If you have ever watched in of the  Harry Potter serious or heard of it you know that it was a fictional character, where he flew and had powers and always seemly was on the side or right at the end of the day Harry always ended up being the hero, however none of this was real simply entertainment  for the eyes.  Christ saw the church of Sardis that way, they seemly to anyone looking from the outside to be a church of heroes and on the right side, to be a church filled with the fire of the Lord but in fact their flame had gone out. Perhaps the church lost its focus and forgot that it must be God centered.  The church of Sardis was known far and wide.  Today it would be a mega church,   there was no shortage of money, talent, or manpower. Outwardly, it had every indication of a church on fire for the Lord. Christ revealed those things that were hidden were now brought to the light for the world to see. Pastors often determine how  successful their ministry and their church  is its membership and the building size and how much money is in the collection plate. The way we evaluate successful churches is different than the way our Heavenly Father test its for fruit of the spirit not fruit of the flesh..

But Jesus Christ looks at the hearts of men not at the building or the music, or its membership. And the problem with the church of Sardis was a failure to measure up to Christ's desires for the body, for they were not the light in a dark land but were infact themselves walking in darkness. He told them, "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God" (Revelation 3:1–2).
Another translation of the word "perfect" would be "fulfilled." Jesus was telling them, "You have not fulfilled your purpose." Are we fulfilling our purpose? What is Jesus calling you to do for His name sake? Perhaps He is calling you to pray for your neighbor, your boss, your spouse, your children, the body etc... Perhaps he is  calling you to volunteer to help out in childcare at the church or Sunday School department, or help clean the church or host a weekly bible study at your home, not to lead but just host it.  Why are we not seeking to know the will of Christ for our lives, should we not seek that to ensure that whatever we are doing it is God's perfect will and that we bring him glory. What kind of Church are you helping create, what message does your body reflect to those outside? Are you a gateway for people to come to Christ? Or are you road block in the way of those wanting to come to Jesus? I know the Church we need to be is the one that Christ is returning for which is one on fire for the Lord, that is producing good fruit.

It Wasn't the Nails

It was the nails in his hands, or the nails in his feet.
That kept him on the cross, but the love of God for you and I.
manifesting itself in grace and mercy.

In the book of Acts chapter 4: verse 33 "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."

The apostle Peter observed that believers are to be ministering our
"gift" to one another as "good stewards of the manifold grace of God"
(1 Peter 4:10). The words for "gift" and "grace" are very closely
related. "Grace" is the most frequent translation for the Greek word
charis, and charisma is most often rendered "gift."

"The working of his mighty power" (Ephesians 1:19). It appears to be "the
manifestation of the Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:7). displayed among
God's people by means of the gifts that the Holy Spirit has graced us
with. Paul's ability to minister was "according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto him, Paul by the effectual working of his
power" (Ephesians 3:7).

Thus, when we preach the gospel, we are using "the power of God unto
salvation" (Romans 1:16). When our lives radically change in response
to the "new man" created in us by God, we do so by "the grace of our
Lord" which is "exceeding abundant with faith and love" (1 Timothy
1:14). When we access the strength to rise above our infirmities or
difficult circumstances, we experience that the Lord's "grace is
sufficient for thee…. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians
12:9).

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of
Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God"

It was justice that demanded that we must die for our sins.
For the wages of sin is death,  but it was Grace and Mercy
that stepped in and said we shall pay the price for man kind.
Your sin debt is covered under the blood of Christ, let us each
day rise up oh men and women of God and praise the Lord our God
for we were bought with a price.  That none of us could ever have payed.

What is first

What one thing would you ask of God if you knew absolutely that it would not be refused?  Would it be to save your marriage? To grant you a job? for healing for yourself or a family or friend? Perhaps you would want to be rich, to the gift of prophesy or healing etc... One of my favorite stories in the bible is King Solomon and his desire to for fill the perfect will of God. "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours" (I Kings 3:9)?
Solomon was asking for wisdom to be a good king. The Bible says; "The speech pleased the Lord was because Solomon was seeking to find the heart of God ?  Have you ever thought about what our heavenly Father wants from you?  Are you like the rich man who was focused on building up treasure here on earth and never had time  for God's will in his life, when he stands before the Lord and our Father as him to give an account of what he did for God, shall the rich man speak of his building and wealth?  If you were standing before the Lord what would you say, that you have done for him?  Would he tell you depart from me for I knew you not.  Let us seek his heart, let us, "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Which Jesus do you serve

Yes your right this one is a repeat and it I will continue to repeat this till i know that each of us has answered this question for ourselves. This for me is probably the most important question that  I could ever answer for myself.  Father help me to be a earthly representation of Christ my Lord and Savior, I want to be more like Jesus and less like me. I want to ready willing to lay my life down for my wife as Christ did for the Church, not for just for a bullet but daily that she would know that I love her like Christ loved the church. I want to love my children like Christ love the little one's. I want to be a true brother to my brothers, by putting them first and even be willing to be servant to them. As Christ washed the feet of his disciples. That is the Jesus I want to serve what about you!!!!

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

 The call to imitate God is a call to separate ourselves from the world though we may be in but not of it  (Ephesians 4:17-19) and how we have been made new (Ephesians 4:20-24) and then gave us specific ways to do that (Ephesians4:25-32).

Our call is to live with the same love that Christ has demonstrated.  Jesus laying down his life for us, was first of all an expression of his love for his Father. Jesus did it, not only because of his love for us, but because first of all he loved the Father and this was  the Father’s will. This ‘life of love’ is not to be something we do to make ourselves feel good or appear good, it is to come out of and be an expression of our love for God Himself.  When John says, “We love because he first loved us,” (1 John 4:19). The first thing we need to do in the Christian life is become utterly convinced of God’s love.

On Sunday they raise their hands to heaven and declare that it is Jesus that they serve.
Then why do we look so much like the world?
Did you know that the wheat and the tare, the world can't tell which is which and quite frankly neither can I. So I pose the question again, which Jesus do you serve?

My Savior bleed and suffered and died and rose again for a sinner like me. My Savior, was a friend to friendless, He remembers the forgotten ones among us, Which Jesus do you follow?
 Which Jesus do you serve?
Is it this picture of the American dream that you chase after? Is the prince of this world who you serve or did you miss that part when you decided you want fortune and power?
If Jesus was here would you walk right by him or cross over to the other side of the street?
Would you even recognize him or have time to speak to him?
Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a white complexion Michael Angelo version of Jesus ,is that the Jesus you serve? My Savior was battered and bruised for my sins, did you miss that part? Sometimes I ponder do we really understand what the price he paid for us?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they understand and they know My Savior. So which Jesus do we serve. is it the one whom we pray to bless us with great wealth? Or the Jesus who said
blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness?
 So who do you serve? The one whose promises are like shifting sand?
Marine says it God , then country and the marine Corp, what comes first for you?
My Jesus would he be accepted in your churches today? All bloody and bruised with no shoes on his feet, would we want him sitting next to us?  He was not rich he didn't have a pillow to lay his head upon. Today my Jesus would look like a homeless man or perhaps we would see him  as mentally insane.
He spent His time with criminals and those that are considered the least among us. Did you know he had a heart for the poor, so which place would  He come to eat Sabbath meal at your house or among those that were forgotten by society?
Its time we decide which Jesus do we serve but I'm not sure we understand what that means to be like Christ,
Jesus said to live like HIM, love like HIM but then does that mean we must be willing to die for HIM as he died for you and I???
Can we be Imitators of Christ? Can we live like our Savior?  Which one do you want to be ? I turned on the TV set today and heard a man preaching Jesus wants to make you rich and that he never intended for us to be poor.  Is that the Jesus your seeking??? Heard a pastor say that his Jesus says that we should never be sad. Yet my Jesus wept when heard his good friend was dead. So which Jesus do you serve?  I know that I want to be more like my Savior and less like me.  I want to be an imitator of my Savior what about you????

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah 32:17)

 According to our text, this "assurance for ever," together with true peace of soul and quietness of spirit, are products of the "work of righteousness."

The New Testament exposition of genuine righteousness makes it clear that we who have received Christ's work of righteousness by faith have been made the righteousness of God in him . To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Thus, salvation is the priceless possession of those to whom Christ's work of righteousness has been imputed, through faith. On the other hand, the assurance of salvation, accompanied by quietness and peace of heart, is "experienced" only by saved believers who practice the work of righteousness in their daily walk with the Lord. If we truly have salvation, then we ought to manifest the "things that accompany salvation.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (John 15:11)

The word "fun" is never mentioned in the Bible, and "entertain" is used only in reference to being hospitable. Such activities as "reveling" and "playing" receive nothing except condemnation in the Scriptures (with the exception of little children at play).

Yet there is growing emphasis today in many churches and parachurch organizations on providing "entertainment" and "fun times" for their members--especially for teenagers and young adults. This is the way to reach them and keep them for the Lord, so they say. Perhaps so, but one wonders why neither the Lord nor the apostles nor the prophets ever told us so. Is this a program kept in reserve by the Lord just for the young people of this generation?

Actually, Christians can have something far better, more effective, and more lasting than fun and entertainment. In Christ, they can have heavenly joy! "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine," the Bible says, where the word for "merry" is more commonly translated as "joyful" or "rejoicing."

While the Bible never mentions "fun," it has many references to "joy" and "rejoicing." Here are just a few. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts"

"I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

The English word "content" can bring up thoughts of indifference and mild temperament. Modern usage tends to give "content" a negative connotation, as though such an attitude has little ambition or drive.

Not so of the Greek term that the Holy Spirit chose for this passage. It is composed of the pronoun for "self" and the noun for "sufficiency." Both in Scripture and in secular Greek literature, the word demands an ability to conquer whatever circumstances that may oppose one's purpose or goal and to continue through in spite of difficulties.

The context of our text is a prime example. Paul had experienced hunger and satisfaction. He knew what it meant to be obscure and to be a celebrity. There were times when he had more than enough resources to accomplish what he understood God had called him to do, and other times when resources were very scarce. In whatever state he found himself, Paul had learned to be self-sufficient.

Our problem is that we often are looking only at the physical and circumstantial issues and have not learned that our Lord Jesus provides grace that "is sufficient for thee

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." (Hebrews 10:19)

In the ancient tabernacle only the High Priest was allowed to enter the "holy of holies" to commune with God, and that only once a year, on the great day of atonement. This most holy place was separated from the rest by a very heavy veil. When Christ died, however, as the one final and perfect sacrifice, "the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom".

This miraculous rending of the veil was intended by the Lord to symbolize the wonderful truth that we now have open access to come into the very presence of God, "By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh". Thus, as our text says, we no longer must go by way of priests and sacrifices to come to God. We can enter directly "into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."

Because of what Christ has done for us, we can come boldly (not arrogantly or presumptuously, however) into God's presence in prayer. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need"

"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9)

The term "Godhead" occurs three times in the King James translation. Each time it translates a slightly different Greek noun, all being slight modifications of the Greek word for "God" (theos, from which we derive such English words as "theology"). It essentially means the nature, or "structure," of God, as He has revealed Himself in His Word.

We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. Men have been guilty throughout the ages of trying to model" the Godhead, but this leads quickly to idolatry, whether that model is a graven image of wood or stone or a philosophical construct of the human mind.

What man cannot do, however, God has done, in the very structure of His creation. "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. His tri-universe (space, matter, and time, with each component unique in definition and function, yet permeating and comprising the whole) perfectly "models" His triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Spirit--each distinct, yet each the whole).

This analogy can be carried much further, for this remarkable triunity pervades all reality. The tri-universe is not God (that would be pantheism), but it does clearly reflect and reveal the triune nature of His Godhead.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

This little verse gets quoted out of context a lot. It is used to justify bizzare plans and dreams, as well as to suggest that every Christian should be rich and healthly all the time. Not only are such applications without any support in Scripture, they are completely out of the context of this passage.

In the previous verses, Paul lists a variety of circumstances that he had faced, from proverty to wealth, learning to be "content" in each of these developments. Then he notes that he "can do all things" through the strength that the Lord provides during conflicting circumstances.

The "do" of this text is the prevailing of the power of God in which and by which we minister. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament.

The early church experienced a stunning growth in converts as it preached and testified of the resurrected Christ. This result, however, is due to the fact that the Word of God grew "mightily .

Our fight is not a physical one. We wrestle against the great spiritual powers of wickedness that have their source in the heavenlies.