The “religion of peace” has been busy at work showing us how loving and peaceful Islam truly is, the latest incident involving Islamist radicals occurred 2 days ago, in which 3 people died from a knife attack at a church located in Nice France.
To take things further the “religion of peace” also “virtually beheaded” a elderly woman, in addition to a woman and man who also were killed. The country of France has raised its security level to its highest level. The man who committed these heinous crimes has been identified as Brahim Aioussaoi a 21 year old Tunisian who recently arrived in France. It seems he was able to obtain documentation from Italy through Red Cross.
I’ve noticed in speaking with Muslims that they’re quick to deny any individual as a “Muslim” if he/she commits such an act. Yet, if Muslims were honest with themselves they would admit that the Quran and Hadith’s call for violence. We can find scores of violence verses in which Muslims are told to fight against unbelievers, to subjugate people until they profess in Allah and Muhammad.
Here’s one: Muhsin Khan: Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. — Surah At-Tawbah 9:29
Here we see Muslims are commanded to (1) fight against those who (2) don’t believe in Allah. This can’t be in reference to a “war” because it’s contingent on the person’s “belief” or “non-belief” in Allah. This means Muslims are told to fight any non-Muslim because they don’t believe in Allah.
This makes perfect sense in light of what we’re seeing taking place in France. The attack at a church was against people who obviously don’t believe in Allah. Therefore, this man who committed this crime is following what Islam teaches.
This killing came 2 weeks after the beheading of a school teacher after he showed his students cartoons of “Prophet Mohammed”. Muslims are trying to shutdown freedom of speech through intimidation and violence, for 1400 years this has been the tactics employed by the “religion of peace”.
Our prayers go out to those who were killed and their families, killing is never justified no matter how offended one might be. Muslims and other non-Christian groups insult our faith all the time, but you’re not seeing Christians heading to the streets to slaughter people because of being offended.
The Lord Jesus told believers to love and pray for our enemies found in (Matthew 5:44), He said if we only love others who love us in return how is that true love (Matthew 5:46). Paul the apostle building upon the foundation of Christ said in the book of Romans if our enemy is hungry to feed them, and if they are thirsty give them something to drink (Romans 12:20). We as Christians are to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
David’s son king Solomon wrote in the book of Proverbs this very same teaching which is were Paul speaks of in Romans. Solomon said: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”.
A huge contrast to what Islam teaches, in the Quran the teachings go from peaceful and progressively become violent. In the Bible we can’t deny the violence which took place in the Old Testament but our teachings are progressively peaceful. In the New Testament you will never find a command given to Christians to fight and kill people. On the contrary, we find the opposite in which Christians are commanded to Love our enemies. Praise the LORD that we have a God of infinite love.
Continuing our examination of Islam this article dives into one of its more horrific teachings. Let me say before we start that in no way do we condone any sort of domestic violence. It’s extremely sad to know there are women who are being abused by their own husbands. It’s my hope that this article will serve to shed light on an evil practice found in Islam, and anyone involved in such a practice would be convicted of their sin and come to Christ Jesus for forgiveness.
Christians we hold the Bible as our sole authority, it’s in God’s word alone that we gain our understanding as how to conduct ourselves. In the religion of Islam Muslims have the Quran as their highest authority, the difference is that Muslims also have other books in which they use as a lens in understanding the Quran. These books are called the Hadith’s (the sayings of the prophet) and lastly the Tafsir which is a collection of Islamic scholarship writings on subjects.
Dr. Shabir Ally an Islamic scholar and debater was recorded on his show Let the Quran Speak on Sep 16, 2016 as saying “In essence generally in classical Islamic thought it is taken for granted that a Muslim man can have up to 4 wives at once in addition to the 4 wives he can have an unlimited number of concubines which refer to women who are basically have slave status when they are owned by her master freely has to give up herself to the master the master has the right to have sexual relations with her as though she were one of his wives”.
This quote is backed up by a Quran verse found in Chapter (4) sūrat l-nisāa (The Women). It speaks about women who are taken captive and the Muslim men are allowed to have sexual relations (rape) with the women slaves.
Pickthall: And all married women (are forbidden unto you) save those (captives) whom your right hands possess. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond those mentioned, so that ye seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery. And those of whom ye seek content (by marrying them), give unto them their portions as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what ye do by mutual agreement after the duty (hath been done). Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise. — Surah 4:24
Islam teaches is Halal (permissible) for women who are held captive as slaves to be treated as sex slaves. This is a deplorable act no woman should be treated this way.
Muhammad’s 6 year old wife Aisha is recorded in the Hadiths as receiving shoves to the chest which caused pain. If this caused pain they must have been strong shoves.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5825, Book 77, Hadith 42, Vol. 7, Book 72, Hadith 715
In contrast men are taught from the Bible how we ought to treat our women/wives.
In the book of Proverbs chapter 31 we find the words of king Lemuel which his mother taught him, he received godly counsel from his mother in what he should look for in a wife.
Women are highly esteemed in the Christian faith, they are our sister, daughters and mothers. God made woman to help and complement man. Adam needed Eve, therefore, the woman is not beneath man neither is she above man. Just as God made woman from the side of Adam (his rib) to be his equal and also under the man’s protection (the rib is located under the arm). So we men are to treat our wives as our equals and protect them by taking them under our arm.
Lemuel’s mother asked a rhetorical question “Who can find a virtuous woman?” in other words, when you do come across that special woman you’ll know. There will be no need of spoil (nothing else needed) and you’ll trust her with your whole heart. If you read the entire chapter it will portray what a godly woman is like giving us Christian men a “map” on what to look for in a virtuous woman.
Moving into the New Testament the apostle Paul writes to the believers found in Ephesus exhorting them to “love your wives”. The context Paul is addressing is on the matter of headship, the roles men and women have in relation to each other and God. While the wives are to “submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord”, the men are to “ love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”.
This is a tall order whenever we’re told to do something as the Lord Jesus being He’s completely perfect. Still we are to follow our Lord and love our wives just like Christ loves those who have been redeemed the Church. Christ Jesus gave His life for the Church which denotes a sacrificial love, an unselfish love which knows no boundaries.
The apostle Paul even compares the love we men have for our own bodies should be likened to how we love our wives. He explains that we are to “nourisheth and cherisheth” our wives, this shows a tender loving care for the women we love.
Again husbands are told to “love your wives” that we should not be bitter against them. This is in the context of the family unit, if we have a home which has the love of Christ permeating throughout our homes. Then we will not have bitterness in our lives. Because bitterness breeds anger and contempt which brings contention between loved ones.
This is why love extremely important in the Christian life (1 Corinthians 13), love helps and motivates us to treat our loved ones with tenderness and compassion. Love also moves us to reach out to Muslims, they who are without Christ. What a stark comparison between what the Quran and Bible teaches. It’s our sincere hope that Muslims would come to know the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ, the God of love, that they would know what true love is and treat their wives with love.
The Quran presents Muhammad as the perfect example Muslims are to emulate. We’ve heard from Muslims that Islam is the religion of peace, but is this true? Most non-Muslims don’t understand how Islam works. There are underlying rules as to how Islam goes about in establishing itself.
Islam is a 3 stage approach, to have a deeper understanding a quick history lesson is in order. When Muhammad first received his “revelation” from angel “Jibril” as being “the last of the prophets”, he preached in his own city of Mecca. It was not well received only Muhammad’s closet friends and family followed his new religion.
Muhammad then went to Medina as he intended to bring his new religion to the Jews who lived in Medina which at the time was a Jewish business hub. He thought if he could get the Jews to follow his religion this would give him more authenticity, respect and stature among the Arabians which would make them more willing to accept him.
Muhammad then plagiarised from the Old Testament, this is why you’ll find similar stories in the Quran for instance verse 5:45 in the Quran says:
Pickthall: And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers. — Surah 5:45
Does this sound familiar? It should if you’re familiar with your Bible you’ll know that this comes from the Torah, in Exodus we’re given this verse.
Exodus 21:23-25 And if [any] mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.
There are verses and stories such as these plagiarised in the Quran as it’s a book which takes from the Bible and Talmud. Muhammad did this in order to make his religion more palatable to the Jews, hence why you’ll find similarities with Judaism and Islam like Yom Kippur and Ramadan, kosher and halal.
Muhammad went to Medina trying to recruit the Jews into his religion but was rejected. This is when Muhammad started to wage war killing Jews and non-Muslims.
Islam’s Model of Dealing with Enemies
Stage 1:Preach tolerance when outnumbered by unbelievers/No retaliation stage. In this stage Muslims will preach “tolerance” quoting “peaceful” verses. These verses are usually referred to as the Mecca verses, this is when Islam was more peaceful as Muhammad didn’t have an army yet. This is why you’ll hear Muslim’s who live in non-Muslim countries saying “there’s no compulsion in religion”, “To you your religion, and to me my religion!”.
Pickthall: There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower. — Surah 2:256
Pickthall: Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. — Surah 109
Stage 2:Permit Defensive Fighting when there are enough Muslims and weapons to successfully carry it out. Muhammad at this stage bought his time building an army but stood on the defensive. This is what you’re currently seeing in countries such as the United Kingdom or in the United States (Dearborn Michigan)
This is when verses teaching Muslims to fight back is instituted such as Surah 2:190-194 which says:
Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. [Fighting in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him. — Surah 2:190-194
Do you see the progression? Islam becomes more violent as the Muslims become more in number in any particular place. This is why we see Sharia zones in the UK.
Stage 3:After amassing a large number of soldiers and resources permission is given to carry out Offensive Warfare in order to kill the pagans and humble the Christians and Jews. This is when the true face of Islam is on display, countries like Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries treat non-Muslims as second class citizens.
[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists. So travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months but know that you cannot cause failure to Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers. And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away – then know that you will not cause failure to Allah . And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment. Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him]. And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. And if any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, then grant him protection so that he may hear the words of Allah . Then deliver him to his place of safety. That is because they are a people who do not know. — Surah 9:1-6
The message is clear in Islam the call is to overtake anyone who’s not a Muslim, to capture and to kill them; these are the teachings of Islam. Muhammad was not a man of peace but one of war.
Contrasting the Bible and what the Lord Jesus Christ taught from that of the Quran and Muhammad, we are given a completely different message.
Christians are commanded to love our enemies, bless them, do good to them and pray for them. Our LORD shows mercy to our enemies, therefore, we should also. He gives them rain and sunshine. If we only love other Christians then we are likened to a Publican; they only love those who love them.
Christ commands us to love them unconditionally, this is how we become perfect in love.
Again we are to love our enemies, do good to them and lend wishing for nothing in return; as well as we need to show mercy as our Father in heaven shows them mercy. We also read in the Gospel of Luke about The Good Samaritan.
Notice how this man who was most likely an Israelite was beaten and left for dead. Those who first saw him were prominent “religious” individuals who didn’t show love. They were involved in outward appearances. Then a Samaritan man the least likely person to help being that the Jews and Samaritans had very poor relations. The Samaritans were viewed as a lower class, yet the Samaritan man was willing to help by bounding his wounds and taking him to an inn.
The Bible teaches compassion, love, grace, mercy and truth. The Old Testament does have violent passages we can’t deny that, but it was not because of the God of the Bible. Violence in the Old Testament was on the account of the sin of man. Moving into the New Testament which is where Christians derive all of our foundational teaches like the beatitudes and how we’re to treat others.
The Quran is the opposite, a have a sinful man named Mohammad commanding his followers to rape, murder, lie, marry young girls, idolatry, jihad and polygamy. Muslims are trapped in an ideology which teaches to slay unbelievers everywhere. Muslims leave the darkness of Islam and come into the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
I love getting lost inYou. In YourWord. In Yourpresence. In Yourlove. I love hiding away with you in that secret place only meant for us. I love being with You. I love being Yours. I love crying to You, with all of my cares and burdens. I love telling You how much I love You. I didn’t know my heart could love this much, until you swept me off my feet like the King You are. I’m so in love with you and I’m so glad You’ll be mine forever. I’m going to hold on to you tightly for the rest of my life. So tight that nothing could possibly get between us. So tight that we’re one. I love You so much, I desire You more than life itself, and I want You more than all the treasures this world has to offer. You are so worthy! I adore you! Thank You for Your passionate love – the love that saved my life.♥️
[Song of Songs 1:2-4]
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.”
If you haven’t experienced the deep and magnificent love of God in your heart, then you haven’t truly experienced real love. Chase Him and seek Him with all of your heart, asking Him to pour His love into you by His Holy Spirit.
[Romans 5:5]
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Without His love, nothing even matters. W i t h His love, everything makes sense. With His love…
colours are brighter,
food tastes better,
your heart is full,
your spirit has life,
your joy is long-lasting,
your eyes are opened,
your mind understands,
and your very life has purpose.
What should Christians do when they’re not only surrounded by unbelievers but live under the same roof? Perhaps you’ve been raised in a secular home, Jewish, Muslim or another religion. It’s difficult enough stepping outside into an unbelieving world, but what if your own enemies are your family?
The Lord Jesus spoke on these issues many times even His own family didn’t believe Him (John 7:5). As believers out in the world if God opens a door to preach Christ there’s always a possibility of them rejecting the gospel and you can walk away. But it’s not that simple when it’s your family denying the only salvation they have.
RAISED CHRISTIAN
There are brothers and sisters who’ve had the privilege of being reared in a good Christian home, where the Word of God resides and parents (father and mother) live by God’s Word, where Jesus Christ is the centre of the home and its doors are open and welcoming to all. I’ve never had the privilege of being raised in such a home and at times wondered what it’s like?
Other times I thank God that while it’s a wonderful privilege being raised by Christian parents and coming from a history of saved family members, the fact that I grew up in a non-Christian home makes me appreciate the Lord Jesus even more. I’ll explain.
UNDER THE SOUND OF THE GOSPEL
We know that God is sovereign and when He determines to pull someone out of the grips of death and have true love flow forth from that soul He just saved it’s a beautiful thing to behold. True conversion! There are children who are from Christian families who pray at every meal, talk about the Lord, have members of the family that are concerned with their salvation bring them up in the ways of God. And they’ve attended assembly and Sunday school.
That said because God has always been prevalent in their lives they might take the things of God for granted. A bible on the dining room table has always been “normal” for them. Hearing about Jesus Christ dying on the cross for them because they’re sinners is everyday life. And we have unconverted children living among these wonderful truths and maybe believe because they come from such a home are saved. Hence the reason why parents continuously ask their children who is Jesus Christ to them, praying that they get saved one day. How tragic it would be having being raised under the sound of the gospel and never getting saved.
GROWING UP WITHOUT THE GOSPEL
Then there’s the other side those who’ve been raised with other beliefs, who have absolutely no idea what’s the gospel. Either they’ve been raised in a works based religion or worse they’ve been brought up in a secular humanistic world view. I myself fall into that second category.
Walk around and ask someone who’s Jesus Christ and what does He mean to you and you’ll get mixed reactions. They might say “Jesus I love Jesus” and with the same breath will blaspheme His precious name. If Muslim will say “He’s only a profit”. If Atheist will say “there is no God”. Maybe they worship a false Jesus like the JW’s or Mormons. Others will give you a look as if you’re completely nuts or just don’t know who Jesus really is.
The sad thing is this is the majority of people. For the majority of my life I grew up without God on my way to a lost eternity and I thank the Lord every day that He saved a wicked sinner like myself by reaching out and lighting my dark soul. And many who grow up like me never do come to know the Lord and are in hell wishing they did. That’s why it’s so important for Christians to share the gospel anyway they can.
WHEN THE HOUSEHOLD IS AGAINST YOU
The question remains if you’re the only Christian in the family and they’ve resisted the gospel or reject the only salvation in Jesus Christ how do we respond? This is assuming you’ve already presented the gospel to your family. There are a few ways we can still proclaim the gospel, we can give to prayer that God will open a door for you to share the gospel.
Ask God to intervene in our family members lives and put another believer in their path, in the workplace or a stranger walking by. We also have to be aware that unbelievers are always watching us even when we think their not. And if our priorities are right they’ll see fruit in our lives, reading our bibles and living a godly life (1 Peter 3:1). We believe that because our families know us best and have seen a radical change in us that would be enough to make them believers. The bible says that those who know you best are the ones who will be the hardest to reach (Matthew 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24).
I’m learning this myself being surrounded by unbelievers who say eat, drink and be merry (1 Corinthians 15:32), this is how the world thinks, they’re looking at the world through secular glasses. They believe in slogans like “just do it ” the “now” generation of secular humanism. Living without any hope beyond the grave and if that’s the view they take then what meaning will they have in life? Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.
Thank the Lord that He’s faithful and true and pulls us out of a dark lost world and into light. Being that we’re children of light living in a dark world we can expect friction, we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). When salt gets into a wound it aggravates and stings! This doesn’t mean go around purposefully aggravating people it simply means that by your testimony and presence you’ll have an effect on those who’re in darkness.
Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
PRAYER
We have to keep our families in prayer asking God to soften their hearts to the gospel. Relying on the Father and remaining faithful is key, the Lord knows what’s best and how to approach all situations. We would love to see our loved ones become saved today homeward bound for Heaven but we also have to remember it needs to be according to God’s timing, His timing is always perfect. God bless.
Take itallto Him, and don’t be shy to pour it all out into His hands. He’s our loving, protective Father. Don’t hold back your real, raw emotion. Don’t be shy to tell Him your worries, anxieties, needs, hurts, disappointments, wants, and fears. Don’t be scared to tell Him your circumstance and ask for help. He’s our Father, He cares, and He loves us. He loves us so much.
We can’t have true joy and peace inside unless we’re in constant communion with Jesus. Unless we have the close companionship with Him where we do not shy away from being honest and giving it all to Him. Our souls and hearts desperately need fellowship with the living God. When that happens, we experience a deep joy that surpasses all and every problem.
In that deep place with Jesus there is power and freedom. Power to overcome every obstacle and freedom to be happy despite any hardship.
[John 14:27]
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
[Psalm 27:8]
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face,Lord, will I seek.”
Jesus, my King: I don’t want to do a single thing in my life without You! I want to experience it all with You, and can’t imagine my life without Your love. I’m so glad I get You for the rest of my life, every single moment. I’m so in love with You that I just don’t even know what to do with myself half the time. I love you so deeply that I feel weak.
[Hebrews 13:5] “For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee“
[Song of Songs 2:5]
“Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.”
Never letany single thing, human or otherwise, be closer to you than your Maker is. Your union with Jesus must be a union untouched by outside hands – it must be so deep and strong and high and wide andall-consuming and first and foremost above all other relationships, that nothing on the outside can penetrate it. Jesus is your Saviour, your God, and your first love. Your relationship with Him will set the foundation of your entire life and all of your relationships – none of which should ever be more important or close to you than Jesus Himself. Get close to God, deepen your bond with Him. Love Him more than anything this world has to offer. Be satisfied in Him above all else. Be willing to serve Him unto death if He so desires. Jesus is a jealous God and wants all of you.
Make Him your everything, because He is your Maker.♥️
[Revelation 2:4]
[Jesus said], “Nevertheless I havesomewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
[Hebrews 12:29]
“For our God is a consuming fire.”
[Exodus 34:14] “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose nameisJealous,isa jealous God:”
John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Ohhh how beautiful is His name! How wonderful is He! My heart swells and burns within me at the thought of who He is. It’s almost unbearable.
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise the living God! He is so worthy! So beyond worthiness. He’s such a sweet, beautiful,
amazing
sacrificial
glorious
precious
loving
saving God!
Song of Songs 5:16 “His mouthismost sweet: yea, heisaltogether lovely. Thisismy beloved, and thisismy friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
1 Peter 1:8 “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye seehimnot, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
I love You so much, my glorious Husband. I cherish You. You’re so precious to me, so much more than anything else. My heart is so tenderly devoted to You. To loving You, to pleasing You. I love being Your Bride.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6.
I’m meditating on this right now. One day a little while ago, I was weary and exhausted. So I began listening to worship music.
I needed my love and I needed to rest and be filled by Him. So I put on worship music and just got lost in the beautiful worshipful words to Jesus. And I could physically feel my heart burn as I was saturated in the truth of His beauty and grace as I worshiped Him. I could feel His love just be poured in me and my love for Him and desire for Him just fill me to overflowing. In that moment, nothing else mattered. In that moment, everything about Him and His love was intensified and I could have just melted; only He mattered, and my eyes were fixated on Him. The world washed away, and only He was present.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
This is what it is to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He poured His love into us by His Spirit, and our response is deep heart worship and yearning for Him, and a personal intimate affectionate relationship where we cry out, “Abba, Father!”.
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
This deep heart burning worship of our Maker is a testimony that we’re His sons and daughters and have eternal life inside of us. We have eternal life inside of us because we love, we cry out to, and we worship e t e r n a l life Himself.
The other day I was having a rough morning and it seemed like my weakness and sin shined forth and I was acting in the flesh. Tired and drained from a great deal of fiery arrows coming my way, I had no strength.
Frustrated, I began walking outside in the winter rain. I felt horrible. Even if nobody else noticed my sinful shortcomings, I did, because it was all in my heart. Not only was I overcome by my weakness, but I knew God knew it even more than myself.
Shuddering, with a sorrowful and repentant heart I sighed a tearful groan and weakly whispered, “I’m sorry…I wish I was better, I don’t deserve you’re love, I’m not good enough.”
While on the bus, wet and cold, I began listening to worship music accompanied by reading continuous bible passages. One scripture stood out to me and it was as if this passage covered me like a soft warm blanket. I wasn’t cold any longer.
1 Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
This simple passage spoke to me more than an hour long sermon would.
His grace. His strength.
He told me to come, find rest for my soul. I’ll never be good enough, but He is. I’ll never be strong enough, but He is. I’ll never be able to hold myself up, but He carries me. I’ll never be able to be sinless, but He was without sin. I’ll never be perfect, but He wants me to rest in HIS perfection.
And He wants you to rest in Him too. Come to Jesus, and find rest. Don’t rely on yourself, rely on Him. His grace is enough to cover every ounce of your weakness, sin and flesh.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Fall into the arms of the only One who can hold you up. The One whose grace is enough.♥️
The gospel of Luke 15:11-32 records for us the parable spoken of by the Lord Jesus of the prodigal son. He tells us of a son who asks for the inheritance he would receive from his father, the father agrees and gives the son his inheritance. The son journeys to a far away country and wasted all of it on riotous living. After spending all that he had there arose a famine in the land.
He was so hungry that he joined himself to a citizen of that country becoming a slave and was sent to feed pigs. He became so hungry that he found himself that he filled his belly with the food the pig slop, coming to the realization that he was perishing. At this time he said:
Luke 15:18, 19 “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”
Lost?
Are you lost just like the prodigal son? Would you like to know? Ask yourself have you sinned? What does sin actually mean?
Hebrew: Sin חַטָּאָה chaṭṭâʼâh, khat-taw-aw’; or חַטָּאת chaṭṭâʼth; from H2398; an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender:—punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering).
Greek: Sin ἁμαρτίαhamartía, ham-ar-tee’-ah; from G264; a sin (properly abstract):—offence, sin(-ful).
Sin is anything which goes against God’s moral character. Think and be honest have you ever told a lie, stolen anything regardless of its value, lusted after someone, had sex before marriage, used God’s name in vain? If you answered yes to any of these then you’ve sinned against God. God tells us that we’re in terrible danger because of our sin the penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death;…”
We’re also born in sin because of the fall of man, when Adam sinned death passed unto all mankind. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”. Therefore you’re born in sin and have committed sin against a Holy and righteous God and one day He’s going to judge the world in righteousness. Anyone who hasn’t lived a perfect sinless life is in danger of hell. The book of Jude says those who are ungodly are going to be judged.
Jude 1:15 “To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
The book of Revelation says that God’s wrath will be poured out on the ungodly.
Revelation 14:9-11 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”
No one who’s unsaved will be able to escape the judgement of God, therefore friend what are you going to do?! There’s good news! Wonderful news!!!
The Gospel
God the Father loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus Christ the Son of God to save us. Jesus bore our sins in His own body and gave Himself as a ransom sacrifice, was crucified on the cross taking upon Himself the punishment you and I deserve. He was buried and bodily rose from the dead three days later defeating death and hell. Ascended up to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. If you come to Him as a guilty sinner and place your trust in the Lord Jesus you can have eternal life and know for certain you’ll have a home in heaven.
Here’s the full verse from Romans.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Salvation is a free gift you cannot earn it, it’s offered to you as a free gift and all you have to do to receive it is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Acts 16:30, 31 “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
John the apostle in his gospel writes.
John 3:16 “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.”
What wonderful love which knows no boundaries!!! Will you come to Him, will you accept the free gift of salvation?
Jesus Christ said:
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Bible verses to read:
Luke 15:11-32
John 14:6
Matthew 11:28-30
John 3:16
1 John 1:9
Romans 1
1 Corinthians 8:6
Romans 3:22-25
The prodigal son ends with the son being received with joy by his father and having a huge fest because the son was once dead but once he returned to his father he was alive. You too can have life eternal by coming to God.
Luke 15:22-24 “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
I once was given a privilege by the Lord Jesus to witness a man of God acting in pure Christlike sacrificial love. And it changed me. This image will forever be seared in my heart.
I was at a Christian evangelism conference and every morning breakfast was provided by the church. It was pancakes. People were lingering around, concerned about getting their breakfast, getting their fill, their satisfaction, their need met.
The speaker mentioned that whatever was in the serving plate, that’s all we had. Everyone still got their fill, not showing any concern for others getting enough. One man piled up his plate with about 10 pancakes oozing with syrup.
Then, I notice something. A man on the other side of the breakfast table, quietly grabbing his pancakes. Except, he grabbed the burnt one at the bottom, taking the least desired pancake while the rest piled up their plates and had their fill.
My eyes couldn’t believe it. I was watching Christ through this man and it was glorious. It was like watching the pages of scripture unfold before me. It was so pure, so holy, so beautiful, so lovely, sacrificial.
Nobody noticed him, nobody appreciated that they were being thought of by him as more important than himself. And he didn’t care if not a single person noticed, because he was doing it for his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. But I noticed, and it will forever be with me.
God gave me a wonderful gift that day.
This is true Christlike godly Christian love. Sacrifice. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for us, we as His children are to walk in sacrificial love, letting our lives and bodies be a sacrifice unto God. Just as Christ was a servant and washed His disciples feet, are we to be servants and wash each others feet. We are to walk in humility, making others more important than ourselves. That is true godly love.
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15
Whatsoever Things Are True 