. They actually chose to go into denial rather than embrace the principles of Truth of His Word.  Does any of this sound familiar?

The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin!

No, things will not always go your way. But the Lord can bring you through any situation with His peace. He wants you to draw closer to Him everyday. God has a plan for your life. It is our choice to discover it. For; “Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life!” The Bible is the inspired Word of God. “It is a Lamp unto our feet and a Light unto our path…”

The gift of Salvation and Eternal Life is one of the most precious gifts one can ever receive. Along with that gift comes the promise of His Holy Spirit; the Comforter and ultimate internal Teacher. As you learn and apply His Word it will be written upon the table of your heart. Your desire to live for the Lord and contend for the faith will grow.

Jude extends to us mercy, peace and love in abundance through Christ Jesus.  When Jesus ascended to heaven He fulfilled that promise that; the Holy Spirit would come. Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure. He knew when He came that He would eventually return to Heaven. At His appointed time Christ Jesus will return for His Church that still remains.

He told them “Nevertheless I tell you the TRUTH. It is to your advantage that I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they do not believe in Me, of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, BUT you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into All truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come…” JOHN 16

Deliverance is possible

Jude known as the brother of Jesus Christ tells us that we have a duty to fight for GOD’S TRUTH! Not in a physical carnal way. Our weapons are not carnal! But they are mighty. We must daily stay adorned with the spiritual armor.  For we can pull down strongholds… Deliverance is possible.

As believers, our lives don’t belong to us for we belong to God. The Apostle Paul teaches us the importance of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “PRAY also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the GOSPEL, for which I am an Ambassador in chains. PRAY that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” See Ephesians 6

Without doubt we are in the last days and the Word of God is being fulfilled! Look around and be attentive to all the worldwide perils that continue to daily persist. We need not be afraid but prayerful! It is important to persevere knowing that God is with you. For GOD is omnipresent.

Jude says: “But dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you. Who follow mere natural instincts and DO NOT have the SPIRIT. But you, dear friends build yourself up in your most HOLY FAITH and pray in the HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves up in God’s LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh…

There is no recession in heaven

One must only watch the news, read the newspaper or search online to see that time is near! By the way; everything you see or hear that is going on via face book is not true. Daily; just about “Anything goes!”  This world is on a “Slippery Slope!”  There is was not only ongoing consequences from the   Economic Recession but a “SPIRITUAL RECESSION” continues as well. 

But know this; THERE IS NEVER LACK OR A RECESSION IN HEAVEN! Many of our churches are sometimes allowing carnal worldly teachings… Bible study on some occasions have even turned to group think and mind conditioning.  Often ridded with many coded messages to point out those who do not conform to the group. God never intended for us to give up our individuality.  Uniformity is not the same thing as unity. 

Righteousness

Respect for God and His Word are  all too often laid aside; carnality takes the forefront because somebody says; “I’m human” The time of increased Apostasy is definitely here! Meaning the abandoning of Faith. LORD HELP US! Anyone can be subject to error.  Remember, when someone says something that you know is not true.  Know that it is not from GOD! This is why we all need His Holy Spirit to convict the heart of sin and keep us pointed unto righteousness. What is righteousness? It is right living and thinking in the eyes of God! Sin is anything that separates us from God! Jude says: Remember Sodom and Gomorrah?  well, God has not changed. This is why Jesus left us His Holy Spirit!

Live or begin to live each day; “To GOD BE the GLORY!” Having an encounter with God regularly will bring you closer to Him.  Take time throughout your day to “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!” Shift your mind to the Lord continuously.  This is how you stay connected to the Lord.  Remember God is omniscient He wants to open your understanding and make you even more aware. He can and  will open your “spiritual eyes.” This is also why we must daily contend for the Faith, so know His Word and stand firm! 

Thank You Holy Father for sanctifying us through Christ Jesus and calling us  as your Elders/Ministers and Ambassadors. We are not called to conform to this world. But to uphold HIS WORD. We are called to to daily “Contend for the Faith!”

REPENT!!!

If you have grown slack in your commitment to God; He can speak renewal and strength into your heart. If you are depressed or oppressed  He can lift you up and take you to wherever you need to be. When GOD says He can deliver you HE CAN! However, you must humbly submit to HIS WILL and diligently pursue TRUTH!

GOD can bring a plan and a purpose into your life like no other. This is what Jude leaves us with;  “To HIM who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great JOY to the only GOD and SAVIOR be GLORY, MAJESTY, POWER and AUTHORITY, through JESUS CHRIST our LORD, before all ages, now and forevermore! AMEN!!!”