Prayer
Let us bow our heads in prayer and pray for guidance and strength.
Eternal God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, grant us Your Holy Spirit who writes the preached word into our hearts so that we may receive and believe it, and be gladdened and comforted by it in eternity. Glorify Your Word in our hearts. Make it so bright and warm that we may find pleasure in it, and through Your inspiration think what is right. By Your power fulfill the Word, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Martin Luther
Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day long.
Psalm 25:4,5 - KJV
Topics
- Who is GOD
- Wisdom and Knowledge
- The Holy Spirit
- GOD's Plan
- Prayer
- Inspiration and Encouragement
- Christianity
- The Harsh Reality
Resources
Topic - GOD's Plan
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare (or peace) and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 - ESV)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6 - KJV)
It's very clear throughout Scripture that GOD has had a plan for man from the very beginning of time. The whole of creation revolves around GOD's unknowable, unfathomable plan for the salvation of man, each and every one of us. Being an omnipotent, all-knowing GOD; creation, the fall of man, Jesus Christ's perfection (GOD Incarnate) coming into this world and teaching His truths, Christ's ultimate sacrifice, death, and ultimate triumph over death, His resurrection, were all part of GOD's glorious design of man's choice for salvation through faith.
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity. (2 Timothy 1:9 - NASB)
"Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done,saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure'". (Isaiah 46:9,10 - NASB)
This is the plan devised against the whole earth; and this is the hand that is stretched out against all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:26,27 - NASB)
So what is GOD's plan for you? GOD is so far beyond our knowledge and understanding that only GOD can answer that question. You will have to ask GOD yourself. I pray to GOD constantly that He will "show me His ways", and guide my path through life. I have complete faith that GOD is guiding every aspect of my life. I can tell you the simple steps you need to take to get to GOD. It's your choice to take these steps or not, to receive a free gift from GOD, by His grace through Christ Jesus, your salvation.
Man's Shortcoming:
Step 1 - Realize that you are a sinner.
- Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to an eternal hell (separation
from GOD and all that is good, and eternity in heaven).
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD. (Romans 3:23 - KJV)
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. (Romans 5:12 - ESV)
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 - NASB)
Step 2 - Realize that there is nothing you can do to change your
sin.
- No amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious
activity can gain acceptance with GOD or get anyone into heaven.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9 - ESV)
Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 - NIV)
GOD's Solution:
Step 3 - Be willing to turn from sin (repent).
- Once you realize you are a sinner and there's nothing you can do about it,
admit and confess your sins to GOD and be truly sorry.
I tell you no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. (Luke 13:5 - NIV)
Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, GOD is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent. (Acts 17:30 - NASB)
Step 4 - Believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD, died for you,
was buried, and rose from the dead.
- Jesus Christ, GOD Himself incarnate, being without sin, took on the sins of
all mankind. Through His death and resurrection, and our faith in Him, GOD has
accepted us as His children. And GOD, as our Father, has given us an
inheritance, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
But GOD commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 - KJV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 - NASB)
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 - ESV)
For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 - KJV)
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25 - NIV)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 - NASB)
† It's not enough to believe that GOD exists; for, as James 2:19 points out, "Even the demons believe—and tremble!" Saving faith is given to us by God's grace; it is His undeserved gift to sinners. Only through the power of His Word and Spirit can we understand our own need and trust the wonderful truth about GOD and His death on our behalf.
One Final Step - Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13 - KJV)
But to all who did received Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of GOD. (John 1:12 - ESV)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 - NASB)
† Conversion (regeneration and spiritual birth into His family) is His work, not yours. If there is no repentance, no conviction of your natural, sinful condition, or any GOD-given awareness of your need for the cross, then such a prayer is simply a human exercise and will not bring spiritual birth.
A Simple Prayer
Dear LORD, I know that I have sinned and don't deserve Your love. I
believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. He died for me,
carried the sins of the world to the cross, and offers me full forgiveness for
all my sins. I believe His precious shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection
were for me. I now receive Him as my Saviour. Please change my heart, fill me
with Your Holy Spirit, and purify my life. Only by Your holy life in me can I
follow Your ways and do what is right. Give me a hunger for Your Word and a
growing desire to serve You. I trust You to show me Your will and enable me to
follow You, no matter what the cost. I thank You for the gift of Your Son, for
the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because
of Your merciful grace.
— Amen.
Put On the Armor of God!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13 - NASB)
God's Armor, a summary of the true Gospel, is made up of six parts.
— The Belt of Truth - The vital truth about God and His plan for
redemption.
† Isaiah 11:5 † Luke 12:35
† 1 Peter
1:13 † Ephesians 6:14
†
— The Breastplate of Righteousness - The truth about our need for the
cross and God's righteousness.
† Isaiah 59:17 † Romans 13:12
† Ephesians 6:13 †
1 Thessalonians
5:8 † Ephesians 6:14
†
— The Sandals of Peace - The gracious gift of the Prince of Peace to
those who walk in His Truth and Righteousness.
† Isaiah 52:7 † Romans 10:15
† Ephesians 6:15
†
— The Shield of Faith - Putting all our trust in the sovereign power
and love of our King and His Word.
† Ephesians 6:16
†
— The Helmet of Salvation - Keeping our eyes fixed on the hope of His
victory today and forever.
† Isaiah 59:17 † Ephesians 6:17
†
— The Sword of the Spirit - His Word, hidden in our hearts, and
wielded against any enemy to peace that might come against us.
† Isaiah 49:2 † Hosea 6:5
† Hebrews
4:12 † Ephesians 6:17
†
These parts become all the more significant in light of the fact that Jesus, at various times, identified Himself before His disciples as Truth, Righteousness, (Prince of) Peace, our Salvation and the living Word. So when you "put on" God's armor, you "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:12-14). He becomes your hiding place and your shelter in the storm. Hidden in Him, you can count on His victory, for He not only covers you as a shield, He also fills you with His life.
| God's Armor | Know the Truth about... | Affirm key Scriptures |
|---|---|---|
| Belt of TRUTH | God | † Deut. 4:39
† Psalm 23:1
† † Psalm 18:1-3 † |
| Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS | The Righteousness of Jesus in you | † Psalm 100:3
† Rom. 3:23-24
† † Rom. 6:23 † Gal. 2:20-21 † † Phil. 3:8-10 † |
| Sandals of PEACE | Inner peace and readiness | † Rom. 5:1 †
Eph.
2:14 † † John 14:27 † John 16:33 † † John 20:21 † |
| Shield of FAITH | Living by faith | † Rom. 4:18-21
† Heb. 11:1
† † 1 Pet. 1:6-7 † |
| Helmet of SALVATION | Salvation through Christ today and forever | Each day: † Ps. 16 †
Ps. 23
† † Heb. 1:3-6 † For eternity: † 2 Cor. 4:16-18 † † 1 Thess. 4:17 † 1 John 3:1-3 † |
| Sword of the Spirit, GOD'S WORD | God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations | † Heb. 4:12
† Matt. 4:2-11
† † 1 Pet. 3:15 † Ps. 119:110-112 † |
To put on the "full armor", and enjoy a daily and eternal
love-relationship with Jesus Christ, thank Him for what He has shown you in His
Word. Know the Scriptures behind your prayer so that your words and faith are
grounded in the authority of the Bible. (Some of those verses are listed in the
chart above). Then pray through each piece. You can use the following prayers
as an outline:
† The belt of truth: Thank You, my Lord, for showing me the truth
about Yourself. Thank You for reminding me that You are the only God, the
Creator of heaven and earth, the King of the universe, my Father who loves me,
and my Shepherd who leads me. You are my Wisdom, my Counselor, my Hope, and my
Strength. You are everything I need each day.
† The breastplate of righteousness: Thank You for showing me the truth
about myself, that on my own I could never be good enough to live in Your
presence. Thank you for taking my sins to the cross and offering me Your
righteous life. Lord, show me any sin that I need to confess right now, so that
nothing will hinder me from being filled to overflowing with Your Spirit. [Take
a moment for confession to the Lord]. Thank You for forgiving me and for filling
me with Your righteous life.
† The sandals of peace: Thank You for the peace You give me when I
trust and follow You. Show me how to help others find that peace.
† The shield of faith: Thank You for helping me have faith in You. I
choose to count on everything You have shown me about Yourself, and everything
You have promised me in Your Word.
† The helmet of salvation: Thank You for promising me salvation both
for today's battles and for all eternity.
† The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God: Thank You for the
Scriptures You have given me to memorize. Please show me which one(s) You want
me to use to cut through deceptions and gain Your victory in any battle I may
face today.
† If you want to begin a relationship with God now, you can.
God views your relationship with Him as permanent. Referring to all those who believe in Him, Jesus Christ said of us, "I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-30)."
Click for GOD's Plan for Your Salvation.
This site is a work in progress so visit often to find out what's new. Please pray that I will be able to present the Word of God in a way that people will come to Christ and understand the wonderful Gift that God has freely given to us all.
Click for GOD's Plan for Your Salvation.
Special Thanks
Besides giving thanks to the LORD for all the wonderful blessings He has bestowed on me, a special thanks goes out to WitnessToday.org for originally hosting this web site. WitnessToday, through their divine calling and graciousness, helped me get started in this ministry. They provide free web site storage and email to all Christian Churches, Ministries and Fellow Believers all over the world. Although they do not charge for their services, they do incur expenses each month. If you would like to support the Witness Today ministry Click Here. This a a tremendous resource for Christians everywhere to witness and spread the wonderful Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank You and GOD Bless,
Joel