Tag Archive | Christianity

Are you all talk and no action?

Question: When I go along with things my friends do that I know are wrong, I feel like such a hypocrite. But should I feel this way? After all, I really don’t want them to get mad at me, and God knows what’s really in my heart.

Answer: Yes. You should feel like a hypocrite because you are being a hypocrite! You admit that as a Christian you know these actions by your friends are wrong, yet you participate with them anyway. And you are absolutely correct when you say that God knows what’s in our heart. So He knows that you willingly choose to do wrong to please your friends instead of doing the right thing to please God! (See Romans 12:9)

Too often, many Christians will say they believe and love the word of God, but then choose to act in ways that go against the teachings of God. For example, parents rightfully teach their children that lying is wrong. Then, their children hear them lying to someone – like a bill collector – or find out they’ve been lying on their tax returns. These parents are teaching their children that it’s fine to say one thing yet do the opposite.

Other examples would be when we pray to God to heal us of sickness caused by our unhealthy lifestyles or to get us out of financial debt. We rightfully say that God wants us to be both physically and financially healthy. Yet, we choose to keep overeating foods we know are bad for us and charging up our credit cards to the max with items we don’t need!

Or when Christians say they want to put God first in their lives, then in reality put Him second! This can happen, for example, when you admire your favorite celebrities and politicians so much that you disregard the sinful causes they promote and give them your support and your vote! You do this even when you know what they unashamedly support goes against the word of God! You are saying you put God first, but by these actions are actually putting them first and Him second.

Still more examples include how you treat other people. You may say that God wants us to show His love to everyone, yet you fail to treat people who look different than you with respect. Or you fail to be kind to or even speak to people you feel are somehow unworthy. You may even fail to show God’s love to members of your own family!

In all of these examples and in many others, you are talking the talk but not walking the walk! You are being a hypocrite and therefore not pleasing God!

But there is good news! Our God is full of grace and mercy! Because of His great love for us He has made a way for us to make our relationship right with Him. It starts with you accepting God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior! ( Romans 10:9) Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and stop being a hypocrite!

It’s true that we will not be perfect in this life — “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But we want to take steps to keep us on the right track. We must regularly pray for God’s Holy Spirit to guide us through our days so that we make the right decisions. And we must take the time to regularly read and study the Bible so that we will know God’s word for ourselves.

So stop being all talk and no action. Start really putting God first in your life. Every day, pray to know what is pleasing to Him. Then do it!

Amen

You may think you’re hiding, but Jesus knows!

Apr11

Question: Being low-income, I usually ask for the senior discount at stores even though I’m a few years younger than the required age. Is this wrong?

Answer: Yes. You are being dishonest with these merchants, and you know it. Even if you try to justify yourself by saying these store owners are rich, and you live on a low-income, you’re still lying. (See Exodus 20:16) And, before you say that’s just Old Testament law, remember what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:31. He said, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” ( NKJV )

Unfortunately, even Believers sometimes think their behavior can be hidden from God if they can hide them from man. How else can you explain people who proclaim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior yet purposely commit sinful acts? Most of us can name more than one such person who has tried to hide their sins. These sins have ranged from acts of sexual immorality and cheating on their income taxes to stealing and being mean to people. Even recent news stories include cases of politicians who proclaim their belief in traditional marriage, then hurt their Christian witness after being caught cheating on their spouse. We also have heard the heart-breaking stories of children being sexually abused by their pastors and church leaders. All these people thought they were hiding their sinful behaviors.

While you can sometimes hide your actions from man, you can’t hide them from God! The Lord says in Jeremiah 23:24, “Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?… Do I not fill heaven and earth?….” And, Hebrews 4:13 says, “…all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” So, even though you may think you are getting away with your sins because you can “pull one over” on your fellow-man, Jesus still knows all about the things you do. And, God will not be tricked by you! He will hold you accountable for your actions. In fact, Galatians 6:7 says, ” Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

However, because of God’s great love for us, He has provided the only way for us to be saved from the fatal punishment for our sins. (See John 3:16) And that way is by our accepting God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior! Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Therefore, we all need a Savior since we can’t ever be good enough to save ourselves. Jesus, the only one to be sinless and perfect, took the punishment we deserve for our sins by dying on the Cross. Praise God, He rose to life again on the third day!

So, thankfully, we can receive God’s free gift of salvation! Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Turn away from your sinful behavior (repent) and start living your life to please God! The time has come to stop hiding!

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Christians: What you don’t know can hurt you!

Nov16

Question: Most Americans identify as being Christians. But is it true that many of them are unclear about what they believe?

Answer: It’s true if you believe the results of the “State of American Theology Study 2016.” Read about this study in the WND.com article, “American Christians cave on core beliefs.” http://www.wnd.com/2016/10/american-christians-cave-on-core-beliefs/ Too many Christians lack basic knowledge of their own faith. In fact, from reading the results of this study, you might wonder why some of these people want to call themselves Christians at all.

Christians should know that the Bible clearly tells us that we are to believe what is written in the Scriptures and that the Scriptures are given by God. In fact, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (NKJV) Therefore, by studying the Bible and praying for God to give them understanding of His Holy Word, Believers will grow in their knowledge of what they are to believe.

Interestingly, the results of this study would indicate that there are many who lack basic scriptural knowledge. For example, 70% of those in this study agreed the God of the Trinity (God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit) is the one true God. They agreed that God does not make a mistake and is the author of Scripture. But fewer than half say the Bible is entirely accurate. Maybe this would help explain why 64% believe that “God accepts the worship of all religions” and 60% believe that “Heaven is a place where all people will ultimately be reunited with their loved ones.” Additionally, only 40% believe “hell is an eternal place of judgment where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.” Maybe the others forgot what Jesus said to certain evildoers in Matthew 23:33 when He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

Sadly, these numbers also suggest that many Christians are confused about their beliefs. In Exodus 20:3, God says, “You should have no other gods before Me.” Since most religions worship other gods, their worship can’t be accepted by our Almighty God. Additionally John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And, in John 14: 6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Therefore, God’s Word is clear that only those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will go to Heaven. Since we know that not everyone accepts Jesus as their Savior, we know that not all people will be reunited with their loved ones in Heaven one day — only those who are Believers. Believers are those who know that the Bible says we are all sinners. The wages of our sin is death. By dying on the cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserved for our sins. Only by asking God to forgive us of our sins, repenting of our sins, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, will we go to Heaven and not to hell!

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” In other words, Christians, what you don’t know can hurt you! So, commit to studying the Bible. Pray to grow in the knowledge and blessings of God’s Holy Word!

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Will God get thrown under the bus this election?

Oct6

Question: Does God care how we vote?

Answer: God cares about everything we do including how we vote. When we vote for someone who has made clear the agenda they plan to implement, we help them carry out that agenda. If that agenda goes against the teachings of God, then we are helping them work against God’s plan. One day, we will answer to God for what we have done. Our loyalty to a political party or candidate should not be stronger than our loyalty to God.

As Christians, we know from studying God’s Word, the Bible, that it is God who determines what is right and what is wrong and not political poll results. Believers understand that even when a majority of the people vote to endorse anything that God calls sin, it’s still sin, and God’s people should not help support it.

For example, one of the biggest social issues being debated in our time is the definition of marriage. However, if you know God’s Word, then you know that there is nothing to debate. God created marriage to be a union between one man and one woman, period. In fact, Jesus said this in Matthew 19:4-6, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’ and said ‘For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” (NKJV)

God has defined marriage. He created it. Are you planning to vote for a candidate who defines marriage opposite to how God defines it? If you vote for this person, you will be helping him or her push an agenda that goes against the Word of God.

Another major issue of our time is the legalization of abortion. We know that abortion is the ending of a baby’s life. As Believers, we must remember who it was that gave that baby life to begin with. It is almighty God who, alone, gives life. Psalm 139:13-14, says it beautifully: “For You have formed my inward parts. You have covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” (NKJV)

Plus, we know that children are a gift from God, no matter how good or how bad their parents are. In Psalm 127:3, the Bible says, ” Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward.” (NKJV) Are you planning to vote for a candidate who is pro-life, someone who sees the baby in their mother’s womb as a gift from God? Or, does your candidate support abortion?

More than 60 million babies have been aborted since the 1973 legalization of abortion. More than 96% of these abortions have not been done to save the mother’s life. By voting for a pro-abortion candidate, one who will have the power to put more pro-abortion judges on the Supreme Court and keep abortion legal, you will be helping more babies’ lives to end. Will you be proud to defend voting for pro-abortion candidates before God?

Many professed Christians explain their support for anti-traditional marriage and pro-abortion candidates by saying that these candidates will help the poor and minorities. While there may be some good programs your candidate supports that help those in need, other programs — even though of good intentions — tend to encourage the needy to stay needy. Evidence of this can be seen by visiting poor communities in cities across the country, Many of these communities have remained poor under leadership of both political parties, even after several decades.

Christians know that the best way out of poverty is by living God’s way, putting your trust in Him, and making decisions about how you live that please God. No matter who wins the political race, Christians will always be able to help the poor by leading them out of poverty God’s way.

The bottom line is that no candidate will be perfect. As Christians, we are to pray for all of our leaders. We want them all to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and repent of their sins. Yet still, voting for a candidate who has openly promised to support things that God clearly calls sin is to support an agenda that goes against the Word of God. Since the Lord will hold us accountable for whom we support, pray that you make the right choices. Let’s not throw God under the bus this election or anytime!

(Updated from my November 2, 2012 blog post)

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God, not earthly judges, determines what is right and wrong!

Sep10

Question: When it comes to moral issues, do our votes still count?

Answer: First, remember how blessed we are to live in America where citizens have the Constitutional right of freedom of religion! We are also part of a democracy, so we are able to vote for those who govern over us. The majority vote wins. However, in many states, the majority vote of the people has been overruled by the majority vote of court judges — including the judges of the highest court in our country — the U.S. Supreme Court.

For example, a few years ago, over 60% of the voters in North Carolina voted in favor of Amendment One. This Amendment upheld marriage as only being recognized as a legal union between one man and one woman. But the people’s vote was overruled by court judges. So, even though Jesus, Himself, reaffirmed this one-man one-woman definition of marriage (read Matthew 19: 4-6), earthly judges are trying to push a different meaning. These judges are saying that marriage between two men or between two women is not only just fine, but a legal right. But by simply reading God’s Word, including Romans chapter 1: 18-32, Believers know that God includes homosexual behavior among many sins. We also learn that we all have committed sins and that is not okay with God.

Another example of earthly judges ruling against the Word of God is the with the 1973 Roe vs Wade Supreme Court decision creating a new-found right to have abortions. They based their decision on a broad category of “a right to privacy.” They decided that abortions are just fine and deserve legal protection. They declared, in effect, that the baby in the mother’s womb is just a meaningless clump of cells. But God says the opposite. (See Psalm 139: 13-14)

While God’s Word clearly lists many actions as being sins, these particular examples are some that judges have legalized and many people even celebrate! But since these people have not been able to convince a clear majority of voters to accept these sinful actions, they are depending on earthly court judges to force their sinful beliefs on everyone else. Of course, they would say that they are just supporting what is fair and right. They accuse their opponents of being haters of diversity and inclusiveness. But the Bible warns us that we will encounter these type of people. They seem to think it is man, not God, who determines what’s right and wrong. They don’t understand that we learn right and wrong by reading the Bible. And, they don’t understand that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17 NKJV)

However, praise to our Father God in Heaven for His great mercy and grace! For the same Bible that tells us that “the wages of sin is death” also tells us that the “gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) So, as Believers, we must pray for the salvation of all those still caught up in sin. Pray for them to know that our loving God has provided us with a way back to Him through His only Son. Pray that they accept that Jesus was put to death on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. And, as Jesus rose again on the third day to be united with His Father God, we too can be in Heaven with God one day. God wants us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, ask Him to forgive us of our sins, and live our lives to please God. No more embracing, promoting, or legislating what God calls sin. And, rest assured that no matter what earthly judges decide, God will not be mocked, and He is still in control! Amen!

Follow me on Twitter: @ValClarksPlace

Stop acting like a loser! Power up!

Aug10

Question: With so many immoral things happening in the world, I feel like Believers are losing the spiritual battle. Are we?

Answer: Observing this rebellion against God’s teachings naturally makes us feel like we’re losing the moral battle. But we feel this way because we are just looking at the circumstances instead of keeping our eyes focused on God. Remember, the Bible already tells us that these things are going to happen when people turn their backs on God and embrace sin. (See Romans 1 : 29 – 32) In fact, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (NKJV)

But, remember 1 Corinthians 15:57 which says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, Believers must continue to witness to unbelievers that they can be saved from the eternal damnation resulting from their sin. We must tell them that they can be saved from this eternal separation from God by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, asking Him to forgive them of their sins, repenting of their sins, and living their lives to please God.

Therefore, Believers must continue to proclaim the Word of God with renewed strength and boldness especially during these troubled times. We must hold fast to our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must be able to say what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:16. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” God gives us the power through His Holy Spirit to guide and renew us each day so we can live by and spread His Word.

So, no matter the outcomes of the immoral decisions our society makes, Believers should not act like losers. The Word says that God will not be mocked. He will have the final word. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) And, through Him, we will have the victory!

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Stop letting the devil steal your joy!

Jun4

Question: Once again, just before my husband and I tried to go out for a “date” night, we got into an argument over something minor and it ruined the whole evening. How do we stop this depressing pattern?

Answer: First you and your husband should discuss the fact that this pattern of behavior happens. Then, pray together that God would guide your conversations with each other and bless you to communicate with each other in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Seek out good Christian resources to help you with this like the ones found on the Focus on the Family web site, www.focusonthefamily.com. Bottom line: you’ve got to stop letting the devil steal your joy!

You see, having the devil interfere in your life trying to cause trouble is nothing new. Satan works to cause us trouble. He even tried to cause trouble for Jesus Christ, Himself. Matthew 4:10 tells of the time when Satan tried to tempt Jesus to serve him instead of serving God. Satan took Jesus up on a high mountain to show Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan promised to give Jesus all the kingdoms if Jesus would worship him. But Jesus said, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” ( NKJV) Like Jesus, we too should be ready to speak the power of the Holy Word against the devil when we see he is trying to disrupt our lives.

There will be other times when we believe we are following God’s plan for our lives and Satan will try to get us off track. He may even do this by using someone in our lives we trust to try to derail us. He attempted this against Jesus. When the time came for Jesus to be crucified — to take the punishment in our place that we deserved for our sins — He began to explain to His disciples what was going to happen. That’s when His disciple Peter, “took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to you!'” But Jesus recognized these words of the devil speaking through Peter. So Jesus pushed back by saying to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but of the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23) Again, like Jesus, we must be on guard against sinful advice even from those we consider friends. We must understand that it is the devil who is trying to use them to pull us away from God.

Therefore, when you can sense, for example, that an unhealthy argument is coming on between you and that other person — be it a spouse, child, parent, friend, or even a stranger — be on guard. Recognize this for what it really is, the work of the devil trying to destroy the joy of your relationship. Stop and pray to God to give you the right words to say. And, remember Ephesians 4:26-27, “‘Be angry, and do not sin,’ do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Remember, Satan wants to destroy our positive relationships and cause all kinds of trouble in our lives because he is evil. He wants us to be miserable and defeated just like him.

Above all, Satan wants to stop you from accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, from joyfully living your life to please God, and from having everlasting life in Heaven. Don’t let him do it! Accept Jesus Christ as your one and only Savior and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Turn away from your life of sin and start enjoying the blessed life God wants for you.

Jesus wants us to take comfort in His Words from John 10:10. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Take comfort in His words and stop letting the devil steal your joy!

Follow me on Twitter: @ValClarksPlace

Have you read the end of the Book? God and His people win!

May1

Question: Are Christians wasting their time in continuing to fight against our society’s downhill slide into moral decay?

Answer: Absolutely not! Remember that nothing going on in the world today comes as a surprise to God. God is all-knowing, so He already knows what’s going to happen. And, despite what we see happening in our world now, God is still in control! We as Believers are to stay faithful to His Holy Word. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV )

God did not promise that life for the Believer was going to be easy. In fact, Jesus reminds us in John 15:18 that, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” So, we should not be surprised when the world mocks our commitment to standing for the truths of God’s Word. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where unbelievers are going beyond just mocking our beliefs as being intolerant and unintelligent. Now, they want to force Believers to support sinful behavior.

Disregarding our Constitutional First Amendment right to Religious Freedom, they are creating new laws that will punish Christians if we do not go along with behaviors God calls sin. They see Believers as being wrong in standing for the traditional moral teachings of God’s Word, especially on two of the most “hot button” subjects of today: abortion and homosexuality. Instead of agreeing with God’s Word in calling these things sin, they say these things are just fine. But, Isaiah 5:20 says “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” Verse 21 goes on to say, “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes.” Only God Almighty says what things are right and what things are sin, not man!

Know that the Word says in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.” So, whether or not people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Bible assures us of what is going to happen. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God has also highly exalted Him (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

By reading the Bible through to its final Book of Revelation, you will see how the Word says things will be in the end. For example, in Revelation 21:6-8 the Lord says, “…It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Therefore, by reading the end of the Book, you know that God and His people win! Praise the Lord! You should also recognize that we need to continue to pray for those who are unbelievers. It’s not God’s desire that anyone be lost “but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) So, let’s be evermore steadfast in following the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28: 19-20. He said to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” For as long as there is life, there is hope! Amen!

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Beware! You’re being watched!

Jan21

Question: How do I get over my resentment of church people after witnessing hypocritical behavior by some of them?

Answer: Unfortunately, many people have blamed the entire church body for bad behavior they’ve seen or experienced from some in the church. Some have even used this reason to explain why they don’t want to attend church. But they need to know that like everybody else, when members of the church do wrong or treat people wrong, they sin against God. And, like everyone else, they will answer to God for their actions if they don’t ask forgiveness for and repent of their sins. Those Believers who have truly grown in their relationship with God already know this.

But you need to understand that your own relationship with God should not be based on the actions of humans. Your relationship with God must be based on your acceptance of the actions of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ! Jesus is the only one God sent to die on the cross and take the punishment we deserved for our sins. We can be thankful for His sacrificial death and resurrection. Only by accepting Jesus as our Savior, asking Him to forgive our sins and repenting from our sins, are we saved from eternal damnation. Then, we can look forward to going to heaven. And we make the first steps needed to develop godly feelings towards other people.

Because God’s Holy Spirit will then be guiding you and helping you to have the correct feelings towards others — whether they are doing the right things or doing the wrong things. You’ll learn to hate the sins and not the sinner. You’ll learn that you are to pray for people who are doing wrong instead of resenting them. Pray that they repent and do right. Love them because God loves them and wants them to live their lives for Him.

As Christians, we must remember that we are being watched by both fellow Believers as well as unbelievers. And just as the Pharisees watched Jesus hoping to find something they could use against Him (see Luke 6:6-11), our actions will also be used for and against us by others. Our actions can help draw people to Christ or push them away from Christ. The Bible teaches us in Matthew 5:13-16 that we are to represent the love of Jesus Christ to others by being “salt and light.” It says in verse 16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NKJV)

Beware, Christians! You’re being watched! So, make sure what others see is the love of Jesus Christ in you!

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Don’t start the New Year believing the devil’s lies!

Dec30

Question: I can believe that God loves other people. But, with a past like mine, how could God really love somebody like me?

Answer: First, know that you are not alone in feeling this way. There are many people with pasts that include everything from using illegal drugs and drunkenness, to stealing, sexual promiscuity, and even murder who think there’s no hope for them to have a true relationship with a Holy God. But that is simply not true. These are just lies of the devil!

The Bible gives us many examples of how God has used people with troubled pasts. Take the prostitute Rahab. She hid the messengers of God when they needed help. Joshua 6:25 tells us that as a result of her actions — despite her background — Rahab and her household were saved by God. And in another example, look at the life of the Apostle Paul, a well-known persecutor and murderer of Christians, who was later used by God to be a great Christian leader. In 1st Timothy 1:15, Paul himself says: “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (NKJV)

In fact, Satan even tried to get Jesus to believe his lies. Luke 4: 1 – 13 tells us how Satan encountered Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days trying to tempt Jesus to turn His back on God and worship him instead. It didn’t work. Satan failed to tempt Jesus away from God. In verse 8, Jesus responds by saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.'” So if Satan tried to get Jesus away from God, you know he is trying to get you. Don’t fall for his lies!

The truth is that God actually wants to have a relationship with us. But, as it says in Romans 3:23, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” And our sins do separate us from God. But because God loves us so much He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him and to be able to join Him in Heaven one day. That one and only way is through Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment we deserve for our sins. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and ask Him to forgive us of our sins and repent, we are reconciled to God. See John 3:16.

So remember, Satan doesn’t want you to have a relationship with God. He wants you to stay wallowing in your sins and separated from God because of them, and on your way to hell with him. Jesus says, “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) So, while we must realize that Satan wants us to feel unloved by God and defeated, we can stand strong against his lies. We can go into the new year knowing that we, indeed, have God’s love. Praise the Lord!

Follow me on Twitter: @valclarksplace