Today is the day you have been waiting for. Today is the day to make a change in your life. You have tried over and over to "Be a Better Person", or to stop doing those bad things whatever they are, but you can not stop. The reason you can not stop doing bad things or thinking thoughts that dishonor you, is because of one simple word, Sin. It is a simple word but has given mankind big problems throughout history. Sin is worse than cancer or any disease you can think of. The reason sin is so bad is that you feel fine, but you are already dead. Sin is separation from God. The bible tells us in the book of Romans, that we have all sinned and have fallen short of The glory of God. Also in Romans God tells us that the wages of sin is death. It sounds hopeless doesn't?
That is why what I am going to say next is called the "Gospel" or "Good News". The cure for this deadly disease know as sin is just one request away. The cure was provided over three thousand years ago when Jesus died on the cross and bridged the gap between sinful you and perfect God. All you have to do is accept Jesus as personal savior, repent of your sin (turn your back on sin) and follow Jesus. From one sinner to another it is the only way to live a fruitful productive life. Jesus said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.
This blog is dedicated to pointing the way to an abundant life on earth and eternal life after you leave this earth. If you know Jesus Christ as your personal savior Make 2012 the year you tell others about Him. If it is difficult for you to share Christ, then simply point others to places where they can hear and read about Him. I have posted a link on the right side of my blog "Gods simple Plan". It is a good place to send your friends.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal savior, then make today the day. Life is fragile and uncertain. Non of us know how long we have on this earth, and once this life is over there are no other chances. Baby Jesus grew up, and because He was all man and all God, He was able to provide the cure for sin. Accept Him today.
If any of what you have read on this site has helped, email me and let me know. My goal is to help you grow closer to the Living God of the Bible, and to grow closer myself. Your prayers are appreciated.
Happy New Year
Cliff
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
How Will You Do It?
Read The Bible This year
In keeping with "And The Lord Said..." It is time to think about how we are going to read through the scriptures this year. I am testing out a few options. I have started with the M'Cheyne reading plan, which takes you through the Old Testament once and the the New Testament and Psalms twice in one year. There are 4 chapters a day. I wanted to know a little more about how this plan was developed so I looked around on the web and found some information about Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Below are a few links.
http://www.edginet.org/mcheyne/info.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Murray_M'Cheyne
http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpmcheyne.html
The first link also gives a modified version of the M'Cheyne reading plan, and the other sites provide back ground on Robert Murray M'Cheyne.
Another resource for bible reading plans is the Zondervan web site. The link below takes you there. This is a very nice site because it offers bible reading plans based upon where you are in your walk with the lord.
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan
These are just two suggestions. there are many more out there, almost to the point of over-load. Pick one and stick with it. Let 2012 be a year of growth and renewal, and find out what God wants to tell you.
Cliff
In keeping with "And The Lord Said..." It is time to think about how we are going to read through the scriptures this year. I am testing out a few options. I have started with the M'Cheyne reading plan, which takes you through the Old Testament once and the the New Testament and Psalms twice in one year. There are 4 chapters a day. I wanted to know a little more about how this plan was developed so I looked around on the web and found some information about Robert Murray M'Cheyne. Below are a few links.
http://www.edginet.org/mcheyne/info.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Murray_M'Cheyne
http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpmcheyne.html
The first link also gives a modified version of the M'Cheyne reading plan, and the other sites provide back ground on Robert Murray M'Cheyne.
Another resource for bible reading plans is the Zondervan web site. The link below takes you there. This is a very nice site because it offers bible reading plans based upon where you are in your walk with the lord.
http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan
These are just two suggestions. there are many more out there, almost to the point of over-load. Pick one and stick with it. Let 2012 be a year of growth and renewal, and find out what God wants to tell you.
Cliff
Monday, December 26, 2011
And The Lord Said....
And The Lord Said....
I love that statement. Think about it! The creator of the Universe is about to speak. The God who was and is and is to come wants to tell you something. The bible contains roughly one hundred and sixty-three verses that prepare the reader for the coming words of God Almighty by saying "and the Lord said...". Through out history, from Genesis to Revelation, the living God of the bible has spoken and made himself know to man. God also spoke audibly through man, as indicated by "Thus saith the Lord". This phrase is used around four hundred and thirteen times. There are other phrases used to indicate that God had something to say. The first recorded time God spoke to man was in the Garden of Eden. The bible records it as, " And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" Genesis 2:16-17.
When God speaks we should listen. The wisdom of the ages, directly from the heart and mouth of our creator, is at your finger tips. You walk by it on a daily basis, you may even set your cup of coffee on it in the morning as you prepare for the day. How often do you pick it up with the intent of listening to God. Through the personal and individual work of the Holy Spirit God has something he wants to tell you. Key to receiving this information is knowing that what you hear in your heart must match what is in the scriptures. God will never speak to your heart something that does not line up with his word. That may seem like an obvious statement, but in these last days our enemy is working over time introducing half truths and lies to confuse and lead astray the elect. It is important to compare any revelation, or word of knowledge with the bible, if it does not match what God has said in his word, then it is not from God.
So how do we guard our hearts and minds from being led astray? It is very simple. It is so simple that most people over look it and when told what to do, write it off as simple minded. Or when told agree, but soon forget the simple formula. I believe the answer to living a life that maintains scriptural integrity lies in three words, ask, seek, and knock. Jesus tells us in the book of Matthew "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" Matthew 7:7-8 ASV. Simple, but powerful. One of the first things that I had to learn about writing is that if you want to be a writer you must do one very important thing, and that is write. The same principle applies to living a genuine Christian life. If you want to stay on the "narrow way", you must keep the road map in front of you and read it frequently.
Have you ever driven in a large, unfamiliar city? It is a daunting task. Most of the the large cities I have driven in are criss crossed with oneway streets, dead ends, and strange oddities that defy description. Without a guide, or a clearly defined route you may be destined for a long and weary day of back tracking and chasing your tail. In the early days of a America many families made there way west in covered wagons. They followed the dream of independence and self sufficiency. But in the middle of this lovely country lie areas so desolate and uninhabitable, the unprepared settler was forced to turn back. If they chose to continue, they were forced to abandon much of their load in order to pass through these badlands. I remember seeing pictures of wagon trails strewn with possessions that settlers were forced to leave behind in order to lighten the load. Jesus said, "For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it" Matthew 7:14. Could it be that the pathway leading up to the gate to heaven is covered with tracks all around it where people have circled around and back tracked looking for something that was not there and left behind the dreams of knowing God to follow an imitation?
Psalms 119:103-105 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path." In my life I have had to do some backtracking looking for the trail that I lost while my eyes were not on the Lord. I always found my way back by going to the scriptures and letting my focus once agin be on God and applying the three principles mentioned earlier, ask, seek, and knock. How about you today? Where are you on the road to heaven? Have you lost the trail? My prayers are with you, don't give up. Ask God to show you the way and then move towards his voice. Remember these words, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me John 14:6.
Cliff
I love that statement. Think about it! The creator of the Universe is about to speak. The God who was and is and is to come wants to tell you something. The bible contains roughly one hundred and sixty-three verses that prepare the reader for the coming words of God Almighty by saying "and the Lord said...". Through out history, from Genesis to Revelation, the living God of the bible has spoken and made himself know to man. God also spoke audibly through man, as indicated by "Thus saith the Lord". This phrase is used around four hundred and thirteen times. There are other phrases used to indicate that God had something to say. The first recorded time God spoke to man was in the Garden of Eden. The bible records it as, " And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" Genesis 2:16-17.
When God speaks we should listen. The wisdom of the ages, directly from the heart and mouth of our creator, is at your finger tips. You walk by it on a daily basis, you may even set your cup of coffee on it in the morning as you prepare for the day. How often do you pick it up with the intent of listening to God. Through the personal and individual work of the Holy Spirit God has something he wants to tell you. Key to receiving this information is knowing that what you hear in your heart must match what is in the scriptures. God will never speak to your heart something that does not line up with his word. That may seem like an obvious statement, but in these last days our enemy is working over time introducing half truths and lies to confuse and lead astray the elect. It is important to compare any revelation, or word of knowledge with the bible, if it does not match what God has said in his word, then it is not from God.
So how do we guard our hearts and minds from being led astray? It is very simple. It is so simple that most people over look it and when told what to do, write it off as simple minded. Or when told agree, but soon forget the simple formula. I believe the answer to living a life that maintains scriptural integrity lies in three words, ask, seek, and knock. Jesus tells us in the book of Matthew "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" Matthew 7:7-8 ASV. Simple, but powerful. One of the first things that I had to learn about writing is that if you want to be a writer you must do one very important thing, and that is write. The same principle applies to living a genuine Christian life. If you want to stay on the "narrow way", you must keep the road map in front of you and read it frequently.
Have you ever driven in a large, unfamiliar city? It is a daunting task. Most of the the large cities I have driven in are criss crossed with oneway streets, dead ends, and strange oddities that defy description. Without a guide, or a clearly defined route you may be destined for a long and weary day of back tracking and chasing your tail. In the early days of a America many families made there way west in covered wagons. They followed the dream of independence and self sufficiency. But in the middle of this lovely country lie areas so desolate and uninhabitable, the unprepared settler was forced to turn back. If they chose to continue, they were forced to abandon much of their load in order to pass through these badlands. I remember seeing pictures of wagon trails strewn with possessions that settlers were forced to leave behind in order to lighten the load. Jesus said, "For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it" Matthew 7:14. Could it be that the pathway leading up to the gate to heaven is covered with tracks all around it where people have circled around and back tracked looking for something that was not there and left behind the dreams of knowing God to follow an imitation?
Psalms 119:103-105 says, "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path." In my life I have had to do some backtracking looking for the trail that I lost while my eyes were not on the Lord. I always found my way back by going to the scriptures and letting my focus once agin be on God and applying the three principles mentioned earlier, ask, seek, and knock. How about you today? Where are you on the road to heaven? Have you lost the trail? My prayers are with you, don't give up. Ask God to show you the way and then move towards his voice. Remember these words, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me John 14:6.
Cliff
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Praise Him
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise Him in His Mighty Heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Un-Spiritual
Some days I do not feel very spiritual. I don’t want to read the bible or pray, I would rather do something else; anything else. Those are the days that I fall back on something I learned years ago at a campus Crusade for Christ retreat in Arrowhead Springs. I learned that feelings are not a trust worthy spiritual compass. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade, said that faith is the engine of our spiritual life and feelings are the caboose. Feelings are always the result of something else that has occurred in our life. Waking up with a cold, losing money in the stock market, or getting laid off at work are all the causes of negative, or bad feelings. Faith on the other hand is not controlled by outside events, as long as faith is placed in the Living God of the bible.
One of my favorite scripture passages is Proverbs 3:5-6, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Trust is a synonym for faith and shines light on another aspect of following the Lord. When I think of trust I think of something that is earned. For example, I have been married for 36 years to the same woman, and in those years I had to work at building trust and then keeping that trust intact. It was not something that was phoned in, or a pact made with a handshake that allowed us to go our separate ways, no we spent the years together, we worked at keeping each other’s trust.
Developing a relationship of trust is work. In connection to following God, He has done all of the work, all we are required to do is ask, seek and knock. Jesus says in Mathew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” What I am getting at is spending time with the Lord is the only way to develop trust in God. If you are like me and sometimes do not “feel” like reading or praying, and would rather do anything else, the answer is to not trust those feelings, sit down pick up the word and read. I guarantee that feelings will follow, and your walk with the lord will improve. We live in a fallen world, with many influences pulling at us daily. I wake up in the morning and there are a dozen things competing for my attention. It is so easy to aim for spending time with God, but miss the mark.
I do not write this because I think I am so great, that is not true. I write this because I know for a fact that the only way to lasting peace is to follow, Jesus, and never give up. When you fall, get back up and repent, which is to go the other direction, and continue trusting Him. 1Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptaion taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptaion also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."There is power in all scripture, but this verse has helped me to avoid feeling like the “Lone Ranger”. It is easy to feel isolated and alone in our walk with the Lord; our enemy sees to that. Do not trust those feelings, you are not alone, others have gone through what you face and have conquered the challenge. I guess that is another reason I love writing about my walk with God. Letting others know that there is someone just like them who is steadily, and most of the time, clumsily making their way along the narrow path that leads to the throne of our King. A cliché of the 70’s says it best, “Keep on Keepin on”, don’t give up, I am right behind you, and I’ll see you in the Kingdom.
The debt of sin that you and I owe has been paid. The bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, and in Romans 6:23 we are warned that the wages of sin is death. But the good news is, Jesus has paid the price of sin, and by placing your trust in him you can receive the gift of eternal life. Where are you today? What is your relationship to the Living God of the bible? Do you trust in him? Have you accepted His Son as you’re personal savior? Are sin and its penalty new concepts to you? It is impossible to know who will read this so I write in general terms to all, but if you cannot answer any of the questions above, or you are not sure where you stand and you would like to know more, please e-mail me at cliffriff@charter.net and I will send you information that will help you to follow the Savior.
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