It's Good To Have Things to Believe In

I'm very glad to have things I believe in and know to be true. As I was reading and pondering the scriptures this evening, I was reminded of those things and felt a desire to share them:

9 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

The Book of Mormon
Book of Mosiah 4:9-10, 12

in need of some good verses...

i know this is a deviation from the posting of verses...but i really need help with verses pertaining to forgiveness. i've been really struggling the past few years with forgiving my father and i know that this is holding me back from a better relationship with him, as well as, my Heavenly Father...

Encouraging Word

Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.
~Acts 16:31 NLT

The Cross

Today I was driving to work and this big black truck driving buy me caught my eye. There was a white cross in his back window and under it this saying...

"Jesus beats the Devil down with two sticks."

Colossians 2: 13-15

When I got to work I looked this scripture up and this is what it reads...
Colossians 2: 13-15 ...
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed[d] the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

It really makes me think of the cross in a different way that even though it was a horrible memory from the bible, it reminds me whenever I see it, of the enormous sacrifice God gave to save us, in all of the whole world he gave his only son to save me and you….

For some reason I have always been drawn to the cross as a symbol of the sacrifice God gave for us, but to think of it in the sense that God beats the devil down with it every time someone accepts God into there life. To think that when a person is given a new life through Christ, God symbolically nails their forgiven sin to that cross, displaying for the world to see that those sins are cast away, as if to show the Devil yet another one I will save from your fiery pit.

praise the Lord!

i had the incredible opportunity to help lead worship (music) at teen challenge phoenix last night. it is a God focused ministry to help men overcome their addictions to drugs and alcohol. often, teen challenge is ordered by the court system as a last resort before going to jail. rarely have i ever seen God move so powerfully in a place. the men are former drug dealers, abusers, criminals and yet i see more of God in their eyes, mouths and actions than i do the people i see on sunday in church. one man last night gave his life over to Christ and i couldn't help but have tears well up in my eyes and feel that God was present all around us.

so with that, i will move beyond my fear verses and post a few about rejoicing in the Lord:

1 chronicles 16:10
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

1 chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"

psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure

and from one of the songs we sang last night:

Better is one day in your house,
Better is one day in your courts,
Than thousands elsewhere!

Encouraging Word

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
~ 1 John 1:9 NLT

thoughts and questions...

so i had some stuff go down yesterday at work that really tested my patience. i won't go into the details but i immediately thought of a verse and wondered what would be the appropriate Godly response to the situation.

the verse was from Matthew 5: 38-39
You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

in my interpretation an "eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" would lead me to believe that i should not lay down and accept any sort of abuse (be it verbal, emotional or physical). so does that mean i should stand up and give it right back???

the second part of the verse "...strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." would lead me to believe the exact opposite. that by not retaliating, i would be a "better person" and not stoop to the person's level.

then there's the middle part of the verse, "do not resist an evil person"...so should i embrace evil people? by embracing evil people, am i demonstrating God's love???

i don't believe that God intends His people to be soft, mushy and pushovers. i believe he intends us to be strong and confident because of Him. but where does the line lay when it comes to dealing with belligerent, arrogant, abusive people???

Does God want mankind to be equal?

Please read the following verse from your Bibles:

John 10:10 King James Version

10The thief 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 it more abundantly.

My questions to you is...

Does God want all mankind to be equal? Is this verse an open admittance that Christians will have life in more fulfilling ways then non-believers do?

My thoughts:

No I do not believe God intends to treat all mankind equal. For Christians I believe this verse tells us that we will have life more abundantly regardless of whatever circumstances the rest of the world faces. Sure there can still be hardship but that does not mean we are not favored. Enough about what I think what do you think?

in fear, be courageous...

along the lines of some of the recent posts about fear...and knowing that my own fears are overwhelming these days. i felt that i needed some words of encouragement. and nothing seems to say it better than the verse below.

Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

how true is this???!!! if i think back over the past 1-2 years, i have faced many trials and tribulations...all of which have been reasons to be fearful and scared and curl up in the corner to avoid life. but through His grace, God has reminded me that He is with me. sure the situations were difficult, but i came out of it a better person...because of God.

in these times, i often reflect upon the people i know that don't have God in their hearts. i wonder how they are making it through all of their trials and tribulations. i often remember what it was like before i went to God and asked Him to take over my life; and i know that it seemed like a never-ending doom was hanging over me. but now, i know that all will be well because of Him.

Having Faith Can Be Scary Sometimes

There was a time a while back when I was seriously struggling with making a very important decision. I had prayed and prayed and felt I had received an answer from my Heavenly Father, but I was very afraid of following through with what I felt he wanted. I prayed that he would help me to find the answer and courage I needed as I turned to the scriptures. I opened up the New Testament to Hebrews (which I have never even attempted to read in my life because it gets too confusing for me) Chapter 10. I began reading at random and found this verse:

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I felt like Heavenly Father was telling me he knew how hard the decision to have faith was. he knew it was scary and wanted to reassure me that he knew. I continued reading and found these verses as well:

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

That experience was nothing short of a miracle for me. I knew that my loving Father in Heaven had guided me to read those verses. It was his way of telling me, it's OK to be scared, but have faith and patience. Do the will of God and all will be well. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers my prayers.

a word of thanks!

i don't have a scripture for today (at least not yet), but i want to say thank you to all of you have posted to this blog. believe it or not, your posts and comments have been incredibly uplifting to me (and i hope to you as well). though i don't read the Bible as much as i should, i feel like learning from all of you is helping draw me closer to Him.

which is exactly why carrie and i started this blog.

Nothing can seperate us from the love of God.

With so many trials going on around the world and in our own lives, sometimes I fall into the trap of saying "why has God forsaken me?" Whenever I get into that mode, I recognize how desperate Satan is to get us to give into the notion of despair and grief. So, rather than wallow in depression, I get my scriptures and read the following verses.

They are the most wonderful and hopeful scripture verses I know of:

Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In short, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Encouraging Word

Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.

~ Isaiah 55:6 NLT

who/what inspires you???

as i was listening to some God rap this morning on the way to work, i got to thinking about inspiration. so i thought i would pose the question, who or what inspires you to draw closer to God???

for me, it's music and pastors. music moves me; it affects my moods; it brings me out of a funky mood; and it soothes my soul. lately, i've been listening to a lot of lecrae, brothatone, jephia life and others. all use music to profess the grace of God and the importance of reaching non-believers. God is the focus of their music; not Jesus pieces, glocks, money and fame.

i've also been following a pastor out of seattle by the name of mark driscoll. he is the author of books like, the emerging church, vintage jesus and vintage church. mark speaks in a way that is very God-centered and breaks the Word down in a way that is applicable to life. sometimes his words cut deep, but that's because he exposes our biggest weakness, sin! sins of all types, from pornography to self-righteousness. as a christian, his messages have been very powerful.

so i ask you, who or what inspires you to be closer to God?

Encouraging Word

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
~ Psalm 5:3 NLT

a prayer for today

Lord,

you know everything i do, everything i say and everything that i think. there is no hiding from you. my words have not been Your words. my thoughts have not been Your thoughts. and my actions have not been Your actions. but You already know this; and still You welcome me with open arms whenever i need You. i have sinned over and over again; and still Your grace is upon me. why have You not showed me Your wrath which i am so deserving of??? i turn away from You constantly and then come crawling back in the hopes You will constantly forgive me. i am not deserving of Your love; but i am forever indebted to Your grace and mercy, O God.

as i live and breathe today, Lord, please renew my heart and mind. please let my mouth be the megaphone of Your words, not mine. please let me only speak as You would have me speak; no insults, no curses, no ill-will. i know that i will struggle all the days of my life, but i just ask You to be patient with me; to forgive me for what i do and say and think.

Lord, You are my Savior, which i do know in my heart. please have mercy on me.

in Your name i pray. Amen

Encouraging Word

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
~ Romans 12:12 NLT

Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

How true is this statement?!

As I read it for the first time, I took it to mean that if we live our lives for Jesus, we will be more satisfied than any amount of money, any job title, any house we live in or car we drive. As a man who is trying to discover how to carry out God's plan for me, this truth is in my head daily.

But when I re-read it, I thought it also might mean that as followers of His Word, we should be evidence, a standing testimony, to the power that He has in our lives. What better way to stand apart from the world's desires, than to be an example of Christ to everybody around us?! Amazing!!!

At some point, God changed our hearts and ultimately how we lead our lives. Should we not be easily identifiable as a Christian to all of those around us??? Are we not role models for God's grace to our friends, those at church, the people at the mall, etc.??? What a responsibility!!! What a gift!!!

why the change???

so you may have seen that the title has changed to "one way ticket"...why??? as i was driving home today, the phrase came to me. one way ticket. we all know what a one way ticket is, it refers to traveling to a destination and not coming back.

the concept of going to a place and never coming back can be a very powerful thought when in the context of Heaven and Hell. as people who walk in God's footsteps and try to follow His word, we are looking forward to going to Heaven and being with our Holy Father for eternity.

as believers we also fear the other side of this coin. we fear that our friends and family members who do not follow God will have a "one way ticket" to Hell. going to Hell is scary and there is no coming back. the Bible says this is the case.

so i thought it was only fitting to use "one way ticket" as the title, in the hopes that this is at the forefront of our daily actions, thoughts and words. especially as we reach out to those around us, hoping that we may lead people to God so they too can find themselves in Heaven with our Heavenly Father.

Encouraging Word

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
~ Colossians 4:2, NLT

Daily Verse (Psalm 60)

i find this so appropriate for the first post of this blog...i also find it incredibly appropriate for the hard times many of us our facing right now. i have chosen the amplified version of the Bible for this passage. and so it reads...

1O GOD, You have rejected us and cast us off, broken down [our defenses], and scattered us; You have been angry--O restore us and turn Yourself to us again! 2 You have made the land to quake and tremble, You have rent it [open]; repair its breaches, for it shakes and totters. 3 You have made Your people suffer hard things; You have given us to drink wine that makes us reel and be dazed. 4 [But now] You have set up a banner for those who fear and worshipfully revere You [to which they may flee from the bow], a standard displayed because of the truth. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! 5 That Your beloved ones may be delivered, save with Your right hand and answer us [or me]. 6 God has spoken in His holiness [in His promises]: I will rejoice, I will divide and portion out [the land] Shechem and the Valley of Succoth [west to east]. 7 Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is My helmet (the defense of My head); Judah is My scepter and My lawgiver. 8 Moab is My washpot [reduced to vilest servitude]; upon Edom I cast My shoe in triumph; over Philistia I raise the shout of victory. 9 Who will bring me [David] into the strong city [of Petra]? Who will lead me into Edom? 10 Have You not rejected us, O God? And will You not go forth, O God, with our armies? 11 O give us help against the adversary, for vain (ineffectual and to no purpose) is the help or salvation of man. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries.

Welcome!

in light of our times and discussions, i have set up this blog for sharing God's Word. in this new technological era and hectic lives, this blog will become a forum for anybody willing to add to and enrich the lives of believers and non-believers in their quest for salvation, redemption and knowledge.

God says that He should be on our lips and in our hearts everyday. He says that we should be fruitful for Him. that is what this forum is for...

please feel free to post any discussions pertaining to God and His Word. i would love for this forum to be how we, as believers and non-believers interpret His Word. but i also ask that you be respectful of how we each find interpretation in the Bible. please be respectful of others opinions and feelings, for this discussion is meant to enrich lives, not debate semantics.

welcome and may God bless each of us daily.