Michael Masters

5 yrs

"There was an old legend of a goblin horseman that galloped over men’s fields at night; and wherever his foot struck, the soil was so blasted that nothing would ever grow on it again. So is it with the heart over which the beastly feet of lust, of sensuality, of greed, or selfishness, of passion, are allowed to tread. There is an impression that it does young people no harm to indulge in sin for a time, if they afterward repent. No more fatal falsehood was ever whispered by the tempter into any ear. The heart that is trodden over by vile lusts or indulgences of any kind is never the same again."
From Daily Word of God
How true this is that people think to themselves, "Maybe...when the time is right... I'll start going to church."
Time is too short to put off asking Jesus to be your Savior.
Reminds me of that old prayer, "If I should die before I wake I pray the Lord my soul to take."
For some tomorrow may not come. That's why we need to say that prayer right now.
If you were to suddenly die in the next few minutes, would you be saved for the New Heaven and the New Earth, or would your soul be tormented in Hell.
Many years ago I felt that I didn't want to go on. But the mere thought of going to Hell terrified me.
Today, despite any and every problem that may occur in my life...I know that one day there will be a new beginning in a world with no sickness, no pain, no tears, and no end...only eternal bliss.
Send this to someone today. When they ask you why you sent it, just tell them, "because I love you."
God Bless

5 yrs

OUR THORN IN THE FLESH

A lot of people look at suffering a little differently than me. For me, suffering has been a big part of my growing process as a Christian. There are times when I have wondered why God didn’t heal me after so many prayers from myself and others. But I have to remind myself all the time of what Jesus said to his Father, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matthew 26:42 NIV) Jesus prayed this when he knew that his time was near to be crucified. He prayed that prayer three times in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had flesh and bones just like you and I. The Apostle Paul prayed for the Lord to take away his “thorn in the flesh” three times, yet God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV) In Paul’s circumstance God added, “for my power is made perfect in weakness."
For you and me that means that in our suffering, in our “weaknesses”, God can do what he needs to do to accomplish His will in our lives. For me that has meant growing closer and closer to Him. I’ve often wondered if that meant I would stray if the suffering was removed.
This morning as I was reading the Word, I wrote in my notebook “It is good that God allowed all my suffering. Without them (my suffering) I would have kept trying to do it on my own, life that is…until it was too late. I believe that is very possibly true, because had God not allowed the suffering, I’m not sure I would have asked Jesus to be my Savior. I would have probably died knowing about God, but not knowing Him, which is what Jesus talks about in the Gospels, saying that it was necessary to truly “know” Him. Knowing Him is what happens when we are born again. We begin to live differently, each of us at a different pace. And this is what God truly wants from us. He wants us to “know” Him, and understand how much He loves us, so much so that He gave his only begotten Son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins, clearing the way into eternity for those who believe on Him and do so by asking Him to be their Savior.
So now, I look at suffering a lot differently than I used to. Even now in my own suffering I’m thankful for it because I know how the devil works with people, especially Christians. I know that I am just as susceptible as anyone to commit sins. When you look at the news you see a lot of Christians that have been toppled from high places because they left to their own “devices” shall we say. Like them, I know who I am, inside and out, better than anyone else…except God. I know what I’m capable of. He knows what I’m capable of. Therefore, because of His love for me, and not wanting to see me fail, I believe He has allowed these things (suffering) to keep me “weak” as Paul was weak. And as the verse says, “for my power is made perfect in weakness." I think Paul would have been prideful if not for his thorn in the flesh. I think I would be too, among other things.
If you’re suffering in some way, look to God and see if there is something that He might be saving you from doing if you were healthy, and not afflicted. My afflictions, health and otherwise, drove me to the Lord. So now, I couldn’t be more grateful for “everything” He has done for me. And now, I think they keep me from falling backwards again.
None of us likes to suffer for any reason, whether it be physical or emotional, or otherwise. But if Jesus is your Lord and Savior you know that one day soon all the pain and sorrow will disappear…forever. Also know that there is probably a very good reason that God has not healed you…yet. Somehow, in some way, God’s power will be made perfect through our weakness.
Knowing that, I think we can actually rejoice in some ways knowing that God is using us in ways that we won’t understand until we’re with Him, when He will explain it all, or we will come to understand what our suffering had accomplished in some amazing way.
If God has not taken your thorn in the flesh away…there is probably a very wonderful reason.
God Bless!

7 yrs

GOD THOUGHTS

Why Don’t People See a Need for God?

As I was praying for family and friends this morning, the thought occurred to me “Why don’t people see a need for God?” So, I felt that God wanted me to pose that question to you also.
The answer to that question has many answers. We live in such a busy world that we don’t usually have time for God. There are so many things in this world that distract us, especially when it comes to our leisure time, or down time.
God’s desire for us is to seek Him. But the closest a lot of people come to that is by going to church once a week, or once in a while. A lot of people “acknowledge” God, but are not seeking Him, they don’t really know Him.
Earlier this week another interesting thought came to mind as I read Psalm 100:3. It says…
“Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”
And in Malachi 2:15 it says…
“Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.”
I think we tend to look at God as creating Adam and Eve, but not so much us. But that is a big mistake on our part. It is because of God that we’re here. That should make you feel very special, very humble, and very grateful.
Are you seeking God? He longs to hear us call on Him. He even sent His only begotten Son to die for us.
We must seek God while there is still time, although I believe there is very little left for this present world. There is a new world waiting for those who choose to seek and follow God’s Son Jesus. For Jesus said…
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6,7
Do we know Jesus in our spirit? We must, because He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life…life eternal.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:6,7

God really does love us. He knows that we have made mistakes in life, and done things that we probably shouldn’t have, but He still loves us and wants to prove it to us. But the only way to find that out for yourself is to seek Him now. It doesn’t take a lot to be saved and secure eternal life, but we must take that step. And that step is to find a quiet place and tell God that you believe in Him and what Jesus did on the cross for you.
God doesn’t expect us to walk out of that quiet place and throw our old life away just like that. He knows that its hard to change our life and lifestyle overnight. He just asks that you humbly come to Him and ask Him to be your God, your Savior, your Lord. He hopes that you’ll open up a Bible and learn about Him.
But, it’s up to you. No one can force you to believe in something you don’t fully understand. But God is all about faith. It’s about seeing what the Bible says and asking yourself “Do I really believe that Jesus died for me, paying the price for all my sins, and giving me eternal life just because I believe it?”
And one last thought.
The Bible says that one day Jesus will say to many people…
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” Matthew 7:21-23
Many people that go to church today and call themselves Christians have a head knowledge of God, but not a spiritual connection with God. This is why God give us the Holy Spirit when we’re saved so that we can understand the thoughts of God better, and understand why He loves us so much. But, there are many today that are leaders in our churches that don’t know God. If they did they would lead by the Bible and nothing else. But that is another subject.
I know many people that think, or even say that they are saved, but when you see their actions and hear the words that come out of their mouths, it doesn’t line up with a person that is following God. You never hear them talk about God…at all. God wants us to rejoice in our Salvation and share the Good News with others.
God doesn’t expect us to be perfect by any means. But He does want us to seek Him.
Are you seeking God?

7 yrs

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

I haven't been doing a lot of writing lately, but as soon as I read this passage this morning I felt compelled to share it with you.

More and more, people are abandoning the truth of God, and instead following the so called "wisdom" of the world's so called "scholars".

These "scholars" and the people that follow them, consider the message of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, foolishness.

As believers, followers of Christ, that message is our salvation.

We believe the power of God changes us from being lost souls, to eternal beings that will live forever on a New Earth, living our lives in God's love and peace.

But this is fantasy to the "wise ones" of this present age. Instead they continue to search for the fountain of youth, when God's Son Jesus is that fountain of eternal life.

But, as is says in the second verse, God "will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent (He) will frustrate."

God created us to be people He could love, and be loved by.

We did not come into being by a "big bang", or some glob that one day split in two and evolved into men and women.

God tells us in the first pages of the Bible how it really happened.

Bottom line, "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

1 Corinthians 1:18,19

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”

1 Corinthians 2:9

7 yrs

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Imagine this scene…
You’re walking along with Jesus and he stops. Then before your very eyes His face becomes bright like the sun. And His clothes also become bright as light.
Then, out of nowhere appears Moses and Elijah, and their talking to Jesus.
Knowing that two of the greatest prophets of God were standing right before you, you mutter “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
And then, while you’re still talking, a bright cloud completely appears and surrounds you. Not only that, but a voice comes from within the cloud “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Then you realize it is God, thee God, talking to you!
With trembling and awe, you fall quickly to the ground in reverent fear of God Almighty, the God of the Universe, the God you had read and heard about all your life!
Then, while you’re lying there, a hand gently touches your shoulder, and tells you “Get up.” “Don’t be afraid.”, it’s okay.
As you rise to your feet, you look around and see only Jesus.
Can you imagine?