Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 5 of 59

God has rules and He is going to send Jesus to uphold them. All will stand in judgement and in that calling few will be chosen. Jesus will say to many, “Go away, I never knew you.” Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” According to scripture, not everyone is going to Heaven.

1st: We’ll look at who is not going.

1st Corinthians 6:9-10; Do you not know that these will not inherit the Kingdom of God?

The unrighteous

Those deceived

Fornicators

Idolaters

Adulterers

Homosexuals

Sodomites

Thieves

Those who are covetous

Drunkards

Revilers

Extortioners

1st John 2:15-17:

Lovers of the world

Those who have the lust of the flesh

Those with lust of the eyes

Those with a pride of life

Do not love the world or things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

2nd: Those who will inherit the Kingdom of God:

Romans 10:17, Hear the word of God

John 8:24, Believe that Jesus is the Son of God

Matthew 10:32, Confess that belief

Luke 13:3, Repent of your sins

Mark 16:16, Be baptized

Revelation 2:10 Remain faithful.

John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

1st John 2:3-6:

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, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

The Bible is our map and lays out very plainly the plan God has for our salvation. Are you on the right road?

Have a good day all!!

SMILE God loves YOU!!

Imagine two grains of wheat lying on the floor of a warm cozy grain bin. One day, the farmer comes in and tells them, “I want to take you out of this warm comfortable bin and plant you in the earth. I’m going to place you in the cold ground and cover you with dirt. It’s going to be dark, and you will die. But, I promise you that you will multiply and become very fruitful.”

The first grain of wheat turns down the suggestion, “No way!” he says. “Count me out. I like my comfort, and I don’t want to die.” The second one, after carefully considering the pain and discomfort of dying, decides the promise of a future harvest is worth the sacrifice. So, the farmer takes him outside and plants him in the ground, allowing the first grain of wheat to remain inside the bin.

A few days later, a small green sprout begins to appear where the seed had been planted. It then grows and becomes a tall stalk of wheat that produces more grains. For the next few years, the farmer plants all the seeds that came from that first grain of seed, and year after year the harvest multiplies. Meanwhile, the grain of wheat that stayed in the bin remains there all alone, never growing or multiplying—BUT, he has stayed very comfortable.

Here’s the question:
Which grain of wheat are you? Are you playing it safe, or have been planted in the world walking with Christ? The only way to become useful and fruitful in God’s Kingdom is by abiding in Him and trusting that His wishes for your life are worthwhile.

SMILE God loves YOU!!
Have a good day all.

There can be a lot of confusion that surrounds humility. Often, humility is associated with quietness, submission and thoughts of inadequacy. But, what does the Bible actually say about it?

Here are four Biblical points that every Christian should know about humility.

1. Humility means submission, but not groveling

Humility and submission go hand in hand.  God’s Word tells us that, as Christians, we are to submit to one another in lowliness of mind. “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5-6.

By being submissive and “clothing ourselves with humility” we can create peace and unity with the others. We are not to be so proud and high up that we can’t accept correction. Neither should we think our own opinions and thoughts always are better than the others. Such thinking won’t lead us to unity in Christ.

At the same time, being submissive and humble does not mean that we are to bow down to other people. Paul was very clear when he said that we are to serve God and God alone. For, “you were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Corinthians 7:23. He also writes: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10.

While it is important to be submissive: to accept correction and remain lowly in our own eyes, as Christians, we are to seek to please God with our lives. We need to fear Him and keep His word. This should be our focus: to humble ourselves under God’s will to keep His commands, not to try to meet human demands and expectations.

2. Humility does not mean that we are silent, or passive people

“Do not let your adornment be merely outward…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4. God desires that Christians possess a gentle and quiet spirit, so that we can hear God’s Spirit speaking to our hearts throughout the day.

However, possessing a gentle and quiet spirit does not mean that we should be passive people. God also requires action in our lives. Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is taken by force. (Matthew 11:12) All those who want a deeper life with Christ realize that they need to be active, as well as humble. Sin cannot be allowed to be in the heart of a disciple! If we are humble, having a desire to do God’s will, then we will do whatever it takes to keep our hearts and minds pure. Paul writes that we are not to be “…lagging in diligence [zeal],” but rather “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

Likewise, while we should always have a quiet spirit before the Lord, there are some situations where God wants us to be bold and speak up before others. Here, we need to forsake our own honor, reputation and natural expectations, and obey the Lord. We should not question our own authority or ability to say or do something that God wants to be accomplished through us. Instead, we should allow God to use us as He pleases in every situation.

3. Humility means we use our talents and capabilities

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12: 3. To have a humble mindset is to think soberly about oneself. This means that we don’t boast of our own accomplishments and abilities. Rather, we acknowledge that our sufficiency is of God in all of things. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

Nonetheless, this does not mean that we should neglect the gifts and the  calling that God Himself has given to us. God wants us to do a tremendous  work through our lives! He has equipped us each with our own talents and gifts and bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-20)

God desires to be able to use us to His glory and for His purpose, and each of us should be aware of this. Humility is that we use our talents and capabilities under God’s direction and leading, giving Him the honor and glory for what is accomplished through our lives.

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11.

4. Humility is the key to progress

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:6-8, 10. God works according to laws. It is a natural law that if we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, giving up our own will and honor, then He will give us the grace that we need to live a Christian life in truth, as well as lift us up in His time.

To be humble is to have the same mindset as Jesus Christ. He existed in the form of God, but did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, or held onto. Instead, He took on the form of a servant, and came in the likeness of men. “And, being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8.

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. He did not value His own self-importance or honor, but freely gave it up in every situation so that God’s will could be carried out and God could be glorified through His life.

If we are of this same humble mindset, forsaking our own reputation and honor in order to be obedient to God’s word and will, we will be able to make unbelievable progress in our Christian lives! God pays very close attention to our hearts and is ready and eager to strengthen those who desire to live unto His honor and glory. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.’” Isaiah 66:1-2.

God desires that we be among these, those who have a humble mindset and a desire and need to do His will, who tremble at His word. We are not to be rich and satisfied in ourselves. That is pride and stops God from doing a transforming work in our lives. Rather, we are to be humble and lowly of heart. Then God will regard us and give us the grace we need to make true progress in our Christian lives.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

We live a good life. Treat everyone with kindness, help where needed, not judgemental, don’t stress about things we can’t control, keep complaining at a minimum, etc. But, does all of that make us a sound Christian? Let’s see…

Let’s look at Titus chapter 3:

Verses 1 and 2 tells us we need to be model citizens. (Good so far)

Verses 3-8,  Sound Christians are motivated:
Verse 3–By their past.
Verses 4-7: By their Salvation
Verse 4–The source of Salvation (Jesus)
Verse 5–Basis of Salvation (Obedience)
Verse 6–The means of Salvation (Study and acceptance of God’s Word)
Verse 7–The results of Salvation (Heaven)
Verse 8–By their actions. (Living a righteous life)

Verses 9-11, Sound Christians reject unsound teaching
verse 9–Stay away from foolish contraversies
Verses 10/11–Reject factious men

Verses 12-15, Instruction to Titas
Verse 14–Let Christians maintain good works, meet urgent needs, that they not be unfruitful.

Sound Christians are obedient and strive to do the Will of God at all times.

SMILE God loves YOU!!
Have a good day all.

Patience is a problem for most of us and is hard to acquire. It is a learned attribute and is not something that happens quickly. It is a virtue. I have said, and maybe you have also, that I want patience and I want it now!! Today I want to share a few verses from God’s word about patience.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

A young man, lacking understanding, was walking down the street near her corner and took the path straight to her house. It was twilight in the evening, In the black and dark night. There he met  a woman with clothing of a harlot. She had a crafty heart, was loud, and rebellious. She couldn’t stay at home. She was outside, and at times in the open square, lurking at every corner.

She caught him and kissed him. She told him she had peace offerings as she came out to meet him. I have found you, she proclaimed!! She told him that she had spread her bed with colorful bedding, and that she had made her bed smell good with perfume. Then she said to him, “Let us make love until morning and delight ourselves.” She told him not to worry because her husband was gone out of town and he wouldn’t be back for a couple days. Her speech and seductive lips had caused him to yield to her seduction.

He immediately went after her, as an ox goes to slaughter, or as a fool that is shackled. He didn’t know it was going to cost him his life. The text then says, “Listen to me, my children, pay attention to my words, and do not let your heart turn to her ways. Don’t stray into her path!! She has cast down many wounded, and those slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.”
Proverbs Chapter 7.

Now take the word harlot out of the equation and plug in Satan and sin. They are our seductresses. Satan is out and about and is on every corner. The sin he presents to us looks good, tastes good, sounds good, and is our SEDUCTRESS!! God says, “Pay attention to My words, obey My commands, don’t turn your hearts from My ways, and don’t stray off the path of righteousness. Satan has slain many and they were strong individuals. Satan’s house IS the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

As I live my life and watch others live theirs, I tend to see some of God’s Words and Commands seem to get left out of lives. The Bible is VERY explicit on those that will gain a home in Heaven. (P.S. not everybody will make it!!)

A look at some of these verses:

1) Jesus said, “He who BELIEVES and is BAPTIZED will be saved: but he who does not believe WILL be condemned.” It takes more than just believing to be saved. The Commands here are not only believing, but, also being Baptized. Mark 16:16

2) Then Peter said to them, “REPENT, and let EVERY one of you be BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Repent means to do away with the sin in our lives. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us at the time of Baptism. The Command here is not only doing away with our sins, but, also being Baptized. Acts 2:38

3) The writer of Hebrews says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, NOT forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” The assembly being spoken of here is Worship Services and Bible studies. The Command here is, attend all Worship Services and Bible studies where God’s people are assembled. Hebrews 10:24-25

4) Paul tells the Church at Corinth, “On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper.” The example here is to attend Worship every (Inclusive) first day of the week. The command is to give back to God as you have prospered, thanking Him for the blessings He has given us. 1st Corinthians 16:2
This, further impresses the Command for us to assemble together for Worship on the 1st day of the week.

5) In Acts, Paul says, “Now on the 1st day of the week, when disciples came together to break bread.” The example here, is meeting on the 1st day of the week. The Command is Communing with our Lord and remembering the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus. If we don’t assemble and Worship on the 1st day of each, how do we pay this tribute to Jesus as is commanded? Acts 20:7

6) But now you yourselves are to put off all these: ANGER, WRATH, MALICE, BLASPHEMY, and FILTHY LANGUAGE from you mouth. I see these thing going on 24/7, yet, the Command is to get rid of them. Colossians 3:9

7) Paul tells the Corinthians, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? (Those not keeping God’s Commands) Do not be deceived, Fornicators, Idolaters, Adulterers, Homosexuals, Sodomites, Thieves, Covetous, Drunkards, Revilers, and Extortioners will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.” That is what God’s Word says, BELIEVE it!! 1st Corinthians 6:9-10

There are many more passages that could be used. The point here is many are not living according to what God wants and says. Take heed, NOT everyone is going to Heaven. God says!!

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

I was talking with our preacher Sunday about Sunday Night Worship Service and what we could do to increase attendance. As I researched the subject, I found that most congregations deal with the same problem. Decent attendance in the morning Worship and 25 to 30 percent of that number back on Sunday night.

                           IS THERE HINDRANCE FROM GOD?

The only hindrance that should keep one from the assembly is hindrance from God. If we are ill or otherwise hindered by the Lord, He does not expect us to assemble.

However the truth of the matter is that we often stretch an excuse to such an extreme that we create a hindrance and say it is from God. Parents may run around with their children all Sunday afternoon, but when evening comes the “children are just too tired to go to church.”

Sometimes personal work is done at the time of church meetings when it could just as easily be done at other times. Or sometimes we knowingly schedule ourselves for nonessential activities that will regularly keep us away from church assemblies on Sunday nights. Have we ever considered how insulting to the Lord it must be for us to feel well enough to go anywhere and do anything, except to meet with the brethren?

It is a strong congregation whose members can be counted upon to assemble together unless they are truly hindered from the Lord. The principle that Jesus stated in Matt. 6:33 to “Seek first the kingdom of God” is the basis that faithful Christians should use in determining whether or not to assemble with the church. Placing the Lord’s church before the other things that compete for our time and energy is certainly the proper attitude.

If we believe Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in my name there l am in their midst,;” we will then realize that if we absent ourselves from the assembly, we remove ourselves from a meeting where the Lord is present.

When one misses the assembly he not only misses meeting with the Lord, he also misses the receiving of valuable instruction. Since he is not there, he will not be edified with the rest of the saints. (1 Cor. 14:12.) Who, among us, is so filled with information and wisdom that we have no need for further study or a need to be built up in the faith?

The Christian life is one of constant growth (2 Pet. 1:5-7). One may learn something from every lesson taught, or at least be reminded of great Bible truths. So often a sermon is preached or a lesson taught, but many who need to hear it have chosen to stay home, go fishing, play golf or be elsewhere. Building a strong congregation is the work of every member. A strong church cannot be built by a weak membership. It is difficult to build strong Christian character by sporadic attendance.

When one does not attend all the services of the church he also misses communication with other Christians. Some members feel like “outsiders” because they never seem to know what is going on in the congregation. The reason for this is quite simple. They fail to attend the assemblies where congregational news is given.

When we do not attend the various assemblies we also miss association with other Christians. We all need the association of brothers and sisters in Christ so we can encourage others as well as be encouraged. We need to comfort others as well as be comforted. “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (Heb. 10:24).

                          JUST A PRIVATE MATTER?

Attendance is not just a “private matter” as some would like to think. Other Christians are looking at us, and they are affected by our examples. It is a very serious matter when a poor example is set before a weak brother or sister. A poor example in the matter of attendance might well set a new or weak member on the road to a complete falling away.

Our own children are being told by our pattern of attendance what we consider important and what we consider unimportant. If we allow the smallest thing to keep us away from the assemblies, surely we are giving a message that is loud and clear to our children. The attitude of the parent will likely become the attitude of the child. Camping, fishing trips and recreational activities are good and beneficial, but surely they can be arranged so that the Lord will not be neglected.

We can become stronger individual Christians, and stronger congregations if we will all become faithful attenders of all the assemblies.

The exhortation of the Hebrew writer is just as applicable for us today as it was for the church of Christ over nineteen centuries ago: “And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together as is the habit of some; but encouraging one another; and all the more; as you see the day drawing near.”

Please DO NOT neglect God!! SMILE He loves YOU!!

Chances are, almost everyone here was angry at least once this past week. It may have been minor frustration with another driver or being irritated with your kids for not putting away their toys. It could have been a situation at work. Some husbands and wives live with daily anger and hurt feelings. Some parents and their children are in a constant battle of outbursts of anger and abusive words. Many adults have hurts from childhood that keep bubbling to the surface. Every time they think about them, they seethe with anger.

If you’re thinking, “Who, me, angry? I’m a Christian. I don’t get angry,” then you probably have a more serious anger problem than those who readily admit, “Yes, I struggle with anger.” A person’s face was red and the veins on his neck were bulging out as he angrily told me with a clenched jaw, “I’m not angry!” I thought to myself, “I’d hate to see you when you are angry!” Anger is a problem for every Christian.

Think of what would happen if everyone learned to deal with their anger! Child abuse and divorce would be gone. Murder, terrorism, and war would stop. And many health problems would clear up. Doctors believe that anger can harm the heart as much as high blood pressure does. The number one problem in cardiovascular disease—more important than cholesterol—is mismanaged anger (Los Angeles [3/88]). Besides high blood pressure and heart disease, anger can result in many other serious health problems. So the text is very practical. Paul says, Christians must put aside all sinful anger and abusive speech.

Colossians 3:8: “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” If you’re honest, your reaction to this verse is probably, “I agree! But, really, how do you do it?” It’s easy to say, “Put all your anger and abusive speech aside.” But it’s another thing to do it! Paul seems to say, “You’re angry? Just stop it!”

“But, Paul, when I was a child, my parents took everything out me. So now I have all this anger. “Put it all aside!”

“But, Paul, my wife nags me constantly until I explode with anger.” “Put it all aside!”

“But Paul, my husband is a workaholic who leaves all the housework and dealing with the kids to me. He’s so inconsiderate! I’m so angry with him!” “Put it all aside!”

“But, Paul, my kids sass me and don’t do what I say, no matter how many times I ask them to do it. The only way I can get them to obey is to yell at them!” “Put it all aside!”

“But, Paul, you don’t understand. My boss at work has favorites and he treats me unfairly. I get so angry. I just hate him!” “Put it all aside!”

Paul doesn’t say that it will take years of psychotherapy to work through your anger issues. He doesn’t tell these new believers to sign up for an anger management class. He simply tells them, “Put it all aside.”

I wonder if we’ve made things more complicated than they need to be.  Paul writes to people who had been involved in some pretty serious sins which undoubtedly left them wounded and scarred (Col. 3:5-7). They didn’t have study Bibles and Christian books on how to deal with anger. There were no video series by famous Christian counselors. In fact, there were no Christian counselors! There were no magazines offering self-help articles on anger management. And all Paul says is, “Put it all aside.” That’s amazing! Awww…what we can learn from this verse in the context of this letter.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.

I’m sitting on my couch, this evening, watching Golden State and Houston play the 6th game in their playoff series for the right to move on to the next series and maybe a championship. When someone does something against the rules, there are consequences. Foul a player and he shoots free throws. Travel or double dribble and the ball goes to the other team. When the team isn’t playing well, the coach calls a time out. The coach will calm them down and tell them what needs to be done. He will call plays as the game progresses so the team can be successful in scoring. All the players, on each team, are dressed in the same uniform. The announcers try their best to keep me in the game and let me know what is going and maybe what should be happening.

As I was thinking about all the different things that were going on, I was thinking how I could apply that to my Christian life. Here’s what I came up with:
1) The announcers telling us what’s going on, seems to be the same as God giving us His written Word in the form of the Bible.
2) The coach calling time out when things aren’t going right, seems to be the same as I do with prayer. I call a time out and talk to God to get calmed down and start doing things right.
3) The coach calling plays as the game goes on, seems to be the same as the instruction I get when I go to the scriptures and let God tell me the plays I need to be implementing.
4) The players on each team having the same uniform on, seems to be the same as Christians all on the same tn the same page. We have the uniformity of all being on the same team.
5) When the players commit a foul, double dribble, or travel, there are consequences to be paid. This seems to be the same as life. When we do things that are contrary to what God wants done, we have consequences to pay. For every action there is a reaction. Every choice we make, good or bad, there is a reaction and a consequence.
6) Both teams are well prepared so they can win. Are we prepared so we can win? God promises us the crown of life and a place in Heaven. All we have to do is obey His commands and be prepared.

SMILE God loves YOU!! Have a good day all.