But Who do you say that I am?

Matthew 16:16

In His travels one day, Jesus asked His disciples a question. "Who do men say that I am?"

"Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets," they all chimed in. This could have stemmed from the verse in Deuteronomy 18:18 where God says He will raise up a prophet amidst the people.

Then Jesus asked a very poignant question. "But who do you say that I am?"

Simon Peter spoke up and vehemently declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Peter recognized the true deity of the Jesus and confessed Him to be the long-awaited Messiah. No mortal man could heal the sick, raise the dead, even control the natural elements as this God/Man. 

Jesus is asking you this same question today. Who do you say that I am?

Is He the only begotten Son of the Loving God who died on a cross for your sin and rose again on the third day? Is He your Lord and Savior? Is He your soon coming King? 

If you can't answer a resounding "YES", then why not?

Jesus is the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, the Ruler of the whole universe, the redeemer of all mankind. He paid the ultimate price for you, enabling us to spend eternity basking in His Love and Grace.

Receive His Love today. Confess Him as your Lord and Savior, and you too declare along with Peter, "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God!"

People honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men.

Matthew 15:8

Jesus watched how people twisted the scriptures to profit from their own agenda. He quoted Isaiah the prophet.

These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

Isaiah 29:13

The Prophet Isaiah criticized the people for their hypocritical actions. Their claim to be close to God proved to be a farce by their continued disobedience, which eventually brought judgment upon themselves.

It's easy to quote just a portion of scripture when it benefits our cause, or makes us "look good" to others. We are told, "love your neighbor as yourself," yet how many of us go out of our way to actually help someone in need? We tell God we will do anything He asks, yet we won't even talk to our neighbor about their salvation. Many times we do things to be seen of others, not to please the heart of God.

Does any of this sound familiar? I've caught myself in this trap a few times. Matthew 6:2 tells us these kind of actions will give us man's reward, not our Heavenly Father's.

 If we truly love the Lord we will keep His commandments. If our heart really does follow hard after God we will want to obey His Word and do what He asks of us. 

I encourage you today to take inventory of your life. Where is your heart? Is it set on your own agenda or Father God's purpose? Are you wanting man's approval or the Lord's? The rewards and recognition this world gives is fleeting. I don't know about you my friend, but I desire my Father's eternal rewards. He is my Abba Father, my Daddy God. I choose to serve Him with my whole heart and be obedient to the best of my ability.

How about YOU?

If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

Jesus gave us a grave warning concerning unforgiveness. If we choose not to forgive others, God will not forgive us. We all know how very difficult it is sometimes to forgive others who have hurt us deeply. I've heard people say, "But you don't know what they did to me or my family. They don't deserve forgiveness."

You are absolutely right. They don't deserve to be forgiven. And neither to we! Yet Father God chose to forgive us our sins and shortcomings. By denying others their forgiveness, we are telling God we are a better sinner than them. God's forgiveness toward us is not the result of our forgiving others, but it's based on our realizing what forgiveness means.

Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us to, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

In God's mercy, He chose to send His only Son, Jesus, to pay the ultimate price for our sins. We were forgiven the moment He gave His life on the cross, carrying our sin and shame with Him to the grave. Then He rose from the dead, presenting His innocent blood before the Father. The work was complete. Now it's up to you and me to accept His payment for our sins.

Unforgiveness is just as deadly as murder, rape, incest, or any other horrible act toward others. King David was a man after God's own heart, yet he committed adultery, got the woman pregnant, then murdered her husband. Saul had many Christian put to death for their faith before Jesus got a hold of his life and changed him dramatically. He became Paul a great apostle for the Lord, suffered much for the Kingdom, and wrote the majority of the New Covenant.

We, as sinners, are all on the same playing field so to speak. We all fall short of His righteousness. Ask God to help you recognize any unforgiveness in your life. Make a choice today to have mercy on others as Father God had mercy on us. Don't allow Satan to trick you into holding a grudge or unforgiveness in your heart. Choose to forgive. Only then will we be truly free of our own sins.

Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

This is your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1

There is a big difference between a Savior and a Lord. A Savior is someone who saves you from something, someone who delivers you or rescues you from a dire situation. As a born again Christian, you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come to live in your heart. Jesus rescued you from a sinful life and the resulting punishment.

A Lord is a person who rules over people or situations. If Jesus is your Lord, He takes first place in your life. He requires your allegiance,your respect, your worship. Your body now belongs to Him if He is your Lord.

Romans 12:1-2 declares, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Under the Old Covenant, the people would bring their sacrifice to the priests who would kill the animal and place it on the alter to be burned. The spotless lamb represented their sins and became an act of worship to the Living God. This symbolized the Sacrificed Lamb of God, Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God, which would fulfill the old law and bring us into a New Covenant. God required obedience from the imperfect mankind, and the daily sacrifice bridged the gap, or paid the price for man's sin and unworthiness. But, Praise God, His love reached throughout the ages as He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the final price for all men from the beginning to the end of time.

Father God gave His best for us, shouldn't we give our best for Him? Because of His mercy and love toward us, shouldn't we be willing to give our best for Him? 

We are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him, to work through, to live through, to accomplish His will through. The life of God in us is transforming our minds to His will. He is changing us from the inside out. He is becoming our Lord.

So many times people say they gave their heart to the Jesus, but there is no change. There's no evidence on the outside. Jesus might be their Savior, but not their Lord.

I ask you today brothers and sisters, because Father God gave His best for us, shouldn't we give our best for Him? Today, choose to give your all to the One who loved from the beginning of time. Offer your body a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to Daddy God. Declare to everyone Jesus is your Lord and your Savior. This is your spiritual act or worship for all to see.

The Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life.

Luke 6:63

The Word of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit brings life. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we can't even begin to recognize our need for a new regenerated life in Christ Jesus. All spiritual renewal and growth begins and ends with our precious Savior, Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Living God.

The only alternative to spiritual life is death. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that you may have LIFE and that you may have it more abundantly." When we live to satisfy our flesh, there lies nothing but death and destruction ahead of us. However, when we allow the Word of God to live big in us, there is overwhelming LIFE, health, and joy as we grow in God. Death is swallowed up by the LIFE of God residing in you.

The God we serve is in the business of changing lives. He sent His only Son to die on an old rugged cross so that you and I could experience that abundant life which can only be found through Jesus Christ.

His Word is powerful enough to overcome anything you may be facing. It can destroy any and all strongholds. Whether, drugs, alcohol, nicotine, pornography, a bad temper, or anything else satan may try to destroy you with, the Word of God is more powerful. Nothing is too difficult for our One and Only True and Living God.

Our flesh will only bring death and destruction, but the Words Jesus spoke are SPIRIT and are LIFE. Get into His Word today. Study it. Plant it firmly in your inner being. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and bring healing, health, and LIFE to your spirit and your flesh.

The choice is yours. Life or death. Which will you choose?

One Nation Under GOD

This week we celebrate our independence day. This nation was founded on biblical principles and freedom of religion. Men and women down through the ages have fought and given their lives so that you and I can gather together and worship our Heavenly Father and do service for Him as we see fit.

God has truly blessed the United States of America. But in recent years our country, as a whole, has forgotten its great heritage. We are slowly becoming a nation of non God fearing people, lovers of pleasure instead of lovers of Almighty God. We kill our babies and call it choice. Sin is rampant and what used to be considered evil is now declared good.

But thank God, you and I have the power to change it, one person at a time. If you are a born again child of the most High God, you have the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit residing in you. The life giving blood of Jesus Christ flows through your spiritual veins.

There are people we come in contact with on a daily basis who don't know Jesus died for them that they might live. They are unaware Father God loves them unconditionally. There are those who we see on the street, in the store, at work, at school who are hurting, sick, depressed, downtrodden, who need Jesus.

It's wonderful to gather together with other Christians to worship Him and be fed the Word of God. But, what are we going to do when we leave this building? We are the light of the world! Will we do what we can to reach a dying world? Or, sit back and say, "Let someone else do it."

An old song MY HOUSE IS FULL by Lanny Wolfe says it very clearly.

There is peace and contentment in the Father's house today
Lots of food on His table, and no one is turned away
There is singing and laughter as the hours pass by
But a hush calms they singing as the Father sadly cries.

My house is full by My field is empty
Who will go and work for Me today?
It seems My children all want to stay around My table
But no one wants to work in My field.
No one wants to work in My field.

Many people go to church, call themselves Christian, but are we doers of His Word? We are to love the sinner but hate the sin. I want to challenge you today, listen to Daddy God's heart. We can make a difference in America, one soul at a time. If you love this great country YOU can BE the difference. YOU can BE the change!

"A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

That's a tall order Jesus gave His disciples. "Love one another as I have loved you." How did Jesus love us? He paid the price for our sins on the cross. 

How do we recognize love? Love gives. Father God loved the world and gave His Son. Jesus loved and gave His life. The world knows we belong to Christ by our love for one another.

How do we show love? Does this mean we are to give our lives as well? Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." The one command all the former commandments hinge on is LOVE. We show our love for God by giving Him our all. We show our love for others by giving of ourselves, by serving others.

When we see someone in need, we help them out with what we have. If they are sick, we pray for their healing and perhaps provide a meal or two while they are recuperating. We help clean their house if they don't have the strength. If possible we might help with yard work. We give of ourselves to others.

LOVE is what separates us from the world. What are we doing to share God's love? I challenge you to be creative. Let your light shine to a lost and dying world by showing His amazing love to those you meet.

Jesus knew His fate. Torture beyond comprehension, ridicule, and ultimately death lay only a few hours before Him. We find our Lord in the garden of Gethsemane with eleven of His disciples. He asked them to pray while He trekked further down the familiar path to entreat His Heavenly Father regarding the coming events.

           

Our precious Savior fell on His knees and wept bitterly. In agony, He bore the weight of the world on His shoulders, carrying the sins of all mankind throughout the ages. For the first time, sinless Deity experienced the hopelessness and wretchedness of being separated from Abba Father, Daddy God.

Arrested, scorned by a mock trial, abandoned by His disciples, Jesus said not a word. The Roman Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on His head, and a purple robe on His back, as they relentlessly taunted Him, beat Him, and pulled out His beard. 

After being beaten beyond recognition, they made Jesus carry His own cross to the hill of Galgatha. Nails pierced His precious hands and feet. As the cross was lifted upright, it fell hard into the hole prepared for the cross to stand in, taring his flesh even more. A few hours later He cried out "It is finished!" Jesus, the only begotten Son of God died carrying your and my sins to the grave with Him.

Devastated, His disciples hid for fear of their own lives. Their Teacher, their Lord was gone. What was to come of them? 

But, praise God, this isn't the end of the story. Three days later something miraculous happened in His tomb. The dynamite power of the Holy Spirit breathed life into His lifeless body. He opened His eyes. Holy Ghost Fire flooded His very being. Jesus sprang to His feet, bursting with life!

Hallelujah, Jesus is alive today!

Our Lord suffered this agonizing ordeal because HE LOVES YOU! He conquered death, hell, and the grave for YOU! He is alive forever more, seated at the right hand of Father God ever living to make intercession for YOU! Now, what will you do for Him?

He died for me. The least I can do is to live for Him! Happy Easter (Resurrection Day) everyone!

"I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Luke 19:40

This Sunday being Palm Sunday when we celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem, it's only fitting we honor our Lord Jesus Christ with our praise. 

Jesus sent two of His disciples into town. "You will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you why, tell them the Lord needs it." The men found the donkey and brought it back to the Savior. They put their cloaks on the colt and helped Jesus climb on it.

When they reached the road going to the Mount of Olives, they were greeted with a crowd of people who began boisterously praising God. "Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God in the highest!"

Some of the teachers nearby were jealous of His stature with the people and told Jesus to make the crowd shut up. But Jesus replied, "I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

Little did the people know the King of all kings was about to be crucified. The people praised Him for His works, not realizing He was the Messiah, the King of Glory, the Lord of all lords, Who alone is worthy of praise.

Today I want to praise and honor my Savior, my King. Jesus said if the people didn't praise, the stones would cry out. May it never be! No stone or anyone else will ever glorify my Jesus for me. He has done too much for me not to bring honor and glory to Him. He literally went through hell and back for me and for you. He is my Savior, my Righteousness, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Master, my Lord, and my Friend.

I will praise Him forever for His love, mercy, and grace! For He alone is worthy! I will sing praise to His Name! I will clap my hands and shout praises to my God! I will love and honor Him because He first loved me!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

When you gave your heart and life to Jesus Christ, you became a new creation. You were born anew, or born again. Your past, no matter how sorted, has been covered by the precious blood of Jesus and you've received the awesome opportunity to basically start all over again. Father God no longer holds your past transgressions and failures against you.

Many times Satan tries to bring up our past and put us under condemnation. He likes to remind us of our not so glorious beginnings. He tries to tell us we aren't "good enough" to share the gospel with someone else. We're not worthy of serving the Almighty God.

I'm reminded of a story told by Smith Wigglesworth, a mighty many of God during the 1930's era. He was sound asleep one night, when he heard a noise in the other room. Getting up to check it out, Smith found Satan standing by a chalk board resting on an easel. On the blackboard the devil wrote all the sins of Wigglesworth's past. Smith just chuckled, saying, "Oh, it's you." He walked over to the board and wrote in big letters, "COVERED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS", and went back to bed.

Friend, I want to you know today Father God doesn't remember your past. It has been washed clean by the precious blood Jesus shed for you on the cross. It's covered by the blood of Jesus. You are a new creation in Christ. 

No one is worthy in their own merits to serve such a mighty God, but in Jesus all things have become new. You are not the same person as you were before Jesus came into your heart and life. You have been reborn, transformed, recreated by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The next time Satan tries to remind you of your past, just laugh and say, "Praise God I'm covered by the blood of Jesus."

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, "Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!" I'm sure we can all identify with this statement.

None of us can really know how we are going to react under pressure. It's easy to be kind to others, especially when they show us thoughtfulness. But how do we respond when faced with persecution, trials, and just downright ornery people?

I'm so thankful Father God is concerned enough about our spiritual development to allow us to experience trials and testing. He realizes these ordeals and troubles we go through bring faith and patience. And He promised to walk with us through the hardships and tough times of this life.

Next time we experience trials and tribulations, rejoice! Daddy God is preparing us for a divine growth spurt. Keep your eyes focused on Him. Ask Him to give you wisdom and strength to endure with patience. Look on this as another opportunity for Father God to show Himself BIG in your circumstances.

Remember, our Heavenly Father is growing us up to be patient, perfectly complete, lacking nothing.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

We have all been faced with making a life-changing decision. It can feel quite overwhelming, not knowing who we can turn to, who can we trust to help us make the right choice. It's comforting to know others who have walked through the same situation you're facing, but is their advise right for you?

Only God knows what's best for you. He's a much better judge of what you need, even more than you know yourself.

God has given each of us wisdom and understanding. He placed in us the ability to reason and think things through. However, we should never trust exclusively in our own understanding of the situation, thinking we are wise enough to handle things on our own. 

We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father completely in every choice we make. Be willing to listen and be corrected by God and His Word.

Bring all your decisions to Daddy God in prayer. Use His Word as a guide, then follow His leading. He loves you and will direct your paths if you lean on Him and trust Him with whatever comes your way.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!"

Ephesians 3:20-21

The other day I woke up with a song going through my mind.

He is able, more than able, to accomplish what concerns me today.

He is able, more than able, to handle anything that comes my way.

He is able, more than able, to do much more than I could ever dream.

He is able, more than able, to make me what He wants me to be.

We serve a big, loving Daddy God who is more than able to do abundantly above anything we could ask or even think. He is bigger than any mountain, stronger than any foe, and more powerful than any situation we may find ourselves in today.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us this same power is at work in us. The word "power" is where we get the word "dynamite." Have you ever seen a bomb explode? It changes everything in it's wake. This same explosive, life-changing power brings results in our lives. It's the God imparted authority and ability to overcome any obstacle we may encounter.

This power working in and through us the Holy Spirit of God that is imparted in us when we are born into His family. Residing in you today is the same dynamite power that raised Jesus from the dead. WOW!

What is it you're facing today? What needs to be changed in your life or circumstances? No matter how insurmountable it seems, know Father God is more than able to do exceedingly abundantly more than you could every dream, and to change you into what He wants you to be. 

Surrender completely to Him and allow His dynamite power do it's mighty work in your heart and life. HE IS ABLE!

The Lord has given me heart to see others brought into His Kingdom. My desire is to see people set free and delivered from the hold Satan has on their lives. Over the years we've seen the sinner repent, sick healed, the down trodden lifted up, and those bound by drugs, alcohol, depression, hatred, or unforgiveness loosed from their bondage. 

When you made Jesus the Lord of your life, it was a free gift given by the Almighty God Himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus' parting words before ascending into Heaven were, "GO, preach the good news, bringing others into My Kingdom." This is your mandate as a born again Child of Daddy God.

The following is a song the Lord gave me as a reminder of what He expects of us, His children.

Freely

Jesus said in Matthew ten,

Go heal the sick and raise the dead.

I send you out as sheep among the wolves.

Preach the good news of the Kingdom

By My Spirit there is freedom.

All they have to do is just believe.

Jesus said if you believe

I will go with you all the way.

I am your strength, your comforter and guide.

Share the gospel with your neighbor.

In My Name you have favor.

Now share these things that others will receive.

(chorus)

Freely you've received, now freely give.

The precious Blood of Jesus

Was shed that you might live.

He gave you life eternal,

Countless blessings now are yours.

Freely you've received, now freely give.

Song by

Pam Branstetter

We have been set free from the bondage of sin. It no longer has dominion in our lives. Now what will you do with that freedom?

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities For their is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Romans 13:1-2

According to this passage, authority comes from God. No matter what we think about those rule over us, according to this passage, God has put them in that position for such a time as He sees fit. 

We've all heard people say, "I submit to God and God alone. No one can tell me what to do." I've been guilty of this myself. However, without submission to the governing authorities we bring judgment on ourselves.

You might say, "What about those who go against God's laws? We know His will is for us to submit to the law, but doesn't God's law override man's law?" YES!!!!

The book of Daniel has great examples of this. The Jews were taken into captivity. Among them were Daniel and his three friends. All the captive slaves were given a strict diet which contradicted God's laws concerning food. Not wanting to defile themselves, they asked the guard if they could have only vegetables and water for ten days as a test of comparison with the other slaves condition. They didn't demand their own way, they asked permission and God saw them through.

We all know how the three Hebrew children who were to bow and worship a graven image or face being thrown in a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered with a respectful attitude, "I'm sorry, oh King, but we will not worship other gods!"

Because of their attitude of respect to those in authority, the three men of God were promoted and the Great Creator was glorified! Yes, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but God delivered them. 

There are many other instances throughout the Bible how submitting to governing authorities brought glory to God. We have a choice to make today. Will we submit to those God has placed over us and bring glory to His name, or will be rebellious and bring judgement on ourselves? We may not always agree with authority, but we must honor their position and perhaps even learn something in the process.

Get out of debt, Save more money, Live within my budget, Lose weight, Eat healthy! These are just a few resolutions people will be making for 2016. While they are all good and profitable, what about our relationship with Abba Father, Daddy God? It's easy spending our valuable time on natural things, but what about our spiritual life, the things that last throughout eternity?

God doesn't want your leftovers! He wants first place. He wants your heart and your life!

Daddy God has good plans for you, for your benefit and for His glory! In 2016 He desires you to prosper and be in health as your soul prospers. 

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.

Colossians 1:9-11

Father God's desire for you this year is to walk closer to Him, to have a more intimate relationship with Him. We accomplish this by staying in His Word and in prayer. He longs to hear from you today. His love for you is far greater than you can imagine. This new year allow His love to permeate your being. Purpose to spend time basking in His presence as you learn to live in His mercy and grace.

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16