Christian Assurances

There are at least eight assurances that every CHRISTIAN has that should be reviewed offen. They include the following:

Assurance of Salvation Through Jesus Alone

I John 5:11-13

And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Assurance of Victory Over Sin

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Assurance of Forgiveness of Sin

I John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Assurance That God Cares For You

I Peter 5:7

casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Assurance of God Hears Our Prayers

I John 5:14

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Assurance That God Will Work All Things Out For Our Good

Romans 8:28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Assurance That God Uses Our Troubles To Benefit Us

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Assurance That The Bible is the Sure Guide to Life

II Timothy 3:15-17

And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

How To Overcome Sin

Introduction

Jesus saved us from the penalty for sin when we became Christians. We will not have to experience the “second death” which is separation from God for all eternity. Jesus will one day save us from the presence of sin when he takes us home (heaven) to live with Him. Whether we die first or He returns, we will go to be with Him. Nothing evil or sinful will enter into the eternal dwelling. We will be away from sin and evil. Jesus also provides a way for us to be saved from the power of sin. The Bible presents a very simple plan to overcome the power of sin in our everyday life. Here’s how:

(1) Recognize sin as sin

(2) Repent of that sin and ask God to forgive you

(3) Replace that sin by allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life.

Recognize sin as sin

We humans have a strong tendency to be able to see everybody else’s sin but our own. We will loudly put down the person who lies to us and never even consider the fact that it may be just as bad a sin for us not to forgive that person. We may be angry with a person for mistreating us and know that he has sinned; but we may not recognize that anger we have is also a sin. (There is such a thing as righteous anger, but most of us have never experienced that kind.)

Study the following Scriptures and make a list of all the sins that are mentioned. The Scriptures are: Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:28-31; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 4:25-31; Revelation 21:8.

Go through the list of sins and mark each one that you have a problem with. Be completely honest with yourself as you do this. Some of the sins listed in these passages are listed below.

___Evil thoughts ___Fornications ___Thefts ___Murder

___Adultery ___Coveting ___Deceit ___Sensuality

___Envy ___Slander ___Pride ___Foolishness

___Idolatry ___Effeminate ___Homosexuality ___Drunkenness

___Reviling ___Swindlers ___Lying ___Stealing

___Bitterness ___Wrath ___Anger ___Unwholesome Words

___Malice ___Unforgiveness ___Unbelief ___Cowardly

___Immorality ___Sorcerers ___Unrighteousness ___Wickedness

___Greed ___Gossip ___Strife ___Haters of God

___Insolent ___Arrogant ___Boastful ___Untrustworthy

___Unloving ___Unmerciful ___Inventors of Evil ___Disobedient To Parents

Repent of your sins

Repentance is a change of the mind caused by a sorrow for sins leading to a reformation of life. It includes being sorry for the sin you committed but sorrow by itself is not repentance. Repentance also includes a sincere intention of not committing that sin again. You pray and ask God to forgive you. As you pray you also ask God to replace that sin with the fruit of the Spirit that is the “opposite equivalent” of the sin.

Replace the sin with the fruit of the Holy Spirit

For every sin there seems to be an “opposite equivalent” of it that the Holy Spirit will produce in my life when I allow Him to control me. Some of these are very obvious. For the sin of hatred there is love. For unforgiveness there is forgiveness. For sexual immorality there is morality and sexual purity.

Study the following Scriptures and make a list of all the good traits that are mentioned. The Scriptures are: Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14; Romans 12:9-21. These qualities are evident in our lives when we allow the Holy Spirit to control us. The Bible calls this being filled with the Spirit. Some of those qualities are:

___Love ___Joy ___Peace ___Patience

___Kindness ___Goodness ___Faithfulness ___Gentleness

___Self-control ___Tender-hearted ___Forgiveness ___Not Vengeful

___Holiness ___Compassion ___Humility ___Hospitable ___Prayerfulness ___Treating Enemies Well

Go through the list of righteous qualities that you made (or the one above) and mark each one that is not in your life on a consistent basis. Remember that these qualities are produced supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. You cannot consistently produce them in your human power.

Conclusion

If you are a Christian God has saved you from the penalty of sin (hell) and will one day save you from the presence of sin (heaven). You also can be saved from the power of sin during your life. You do this by following three steps.

(1) Recognize sin as sin

(2) Repent of that sin and ask God to forgive you

(3) Replace that sin by allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life.

Christian Programming

Christian Programming

by Lee Delbridge

A Person Is What He Thinks About All Day Long. A great number of people try to influence what you think. Teachers, Politicians, Advertisers, Music Writers, the News Media, TV Programs, and Marketing people are all trying to influence your actions by influencing your thoughts. Since You Become What You Think About, I Challenge You To Intentionally, On-Purpose, “Program” Your Own Mind For Godly Thoughts. If you don’t control your life, somebody else will!!! You can program your mind to respond in a godly way just like you used to program your VCR to record a TV program. Once you program it, it happens “automatically”.

Why?

1. We Are Commanded
Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

2. Spiritual People Set Their Minds on Spiritual Things
Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

3. We Are Transformed By The Renewing of Our Minds
Romans 12:2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

How?

Your Mind is Like a Computer that can be programmed to do almost anything. Since Christians desire to do God’s will, they should ‘‘program’’ their minds for Godly actions and attitudes. Read the following ideas aloud early each morning to set the tone for the entire day. Do this every day for at least 90 days, maybe more.

I will put God first in every area of my life today. I will seek for and abide by His will in every decision I make and in every action I take. [Matthew 22:37; 6:33; James 4:15]

I will not worry about anything today. I will pray about everything. [Philippians 4:6-7]

I will settle today’s problems today. I will not allow problems to build up and accumulate. I will forget my failures and my accomplishments of yesterday and do today the things I should do today. [Ephesians 4:26-27; Matthew 6:34]

I will be kind and forgiving to every person today. [Ephesians 4:32]

I know nothing will happen to me today that God and I can’t handle. Whatever happens, there will always be a godly way out of the temptation or trial. [I Corinthians 10:13]

I know that with God’s help, I can accomplish great things for Him. [Philippians 4:13]

I will be patient with people today, knowing that they are not perfect either. [James 5:7; I Corinthians 13:4]

I will think good thoughts today about every situation and about every person. [Proverbs 23:7a; Philippians 4:8]

I know that whatever happens to me today, God will work it out for my benefit since I love Him. [Romans 8:28]

I will actively seek good for every person I come in contact with today. [I Thessalonians 5:15]

I will treat every person I meet today the way I would like to be treated if I were that person. [Matthew 22:39; Luke 6:31]

I will give of myself, my talents, and my treasures today knowing that if I give I will receive. [Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35c]

I will center my life around eternal things and not around temporal things. [II Corinthians 4:18]

I am in the process of becoming an expert in the areas I work. [Proverbs 22:29]

I will enjoy this day to its fullest because it is a day God has given me. [Psalms 97:1; Psalms 118:24]

I will seek to share the good news of free salvation in Christ Jesus with others today. [Matthew 28:18-20]

I will take care of my physical body today, knowing that it was given to me by God and good health is needed to accomplish the tasks He has for me. [I Timothy 4:8; Mark 2:27]

I will ‘‘plant’’ today what I want to ‘‘reap’’ tomorrow; knowing that a person always reaps what he sows. [Galatians 6:7-9; Ecclesiastes 11:1]

How To Live a Truly Successful Life

How To Live A Truly Successful Life

by Lee Delbridge

Introduction

You only have one life to live. It will be soon be over. It will be over whether you “just exist” or you “really live.” Today, I’m going to tell you how to live life to the fullest; how to get the most out of every day; how to look forward to every morning; how to be excited about life; how to really live! This is how you live a truly successful life. To be truly successful you must be and do all God wants to to be and do. There are just three simple steps. They are not easy steps, but they are simple steps. They are: know God; Know Yourself and Know God’s Purpose for Your Life.

I. Know God

1. You Are A Lost Sinner Romans 3:23, 6:23a

2. Jesus Is the All-Sufficient Savior Romans 5:8; 6:23

3. You Must Accept Jesus As Your Lord and Savior Romans 10:9; Acts 2:38, 42

II. Know Yourself

1. It’s OK to Love Yourself (Matthew 22:39)

(1) It is possible to love yourself too much, but a little selfishness is normal & OK

(2) To maintain the right balance live by the Second Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:39) and the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31)

2. Know Your SHAPE

S =Spiritual Gifts (I Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16)

H =Heart (Passion — What you really like to do and who you like to do it with)

A =Abilities (One of Three areas (1) Things, (2) People or (3) Information)

P =Personality (Four Basic Types – most people are a combination of two with one being predominant:

Sanguine: Extrovert Feeling Type: Happy, chatty, forgetful – Key Word: fun

Choleric: Extrovert Thinking Type: Leaders, drivers, dominating- Key Word: control

Melancholic: Introvert Thinking Type: Thinkers, perfectionists, sensitive – Key Word: Perfection

Phlegmatic: Introvert Feeling Type: Calm, easy-going, indecisive – Key Word: Peace)

E =Experiences (Educational, Vocational, Spiritual, Painful)

3. As Much As Possible Do What You Do Best and Get Others To Do The Rest

(1) I totally disagree with the idea that you should find your weaknesses and spend your life improving them

(2) You want the Holy Spirit to control you, but you still want to be yourself

(2) You do have to bring your weaknesses up to an acceptable level but then play to your strengths — focus on what you do best

III. Know God’s Purpose for You

1. Your primary purpose in life is to glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31)

2. You secondary purpose in life is to serve people (I Peter 4:10)

3. Discover, Develop and then Dedicate your life to fulfilling God’s purpose for you

4. God designed you to do what He wants you to do (Discovering your SHAPE in Roman

Numeral II above will help you determine your life purpose)

Conclusion

The way to live a truly successful life is to Know God, Know Yourself and Know God’s Purpose For Your Life. All three of these activities are simple but not easy. All three are lifelong pursuits. Learn from other people but never try to be another person. Take their ideas and make them your own. Learn principles and apply them. Don’t try to be someone else. Be yourself! You are not the most important person in the room, but you are an important person in the room. If you want to live a truly successful life, Know God, Know Yourself and Know God’s Purpose for Your Life.

The Roman Road

You Are a Sinner

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Your Sin Separate You From God

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death,…

Even Though You Are a Sinner God Loves and Jesus Died for You

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Your Sin Separate You From God BUT He Offers You the Free Gift of Eternal Life In Jesus Christ

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You Must Trust in Jesus, Believe God Raised Him From the Dead and Confess That Faith Publicly

Romans 10:9

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

You Should Be Baptized Into Christ

Romans 6:3-4

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

If You Are In Christ, You Are Saved

Romans 8:1

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

As a Response To God Giving You Eternal Life As a Free Gift You Should Give Yourself Totally To Him

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Read the Entire New Testament In One Year

Read the New Testament in One Year

By Lee Delbridge

Read the New Testament in 2018

By Lee Delbridge

Introduction

One of the keys to living for God successfully is to spend time in His Word. I challenge you to read the entire New Testament in 2018. Not only read it but also write something about what you read every day!

WHY?

Because It Will Nourish You Spiritually

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Because It Is Life

John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Because It Will Equip You For Every Good Work

II Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Because You Live Under the New Testament

Galatians 3:23-27

But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

HOW?

Read One Chapter Each Day, Five Days Each Week

Write Something About What You Read

Review Your Notes Often

Conclusion

Start Monday, January 1, 2018. Read one chapter every day and write something about what you read.

Universal Flood!

Why I Believe the Flood of Genesis 6-9 was a universal Flood

The primary reason is that I sincerely believe that is what the Bible says.

Evil was universal according to Genesis 6:11-12

God decided to destroy both man and the earth Genesis 6:13

God said that everything with the breath of life was to die Genesis 6:17

Genesis 7:19-23 makes it clear that it was a universal flood

All the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered with water Genesis 7:19

The mountains were covered Genesis 7:20

All with breath died Genesis 7:22

All present non-marine animals came from the ark Genesis 8:19

God promised that a flood like this one would never happen again Genesis 9:11 (see also Genesis 8:21 and Isaiah 54:9)

Noah condemned the world by his faith Hebrews 11:7

Marine fossils have been found on top of mountains

“Millions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the earth” (Ken Ham)

The eruption of Mt. Saint Helen in May 1980 show what can happen in a short period of time with a lot of liquid

Bible Timeline of a “Young Earth” Premillennialist

Timeline of Bible Events

Lee Delbridge

4004 BC Creation – Adam and Eve

2348 BC. The Flood

2091. Abraham entered Canaan

2066. Isaac & Jacob born

2135. Abraham birth

2000 BC Abraham

1991 BC. Abraham died

1975 Joseph

1886 BC. Isaac died

1876 BC. Jacob moved to Egypt

1446 BC. The Exodus

1000 BC High Point of Jewish History

931 BC Kingdom Split

852 BC. Elijah/Elisha

722 BC Assyria Captures the Northern Kingdom

586 BC Babylon Captures the Southern Kingdom

539 BC Medes and Persia Overthrow Babylon

539 BC Cyrus, King of Persia gives the Jews permission to return to their homeland

538 BC Zerubbabel and some Jews return and rebuild the Temple

515 BC Temple Rebuilding Complete

458 BC Ezra and some Jews return

445 BC Nehemiah and some Jews return to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem

4 BC Jesus is born in Bethlehem

29 AD Jesus Begins His Ministry

33 AD Jesus is crucified

33 AD The Church Begins in Jerusalem

95 AD John the Apostle writes Revelation

Future Events

The Rapture Occurs – Jesus Returns for His Saints

Seven Year Tribulation on Earth

Bema Judgment for Rewards in Heaven

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven

Jesus Returns to Earth with His Saints

The Battle of Armageddon

1000 Year Reign of Christ on Earth

Satan loosed for a short period of time

Great White Throne Judgment

Eternity — Heaven / Hell

The Bible on Money

Biblical Money Management

by Lee Delbridge

God Owns It All

Psalms 24:1

The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

If you believe God owns it all it will make a world of difference in what you do with your money! God not only owns your money He owns you! He owns your spouse and your children.

God expects you to work for a living

Ephesians 4:28

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Work is honorable and good.

God Expects You To Give Away a Part of What You Earn

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Don’t Love Money

I Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Love God. Love People. Use money.

Don’t Trust In Money

I Timothy 6:17

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

Trust God. Never trust in money. It will always disappoint you if you do.

Don’t Be Deceived by Money

Matthew 13:22

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

There is nothing that will take the place of money in the areas that money works. Don’t be fooled into thinking that money works in all areas — it doesn’t.

Stay Out of Debt

Proverbs 22:7

The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender’s slave

Figure out a way to “get by” until you can buy what you need with cash. For example, take public transportation a few months while saving to buy an inexpensive “starter” car.

Save for the Future

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer And gathers her provision in the harvest.

Never spend more than 70% of your “take home pay.” Save money for emergencies, for upcoming purchases and for retirement.

Specialize in Your Job

Proverbs 22:29

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men.

Become an expert at what you do for a living. If that job is no longer needed, retrain for a new job and become an expert at that one.

Diversify in Your Investments

Ecclesiastes 11:2

Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.

Get expert advice from someone you trust about your investment. Expect a reasonable return. Don’t fall for get-rich-quick schemes. Invest in several areas that run counter to each other.

Pray God Will Give You The Right Amount of Money

Proverbs 30:7-9

Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Pray that God will give you enough money to live comfortably but not so much that you begin to trust in the money instead of God.

Invest for the Long Term — Eternity

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Invest (give) some of your money to places that have eternal results (church, missions, etc.)

Review

God Owns It All Psalms 24:1

God Expects You To Work for a Living Ephesians 4:28

God Expects You To Give Away a Part of Everything You Earn Luke 6:38

Don’t Love Money I Timothy 6:10

Don’t Trust In Money I Timothy 6:17

Don’t Be Deceived By Money Matthew 13:22

Stay Out of Debt Proverbs 22:7

Save for the Future Proverbs 6:6-8

Specialize in Your Job Proverbs 22:29

Diversify in Your Investments Ecclesiastes 11:2

Pray God Will Give You The Right Amount of Money Proverbs 30:7-9

Invest for the Long Term — Eternity Matthew 6:19-21

Quotes About Money I Like

The amount of money a person earns will always be in direct proportion to the demand for what he does, his ability to do what he does, and the difficulty of replacing him (Earl Nightingale)

In a free society you earn money by providing a product or a service other people want or need at a price they are willing to pay. Our rewards in life will always be in direct proportion to our contribution.

Remember the law of cause and effect. In finances, the money you receive is the effect and the service or product you provide is the cause.

Always do more than you are paid to do! If you do that you will build up rewards that will come to you in some form at some time.

There is no such thing as something for nothing. Everything cost someone something.

No one knows what the future holds or even if you have a future, but it is smart to plan for the future.

Lee’s paraphrase of the Five Laws of Gold from the book, The Richest Man in Babylon

1. Save 10% of all you earn

2. Put the money you saved to work to earn you more money and reinvest the earnings to earn even more money

3. Get wise counsel on where and how to invest your money.

4. Have a purpose for your investments and invest only in areas you are familiar.

5. Never try any “get rich quick” schemes.

The “Days” of Creation Week

Why I believe the “days” of Genesis 1:1-2:4 are normal days of about 24 hours each.

The primary reason is that I sincerely believe that is what the Bible teaches.

The first time the word “day” is used in Genesis 1:5 it means the daylight part of the day/night cycle.

In Genesis 2:4 the word day means a longer period of time.

In Genesis 1:5b; 1:8; 1:13; 1:19; 1:23; 1:31 the word day means a normal day of about 24 hours.

The reasons I believe this is true are:

* Genesis is written as simple historical narrative

* Exodus 20:8-11 clearly teaches that the creation days were normal days

* God said He created the world in six days Exodus 31:17 (see 31:12-18)

* The author’s original audience would have understood the text to mean normal days.

* In the Old Testament the word day combined with a number and/or the phrase “evening and morning” (as it is in Genesis One & Two) nearly always means a normal day.

Scripture, not science, is the ultimate test of truth (start with the Bible and compared everything else to it; not vice versa).

God can do whatever He wants to do. The only question is: “What does God say He did?” It seems plain to me that He said He created in world in six normal days.