How Will We Know?

 

“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”  – Matthew 24:4-5

 

When they ask, and they will, “What makes you think Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven?  That’s pretty close minded isn’t it?” what are you going to say in response?  Understanding our faith and being able to share it and explain it to others is important in strengthening your Christian walk.  I speak with so many people that say they believe in Jesus Christ in conversation with me, because they know I am of the same belief.  Yet, these same individuals will not have a discussion with someone of unknown belief for fear of their ability to defend their belief. 

Many today are lost and seeking the truth about eternity.  There are plenty of people more than willing to share their belief in this religion or that; or their belief that all religions lead to the same place, so it really doesn’t matter.  Many will be misled and be eternally lost by the deceiver of this world.  Over the last century there have been thousands, around the globe, who have come forward and claimed their own divinity and led people to believe their lies.  Two examples that are very real in the last 30 years are David Koresh (Branch Davidians) and Jim Jones (The Peoples Temple) where each had claimed to be the Messiah and drew people unto themselves.  We learn in John 10:27, that His sheep know His voice and will follow when He calls them home.  Do not be led astray by those self proclaiming their worthiness.

Rather, stay solid in your faith in the One true Messiah – Jesus Christ.  We find Jesus and His disciples discussing His return in the 24^th chapter of the book of Matthew, as well as in Mark 13 and Luke 21.  Many things mentioned in these books are obvious in our world today (wars, pestilence, nation vs nation, famines, earthquakes and persecution) and must be recognized as such.  Jesus tells us to watch out for these things, and to be discerning as we do.  Not in an attempt to predict or establish the time of His return, but rather to not be misled.  Always be prepared and ready through study, prayer, fellowship and righteousness.  When the deceiver approaches you, it is important to be prepared and grounded in your faith.  Know what you believe, why you believe and what you are going to do with this knowledge. 

Do not be afraid of the questions that may come your way.  You will never have answers to all of the questions regarding Jesus Christ and His grace.  Allow God to work and speak through you.  The right words at the right time will flow according to God’s plans, you just have to be willing.  But, just like everything in life, the more you study and prepare the more prepared you will be.  The arguments of the deceiver are very convincing, but the armor of the Lord is unwavering.   Over the next few days we will be looking at the armor of God as captured in Ephesians 6^th chapter. For to impact 2019 in a big way for God, you need to be armed and protected and understanding the armor He has provided is the first step.

Like so many years, 2019 has all the promise to be a great year to change our outlook on evangelism and take that step to tell someone about your belief in Jesus Christ.  Put on the full armor of God and take up this challenge for the Lord this year.



Prayer:
Sovereign Lord,
You have promised in Your scriptures to return and lead us home one day.  We wait patiently for that glorious day and seek Your wisdom and knowledge along the way.  Help us to be prepared when the evangelism opportunity presents itself.  Help us to speak Your truth to others and openly share Your grace, gospel and love with all that we meet.  Strengthen our spirit Lord to put on the full armor of God and stand up to the enemy in the world today, that we might be able to help others see Your truth.  In Your name we pray – Amen



© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
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Fundamental Truths – God is God

November 12, 2014

“This is what the LORD says -- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:  I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God” – Isaiah 44:6

Many have questioned it.  Many find it impossible to believe that there is something unseen ruling over our existence.  Many refuse to believe that there is only one authority, but that there are many.  Many believe that all representations are one in the same, just different ways to believe.  Many will walk through their entire life hearing of the truth, yet refuse to accept it or embrace it. 

I believe in the Holy Word, the Bible, as the direct communication from God the Father to His people.  I believe that God is wholly righteous and therefore cannot and will not deceive, mislead, lie, tempt or cause unrighteousness, deceit or evil in this world.  I believe the world was created by His hand, at His word and that we are likewise created by His breath.  I believe that He is sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.  There is no greater authority and never has been, nor will there ever be.  He was not created, but is the Creator.

Why do I believe these things?
We can believe one of two things: Either God exists, or He does not.  In the latter we are 100% dependent upon the flawed human being as our authority, which over time has only led to destruction of mankind and offers nothing beyond this life.  I observe the chaos, the hatred, the selfishness, pride and arrogance of mankind and I realize that with all of the intellect, the love we have for one another, and the desire to improve this life, this is the best we can offer.  The oppression, injustice, survival of the fittest mentality is in and of itself dominant and not loving.  The most cherished thing on this earth is love.  Time and time again it has been proven that without love we will perish.  If there is no Supreme Being, no authority over all things, than we are left to the best solution mankind can come up with, which is “Natural Selection”.  The thought of natural selection focuses on the power and authority of one human over another and therefore naturally opposes the principle of loving your neighbor. 

We are living through examples of this, as more and more we are trying to remove God from our society, and replace Him with mankind’s self-centeredness and self-empowerment beliefs.  If we were to adhere to the binding principle of God’s Word, the Bible, “Love God and love your neighbor as yourself”, our society would once again be strengthened and most of the chaos would calm.  I believe God exists because He alone promises love and eternity beyond this life.    

So what do you believe?  Tell your family, your friends, me, the world or at least tell somebody.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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Look Around, It’s Changing

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” – Revelation 1:17

What will you do?
I hope you are a believer in the one and only Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.  If you are not, I am very curious what you would do when you come face to face with Him?  There are testimony after testimony from all over the globe of first hand encounters with the Son of God.  I’m not making it up and I don’t believe they are either.  In Jordan, in Egypt, in Pakistan, in Israel, in Korea, in Russia and elsewhere there are numerous verbal and video testimonies of individuals who have encountered Jesus Christ within just the last few years.  One woman has been banished from her family and her Muslim community after giving her life to Christ.  A handicapped woman was abandoned by her family and cried out to Allah to heal her to no avail.  In a dream she comes face to face with the Christ, Jesus, Son of God who calls her to stand and walk, she is healed and blessed by Christ to take His message to the people.  It is happening all over the world, your choice is to decide are millions of people simply lying and falsifying their testimony for personal gain?  Are they walking away from their families and facing persecution in their communities to maintain a lie? 

If we are not going to take the message to the world, our Messiah has chosen to bring it himself.  Read and observe the information on what is going on across Muslim, Jewish and Hindu communities all over the world.  Jesus Christ is not waiting, for the end time does indeed draw nearer and nearer each passing moment.  Just because it is hard to accept something that has not happened to you personally, doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.  For your friends, family and neighbors that do not know of the Messiah, you have the opportunity to help them.  I personally do not believe we have long my friends.  Do your research on recent experiences happening all over the world.  Read your Bible, talk to God and follow His purpose.  Take your eyes off of your place in the world and ask Him one simple question: “God, What can I do for your kingdom today?”  Then choose to follow His call.

For your friends that do not believe.  Share these testimonies of people all over the world with them.  Help them realize that Jesus is not just a character in a book written thousands of years ago.  He is the Son of God, and He is ready to help them enter into His peace and mercy.  It’s up to you, what you do with this message, but do something.   

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
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What Say You

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” – John 11:27

I was five years old and I remember Ms. Sebring teaching me about the books of the bible.  We spent 45 minutes each Sunday at church memorizing the order from Genesis to Revelations.  On the wall was a picture of Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath and a large framed picture of Jesus Christ.

Like most of the kids in the Sunday school class I loved singing the songs Jesus Loved Me and This Little Light of Mine and hearing the Bible stories of His birth, life, death and resurrection.  I couldn’t grasp the fullness of His grace and understand what it all meant, but I knew at an early age that there was something special about Him. 

I was taught early on to respect the heroes of history for the freedoms we have, and not to take it for granted.  History is filled with men and women who gave everything and sacrificed much so I could have the freedom in my life today.  I heard stories of my American forefathers who fought gallantly and courageously for the liberties and opportunities to become who ever I wanted to be.  Unlike the legacies of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and the other American leaders I learned about as a boy, I found myself continuously drawn to the man God sent to provide a way for me to get to heaven.

There was no revelation and miraculous scales falling from my eyes to see Him as my Savior.  At a later point in my life, around 12 years old, I knew without a doubt the Jesus Christ was the Messiah, He died for my sins and was raised again from the grave as my Savior – to allow me acceptance into eternity with Him in heaven one day.  For the last 35 years I have been continually maturing as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  Every day, I am amazed at how much more I learn about His love for me and how He can use my servant’s heart to help others. 

It’s no longer just about believing in Him in order to get to heaven and avoid Hell, it’s now so much more about serving others and helping spread His love to others.  Having discovered the depth of His loving grace for mankind I am continually in awe of how much Jesus Christ’s sacrifice meant.   Ten’s if not 100 billion people have been born and have died in the last 2000 years.  His life, death and resurrection was intended to bring every one of these people to heaven.  My heart is broken realizing that the majority of these people have not accepted Jesus Christ and as a result will not enter into His peace in eternity.  There are 6.5 billion people on the earth today, and I want nothing more than to help as many of them as possible discover the love, grace and mercy that I enjoy. 

That’s my story – that’s who I am and that’s what I believe.  So do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world?  If so, what are you doing with this knowledge? 
© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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