Who gets the blessing?

 by David Long

"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision" (Rom. 4:8-10).

Who gets the blessing of God not imputing sin? Is the blessing just for the circumcision or is it for the uncircumcision also? It's for both. Abraham is used to show that one does not have to be circumcised to get the blessings. The key is the right kind of faith. A faith that will believe and obey God. 

Jesus' glory before the world was

 by David Long

"And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5). What glory did Jesus have with the Father before the world was (John 1:1-2; Phil. 2:5-8)? There are those who teach that Jesus didn't always exist. Jesus said to those Jews of His day, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:56-58). Jesus was and is Deity or God. He gave up the glory connected to being God when He became a man. He did that so He could die on the cross for our sins. What a great savior we have. Now we must obey Him to obtain eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). Now He's received His glory back (Acts 2:33-36).  

That's your interpretation

 by David Long

"That's your interpretation." And the question we need to ask is, "Is your interpretation right?" How do we know if we have a wrong interpretation or understanding of the Bible? If our interpretation of a passage contradicts other passages then we have a wrong interpretation. If our interpretation of a passage takes the passage out of context then we have a wrong interpretation. The key to having a correct understanding of the Bible is 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study (Give diligence) to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (handling aright) the word of truth." If  we aren't rightly dividing or handling aright the word of the truth then our interpretation will be wrong.  

Don't be fooled

 by David Long

Where did all the churches come from? Did they come from God? No. Only one is from God (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; Rom. 16:16). If they didn't come from God then where did they come from? They came from the devil (1 Cor. 14:33). They may say they are from God but don't be fooled, the devil is good at counterfeiting. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

Justified by works

 by David Long

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:14-26).

What kind of works justify? The works or commandments of God. 

Why do people make bad choices?

 by David Long

1. Ignorance/lack of understanding (Eph. 4:18).

2. Lack of faith (they just don't believe God) 1 Kgs. 11:37; 12:26

3. They place the physical over the spiritual (1 Sam. 8:19).

4. Weakness (Matt. 26:41; James 1:13-15)

Don't talk about that

 by David Long

Things Jesus talked about that we don't want to talk about.

1. Hell. "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him" (Lk. 12:5).

2. Repentance. Repent or perish (Lk. 13:3, 5). 

3. Sin. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (John 8:34).

What can I live without?

 by David Long

What can I live without? You ever seriously thought about that question? We have a lot of stuff. We are a very materialistic society. We think we need a lot of things. We probably think that we can't live without any of it. But the truth is, we can. The Bible says we can. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Tim. 6:7-8). "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:11-13).

Self-condemned

 by David Long

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?" (Rom. 2:1-3). 

"Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?" (Rom. 2:21-23). 

It's difficult to be consistent. The Jews condemned the Gentiles for their sins while practicing the same things. We may condemn those those who destroy their bodies by smoking and drinking while we fail to take care of our own bodies. We condemn lawbreakers like swindlers and murderers while thinking nothing of violating traffic laws.

Righteousness, temperance and judgment to come

 by David Long

"And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" (Acts 24:24-25).

Paul preached to Felix three things: righteousness, self-control and judgment to come. Those are three things we need to hear. 

1. Righteousness. Being right with God, living a righteous life, doing that which is right in the sight of God.

2. Temperance. Self-control. Disciplining ourselves. Denying ourselves. 

3. Judgement to come. Giving an account to God at Judgment Day. Being judged for our deeds, whether they be good or bad. 

There are two roads before you, make your choice

 by David Long

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matt. 7:13-14). 

We have two choices: the broad way or the narrow way. When we stand before God in judgment, God's verdict will simply be an acknowledgement of the choice that we have made. 

Don't count on it

 by David Long

What are you counting on at the Judgment Day? Are you counting on God just to over look your sins? Are you counting on God just to say, "Well, you did the best you could do, come on in?" Are you counting on God to let everyone in heaven? Don't count on it. You will be judged (Eccl. 12:13-14; John 12:48). 

Pray with the understanding

 by David Long

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination" (Prov. 28:9). If we are going to seek the blessings of God then we must seek the will of God. It is vain for a farmer to pray, "God drop my bread out of heaven, ready to eat, now." This disrespects the law God has established for obtaining food. Effective prayer requires a little more than bending knees and moving lips. Getting through to God depends more on obedient ears than on an expressive tongue (1 John 5:14). 

Denominational division

 by David Long

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

Is Christ divided? The answer is no then why is the religious world divided? Because men are following men and not following Christ. Because men are teaching man-made doctrines and not teaching the doctrine of Christ. I reject any teaching that says denominationalism is ok. Choose the church of your choice is from the devil. 

The way of truth

 by David Long

"I have chosen the way of truth..." (Psa. 119:30). Is that the way you choose? It's not the easy way but its the only way to heaven. Why? Because only truth saves (John 8:32) and the truth is God's word (John 17:17). So if you are going to choose the way of truth then you must obey the truth and live the truth. Only truth purifies the soul (1 Pet. 1:22). If you are going to choose the way of truth then you must reject anything that is not the truth and that's where the rubber meets the road. 

Suffering for Christ

 by David Long

Read Phil. 3:8-11. The apostle Paul said that he had suffered the loss of all things so that he could win Christ and that was ok with him because gaining Christ was and is the most important thing even if it means the loss of all things and suffering for it. People today think just the opposite. They think gaining Christ gets them health, wealth and emotional bliss. Someone said, "Modern Christianity, in dramatic reversal of its biblical form, promises to relieve the pain of living in a fallen world." 

Repeat the lie

 by David Long

Someone said, "People, by means of shrewd lies unremittingly repeated, can be made to believe that hell is heaven. People will believe that hell is heaven by hearing lies persistently repeated to them." 

It is true that people would rather hear a lie then the truth. But where do lies get you (Rev. 21:8; 2 Thess. 2:12)? Lying and believing lies has become a way of life for many today. Evolution is a lie that has been persistently repeated and people believe it. Saved by faith only is a lie that has been persistently repeated and people believe it. Born in sin is a lie that has been persistently repeated and people believe it. 

Don't believe the lies of the Devil (John 8:4).