What is the Reason?

So today I finished reading the book of Revelations. I have read it before but it was refreshing to dive back into it. *Before we go much further I would like to share with you a study tip on reading the Bible that has helped me out a lot. Always answer these three questions. Who wrote it? Who did they write it to? And when was it written? This approach has helped me to retain a lot of what I read by placing the message with the messenger. The time reference helps me map out the events as they happened and to whom they wrote it to defines the character of the author. For this book the info is as follows:
Who wrote it? Apostle John
Who was it written to? Seven Asian churches and believers everywhere.
When was it written? About 95 A.D. (A.D means Ano Domini=year of our Lord, not After Death)

Where was I? Oh! So as I finished reading Revelations today it hit me that no one preaches out of this book. What I mean is verses are used to make additional points to their sermon but rarely used for the sole purpose of a direct study. Why do you think that is? As a Christian I think the vision John received is the very hope Peter referrers to in 1 Peter 3:15-16.

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

I've noticed in the modern church movement that it is no longer politically correct to imply that there is a Hell and that majority of people are going there. Not my words; His! "Narrow is the path and very few find it." Even just having typed it, I feel as if I might have crossed the line. Did I? He also said "They hated Me first!" and last

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Matthew 10:34, NLT

I must admit it was not the fear of hell that brought me to the Lord, but the realization of His love for me. I have met Christians though that said that the thought of hell scared them to death and that was why they came to Christ. I don't have an agenda, I was just making an observation.

What do you think?

Have You Ever?

HAVE YOU EVER?

Have you ever had a time in your Christian walk like this. Your spending time with God daily. You are reading His word and having devotions, praying and putting all at the feet of Jesus; so that He will direct your ways. You are praying for wisdom and that you “through Christ” will begin to carry on the attributes of Christ. Your prayer time and quite time with your Savior is up to par and it seems that things are for the most part going good. You are listening to Christian music on the radio and turning the T.V. channel when you see that something is on that may cause your mind to wander into things that you know does not honor the Father.
Things are going “GREAT”. Your happy and upbeat most of the day. Work or school is not as bad as you have made it out to be in the past. You have shared your Faith with unbelievers and have made it known that you are a Christian. You begin to puff yourself up a bit. “I’m doing good” “I can resist temptation” “No Problem”.
During the good times you start to become a little comfortable with letting your “Walk” slip a little bit. You start listening to secular music. “Just a little isn’t going to hurt”. You begin getting drawn in by the “Reality” T.V shows, the Drama’s etc. “Not going to hurt” “I am human”. You start to not spend quite as much time as you were with Jesus. Your everyday trials begin to bother you more and more. The radio is not on the Christian channels as much; if at all. Television becomes a way for you to detach yourself from reality. You get drawn into that pretty girl or handsome guy on the shows.
I think you know where I am going with this. You have allowed yourself to open the door to sin. That is all it takes. Sin can start small and it will begin to grow and grow and grow until you become numb to it. It will overtake your life. Your decisions. Your relationships. Your soul. The Devil does not need you to become the scum of the earth to get you away from Christ. All he needs is for you to take your eyes off the Father. All he needs is for you to take hold of the reins of “Your life”.

Proverbs 3: 5-7

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

“With all your heart”. This is speaking of deep reliance on the Lord. A settled confidence in Him and faithfulness to His Word.

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

“Thine own understanding”. Don’t put what you think is right or good above what the Lord himself declares. Go to the scriptures. See what god says.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.

“Acknowledge Him, He shall direct”. Praise God for what he has provided and done in your life. Give Him the Glory. Let it be known to Him that you are grateful and that you lift Him up as Lord of Lords. Do this and He says that He will Direct your paths..........

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Don’t get comfortable and think that you can do it alone. Wisdom comes from walking in Christ. Not getting to know a little and hit the ground running. Fear the Lord. This doesn’t mean be “scared to death of Him” Respect Him, Honor Him, Love Him, Confide in Him, Worship Him, Trust in Him and Acknowledge Him.

and depart from evil.

“Depart” Remove yourselves. Do not let the devil even think about waiting at your door.


I hope this is an encouragement to your soul. Jesus loves you. Lay all things before Him and stay behind Him. He is the Shepherd and He will guide your paths..........

Let God take the reins of your life...............

Brandon