by BrianRegrut | Oct 10, 2018 | Guide for Living, Hope
This life is not fair and hurts. When this life hurts, we can draw upon God for comfort and love. We are all imperfect people who are given the freedom, out of love for us by God, to make choices. When we make choices out of selfishness, pride, anger, fear or any other negative emotion or motive, we hurt others, but even more, hurt ourselves. This is sin, or missing the best that God desires for us and started with Adam and Eve disobeying God in the Garden of Eden.God can use anything, even evil, done to us for our own good.
God cares more about our character and heart than anything, and allows us to go through hurt and pain, so that we can grow and mature. We can thank God that he is just, and isn’t fair with us either. We have failed and hurt God by our actions most of all. God, out of his love for us, sent his only son, who was perfect and without sin, to Earth to take upon himself the sins of everyone, not just us, so that we could enjoy a life in relationship to Him. Jesus dying in our place was unfair, but necessary, for God’s best for all of us.
by BrianRegrut | Aug 8, 2018 | Guide for Living, Holy Spirit, Hope, Trust
Discovery questions like this one suggest that an adventure lies ahead. Indeed, discovering God’s plan for one’s life is the greatest journey a person can ever undertake. It is often revealed in phases over one’s lifetime as a Christian matures in their faith. Finding your purpose in life and living it with a passion is God’s intent for everyone. Then and only then will you be able to honor God with your life and your work or calling and enjoy his presence now and forever. So where do we start the search for God’s plan which was actually in place before you were born. That in itself is an amazing truth. (Ephesians 2:10)
It seems therefore that we should go first to the source, the Bible, God’s inspired Word, to discover the plan. In Jeremiah 29:11 for example we find, “for I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for evil to give you a future and a hope.” So from this verse we know with certainty that God has a plan for each believer in Jesus. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.” In other words, in searching for God’s plan one needs to diligently explore the Scriptures to become aware of God’s promises and their special calling from Jesus and one needs to abide in Jesus and follow His calling. Jesus wants you to become a disciple that makes disciples in whatever profession you are given. You are to become a partner in building God’s kingdom. Church Pastors, Christian guidance counselors and Christian friends can help you in your search.
To fully realize ‘the plan’ as a Christian you must live the Christian values of love, sympathy, compassion, humility, honesty and moral integrity. The apostle Peter said it well in chapter 3 verses eight and nine. His parting words were,” Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, humble, and compassionate. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary a blessing because to this you were called that you might inherit a blessing.” The blessing is a life filled with meaning, with purpose and joy and an assurance of eternity in Heaven!
Therefore, in order to discover and live God’s plan one needs to read the Scriptures, pray, abide in Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, obey the Commandments, and finally become mature disciples of Jesus that share the gospel message of redemption and hope with everyone God brings into your path. God’s plan is for everyone to become more like Jesus.
by BrianRegrut | Jun 27, 2018 | Guide for Living, Hope
Grace is more than the song, Amazing Grace. Yet the words of that song resound with the truth. If you are not familiar with the words, click here.
What is amazing about God’s grace is that it is a free gift. It is God reaching out to us. Yes, reaching out while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (see Romans 5:8). A gift offered to all who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. God’s grace is his unmerited favor bestowed upon repentant sinners. People can do nothing to earn it nor do they deserve it. It is an expression of God’s love for the world he created (see John 3:16). God has made loving him a simple act. As the first verse of the song says:
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
Those who reject God’s grace and mercy will experience His judgment and His justice. Again with free will the choice is up to each person; accept or reject. Choose wisely.
by BrianRegrut | Jun 6, 2018 | Heaven, Hell, Hope
God doesn’t send anyone to hell. People choose to go there when they reject Jesus Christ.
Surprised by that answer? you shouldn’t be. God is both loving and just. He won’t force anyone to love him. In fact, he allows all to to pursue the longings of their lives. People who want nothing to do with God in this life will be granted that desire for eternity. That results in eternal separation from God who is the source of all love, joy and beauty.
But God’s desire is for all of us to enjoy Him. He wants everyone be saved from the torments of an endless pursuit of that which will never truly satisfy–an eternity devoid of love and beauty. One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, reminds us :
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
He has provided a way to much better eternal life, one in which there is no more sadness or disappointment or loneliness or war or pestilence or pain or death. It comes though a personal relationship with His son, Jesus Christ. God is patient and long-suffering, but eventually all must choose.We all will die and meet God the Creator face-to-face; no reincarnation and no second chances. When we do, we may discover that our choices in life lead to an eternity in hell. Choose wisely.
by BrianRegrut | May 18, 2018 | Hope, Rapture
This question seems to arise more frequently now as the global culture and morality continues to deteriorate. It is also a timely question given that the nation of Israel is celebrating its 70th anniversary of statehood on May 14, 2018. Most Bible scholars note that the last significant prophetic event needed to be in place before the Rapture was the founding again of Israel as a nation after it’s 1900 years of dispersion.
Christians do not agree on every detail of what will occur in the final events of this world’s history. We don’t know the timing of “The Rapture” — the moment that Jesus Christ returns to earth–is described in the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. Jesus comes for believers, both living and dead.
Jesus said when asked by the apostles about this event, “only the Father knows the day and the time.” (Matthew 24:36) Jesus also said, “that it would come like a thief in the night or when it is least expected.” We tell you a truth, this warning needs to be heeded. Now is the time to accept God’s gift of redemption and forgiveness and eternal life as no one would want to be left behind on earth immediately after the Rapture.
Now to the question of what it will be like on earth for those left behind. If, as many believe, the Rapture occurs before the “time of tribulation” described in the Jesus’ Revelation to John at the end of the Bible, three little words describe what’s coming; panic, chaos and mayhem with a great amount of fear thrown in for good measure. Accidents will occur on a scale never imagined or experienced before and with that millions upon millions will die. Just think; planes in the air without pilots, cars without drivers, trains without engineers, etc. True believers in Jesus in every profession and place on the planet will disappear in an instant. Christian doctors, EMS crews, policemen, soldiers, and the like will no longer be there to provide care or protection.
Lastly, at that moment, the primary restraining forces of evil, the Holy Spirit and the Christian church will have departed planet earth. Just use your imagination on what earth will look like. Evil forces will be unchecked. Finally, with the Christians gone it opens the door for the Antichrist to make his appearance as a false peacemaker that the world will embrace during the Tribulation. For more of the story, read the book of Revelation in the Bible and just be sure that you know Jesus as your Savior so you won’t have to experience any of this horror.
by BrianRegrut | Apr 4, 2018 | Guide for Living, Hope
These terms come up regularly in our secular world and it can be confusing to distinguish between them. In short, atheists are the ‘attack dogs’ targeting Christianity in the world today while agnostics are generally passive resistors.
An Atheist believes positively that there is no GOD, no SUPERNATURAL, and that there is just life on this earth and then nothing. In other words, when it’s over its over. Hence, if God does not exist, then there can be no divine or outside moral compass to live by. They believe we humans are simply products of random chemical processes and natural selection, called the evolutionary theory, ET. The implications of this belief are far reaching, as one no longer has a divine purpose for living or behaving.
Atheism is growing in popularity in America due to the influence of our liberal progressive culture and the aggressive tactics of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. ET is being taught in colleges and many new books are being written and are on the best sellers list. Their content is very untrue and misleading as evidenced by the Bible, creation itself, billions of changed lives in Christ and now so much more evidence of an Intelligent designer, God.
Atheists decide not to believe in God so in effect they can be their own god setting their own standards of morality and ‘hope’ that there is no judgment day. As such, for them men and women are not any better than the animals. They do not believe they are sinners in need of a savior.
The joy of living in Christ is simply missing in their lives. So, they live experiencing temporary happiness but never find true peace, grace and unconditional love that only is found in a personal relationship with Christ.
Agnostics say, “I’m not sure whether there is a God or not.” Hence, agnostics are generally looking and searching and can sometimes be open to discussions on the subjects of God and Faith.
How great it is to know Jesus the Savior and the certainty of eternal life. Do you know HIM? You can. Just ask. He is waiting for you.
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