Gene Markland

 Callie was a young woman who was mostly strong in her faith, but could not shake self doubt. She believed the Bible and in Lord Jesus, but felt so unworthy. The world around her offered so many temptations and distractions that she often doubted whether she would be counted worthy at the Lord’s appearance. 

Even though she was given the gift of prophesy and blessed many people in church and out, sometimes the thoughts in her mind condemned her over the slightest failure. The Bible teaches us that’s it is the work of Lord Jesus on the cross that gives us eternal life…freedom from sin and death.  His doing not ours. 

The Bible also says, “Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7-9)

Cast your cares, your doubts, and your fears upon Him for He cares for you. And you will have a glorious ending.

This year there is a phenomenon happening in college campuses all over the United States and in various places around the world. This phenomenon is a spontaneous revival. Started by young people who felt the urge to tarry after chapel services and pray. These prayer services were initiated by young souls asking God for forgiveness. True repentance ensued. A supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit of God descended and engulfed the worshippers and now people of all ages come searching to be part of the presence and kindness of God. So far it is continuing 24/7 around the world. How long will this last? Only God knows. The Bible says, 

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.“ (Romans 15:13)

What? Pay my taxes? Oh now you’ve gone to meddling in my business! What? The Apostle Paul is the one telling me in the Bible? Oops. Here’s what he wrote, 

“Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” (Romans 6-7)

You know, most people don’t look at it that way. The Bible says that God sets people in authority over us and that we are to respect them and honor the law, for that is God’s will. Remember even Jesus said to render to Cesar what is Cesar’s and to God what is God’s. 

But the government wastes so much money you say? I agree but look at what the government does to help and bless people, as well as employ thousands of fellow citizens. It may not be perfect but pray that your contribution goes for the right usage. God sees and knows. He is the ultimate judge. 

Are you ever disappointed with yourself? Do you ever sit in church and feel badly because the truth is that you have compromised with one foot in the ways of the world, and the other foot in the ways of the Lord? Listen friend, it’s a part of becoming a mature Christian. The conviction of the Holy Spirit will point you in the right direction…if, you listen. Flood your mind with the word of God and earnestly desire to be more like Jesus, and God will disclose His will for you. Eventually as you change the way you think, the ways of the world will cease to interest you as you experience the ways of God, and the true blessings which will unfold in your life.

The Bible says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Have you ever heard it said by a Christian or even a Pastor in church that “God is a good God! Sometimes that saying bugs me and here’s why. First of all God is the only God. There are none above Him or even to compare. He is not one of many Gods so He cannot be a good God, He is THE GOOD GOD. The other thing is who among us is qualified to state whether He is good or not? Of course we know that He is good. The Bible says that He is good and the only one who is good. So many of us have experienced his goodness. Yet who am I to judge Him and His goodness? Now I’m not putting down anyone who says that God is a good God because I believe their heart is in the right place. I mean I’ve sang the song that says God is a good God, yes He is. I just think that we can get close to Him and so familiar that we lose the realization of His magnificence. 

The Bible says, “For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.” (Romans (11:34-36)

I spoke with a young man once who was a faithful Christian, a church goer, and yet he was worried that when he died he wouldn’t be allowed Into heaven. When I asked why he felt that way, he told me because of his past. He felt the guilt and shame of his past. How many of us, if we dwelled on the past, wouldn’t feel the same way. It gets down to this, do we believe the Bible, the word of God or not? The Apostle Paul wrote the following.

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”(Romans 10:9-10, 13)

There it is. Shed the guilt because you have been made “not guilty” by God Himself. You’re free! Rejoice!

Dwayne was a man who struggled with thoughts of fear. “What if this happens? What if someone does this?” One day his worries came home to roost when he fell and injured himself. While in the hospital he had fearful thoughts. Why me? How can I work and pay my bills? Who will take care of my family? Worries flooded his mind until he turned to the Lord Jesus. He asked the Lord to help him and immediately the peace of God flooded his soul as the Lord brought back to his memory His promise from the scriptures.

 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. – power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8-38-39)

Dwayne discovered that the love of God toward us, and His word as recorded in the Bible, washes our spirit, soul, and body with His peace as we turn to Him as our fear blocker.

Imagine being arrested for reckless driving, standing before the judge and hearing the words, “You’re free! Your mind races to comprehend what is happening because you know that you are guilty, no question. So you sheepishly ask the judge why. And he explains, “Well, you see, there are so many guilty people, people that I care about, that I’ve decided to charge their crimes to my son. I’ll accept payment of their crimes, including yours, by my son. I know he’s not guilty of anything but since the law is right and must be satisfied, he has agreed to take your and everyone’s punishment. So I have decided that if you will accept him and what he’s done to take your place, then I will accept you as right and free from guilt just as he is. Therefore you are free.

The Bible teaches us, “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

In the church around the world, some of the most important and touching songs and hymns express how we are friends of God and what a friend of ours He is. When we think about it, it’s an incredible thought that we, unimportant, average people, could possibly have friendship with Almighty God! 

Some might say, “Who do you think you are?” Our answer has to be, I am whom the word of God says I am, and why I am whom I am.” The Apostle Paul explains it this way.

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:10-11)

We read in the news about the secret dealings that leaders, in all walks of life, corporate, private, and yes even political are involved in. Example: Ever ask yourself how a politician, a servant of the people in the U.S for example, gets elected with a entry level salary and benefits, yet after a few years becomes a millionaire with luxury homes, planes, cars, and all the trappings of wealth? Could it be secret dealings in a secret side of life? How about a man, upstanding in the community, maybe even a pastor, who is arrested for child prostitution? Even though the news details situations like this often, we still believe that our secret life is our secret. Most get away with it, until that is, judgement day. On that day the consequences of eternal damnation will prove the secrets are not worth it. 

So friends, keep short accounts with God. Repent and keep your conscience clear before Him. The secrets will come out so live right. He is quick to forgive. And if you fail, as we all do, don’t try and keep the secret from God because you can’t. 

The Bible says, “You have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)”

“And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Romans 2:16)