Repent or perish

 by David Long

Read Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30. God commands repentance. But what is repentance? Most people think it is just being sorry for your sins but being sorry is not repentance. Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of life or actions. You may be sorry for what you've done but if you haven't changed then you haven't repented. "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father?..." (Matt. 21:28-31). 

Are you a friend of Jesus?

 by David Long

"Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). Is that clear enough? If you want to be Jesus' friend you must obey Him. If you want eternal salvation you must obey Jesus (Heb. 5:8-9). "Go Ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:19-20). Hear the part about observing all things He has commanded? Are you doing that? If not then you are not a friend of Jesus. 

Neither give place to the devil

 by David Long

"Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). How would we give place to the devil? By allowing bad thoughts into our minds. Notice we give the devil a place, he can't force us to give him a place. Read Acts 5:1-4 for a good example of this. The battle is for the mind and when we start thinking wrong, that gives the devil an opportunity take control. "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5). Let the Bible guide your thoughts and fill your mind (Psa. 119:105; Matt. 4). 

hope in death

 by David Long

The atheist may say, "I have no fear in death. So what's the difference between me and a Christian?" The difference is hope in death. You may have no fear in death but so does a cow. Do you have hope in death? "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil" (Heb. 6:18-19). 

The world hates the righteous

 by David Long

"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (1 John 3:11-13). Get the Point? If not then listen to John 15:17-19, "These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Follow Jesus and you will get the same treatment He got from the world. 

Defining your Christianity

 by David Long

Is your Christianity defined by what you don't do: "I don't steal, I don't kill, I don't cheat, I don't lie, I don't..."?  It is true that as Christians we don't do some things but if that's how we define ourselves as Christians then our entire perception of Christianity is one-sided and out of balance. As Christians we need to think proactively  in terms of what we do as God's people. We not only avoid the wrong but we do what's right. We are doers of the word (James 1:22). Just being a "don't" Christian will not get one to heaven, we must do (Matt. 25:34-40).  

Lying

 by David Long

Lying seems to be the norm for people in today's society, practically when it comes to politicians. But a lying society is nothing new. The Bible says of some in the first century, "one of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, idle gluttons" (Titus 1:12). Liars are born of the Devil because he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Liars go to hell (Rev. 21:8). Don't be a liar and don't believe the lies. Speak the truth and only believe the truth. Reject any falsehood of any kind! Follow liars and you go to hell with them, no matter how sincere you are. 

What will it cost?

by David Long

 "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Lk. 14:25-35).

Following Jesus comes with a cost. Are you willing pay it? Won't make it to heaven unless you do.. 

Don't live like the world

 by David Long

"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Eph. 4:17-19). What's wrong with living like the world? 

1. They walk in the vanity of their mind.

2. Their understanding is darkened.

3. They are alienated from the life of God through ignorance. 

4. Their heart is blind or hard.

5. They are past feeling (calloused). 

6. They have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

Strength

 by David Long

Are you strong? There are different kinds of strength. There is physical, mental and emotional strength. Most of society is focused on physical strength. But there are some disciplines that can give one mental and emotional strength. The most important kind of strength is spiritual. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Eph. 6:10-17). This kind of strength is only gained by a study and application of the word of God. "I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one" (1 John 2:14). Now that's real strength! 

Be holy

 by David Long

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Pet. 1:15-16). This is not an option. This is a command "Be holy." Holy in all our conduct or behavior or manner of life. Can't live like the world and be holy! "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2).

united we stand - divided we fall

 by David Long

"And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end" (Mk. 3:22-26). The point was and is Jesus was not casting out demons by the power of Satan but by the power of God. Jesus used an illustration of a kingdom or a house being divided, such cannot stand, it will fall. That principle is true today. United we stand, divided we fall!

Injustice

by David Long

We hear a lot today about injustice, whether it be social injustice, racial injustice or economic injustice. Everyone seems to have some kind of injustice grip. Let me show you an injustice. 

"But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him" (Matt. 27:20-31). Read also Isaiah 53. 

Think about that injustice. 

Do you play an instrument?

by David Long

The denominational world says the Bible authorizes musical instruments in church worship. If it does then every worshiper must play an instrument. Eph 5:19 and Col. 3:16 commands all worshipers to sing and if those verses authorize musical instruments then all must play one. Of course they won't go that far. Do you play an instrument in your denominational worship? If not then aren't you sinning? The truth is the Bible does not authorize musical instruments in worship. God says sing and we all can do that.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19).

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col. 3:16).

Let us cleanse ourselves

by David Long

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1). Notice what is said based on the promises one has for being a child of God, "let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Can't live, think or act like the world and be a child of God! Just no way possible!  

Life isn't fair

by David Long

Someone will say, "Life isn't fair." And I agree. Let me show when it became unfair. Gen. 3:6-19, "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." When sin entered the world, life got unfair.