Are you “Hot For God”?  Do you model your life after the teachings of Jesus Christ?  If so, do you exhibit your Christianity when you are out with your friends?  Many people say that they are Christians.  Many people act like they are Christians in front of certain people.  True Christians should act like Christians all of the time.  If you are asking yourself if you are “Hot For God”, then think about the following:  What have you given up for your Christianity?

In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus says “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art luke-warm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth“.  So, Jesus wants us to serve him whole heartedly.  We have to make up our minds.  Will we serve Jesus whole heartedly, or will we not serve him at all?  If you are cold, then Jesus and others will at least know where you stand.  If you are cold, you made the decision not to serve him.  If you are hot, then Jesus and others around you should know that you are whole heartedly a servant to Christ.  But, if you are luke-warm, then Jesus rejects you all together because you are straddling the fence.  I don’t know about you, but I want to be “Hot”.

The reason that the luke-warm are rejected is because they say one thing, but their actions say another.  I can not whole heartedly serve God if I am constantly doing evil.  If I say that I am a Christian and people see me constantly sinning, then what am I truly saying?  By being hypocritical, I am deceiving the non believer or the fringe believer.  I am showing them that a Christian can constantly do evil and still serve God.  I am showing them that they can have the best of both worlds.  Even worse, I could be turning people away from Christianity all together.  People could think wow, that guy says he is a Christian but he is always gossiping about others, I don’t want to be a Christian now.  ”No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

I will leave you with the following:  Are you “Hot For God”?  Are you “Cold”?  Are you “Luke-warm”?   If you don’t want to serve God, then you are cold and God knows where you stand.  If you strive to serve God in everything that you do, then you are hot.  If you try to rationalize your sin or if you try to make excuses for you sin, then chances are  you are luke-warm.  The luke-warm people will be spewed from the mouth of God.  I want to be “Hot For God”.  I suggest that we all strive to be “Hot For God”.  Remember that God loves us all.  Serve Him whole heartedly.  God Bless!

Children are never too young to start learning about Christ.  Even Jesus said “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).  The earlier children learn about Christ, the more likely they are to continue to follow Him.

Jesus with many children

Parents should also take on a larger role in developing their children’s relationship with Christ.  Parents should read the Bible to children and teach them about the goodness of God.  ”Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

Also, Christian education is great because children are able to pray in school.  Christian schools have just as much temptation than public schools, if not, than more.  The best way to resist temptation is to pray.  Prayer conquers all.

Education doesn’t only have to be in a classroom.  Children learn everywhere they go.  Be sure that the example that you put in front in them is a good one.  Be careful who you let your children around, be careful of what your children watch on TV, and be careful of you say and do around your children.  More importantly, talk to and spend time with your children.  Explain right and wrong.  Don’t shelter their knowledge.  Allow them to know the ills of the world, but explain to them that we have a saviour that will return again.

The world is cold, cruel, and unforgiving.  Help make the world a better place for you and your child.  God Bless!

1) David

David Vs. Goliath

I admire David because he was very faithful.  He wasn’t a big man but he loved God and he was able to accomplish great things because of his faith in God.  He killed the giant Goliath, he killed lions and bears, and he latter became a king.  Also, God blessed him musical gifts.

2) Samson

Samson killing a lion

Samson had great physical strength.  The secret to his strength was his hair, therefore he never cut his hair.  Samson was so strong that he was able to tear a lion apart with his bare hands, kill the large group of the men of Ashdod, and he slaughtered a thousand men with the jawbone of an ass.  Even though he disobeyed God, God allowed him to perform one more act of strength.  Samson was able to pull down the pillars of the Philistine house, which killed many Philistines.  Sadly, Samson was killed as well.

3) Solomon

Making a wise judgement

I like Solomon because he was very wise.  In fact he is the wisest man that ever lived.  He also built the first temple in Jerusalem.

4) Joseph

Joseph interpreting Pharaohs dream

Joseph and the coat of many colors is one of my favorite stories.  I admire Joseph because he was able to forgive his brothers for selling him into slavery.  He was very faithful and he had a good heart.  He also able to interpret dreams.

5) Job

Job

I like Job because he represents perseverance.  Job was faithful and he remained faithful even when great suffering was put upon him.  He followed God in everything that he did.  Satan questioned Job’s faithfulness by suggesting that Job only served God because God constantly protected him.  Satan also, suggested that if God removed his protection Job, then Job would curse God.  Satan asked for permission to test Job.  God allowed Satan to take Job’s wealth, his children, and his physical health.  Job remains loyal to God throughout his suffering.  Job never cursed God.

6) Moses

Moses Praying to God

I like Moses because at first he didn’t believe in himself, but God always believed in him.  Moses was a stutterer.  Moses was able to free his people (the Israelites) from slavery.  God also used Moses to lead the Israelites into the promised land.  Moses was instrumental in God’s creation of the Ten Commandments.  The story of Moses is very powerful because it shows us that God can use anyone to achieve His purpose.

7) Noah

Noah on the Ark

To me, Noah represents persecution.  He was told to build an ark because a flood was coming.  He was told to witness to people and let them know that the flood would destroy all.  People made fun of him and laughed at him.  People thought that he was delusional.  As it turns out, Noah got the last laugh.

Abraham

Abraham escaping from Sodom and Gamarrah

Abraham was a very faithful man of God.  The father of many nations.  He believed in God’s promise that he would have children by his very old wife Sarah.  Abraham also followed God’s instructions to leave Sodom and Gomorrah.  He remained faithful to God even after his wife Sarah was turned into salt for disobeying God by looking back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomarrah.

9) Isaac

Isaac about to be sacrificed

Isaac represents faith and obedience.  Isaac was faithful and very obedient to God and his father, Abraham.  God tested Isaac and Abraham by telling Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  Isaac could have run away and disobeyed Abraham but he didn’t.  He also could have forced Abraham away from him.  Instead, Isaac was willing to be the sacrifice.  As Isaac was about to be killed by Abraham, God intervened and allowed Isaac to live.

10) Enoch

Enoch ascending into heaven

Enoch was very faithful and he was a just man.  God recognized Enoch’s good qualities and took Enoch to heaven.  Because of this, Enoch was able to avoid death.  Enoch was 365 years old before he was taken to heaven.

Christ

God sacrificed his only begotten son so that souls of humanity may be saved.  Jesus performed many miracles and He accomplished great things. He also died for our sins.  He will return again (very soon) to save His people.

The devil will use a counterfeit Christ or an antichrist.  The antichrist will perform great miracles, but the antichrist does not want to save us, he wants us all destroyed.  The miracle that will be performed by the antichrist will be used to deceive us.  Study and learn about the second coming of Christ.

Love

God loves us all.  He wants us to love each other.  He wants us to love each other as we would love ourselves.  ”Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18).  God also wants us to love our enemies.  ”Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).  Love is a very powerful attribute of God’s character.

The devil has a counterfeit for love.  Most people think that the counterfeit for love is hate, but in actuality, the counterfeit of love is fear.  1 John 4:18 tells us that “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”  Have you watched the news lately?  The devil use violence among other crimes to introduce fear to our lives.

Worship

God wants us to worship Him and only Him.  This is expressed in The Ten Commandments.  ”Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).  God is a jealous God.  He created the earth and everything that is in the earth.  He does not want us to worship or praise anything or anyone else.  We should not put anything above God.  Not our jobs, homes, cars, relationships, etc.

The devil wants us to worship him.  He wants us to indulge in sin.  When we sin, we give the devil much delight.  He gets happy when we go against God.  The devil wants us to put everything above and God.  He wants to deceive us.  He wants us to have multiple gods.  Let’s not give in to the devil.

Marriage

Marriage is a gift that God has given to mankind.  Long ago in the Garden of Eden, God created Adam and Eve.  God gave Eve to Adam.  God’s plan for marriage is for one man and one woman to come together and become one flesh.  Marriage is sacred.  Marriage is a touchy subject in society.  I am not judging anyone, I am just telling you what God’s plan for marriage is.  It is not God’s plan for marriage to be shared with the same sex.  It is not God’s plan for people to have multiple wives or multiple husbands.  God’s plan for marriage is the union of one male and one female.  God created us in his image.  Males have a set of God’s qualities and females have another set of God’s qualities.  When male and female come together in marriage, they represent the complete image of God.

The devil wants to distort the image of God.  The devil deceives people into thinking that same sex marriage is Ok.  He wants to confuse us and cause us to attack one another.  People who are in same sex relationships and want to get married feel that they are being discriminated against because in many places, same sex marriage is illegal.  Same sex relationships are the work of the devil.  Also, the devil wants us to believe that having multiple spouses is acceptable.  Having multiple spouses is not part of God’s plan for marriage.  The devil’s counterfeit to marriage is same sex marriage and polygamy.

Sex

Sex is a gift that God has given to married couples.  Sex among married couples is beautiful in the eyes of God.  If you are married, you should not have sex with anyone other than your spouse.  Period.  If you are not married, you should not be having sex.  Period.  Waiting until marriage to have sex is not popular.  I have failed at this myself, but it is what God wants for us.

The devil wants us to experience pleasure at any cost without discretion.  He wants us to have sex with anyone who wants it.  He wants to see us destroy ourselves.  The devil likes to see us get diseases, he likes to see teenagers have unplanned pregnancies, he likes to see the baby-mama-drama.  We have to rise above sexual temptation.  There are too many single parent homes, there are too many people who don’t know who their father is, and there are too many people dying.

Satan / The devil

Satan was created by God.  Satan was a glorious angel who was given the gift of song.  A pastor I know once said that Satan was able to sing three part harmony all by himself.  There was one major flaw with Satan; he thought that he was above God.  He thought that he should be worshipped.  He even got some of the angels to worship him.  Satan and the angels who worshipped him were kicked out of heaven.

Satan’s counterfeit to this is that he wants us to think that he does not exist.  If we think that he does not exist, then we will not be ready for his attacks.  Have you ever been attacked by something that does not exist?  Satan’s biggest weapon is deception.  Our biggest weapon is the word of God.  Our weapon is greater than Satan and his weapon.  Satan has his reward, eternal damnation.  I don’t want to join him.  I am sure that you don’t want to join him either.

The bottom line is that for every good thing that God has for us, the devil has a counterfeit.  The devil is the enemy and he is always trying to deceive us.  He wants us to be destroyed.  Always remember that the devil has already lost.  He knows this and he wants to take us with him.  No matter what negative thing that you have done in your life, God will forgive you.  Ask for forgiveness and sin no more.  It is also very important to study the Bible.  Think about the following:

Who do you serve?  Whose side are you on?  Do you even know?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

God Bless!

Marriage began in the bible with Adam and Eve.  Eve was created to be Adam’s companion and wife.  God  said, “It is not good that the man should be alone;  I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18).  When Eve was created, she and Adam were to be one.  ”This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:23-24).  This is what marriage is about.  You and the person you marry should become one.  There should be no room for selfishness.  

When you and your mate become one, there should be a sense of sacredness because marriage is a gift from God.  ”Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).  Marriage should be taken more serious.  Too many people get married for the wrong reasons.  This is evident because of the high divorce rates (America has a 50% divorce rate.  Check out http://www.divorcerate.org/).  People marry for wealth, status, and convenience.  People should get married for love.

Take a look at the helpful marriage tips below.  These are tips that I will start to use more.

• Prayer - This is the most important key to a successful marriage.  You and your mate should pray together everyday.  The devil likes to keep confusion going.  Pray that God rids you of that serpent.  Pray for understanding, good health, patience, and anything else that you think will help your marriage.
• Communication - I think this is the second most important key to a successful marriage.  Don’t just listen, try to understand your mate.  Try to understand their point of view and why they have that point of view.  On the other side, be willing to express your views.  Don’t keep things to yourself and don’t let things build up inside of you.  This will just cause more problems.
• Do things together - It is very important that you and your mate spend time together.  Exercise together, go for walks, go to plays.  Try to be as active as possible.
• Be Supportive - Always be supportive of your mate.  Support their endeavors, be honest but don’t tear them down.  Give suggestions if necessary.
• Keep your business private - Do not go and broadcast any of your marital problems to your friends or family.  Your marriage is between you and your mate.  If you need help, see a pastor or a marriage counselor.  IF YOU ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP, GET OUT AND PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE.  Introducing friends or family to your personal business is one of the worst things that you can do for your marriage.

Getting married is a promise between you and your partner.  Marriage is a sacred bond.  Follow God’s word in everything that you do and pray daily.  Here are my wedding vows:

As we stand before both God and man making public our commitment to one another, I wish to make it known that I recognize God’s authority over my life, which is exercised from His loving heart.  He has chosen me to be one of His own.  I recognize also that He has blessed me, and entrusted to me your life.  In recognition of these things, I, Richard Harris affirm my love to you Alisha McCamy as I invite you to share my life as my wife, my partner, and my one true love.  You are beautiful, smart, and generous and I promise to always respect you with kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together.  I purpose to love you with God’s love, to provide for your needs through His enablement, and to lead you as He leads me, as long as He gives me life, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as we both shall live.  Alisha, I look forward to establishing a home where Christ is glorified.  Toward that end I promise to allow God to use you in my life as He sees fit.  I thank Him for you and your love.  Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth.  Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.  Love is eternal.  I love you.

God Bless!

Dictionary.com has many definitions for the word “witness”, but one stands out to me.  Dictionary.com defines a witness as one who sees, hears, or knows by personal presence and perception.  Therefore, if you see, hear, or know anything good that God has done for yourself or others; then you should tell someone about it. 

I have a little story about myself that I tell people about.  This is me witnessing.  This is my testimony.  I went to school for Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering.  That is a blessing in itself, because I often argued with myself about changing majors.  College was tough, but thats not the story I will talk about right now.  My story is about employment.  During most of my college years I worked for a law firm.  Working for a law firm had nothing to do with me wanting to become an engineer.  I needed money, so that was the job I had.  There was period where the law firm started to loose clients.  The reason for this is sketchy but I believe it had something to do with our firm over charging clients.  Nonetheless, clients were terminating our services.  The firm wasn’t raking in the dough like it was accustomed to, so the layoffs began.  Almost everyone I came in with were let go.  I was a good worker, but it was by God’s grace that I was not let go.  There were other good workers that were let go but God kept me safe and secure.

As I was working for the law firm, I was looking for an engineering co-op job.  I needed some engineering experience, companies don’t like hiring people with no experience.  I went to job fairs, I posted my resume on various websites, and I searched the newspaper.  I couldn’t find anything.  One day I got a call from a company, they wanted me to come in for an interview.  I was ecstatic.  I went in for the interview.  I sat down and had a long conversation with the interviewer.  Everything was going great, until he said that they were not hiring anymore co-op students.  I was confused.  Why interview people if you are not hiring?  I asked him that vary question.  He said that although they were not hiring now, they may hire again in the future.  I left the interview and I was very disgusted.  

Now, it is senior year in college and I still do not have engineering experience.  There was a job fair at my university and I decided to give it another shot.  A lady was speaking, and she said that the company that she worked for would be hiring for the summer.  I grabbed an application and filled it out.  When I turned in the application, the lady said to expect a call within two weeks.  Two weeks came and went.  I did not receive a call.

I was discouraged but I was still faithful.  I wanted job experience in the engineering field.  I knew that it would be tough for me to get a job straight out of college with no experience.  About a month passed and I received a phone call.  A lady was on the phone.  She said that she had some job openings for the summer.  I asked her which opening I was considered for.  She replied, “We have three openings, you choose the one that you would like”.  Then she went into detail describing each position.  I choose a position that I was interested in.  I asked for the date and time of the interview.  She told that there was no interview and that I already had the job.  I was amazed.  I knew that this opportunity was not a reflection of my grades.  My grades were Ok, but not that Ok.  This was the work of God.  He opened the door.

My co-op experience with the company was great.  I was able to learn new things and meet new people.  Best of all, I think that the company was happy to have me.  Graduation was coming fast and I really wanted to stay with the company.  I didn’t hide it either, I told them I was interested in working for them full time after graduation.  They told that they didn’t think there would be any money in the budget to hire me.  My supervisor said that he would speak to the director.  Weeks passed and I heard nothing.  I started applying to other jobs.

I received a call for an interview.  It was for another company.  The interview went great and I received an offer the following week.  Compared to my expectations, the offer was very low.  They also wanted me to work fifty hour work weeks including weekends if necessary.  I received an offer but it wasn’t the one that I wanted.  I had a week to accept or decline the offer.  The week was almost over when I received an offer from the company that I had the co-op experience with.  The director was able to get money in the budget just for me.  The offer that they gave me was much more.  I accepted it and declined the other offer.  The best part about it is similar to how I got the co-op; I did not have to go on an interview.  God opened the door.  Throughout this ordeal I remained faithful and God blessed me.  I have been with the company since May 2008.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:)  for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).  God Bless!

Birth

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod the Great.  He was the son of Mary and Joseph ( a carpenter).  Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth and one night Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel.  Gabriel told Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God.  Before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had to leave Nazareth because of the Census of Quirinius.  So, they traveled to Bethlehem.  When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was a shortage of rooms.  When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had to use a manager in place of a crib.  Mary was a virgin and gave birth to Jesus by the miracle of the Holy Spirit.

Three wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus.  They followed a star that they believed was a sign that Jesus had been born.  King Herod heard about the birth of Jesus.  King Herod felt that his reign would be threatened by the birth of the King of the Jews, so he ordered the deaths of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two.  Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid the massacres.  They remained in Egypt until Herod’s death and then they settled in Nazareth. 

Baptism

Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist.  John was preaching and he was baptizing people.  Jesus went to John and asked to be baptized.  John replied, “I have need to be baptized of thee” (Matthew 3:14).  Jesus answered, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).  John went on and baptized Jesus.  When Jesus came up from the water the heavens opened up and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.  God spoke from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

Temptation

After Jesus was baptized, God led him to the desert.  While in the desert, Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights.  While in the desert fasting, the devil appeared to Jesus and tempted him.  Jesus was very hungry and the devil asked Jesus that if he was the Son of God, command that the stones be turned into bread.  Jesus answered, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  The devil then brought Jesus to the holy city and he set him on a pinnacle of the temple.  The devil told Jesus that if he were to jump off of the pinnacle that God would send his angels to save him.  Jesus responded, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7).  Finally, the devil took Jesus to a mountain and showed Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world.  The devil told Jesus to worship him and he would give Jesus all of the kingdoms.  Jesus replied, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).  The devil departed from Jesus and angels came and ministered to Jesus.

Ministry

Jesus ministered to all about God.  He spoke about God’s love, God’s character, salvation, forgiveness, repentance, etc.  He found apostles and ministered to them so that they may minister to others.  He also performed many miracles.  His miracles include:

 (http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/jmrcls.html)

Arrest 

Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples.  Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.  Jesus knew he had been betrayed.  In fact he prophesied it.  ”Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified” (Matthew 26:2).  During the passover dinner which was the last supper, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray him.  All of the disciples questioned Jesus, each asking “Lord, is it I”. 

After the last supper, Jesus took his disciples to Gethsemane where Jesus went to pray.  Jesus was sorrowful about death.  He asked God if there was a different way.  ”O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).  After Jesus finished praying, Judas came to him.  However, Judas did not come alone.  Judas was with a great multitude of people that had swords.  Jesus was arrested and taken away.  Jesus was charged with blasphemy.

Death

Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate.  Jesus was asked if he was the King of the Jews.  Jesus answered “Thou sayest” (Matthew 27:11).  Jesus was being accused by the chief priests and elders.  Jesus did not answer to there accusations.  Pilate asked Jesus if he had heard the accusations.  Pilate marveled at the silence of Jesus.  Pilate did not want to have Jesus put to death, so he let the people make the decision.  He decided to release a prisoner of the people’s choice.  There was Barabbas, a notable prisoner and there was Jesus, King of the Jews.  Pilate asked the people who they wanted released.  The people asked for the release of Barabbas.  Pilate asked the people what should happen to Jesus.  The people called for Jesus to be crucified.  Pilate washed his hands of the death of Jesus.  ”I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it” (Matthew 27:24).  The people responded, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25).

Jesus was then taken into the common hall.  A crown of thorns was put on his head.  He was spit on, mocked, and beaten.  Jesus also had to carry his own cross.  He carried his cross to a place called Golgotha.  They set a written accusation over his head.  It read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS”.  The people mocked him.  They said to him that if he was the Son of God then he should save himself.  They said that if came down from the cross, then they would believe.  Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46).  Jesus cried out again and died.  When Jesus died, there was an earthquake.  Graves were opened.  The body of Jesus was taken and laid in a tomb.

Resurrection

Mary and Mary Magdalene went to see the body of Jesus.  There was a great earthquake and an angel from heaven came and rolled back the stone from the door of the tomb.  The angel told Mary and Mary Magdalene, “Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:5-6).  The angel also told them to tell the disciples that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead.  They left the angel and went to tell the disciples.  As they were on their way, they met Jesus.  They fell by his feet and worshipped him.  Jesus said to them, “Be not afraid: go tell my brethen that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me” (Matthew 28:10).

Jesus is alive and well.  He is waiting to return and save us.  He wants to give us the gift of eternal life.  In order to be saved though, you must believe.  Jesus died for us all.  He paid the ultimate price for our salvation.  Tell all about the goodness of Christ.  Take care, be well, and God Bless!

How do we know when enough is enough?  How many times should we forgive someone if they keep hurting us over and over again?  Peter, an apostle of Christ had the same questions.  Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  till seven times” (Matthew 18:21).  Jesus replied, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).  Jesus basically told Peter that we should repeatedly forgive each other.  Jesus followed up his discussion with Peter by telling him the parable of the unforgiving servant (this parable can be found in Matthew 18:23-35).

The parable of the unforgiving servant starts off with a servant who owes his master some money (ten thousand talents).  The servant did not have the money and his master was very disappointed.  The servant’s master wanted to sell the servant, the servant’s wife, and the servant’s children in order to make up for the debt.  The servant pleaded with the master and begged that the master would have patience with him.  The servant vowed to pay the master back.  The servant’s master was moved with compassion and forgave the servant his debt.  

Now, this vary same servant had loaned money (an hundred pence) to one of his friends.  He went to collect the money from his friend, but the friend did not have the money.  The servant then grabbed his friend by the throat and demanded his money.  His friend pleaded with him to have patience.  The servant did not have patience with his friend, instead, he put his friend in jail until the money was paid.

The servant’s master heard about what took place and was very disappointed.  He sent for the servant.  When the servant arrived, the master scolded him.  The master said that the servant was wicked because he failed to forgive his friend.  After all, the master forgave the servant perviously.  The master then delivered the servant to the tormentors until his debt was repaid.

Jesus told this parable to explain how God will forgive us.  We will be forgiven according to how we forgive others.  ”For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).  So, if there is anyone that you have not forgiven, including yourself, the time to forgive is now.  Do not lose out on salvation because you have not forgiven your neighbor.

Remember the Lord’s Prayer and keep it in your hearts.  God Bless.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  

Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  

Give us this day our daily bread.  

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  

Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

One

The Bible outlines how you should live your life and serves as a guide to salvation.  The Bible describes God’s character and God’s expectations of us.  The Old Testament and the New Testament are equally important.  Recommended readings - 2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy. 3:16, 17; Psalms. 119:105; Proverbs. 30:5, 6; Isaiah. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians. 2:13; Hebrews. 4:12.

Two

There is only one God.  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.  These three entities represent the Holy Trinity and are one.  God is creator of all.  God is all powerful, all knowing, and is everywhere at once.  His existence is infinite.  He has no beginning and no ending.  Recommended readings - Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.

Three

God created man and woman in his image.  He gave us free range over the earth and he gave us free will.  Human beings are born into sin because of the events that took place in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.  Recommended readings - Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.

Four

The life of Jesus Christ was the example for everyone to model.  Live life without sin.  Christ is perfect in all aspects.  Jesus Christ came to earth to die for the sins of all.  It is through Jesus that we can be saved and given the gift of eternal life.  Jesus was resurrected from the dead and will come back to earth soon for the final judgement.  Recommended readings - John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.

Five

Christ wants us to develop a relationship with him.  He wants us all to be saved.  Recommended reading - 2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.

Six

The church is the body of Christ and Christ is the head of the church.  The church is an important aspect of Christianity.  The church is where  believers gather and share the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Christians confess the goodness of God.  The church has the responsibility to go out and spread the good word of God with all people.  The church should not turn anyone away from the truth.  Recommended readings - Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.

Seven

Baptism is a the public confession that Jesus lived on earth, died for our sins, and resurrected.  Through baptism, we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  Recommended readings - Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.

Eight

God gives all of his people spiritual gifts that will allow them to minister to all.  There are various spiritual gifts such as healing, the spirit of prophesy, public speaking, etc.  Recommended readings - Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.

Nine

The Law of God is explained in the Ten commandments.  All of the Ten Commandment must be kept with no exception.  Recommended readings - Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.

Ten

Stewardship is an important part of Christianity.  God wants us to give faithful tithes and offerings.  Recommended readings - Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.

Remember that the list above are just the basics when it comes to serving God.  There is much more information in the Bible.  I recommend that whoever reads this article will pray to God and ask him to show you direction.  Ask God to show you the truth about what he expects from you.  God will direct you.  ”Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).  God Bless.

I quickly got up to see what the noise was.  I smelled smoke and I heard a crackling noise.  As I moved closer to the laundry room the smell of smoke began to choke me.  Cameron’s barks turned into high pitched chirps.  The crackling got louder.  When I made it to the doorway, I didn’t see anything.  My wife ran out of the shower and approached the doorway.  We walked into the room and there it was.

A small fire was burning next to the furnace.  The fire was burning on a white towel.  I had previously walked our Yorkie, Cameron.  It was wet outside and I used the towel to wipe off his feet.  I threw the towel in the corner, not realizing that it was next to the furnace.

I saw the fire extinguisher mounted on the wall.  I was scared to get it because I thought I would get burned if I went too far into the room.  I don’t know how to use one anyway and I didn’t want to waste anymore time.  My first reaction was to run out of the apartment.  I yelled, “Lisa, lets get out of the house”.  My wife had other plans.  She ran into the kitchen and filled a bowl with water.  She immediately ran back to the laundry room and doused the fire with the water.  She ran back to the sink and I followed.  As I crabbed a bowl and I inadvertently moved her bowl out of the way and filled my bowl with water.  She looked at me like I was crazy and continued to fill her bowl.  I was in panic mode.  We ran back to the laundry to put out the fire.  We poured water on the fire until the fire went out.

The fire was out but the apartment was still smoky.  We cracked the windows and turned on a couple of fans so that the smoke would clear out.  I am thankful that my wife, our dog, and I are safe.

After that episode, I felt very emotional to say the least.  My wife and I had got annoyed with each other earlier in the day.  I kept thinking; what if the smoke detector hadn’t gone off, what if my wife and I didn’t hear the detector, what if our Yorkie was in the laundry room, what if that was the last time that I would see my wife?  I burst into tears.  My wife came over and hugged me.  I told her what was on my mind and she reminded me that none of those terrible things happened.  The detector did go off, we heard it, Cameron is OK, and my wife is with me.  We hugged again and exchanged kisses and I love yous.  We got on our knees and thanked God that we were not hurt.  We embraced each other once more and we went to bed.

Always remember never take anything for granted.  Be thankful.  Tomorrow is not promised to us.  Live life to the fullest according to God’s will.  Never forget to express your feeling to your loved ones.  God is good and I am extremely thankful that no one was injured.  That day, my birthday, will be a day that I will never forget.  I will never forget to give thanks to the Lord.  “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).  God Bless.