MASTER OF OUR OWN DESTINY

By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.     

    You can be Master of your own Destiny to the extent that you co-operate with God! 

    The Bible says: “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.

    “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 7-9).

    Jesus stated: “I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of light.” (John 8: 12)  

    “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11: 28-30)

    Sinners that are yoked to the Devil carry the heavy load, while the Evil One laughs. And as sinning escalates, there is more grief, turmoil and pain! Believers, however, that are yoked to Christ have it easy because our Lord carries the load. Jesus explained this phenomena!

    “The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy; I am come that they might have life and that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” (John 10: 10,11)

   The Bible states: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

   "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

    “The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps. 1: 1-6)

                        THE GREAT DISTINCTION!

    God makes a distinction between the godly and the ungodly. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the prophet David, confirmed the two very different paths men may take for their lives. 

    The ungodly man's counsel is carnal, human, deceitful, and scorns the laws of God. He excludes God from his life, saying proudly: “I'm my own man. I don't need that God stuff.”

    The Bible states: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 

    "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them that are saved both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God... ” (1 Cor. 1: 18, 23, 24; 3: 19)

    The righteous man is humble and reverent before His Maker. He doesn't put any stock in the wisdom of men, but reads God's Word and prays for wisdom. 

  He loves to fellowship with people who are honest, trustworthy and kind, and receives his counsel from the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the rivers of waters. He is blessed of the Lord, bearing fruit.

The Holy Bible says: “For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom. 8: 13,14)

    The ungodly man, however, is like the chaff which the wind drives away. 

    There is, therefore, no fruit. In the end, the ungodly man will face the final Judgment alone with no credible advocate pleading his cause and be judged guilty at the Judgment Bar. The righteous man, however, will declare his faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. unto eternal life!

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that hath sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that shall live.” (John 5: 24, 25)

    Jesus gave this great CALL to all who are dead in their trespasses and sins. If you hear the voice of God calling you to repentance and receive Him, you will be saved and pass from death unto life. If you do not, however, on that great resurrection morning, you will hear His voice calling you back from the dead, to be judged for your sins!

    He said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation,” (John 5: 28, 29)

     The Bible says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all me liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering:         "For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all is ways.” (James 1: 5-8)

    “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor.1: 30)

WHO CAN I HELP TODAY?

   What is the first thing every Christian should think about upon awakening in the morning? It should be, “Who can I help today? What can I do to advance the Kingdom of God in the lives of the lost, sick, needy and dying? Is there a lonely widow, a poor and needy family or young people on drugs that I could help rescue?”

     In 1924, Ensign Young wrote the song titled, 'Have I done my Best for Jesus? after the death of Edward W. Spencer, who heroically saved seventeen people from the waters of Lake Michigan, after a tragic accident. The Lady Elgin Steamship with more than 300 passengers and crew, sank at 2:00 AM on September 8, 1860.

    For six hours Spencer, a Lifeguard and experienced swimmer with a rope tied to his body, time after time swam through the waves to grab exhausted passengers. His associates on the other end of the rope then pulled him and the victim to shore.       Finally, having reached the limits of his strength, his body covered with scrapes and bruises, Spencer passed out. He woke up in his room in Evanston where his brother, William, waited on his recovery. Edward's first words were, "Will, did I do my full duty -- did I do my best?"

              HAVE I DONE MY BEST FOR JESUS?

How many are the lost that I have lifted
How many are the chained I've helped to free
I wonder have I done my best for Jesus
When He has done so much for me

I wonder have I given my best to Jesus
Who died upon the cruel tree
To think of His great sacrifice at Calvary
I know my Lord expects the best from me

The hours that I have wasted are so many
The hours I've spent for Christ so few
Because of all my lack of love for Jesus
I wonder if His heart is breaking too

I wonder have I cared enough for others
Or have I let them die alone
I might have helped a wanderer to the Savior
The seed of precious life I might have so

   In a column titled, 'Family Unit Society's Glue' for the Edmonton Sun on June 1, 1986, I wrote: “Will the family unit survive the trials and tribulations of the next few years? "Sociologists, psychologists and clergy are divided on the issue. With fathers unemployed, mothers working and children left to do their own thing – often getting involved with drugs – it is no wonder the family unit has been crumbling.

   I certainly agree with the National Council of Women in Canada that human beings need a close relationship with others. That the family unit is the foundation of the national structure is no secret. Weaken the family and you weaken the community, the school, the church and the government.

    The large farm with mom, dad, children, grandparents, hired help became a thing of the past, children moved out on their own, got married, purchased a home and the nuclear family became the order of the day.

    Around the early 60s, with the advent of the “pill” and relaxed laws on divorce, came more changes for the family. In their book The Family: Changing Trends in Canada, Anne-Marie Ambert and Maureen Baker wrote: 

    'Until 1968 divorce was something that did not happen in one's family – it was something embarrassing that afflicted Americans, not Canadians.”

     The Vanier Institute for the Family, founded in 1964 to promote the well being of Canadian families has said, “Family is the principle means through which we care for one another, the primary unit of learning, education and socialization; a source of emotional sustenance and support; and a significant unit of both economic production and consumption.”

   In closing, I wish to pass on another nugget from the Institute: “Whatever the time in history, and whatever challenges they may face, families remain the foundation of society. If we lost sight of family as our richest resource, then our society is weakened.”

                       - The Edmonton Sunday Sun, June 1, 1986

    Recently, I thought about the children of this world and the Words of Jesus: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones who believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Matt. 18:6)

     My concerns are for our little children who are now at great risk in Canada because of the asinine policies of the immature and self gratifying members of the out of control Liberal Party who presently form the government!

     There may be long term psychological harm by telling little children that they really don't know if they are male or female, they can't be called boys or girls, and they can't call their parents mommy or daddy any more. Causing fear, stress and uncertainty in the hearts and minds of little children is child abuse and bullying.

    I can visualize such action reported to honest and caring lawyers, ending up in the law courts in the future with strong reprimands for those promoting such bullying! Parents who are doing their best in raising their children properly may find that school teachers disseminating that perverse claptrap will cause division in some families!

    MY QUESTION: “Is this why we pay taxes and why we vote? And why are Canadians so gullible to vote into high office such airheads? And shouldn't elected personnel with divisive polarizing unethical viewpoints keep it to themselves instead of polluting and dividing the country?

    From 1984 until 1990, I wrote a column in the Edmonton Sunday Sun. One day I received a call from a medical doctor. He said:  “Reverend Solbrekken, last Sunday I was having dinner with my widowed mother. She showed me your column in the Edmonton Sun in which you stated that not only is abortion wrong in depriving a life to be born, but abortion causes problems like anxiety, stress and guilt later in life, for the mother as well as doctors and nurses.

    “Pastor, your column told the sad story of marriage break ups, alcoholism and other addictions, that have been spin-offs from the guilt that abortion providers go through. Then, I understood why I was having Sunday dinner with my mother and not with my wife and children. I and five other physicians are involved in an abortion clinic, but I have decided to shut it down.”

    I am also concerned about the huge drug abuse epidemic among young people and older ones as well, and the seemingly unchecked pornography viewed by young boys as well as the violence on the internet and social media. And the increase of Islamic terrorism spreading across the world from Iran and other Muslim countries!

    What is the Answer? A return to Jesus Christ and the Bible with fervent prayer in the homes, and regular Church attendance! We need a new revelation of Who Jesus is, and what He did for us all on the cross, and the power of His resurrection in our lives! We must evangelize or we will fossilize. Let's tell someone about Jesus our Saviour every day and win them to the Lord.

                 JESUS CHRIST THE GREAT I AM!

    Jesus of Nazareth is the Great I AM and I am a sinner saved by His grace alone. Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy Cross I cling. O take me as I am. My only plea, Christ died for me. O take me as I am. Amen.

     Why did Jesus refer to Himself as the Great I AM? He was God the Son from eternity but was incarnated (God in human flesh) and was made True Man by His virgin birth. 

    The Lord appeared unto Moses in the burning bush of fire and commanded him to return to Egypt to free His people. Moses asked, 

    “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me to you; and they shall say to me, What is His Name? What shall I say unto them?

     “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said unto him, Thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Ex. 3: 13, 14). Here is what one Bible scholar writes on this enormously great and important subject:

     “The ancient Hebrew language that the Old Testament was written in did not have vowels in its alphabet. In written form, ancient Hebrew was a consonant-only language. In the original Hebrew, God’s name transliterates to YHWH (sometimes written in the older style as YHVH). 

   "This is known as the tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters”). Because of the lack of vowels, Bible scholars debate how the tetragrammaton YHWH was pronounced.

“The tetragrammaton consists of four Hebrew letters: yodh, he, waw, and then he repeated. Some versions of the Bible translate the tetragrammaton as “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”; most translate it as “LORD” (all capital letters).

    “So, what is God’s Name, and what does it mean? The most likely choice for how the tetragrammaton was pronounced is “YAH-way,” “YAH-weh,” or something similar. The name Yahweh refers to God’s self-existence. Yahweh is linked to how God described Himself in Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses,      "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” God’s name is a reflection of His being. God is the only self-existent or self-sufficient Being. Only God has life in and of Himself. That is the essential meaning of the tetragrammaton, YHWH.”

                       JESUS SAID OF HIMSELF:

I AM the Bread of Life:

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believth on Me shall never thirst. I am the Bread of life; I am the living Bread which came from Heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live forever. And the Bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of this world.” (John 6: 35,48, 51)

I AM the Light of the world:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of life.” (John 8: 12; 9: 5)

I AM the Door of the Sheep:

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep; I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10: 7, 9)

I AM the Good Shepherd:

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep; I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of Mine.” (John 10: 11, 14)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life:

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” (John 11: 25)

I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life:

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)

I AM the True Vine:

“I am the vine, and My Father is the husbandman, Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth much fruit.” (John 15:1,2)

I AM He:

    “The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speaketh unto thee am He.” (John 4: 25, 26)

    “And He said unto them, ye are from beneath: I am from Above: ye are of this world: I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you. That ye shall die in your sins if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.

     “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things, And He that sent Me is with Me; the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8: 23, 24, 28, 29);

     “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He.” (John 13: 19)

“Jesus sayeth unto them, I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. 

    "As soon then as He had said unto them I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked He them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am He, if ye therefore seek me, let these go their way.” (John 18: 5-8)

    “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His hand on me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death.” (Rev. 1: 17,18)

    “And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts (seat of the deepest emotions, feelings and affections: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” (Rev. 2: 23)

                   JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD!

    The Bible says: “And Jesus went out, and His disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way He asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say Elias; and others, one of the prophets.

    “And He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and saith unto Him. Thou art the Christ. And He charged them that they should tell no man of Him.” (Mark 8: 27-30)

    In Christ's wilderness temptation Satan challenged Him: “If Thou be the Son of God command these stones be made bread... If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down.” Jesus used the Word of God to defeat Satan. 

   "He answered: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God; It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matt. 4: 3, 6)

    The Scribes and Elders said: “He said, I am the Son of God.” (Matt. 27:41-43); They that passed by said: “If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matt. 27: 39, 40);

     “And the soldiers also mocked Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, If Thou be the King of the Jews, save Thyself.” (Luke 23:37, 38); One thief railed on Jesus, saying: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” (Luke 23:39)

    The Samaritan woman stated: “Come and see a man which told me all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29);

    Martha believed in Jesus as the Son of God: “She said unto Him,Yea Lord: I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11: 27). The Roman Centurion who crucified Jesus of Nazareth declared:       “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Matt. 27: 54).

   The Ethiopian eunuch confessed Christ: “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest be baptized.” And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37);

   Saul of Tarsus confessed Christ: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogue that He is the Son of God. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” (Acts 9: 20, 22)

    The Bible says: “... the devils also believe and tremble.” (James 2: 19). Demons were terrified in the presence of Jesus Christ: 

     “...There met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass that way. And behold they cried out, saying what have we to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God; art Thou come to torment us before the time?” (Matt.28,29)

    “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone: what have we to do with Thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee Who Thou art, the Holy One of God?” (Mark 1: 23, 24)

     “Now when the sun was setting all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him: and He laid His hands on every one of them, and He healed them. 

   " And devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ, the Son of God. And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ.” (Luke 4: 40, 41)

                     WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST?

What think ye of Christ? Is the test

To try both your state and your scheme;

You cannot be right in the rest

Unless you think rightly of Him.

As Jesus appears to your view,

And He is beloved or not,

So God is disposed to you -

And mercy or wrath is your lot.

Some take Him a creature to be -

A man, or an angel at most,

But they have not feelings like me,

Nor know themselves wretched and lost;

So guilty, so helpless am I,

I durst not confide in His blood,

Nor on His protection rely -

Unless I were sure He is God.

                                GOD WAS IN CHRIST!

    The Bible says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

    “To wit (that is), that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5: 17-19);

     “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. No man hath seen God at any time; the Only begotten Son, Which is in the BOSOM of the Father, He hath declared Him.” (John 1: 14, 18)

     JESUS said: “If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth and came from God: neither came I of Myself, because He sent Me.” (John 8: 42); I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in My Father's Name, they bear witness of Me.

     “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them Eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Father's hand. 

    "My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand. I and My  Father are One.” (John 10: 25, 27-30)

         BELIEVE ME THAT I AM IN THE FATHER!

    Our Saviour stated: “Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the work. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto My Father.

     “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it. If ye love, keep My commandments.

    “And I will pray the Father and He shall give another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever. Even the Spirit of Truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you.

      “At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, He it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. 

    "Jesus answered and said unto him. If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love Him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14: 10-23)

     “Even the MYSTERY which God hath hid from the ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:26, 27)

     “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the husbandman, Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 

    "Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

     “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me, ye can do nothing. If ye abide in Me, and My Word abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” (John 15: 1-5,7, 8)

     “These Words spake Jesus and lifted up His eyes to Heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come: glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee. 

    "As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is Eternal Life that they may KNOW thee, the Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.

    “I have glorified Thee in the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world began.” (John 17: 1-5)

                      THERE IS ONLY ONE SAVIOUR!

   In concluding this paper on God's grace toward mankind and our decision to believe in Him, here is a recap of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us through His vicarious death on the Cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead.

    If you know Christ you know the Father also: “Then said they unto Him, Where is Thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know Me nor My Father; if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also.” (John 8: 19)

    If you believe in Christ you are believing in the One Who sent Him: “Jesus cried ad said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me.” (John 12:44)

    If you deny the Son, you are a Liar and antichrist: “Who is a Liar but he that denieth the Father and the Son? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whoso denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2: 22, 23)

    If you do not honour the Son, you do not honour the Father: “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honouth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him.” (John 5: 23

   If God is your Father, you will love His Son: “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me: for I proceeded forth from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me.” (John 8:42)

     If you do not believe that Jesus is God's Paschal Lamb Who atoned for our sins you will be lost: “And He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from Above: Ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.

    “Then said Jesus unto them, When have lifted up the Son of Man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself, but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.      "And He that sent Me is with Me: the Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please. As He spake these Words many believed on Him.

     “Then said Jesus unto those Jews that believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed. And ye shall know the TRUTH and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore makes you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 23,24, 28 -32, 36)

    If you love God, you are known of Him: “But if any man love God, the same is known of Him.” (1 Cor.8:3): “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, as there be gods many, and lords many, But to us there is but ONE GOD, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and ONE Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1 Cor. 8: 5, 6)

    The preaching of the cross is the power of God: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made if none effect. For the preaching of the CROSS is to them that perish foolishness, but UNTO US which are saved it is the power of God.

    “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:17, 18,23, 24)

    The Mystery of God Hidden: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 

    "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 7-10);

    “Even the Mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col.1:26)

    The Natural Man: “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 

    "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth; but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

   “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2: 14-16)

    But of God are we in Him: “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification and Redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30). 

     What an amazing turn about: we who were sinners by birth, nature and choice are made right with God and man through the mercy, grace and great love of our Saviour Jesus Christ!

    Though His vicarious death on the CROSS, our precious Lord paid the price for our Salvation. By the shedding of Jesus' pure, holy and sinless blood, we have been washed, purged and liberated from the power of sin, darkness and the Devil! And made JUST through His resurrection from the dead. All glory to His Name!

             BACKSLIDER COME HOME TO JESUS!

    BILLY GRAHAM made this powerful statement: “Americans have gone a long way down the wrong road.” (Nov.7, 2012). In a very few words the 'man of God' pointed his index at our rotting society in the former Christian Western world and the United States in particular. 

    He is saying that the train has left the station, heading down the wrong track and is grave danger of a serious collision with certain death, unless it gets its directions right!

    Almighty God invites us all to return to Him: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”(Is. 1: 18)

    “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot SAVE; neither His ear heavy that it cannot her: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” (Is. 59: 1,2)

    My prayer is: “Dear Heavenly Father, may Your blessed Holy Spirit speak to the perpetrators of unrighteousness to be convicted and repent of this evil and seek Your forgiveness. In Jesus' precious Name. Amen.”