Good Enough For Heaven

This post may be a little controversial. I don’t usually write about these types of things, but important if you want to make it to heaven. I have a tendency not to sugarcoat things. I have a family member who calls herself a Christian. We must understand that there’s a reason people feel as though they don’t want to follow God, because of the way people act.

Some of the worst “advertising” for Christ are the people who say they are Christians but aren’t. The truth is m anyone can call themselves a Christian, whether they are or not. There is no restriction that can keep false believers at bay. Scripture tells that there would be false believers and even false prophets. “Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15-20).

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us,

“ Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know as to your own selves, that Yeshua Messiah is in you? -unless indeed you are disqualified.”

Here are some ways I examine myself often. Please don’t call yourself a Christian if:

1, You live a non-christian lifestyle

  • Am I dishonest in my finances?
  • Am I rude or unloving toward others?
  • Do I support behaviors that are contrary to scripture?

This is not to say that to become a Christian you just live a moral life, or if you make a mistake. You cannot be a Christian.

Scripture is clear that Christians made mistakes. The difference between real and false Christians is a habitual lifestyle. If we continue in sin without repentance and a behavior change it shows we are not a true Christian.

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments if a liar, and the truth is not in Him” – 1 John 2:3-4

2. You don’t fully believe in and obey the Bible

  • Do I believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God and my guide for living?

The Bible says it is the final Word,

“Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Jesus taught,

“For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the Torah (Bible) until all things are accomplished” – Matthew 5:18

While Scripture is meant to be authoritative and final, some think they can call themselves Christians, yet pick and choose what they what they want be believe and obey.

When we do this we make ourselves the final judge of right and wrong, truth and untruth. In other words, we make ourselves gods. which is what is wrong with the world today. We have effectively created a system where “anything goes,” because there are no absolutes. The world believes and follows what they wants. The standard is effectively destroyed.

People have their own interpretations, but most biblical issues are not just a matter of interpretation. The Bible is clear. Some people simply don’t like what it says, and try to argue around it.

We need to take heed this warning:

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master (God) who brought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed, they make up clever lies to get a hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed” – 2: Peter 2:1-3 (NLT).

3. Don’t think no you’ll get to heaven by just being good.

If you were to die today and stand before God and He said, “Why should I allow you into heaven,” how would you respond?

The clear majority of people, even if they said they were Christians, would tell God they were “good enough.” Would their goodness be better than their badness?

Most people are totally unaware that our “goodness” has nothing to do with our eternal destiny. They Bible tells us,

“ For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like autumn leaves, we wither away and fall and our sins sweep us away like the wind” – Isaiah 64:6

What does God say can save us and send us to heaven when we die? It is what Jesus called being “born again.” (John 3:3, 7)

We become born again when there is a spiritual transformation from the inside out. The at to receive this spiritual transformation is described in Romans 10:8-14,

“If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made resulting in salvation, for the scripture says, whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For, whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him who they have not heard? How will they hear without a proclaimer?”

So, where does Christian living come in? The answer is that to live a Christian lifestyle we have to obey the Bible, not to be saved, but because you are saved

“We love Him because He first loved us” – 1 John 4:19

Talents And Gifts

The Bible teaches that:

  1. God have given very human being a gift, or talent, to use for His purpose.

“As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms” – 1 Peter 4:10

2. God wants us to use these gifts to help others and glorify Jesus, not ourselves.

“If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Yeshua the Messiah, to whom being the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” – 1 Peter 4:11

3. God wants us to use our gifts to help his body of believers.

“Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let’s prophesy, according to the proportion of our faith, or service, ketd give ourselves to service, or he who teaches, to his teaching, or he who exhorts, to his exporting, he who gives, let him do it with generosity, he who rules, with diligence, he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” – Romans 12:6-8

4. God will judge us for how we use our gifts.

“For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that will be taken away” – Matthew 25:29

5. God requires much from those who have been given much.

“To whomever much is given, of him will much be required, and to whom was entrusted, of him of him more will be asked” – Luke 12:48

The Bible has a lot to say about talents and gifts. However, these scriptures and teachings are the most common of the teachings on the gifts and talents that God has given us.

Feeling At Peace

How are you feeling right now?

Across all cultures, we share the same six emotions – sadness, anger, fear, joy, love, and peace.

Although I woke up with a slight headache this morning, I feel at peace. Even in times of trouble peace is possible. I don’t think peace is something we create on our own. I think we have true peace in our hearts. True peace is wholeness, calmness, and completeness.

It is written in the Bible that Jesus is the “Prince of peace. It is closeness to Jesus that calms and gives us peace even in the middle of a trial.

In John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world,”

When we remember that peace is not the absence of conflict or calm circumstances, peace is actually the presence of God amid all our circumstances.

Whether I am in pain or troubled circumstances peace is always found with God.

The Battle For Your Soul

“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36

In the world today, many people are oblivious to the fact that they are in the midst of a spiritual battle. They live their lives in sin and they are not ready to please God. Satan gives them daily inspiration to do things that will lead them to hell.

Jesus makes us know there is no profit in gaining the world and losing our souls. There is nothing we can give in exchange for our souls. No amount of wealth, or worldly possession is greater than the soul of a human being. Human souls are more precious than gold or silver, there is nothing that can be compared to it.

Satan wants us to gain the world and lose our souls. He is fighting a fierce and never-ending battle against our souls. The truth is that we can see this battle happening in everyday society. This spiritual battle is between life and death, heaven and hell, light and darkness, and between self-denial and self-love.

We are living in a time where satan doesn’t even hide, and the world still cannot see him

Satan wants you to die in your sin without repenting. He does not want you to reign with Jesus in heaven.

The battles we choose and the lifestyles we live reflect the God or the gods we serve. Jesus went to the cross for you and me, He went there to abolish the power of Satan, Sin, and Death, Sin and Death are the only enemies we have. These enemies constantly whisper in our ears that we are unlivable, unwanted, and powerless. There is no religious, social battle, or political battle that will satisfy your desire for acceptance, comfort, and power. The only place that these desires will be satisfied is at the feet of Jesus.

Daily Habits

What daily habit do you do that improves your quality of life?

What habit improves my daily life? A habit that completely changed my quality of life is I changed my perspective on it.

The world is a crazy place. I look at life challenges positively. Seeing things negatively only makes us depressed and hopeless. But by changing your perspective you can begin to see new things. You can see the details in a new way. You find that things aren’t as bad as they seem, and you may find the exact things you need for your next step in life. You begin to open your mind to new details, new paths, and new perspectives.

It is the reason I am happy and not hopeless in a chaotic world.

Living Victoriously

When it comes to living victoriously, we cannot do it by ourselves. Thankfully, it is not dependent on us.

“Thanks be to God He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” -1 Corinthians 15:57

Our victory is not in and of ourselves or anything we can accomplish on our own. It comes through Jesus because only He can conquer death, sin, sickness, and darkness.

Living victoriously begins and ends with Jesus. There is no victory without Jesus because, through Him and His sacrifice, He gives us the power and strength to overcome whatever is trying to defeat us.

When Jesus walked the earth, He lived a victorious life. He was victorious over sickness, nature, demons, and death itself. It is because of His victory that we can live in victory. But is doesn’t mean that life won’t be hard, or that we won’t stumble and even fall from time to time.

Jesus showed us what true victory looks nothing like this world defines victory. Jesus tells us that victory lies in being humble. True humility means that we never think of ourselves as greater than God, but instead as His obedient and lowly servant. Victory is reached through pursuing a childlike faith.

Living in victory means living with joy the responsibilities God has given us, no matter how big or small they appear to be in a given moment.

The Last Internet Search

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

My last internet search was looking up a rental car company in my area. My jeep was hit in a parking lot while I was grocery shopping. I am blessed that she waited for me to come out of the store and gave me her instructions and called the police.

Her insurance company would only pay for rentals that were 80 miles away from me. Talking to the insurance claims department I became tasked with finding a rental on my own. Feel blessed that the insurance company will pay for it.

Guidelines To Experience Spiritual Victory

Everyone experiences traumas in their lives. That feeling you just can’t get ahead, every time you feel like you’re getting ahead something comes along that drags you back down. But, if you learn how to fight darkness in your life. I used to think there would never be light in my dark world.

If you’re willing to fight that darkness that seems to lurk in every corner. Over the years, I have learned a few ways to do that. Here are a few guidelines I have used

  • Have Confidence In God.

When we acknowledge our sinfulness and accept God’s free gift of salvation, we can stand before Him clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. (Corinthians 5:21).

  • Submit To God And Resist Satan.

Although Jesus has given us authority over satan (1 John 4:4), we can exercise it only if we submit ourselves to God and resist our enemy (satan).

  • Be Aware Of Satan’s Strategies.

Satan can take advantage of us if we are unaware of his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).

  • Put On The Armor Of God.

Like a well equipped Roman soldier, to prepare for spiritual battle *Ephesians 6:11-18).

The Belt of Truth – Our first line of defense is to be truthful. We must never misrepresent the truth.

The Breastplate of Righteousness – Any sin in our life leaves us open to Satan’s attack. We have been given Jesus’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) When we Repent and turn away from our sins we become righteous.

The Shield of Faith – Our faith quenches us from satan’s flaming arrows of temptation (Ephesians 6:16) as we believe what God has said about every area of our life.

The Helmet of Salvation – Our hope of salvation guards against Satan’s sword of discouragment and doubt.

The Sword of the Spirit – Scripture is our best offensive weapon against satan. Jesus used it in His forty days in the wilderness.

  • Pray

Prayer expresses our dependence on God (Ephesians 6:18). In the power of Jesus, with the armor of the Spirit, we can experience victory.

Our true battles are not against flesh and blood but against the unseen powers of darkness and principalities. If we strive to follow Jesus and live for Him, we can be prepared to fight well.

Roman Soldier

Television Shows

What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

What Television shows did I watch as a kid? I wasn’t allowed to watch regular television as a child. Television was for my parents only. I remember watching “The 10 Commandments” and “The Wizzard of Oz.” A few times a year when I reached my teens.

Seeds Of Doubt

To win battles we need to know who our enemies are, but more importantly, we need to know their tactics. This is especially true when we are fighting a spiritual battle.

We know our number one enemy is Satan. John 8:44 tells us he is a “liar and the father of lies.” in 1 Peter 5:8 we learn that he is “Your (our) adversary, the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may desire.” And again in Revelation 12:10, we learn that he is “the accuser of the brethren, who accuses them (us) before our God day and night.”

This is because he wants to steal souls from the Lord, Satan uses our weaknesses against us in order to cause us to sin, in hopes that we will stray from God and continue to live in sin, and turn away from God.

The Bible tells us the tactics that satan uses and also how to resist him so he will flee from us. And get victory over sin.

One of the tactics satan used on me, was to doubt that God loved me, and told me, I had to hide all my bad experiences and sins because they were too horrible to let out into the world. He used both doubt and fear against me.

Satan had been using doubt as his weapon since the Garden of Eden and has not put this tactic not a shelf to let it gather dust. It worked then and it’s been working for thousands of years.

In Adam and Eve, the serpent sowed doubt in Eve’s mind to make her think that God was hiding something from her. Eve succumbed to satan’s tactics and let his words influence her actions.

Through Eve’s actions, we can learn a powerful lesson. To stand firm on the Word of God when doubt creeps in. There are three ways we can do this:

  1. Be honest about your doubts and face them.
  2. Commit your doubts to the Lord.
  3. Fill your heart and mind with God’s Word.

Satan used doubt to move us away from God. He uses doubt and makes it personal, he uses it in our relationship with God.

Satan wants us to doubt:

  1. God’s love, grace, and mercy towards us.
  2. Our salvation
  3. The Word of God

If we doubt even one of those things, the devil thinks he’s got us.

It’s God’s love, grace, and mercy that led Him to send Jesus to earth and lay down His life for us. It’s Jesus’s giving up His life that leads us to salvation. When we accept the gift of salvation and accept all that the Word of God had for us, then we realize the truth of His Word. Satan doesn’t want any of that for us.

Have you ever wondered how God could love you or question your salvation? I know I have.

These are things satan puts in our minds to make us doubt. It’s us us to seek the truth in the Word of God and stand up against satan when he tries to use doubt against us.

James 1:6 tells us,

“Let him ask in faith with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

If we doubt God’s power, His love, His mercy, or anything then why would we pray to Him make a request, or even trust Him? There would be no need.

My Favorite Time Of Day

What’s your favorite time of day?

My favorite time of day is early morning, It’s the time usually spend with God because my house is completely silent. I can talk to God and read my Bible with no distractions. During this time an inner peace. And when I seek God’s guidance for the day.