Mark 1:15 – “Now Is The Time To Repent & Believe In The Gospel”!

Mark 1:15 – The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

At the very beginning of their ministries, both John and Jesus declared the exact same decree: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand”. Jesus began His public ministry after John the baptist was imprisoned, Jesus spoke these profound words. He came into Galilee preaching that the kingdom of God is at hand, and He now adds that “the time is fulfilled”.

Today, these great words of Jesus is again resounding around the world. Now is the time to get your earthly house in order. Now is the time of salvation! Now is the time to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Now is the time to accept the Gospel truth.

What is repentance? To turn away from sin and turn to God. To change our mind, to think differently. It is our mindsets, our opinions, what we believe that have set us to live and behave in a certain way. These mindsets, opinions and beliefs are not in alignment with Who God says He is, and how He wants us to live and think. Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus. Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

GOSPEL = “evangelion” in Greek, means “Good News”. It refers to the good news about God’s love for the world. The Gospel is the the Good News of Christ’s life, death and resurrection which can be found in the first four books of the new testament called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

When we turn to Christ and His Gospel, we become the children of God. God both accepts us back and restores us to a place of honor when we repent and live according to His Gospel. John 1:12-But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The “Good News- (JESUS), The Gospel of Jesus Christ” had been announced in Judea. In the temple at Jerusalem the birth of the forerunner had been foretold to Zacharias as he ministered before the altar. On the hills of Bethlehem the angels had proclaimed the birth of Jesus. To Jerusalem the magi had come in search of Him. In the temple Simeon and Anna had testified to His divinity.

Jerusalem and all Judea” had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist concerning Christ, the one who will come after Him. The One whom John declares that “he is not even worthy to tie His shoe lace”.

The world is without excuse! The Gospel can be seen and heard around the world through television, radio, i-phones, i-pads, lap tops, book stores, internet and on and on.

Now is the time to repent and believe the “GOSPEL”! The Kingdom of God is at hand.

As carriers of the Gospel or Ambassadors for Christ, we can not entangle ourselves with the lust, desires and pleasures of the world to which we are sent to share the “Good News”. Let us not become distracted by the things of this world, but put our time and effort into carrying out the Great Commission that Christ has given us in Matthew 28: 18-20.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

The kingdom of heaven is something we are TOLD to seek FIRST. Matthew 6:33-34- But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

First, Jesus said that He wants us to seek the kingdom of God, to search for, ask for, look for.

Secondly, the kingdom of heaven just doesn’t happen, we must enter into it, just as one would open a door and walk through it to the other side. There is an ENTRANCE into the kingdom of heaven. “Jesus is it, The Good News is it, The Gospel is it”!

John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is speaking today! Ponder on these words!

Mark 1:15 – The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

We are getting the signs everyday. The question is, are we heeding the warnings? If not, now is the time to do it!

Matthew 24:43-44 – But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

The kingdom of God is at hand. Now is the time to repent and grab a hold of the “Gospel” of Jesus Christ!

God bless and do tell the Lord than you for removing the scales from our eyes. Our minds are clear and our heart is set on sharing the “GOOD NEWS”!

NOW IS THE TIME!

I love you all with the love of Christ.

Debra

Philippians 2:5 -”In The Storm Called Life, We Must Set Our Minds On Christ”

Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

What are you focusing on? What has been tossing in your mind all night long and has carried itself over to this morning?

Everyone is going through something, but the good part about it is as Christians, we can release it and give it to God! Saints, we are called this morning to redirect our focus. We are called to let this mind be in us which is also in Christ Jesus. In other words, we are commanded to put on the mind of Christ. Focus on God and His will for our lives, not on what is happening in our lives.

What things are we to put our mind on? Our answer is found in Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Why should we focus on these things? Apostle Paul give us a little help on this morning in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 which declares that our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What we see with our natural eyes is not all there is to see. God is working in the spirit realm on our behalf. What we must do is stay focus on God and His Word concerning us and our situation, trust Him to work it out on our behalf and believe by faith that even though the evidence is not before us, God has already worked it out!

This christian walk is one by faith and not by sight! When we pray, we must believe that we have already received that which we have asked God for. We must let this mind which is in Christ Jesus, be in us on this Christian journey. If not, the storms of life will take us away in our minds.

What we see is temporary, God and His Word is eternal. Remember, let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:5-8 says for they that are after the flesh, do mind the
things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of
God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

You set your mind like you would set a radio dial. Put it on Christ and let it stay there. Anytime the enemy wants to remind you of your situation or circumstance, remind him of what God’s Word says concerning you. You are victorious, more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Remember, let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.

Read Matthew chapter 4 and see what Christ did when satan came to tempt Him. He used the Word of God!

James 4:7-8A- submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

A lot of people find this hard to do, because the Bible is not real to them. Some even say “that’s not reality”; but the only real truth is the word of God.

Saints, purpose in your heart today that God’s Word is final authority in your life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works”.

Jesus set His mind to go to the cross (Luke 9:51-53) “and it came to pass. When the time was come that He should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.

Have you set your mind on things above? Have you purpose in your heart on today that you will let this mind that is in Christ Jesus also be in you on today?

There is a song that says: I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus! Is this your song? It’s mine and it is ringing in my head right now.

Remember, Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

God bless and do tell the Lord thank you for keeping our minds stayed on Jesus.

TELL THE LORD THANK YOU FOR KEEPING OUR MINDS! AS IN THE WORDS OF MY PASTOR, REV. HOLT, “LORD, KEEP MY MIND”!

I love you all with the love of Christ.

Debra

1 Peter 3:18 – “HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!”

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive) by the Spirit.

TO ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS, POW’S, MIA’S, ACTIVE, RESERVE, DISABLED, DECEASED AND ALL THEIR FAMILIES, I SAY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY TO YOU.

Today is the day that we celebrate all of you. Today is the day that we give honor, praise and glory to God for allowing you the courage, bravery, wisdom and power to go forth and fight for our freedom in this country with God on your side.

My son, K.C. Aiken is now an official US Soldier. Today officially marks one week into boot camp with the National Guards. He will return to school this August and will complete his 2nd half of boot camp training the summer of 2013 if the Lord willing.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Memorial Day is 2 fold. Our remembrance of What God did for us over 2k years ago to save us from the penalty of sin and death and our remembrance of our Military Men & Women who fought for our freedom in this country through the sacrifice of separation from families, injuries and death for some.

As we celebrate, remember and honor our soldiers who not only fought to protect us, but the many who gave their lives doing it, let us not forget about Christ, who also fought and died for our salvation.

As we daily reflect and remember what Christ did for our freedom, it should not only bring us to tears, but bring us to a repentant state of mind. It should make us cry out in surrender to the one who not only set us free now, but also throughout eternity.

John 3:16-For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son. He loved us so much that He sent forth his son,Jesus, who fought through rejection, denial, envy, hate, jealousy, betrayal, persecution, mockery and eventually death, just to provide His love for us. Just to prove that He was willing to pay the price we could not pay to be set free from the penalty of sin and death.

Think about that for a moment. Ponder here for a minute! To think that Christ died for me! To reflect on the wonderful truth of Christ’s death, as it is outlined for us in God’s Word, the Bible, brings great wonder and amazement as I think of a love so great as this. To think He died for me!

The Bible teaches that Christ was judged (penalized) in our place (“the just for the unjust”). On the cross Jesus experienced the punishment of God for the sins of the entire human race (“suffered for sins”). Jesus was also put to death in the sinner’s place; that is being put to death in the flesh. Jesus Christ took the “wages of sin”, or the payment that sin required, upon Himself, which was the penalty of death.

On the cross Jesus bore the sinner’s punishment and death. He endured intense suffering, thirst, and separation from the Father’s presence. It was punishment that resulted from God’s divine wrath and “righteous judgment” being poured out on Christ, as He experienced our curse or judgment for sin.

The payment (a penalty or judgment for sin) that Jesus Christ experienced on the cross becomes the satisfying sacrifice that God can accept for sin and the sinner. Christ’s payment for sin is the only sacrifice that can bring the believing sinner into God’s presence. Through Christ’s death the sinner that was once alienated from God – Colossians 1:21 – He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

We who were once alienated from God now have access to Him through Christ Jesus. We are now reconciled to God through Christ Jesus by faith! This is because God the Father is satisfied with Christ’s payment for sin on behalf of the sinner, you and I.

IF YOU HAVE ACCEPTED CHRIST JESUS, YOU ARE FREE! FREEDOM REIGNS WITHIN YOU THROUGH CHRIST!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

God bless and do REMEMBER to tell God thank you for Jesus and for our Soldiers who made a sacrifice for humanity.

I love you all with the love of Christ.

Debra

Ephesians 3:20 – “Do You Believe That God Is Able?”

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE? WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION MAY BE ON THIS MORNING, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE TO FIX IT?

Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

What is it that you are dealing with on this morning? Where is your faith on this morning? Is it in God? Is it in what you see that you are dealing with right now? Where is your faith on this morning?

If you faith is in God, Do you believe that God is able? He declares in His Word that He is able!

Our God Sovereign. He is a God of abundance,a God of more than enough, a great supplier of all our needs, a miracle working God and God who knows our needs and desires before we even speak them out of our mouths. Our God, our creator, the maker of the earth and all they that dwell therein. The God that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think according to the power that worketh in us! GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!

Who would be crazy enough to not want to serve a God like that?

In our text, we are told that God is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above! Exceedingly abundantly above what? Anything that we can ask or is able to think of, God can go beyond that to a realm which we are not able to understand nor comprehend. He is God! His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

Our duty is to believe and have faith. Do you believe what God has written concerning you and your situation this morning? Do you believe it?

Vines’ Dictionary says the phrase “exceeding abundantly” is the Greek “huper-ek-perissos” which means superabundantly. More than we need. More than we can even think or dream about.

The word “exceeding” comes from the Greek preposition “huper” which means over and beyond, superior to, and more than is required. It is used in compound words throughout the New Testament to express God’s excessive benevolence towards His children.

How much in abundance is God wanting to give us? We have our answer in Luke 6:38 – Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

Our faith in God and His Word and our daily prayer determines what we believe and what we do not believe. Our faith also determines what we receive from God.

What we believe or do not believe has nothing to do with God exceedingly, abundantly ability and power to operate in and through our lives. He is God and does what He pleases when He pleases to do so. Our is a God of excessive power, excessive grace, and excessive peace.

The New Century Version translation of Ephesians 3:20 says: With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.

As christian believers, we must learn how to walk in the excesses of God, how to stretch out our faith and struggle through all obstacles that may come against us to that we may obtain the supernatural blessings of God that exceed anything that we have ever experienced before.

Webster defines excessive as that which goes far beyond the usual, to be extraordinary, exorbitant, extravagant, overabundant, and too much.

Our God is the God of excess and abundance. Do you believe that?

In John 10:10-b Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus has come that we might have an exceedingly abundant life. Filled to overflowing with the blessings of God.

Now whether or not we get the exceedingly abundantly above that God has to offer depends on our faith. It depends upon what we believe we do through Christ and what we can have through Him also.

Matthew 9:29b declares these words – “According to your faith will it be done to you.” You can have what you believe you can have by faith. Do you believe that? God declares on today that He is able.
The rest is up to us!

Little prayer, little power, little faith, little blessings.

God never intended for His children to live ordinary and meager lives with their needs barely being met. He wants us to be filled to overflowing with His peace, saturated with His grace, and consumed by His love and His presence.

2 Corinthians 9:8 – And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

The Amplified says, “And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].”

The word “abound” comes from the Greek word “perisseuo” which means to be superabundant, excessive, and superfluous. God wants us walking in an excessive amount of His grace and supply.

God wants you standing self-sufficient in His grace. In every circumstance and whatever the need, to be fully supplied with His abundant life.

The same anointing and power that flowed through Jesus has been made available to every believer in Christ. Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”

It’s not enough to merely believe in God’s power or to believe that God is able. To receive the Lord’s abundant supply, we must see to it that God’s anointing is fully energized and working in our lives. This evidence or manifestation of God’s abundance supply in our lives can only be seen in our obedience to Him and allegiance to Him and Him alone.

If we do obey Christ, we can boldly confess Ephesians 3:20, with the evidence revealing itself in our lives!

All that God can do, and all that He has promised to do, will be done according to His miraculous power in our lives. When we remove everything that hinders the free flow of His anointing from our mind, from our heart, and from our attitude, when we dare to believe for things that are outside our own natural strength, then God will be able to work His abundant life in our midst.

Galatians 3:5 – He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

God is allowing us to be tested to stretch us to the point where we boldly confess without any doubt that our God is the God of the impossible for He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think according to our faith.

We must rise above self limitations and dare to dream of the excess of God that He offers to them that believe. Do you believe what God declares to you this morning through His Word? Do you believe?

Saints, we must set our sights far above anything that we have thus far experienced, exceeding what is normal or sufficient, and truly believe that all things are possible in God.

God told Abraham in Genesis 15:1, “Fear not Abram, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” And then in verse #6 “And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. Because of Abraham’s trust and faithfulness in God and His Word, God told him that He will make Him a Father of many nations. In other words, God said He will make him fruitful beyond his wildest imagination.

Romans 4:20 says Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

Are you wavering in your faith this morning concerning your situation? God declares to you on today in Ephesians 3:20 that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

MY QUESTION TO YOU ON TODAY IS; DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE? DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

Whatever it is that you are dealing with on today, whatever it is that you need God to fix in your life, you MUST believe without doubting that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think.

I dare you to begin to give God thanks right now for what He has already done on your behalf, just this morning!

I BELIEVE GOD AND I BELIEVE IT IS ALREADY DONE BY FAITH!

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE!

GOD BLESS AND DO REMEMBER TO TELL THE LORD THANK YOU FOR HE IS TRULY A GOD THAT IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL WE COULD ASK OR THINK ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKETH IN US.

I love you all with the love of Christ.

Debra

Luke 17:11-19 – “DID YOU TELL THE LORD THANK YOU TODAY?”

LUKE 17: 11-19 – And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Jesus healing of the tel lepers is a story of God’s Grace and thanksgiving.

Easton Bible Dictionary – Leprosy=(Heb. tsara’ath, a “smiting,” a “stroke,” because the disease was regarded as a direct providential infliction). This name is from the Greek lepra, by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease, as well as the regulations connected with it, in Lev. 13; 14; Num. 12:10-15, etc.

The disease is awful. It begins with specks on the eyelids and the palms, gradually spreading over the whole body, bleaching the hair white, crusting the affected parts with white scales causing terrible sores and swelling. From the skin the disease eats inward to the bones, rotting the whole body piece by piece. Leprosy was a fatal disease. A leper had to warn passers-by to keep away from him, by calling out, ‘Unclean! unclean!’

The Hebrews believed that Leprosy was God striking or punishing the afflicted person. It was a God given disease and, therefore, could only be cured by the Lord.

In our text, Luke, the Gospel writer, says as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He met 10 people that had an awful skin disease called leprosy. These men saw Jesus coming and began shouting to him, “Jesus, Master, help us.”

Jesus reply to their request was simple. He told them to go to the priest and let him look at them. Back then, a leper went to the priest when he was cured so that the priest can declare him clean so that he can enter back into society.

All 10 of these lepers trusted what Jesus said. They had faith in Jesus. They began walking to see the priest. On the way, one of the men looked down and gasped. “Look!” he said excitedly.(paraphrasing)
“My leprosy is gone!” Jesus made me well. They all realized that they were well. The lepers were so excited. No longer would they have to be outcasts from everyone. People would talk to them and they could live a normal life!

Even though we talk about someone who “believes,” Faith is exhibited in what we actually DO. Because these lepers believe, they begin to obey and go to the village where the priests live. James 2:17 -Faith without works is dead. Faith is an action word.

Out of the 10, there was only one man who knew that he needed more than a physical healing. He knew that he needed a Savior and that Jesus was indeed Him. So needy and so grateful, this man came back to thank Jesus for what He had done. He remember to “Tell The Lord Thank You”! He was so thankful and grateful for what Jesus had done for him, he did not have any other choice, but to run back to thank Jesus, praising him with a loud voice and finally worshiping Him by throwing himself at Jesus’ feet and saying “Thank You.”

Appreciation for what God has done for us, should send us into worship. When we think on the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for us, our souls should cry out to Him in worship!

After seeing that only one had came to say “Thank You”, Jesus said to him, “Weren’t there ten who were healed? Where are the other nine?”

God does so much for us! Every day He provides everything we need: Breath, health, food, clothing, shelter, a job, family, homes, cars, education and on and on. How could we so easily forget to “Tell The Lord Thank You” when He has done soooo much for us. We do not have enough words to describe all that God has done for us. The least we could do every opportunity we get is “Tell The Lord Thank You”!

Do we ever forget to say, “Thank You?” Let’s stop right now and say “Thank You” and ask God to help us remember to thank Him every day.

How many times have we prayed out to God for a healing, a job, a financial blessing, a sick child, spouse or family member, a personal issue, marital issue, school issue,etc. How many times has God answered our prayers without a thank you from us?

In all our prayer requests and petitions to God, did we find the time to “Tell God Thank You” before or after He had answered our prayers? Or, did we do as the other 9 lepers, just walked away from God ungrateful, never given to the thought of ever “Telling The Lord Thank You.”

A clear lesson for us to learn is to be thankful in all things. We must train ourselves to show thanks, to give thanks, to be filled with thanksgiving. Without being thankful disciples we won’t be pleasing to Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 5:18 – In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

If we are willing to give God thanks in everything, including the good and bad, then we won’t ever forget to “Tell The Lord Thank You”! We know that even the bad is working for our good, according to Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Jesus expects us to show gratitude. The same way you expect your children or grandchildren to thank you when you do something for them. .

I can only hope and pray that like the lepers, we too are boisterously thankful. Thankful enough to throw ourselves at Jesus’ feet. And thankful enough to voice Jesus’ question as our own, “Where are the other nine?” and help them find their way home, too.

God bless and remember to “TELL THE LORD THANK YOU”!

I love you all with the love of Christ!

Debra