Anyone Can Be Saved!

"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save!" Isaiah 59:1

"Let us learn never to despair of the salvation of anyone--as long as he lives. Fathers ought never to despair of prodigal sons. Mothers ought never to despair of self-willed, headstrong daughters. Husbands should never despair of wives, nor wives of husbands. There is nothing impossible with God. The arm of grace is very long, and can reach those who seem very far off. Let us pray on, and hope on, for others--however unlikely their salvation may appear to be at present.

The Holy Spirit can change any heart! The blood of Christ can cleanse away any sin!

We shall see many in heaven, whom we never expected to see there. Grimshaw, the famous pastor of Yorkshire, when he died, left his only son unconverted, careless, thoughtless, and indifferent to true religion. The day came when the young man’s heart was changed, and he walked in the steps of his holy father. And when he lay upon his deathbed, one of his last words was, "What will my old father say--when he sees me in heaven!" J C Ryle

This story gives me an amazing sense of peace, knowing that God is in complete control and that anyone can change is very overjoying! I know that I have several friends and family members who curse God continually,but still I pray to Him that He would save them! And the greatest part is He can if He wills!

Live by Faith, Not Sight

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

"The life of faith means to be habitually influenced in the state of our minds and conduct, not by visible objects, but by the invisible realities which are revealed in the Word of God. It is said of Moses, "He persevered because he saw Him who is invisible." This is the life and walk of faith with respect to God—a realizing sense of His invisible presence—such a persuasion as leads us to all that conduct which He requires. This then is the life of faith—to believe that we are ever surrounded by an all-seeing, holy, and merciful God—and to conduct ourselves toward Him accordingly." John Angell James

This one is simple to sum up... Live like God is standing right next to you... Cause in a way, He is.

With love,
Jesse

God Answers Prayer

"The threefold promise annexed to the threefold precept, should encourage all Christians to be instant, fervent, and constant in prayer.

Though prayer is not the ground, nor the cause of obtaining favors and mercies from God—yet it is the means, it is the silver channel, it is the golden pipe, through which the Lord is pleased to convey to His people all temporal, spiritual, and eternal favors. God promises to give them the cream, the choicest, the sweetest of all spiritual, eternal, and temporal blessings; but mark, Ezekiel 36:37, "I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." Though God is very prompt and ready to bestow upon His people the best and the greatest of blessings—yet He will by prayer be sought unto, for the actual enjoyment of them. He who has no heart to pray for a mercy, he has no ground to believe that God will ever give him the mercy. There is no receiving without asking, no finding without seeking, no opening without knocking. The proud beggar gets nothing from men, and the silent sinner gets nothing of God. As there is no mercy too great for God to give, so there is no mercy too little for us to crave. Certainly that man has little worth in him who thinks any mercy not worth a seeking." Thomas Brooks

I was once told something similar to this, that just about sums this whole thing up, but is much shorter,and that is: "You have to pray like it depends on God, and live like it depends on you." This is true because we have a responsibility that coincides with God's will at times we may or may not know about. Therefore, we should live as if it is always our responsibility, while maintaining a relationship with His so we know its really not! Or another simple phrase that somewhat goes along with this but not entirely is "nothing changes if nothing changes." Anyways, I hope that this finds you and speaks to you with whatever God wants you to hear, so all the praise, honor, and glory go to Jesus.

With love,
Jesse

Church of God

"The church of God, which He purchased with His own blood!" Acts 20:28

"Paul was in the habit of viewing the church as a purchased possession. The price paid for it was the blood of Christ, The whole church therefore, is bought and paid for! The price paid was satisfactory, and the property will all be given into the Savior's hand. The Father, who received the price, will draw all the purchased ones to the Son.

The church of Christ belongs therefore to no one but Christ. Hence the apostle says, "You are not your own—for God bought you with a high price!"

Beloved, let us view ourselves . . .as the 'PROPERTY of Jesus'; as property purchased and paid for;as property purchased at a price which no created mind can calculate; which defies all the powers of arithmetic to set forth! The precious blood of Jesus! The blood of God's own Son!

Who can conceive its value? Who can question its efficacy? Who dare trifle with it? Precious blood of Jesus, may my eye be steadily fixed on you, at all times, and in all places!" James Smith

Ahh this makes me think of what the church really is! The body of Christ with different members that serve different purposes, but all with one vital thing in common... Bought by the blood of Christ! It is definitely not a building, for many of those aren't paid for! Today let us seek to find our worth in Christ and in the fact that he paid for us,
His church!
With love,
Jesse

Humility of Mind

"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility." 1 Peter 5:5

"Humility is lowliness of mind, the opposite of pride and arrogance. It belongs to the essence of experimental religion. A humble spirit is the opposite of a lofty one. True humility is an inward grace based on a view of our own guilt, weakness, vileness, ignorance and poverty—as compared with the infinite excellence and glory of God.

Humility is one of the most lovely of all the traits of a child of God. It is opposed to all ostentation. It hides the other graces of the Christian from the gaze of self-admiration. Its aim is not to be thought humble, but to be humble. The godly man loves to lie low, and cares not to have it known.

Humility will not disfigure, but adorn you. As Rebecca was not the less lovely, but the more so, when she took a veil and covered her beauty and all her jewels; so the child of God is especially beautifiedwhen arrayed in humbleness of mind." William S. Plumer

So often it is hard to be sure of the reason why we do things, is it for God's glory or is it for our own pride and ego? This is an important thing to be sure of... Humility is one of the best aspects that seperates Christians from other people in the world, we should not seek glory for ourselves, but for God, and by doing so we should astounded the world and be seen as radical and crazy to them.

Righteous Thorn

"There was given me a thorn in my flesh!" 2 Corinthians 12:7

"Most Christians have some "thorn" which they cannot extract, which is a daily trial, and which wounds deeply and painfully.

If God sends us a thorn—then no one but God can remove it! And if God sends it—it is always sent in love. It is . . . to prevent some evil, or to prepare us for some good.

If it makes us pray, if it drives us to the Lord's throne, if it humbles us in the dust, if it endears the promises, if it makes us long for heaven, if it teaches us deeply our need of Christ—then it is a great blessing!

Better to be wounded by the sharpest thorn—than be allowed in ease, health, and prosperity—to wander from the Lord!" James Smith

Once again how great it is to be in tribulation if it is from God! Hard to believe this is true but it makes it worth it because we grow in our faith and do not become stagnant. Live for Christ regardless of the cost because nothing else matters!
With love,
Jesse

God Works In The Little Things

"Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of land belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech's family." Ruth 2:3

"She happened." Yes, it seemed nothing but an accident—but how divinely was it overruled! Ruth had gone forth with her mother-in-law's blessing, under the care of her God—to humble but honorable toil; and the providence of God was guiding her every step! Little did she know, that amid the sheaves—she would find a husband; and that he would make her the joint owner of all those broad acres; and that she, a destitute foreigner, would become an ancestor of the great Messiah!

God is very good to those who trust in Him, and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings. Little do we know what may happen to us in the future; but this sweet fact should cheer us—that nothing which is really good for us—shall be withheld from us!

The word "chance" is banished from the Christian's vocabulary—for we see the hand of God in everything. The seemingly trivial events of today or tomorrow, may involve consequences of the highest importance. Take comfort—our Lord deals as graciously with all His servants—as He did with Ruth!" Spurgeon

This passage is just a witness and a reminder to the fact that God is ever present in the big things as well as the small... It's also beautiful to see that he will not withold that which is good for us. Praise the Lord for He is  good!
With love,
Jesse

Face Your Trials

"Jesus always sees His disciples, when they are toiling in the waves — and at the right moment He comes to deliver them. Thus it becomes possible to live a true and victorious life — in any circumstances.

Christ can as easily enable Joseph to remain pure and true in heathen Egypt — as Benjamin in the shelter of his father's love. The sharper the temptations — the more of divine grace is granted. There is, therefore, no environment of trial, or difficulty or hardship — in which we cannot live beautiful lives of Christian fidelity and holy conduct.

Instead, then, of yielding to discouragement when trials multiply and it becomes hard to live right, or of being satisfied with a very faulty life —it should be our settled purpose to live, through the grace of God — a patient, gentle and unspotted life — in the place, and amid the circumstances, He allots to us. The true victory is not found in escaping or evading trials — but in rightly meeting and enduring them.

The questions should not be, "How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the distractions that continually harass me?" There is nothing noble in such living.

The questions should rather be, "How can I pass through these trying experiences — and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles — and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these testings of my temper — and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?" This is the true problem of Christian living." J. R. Miller

This makes me think of James 1:2-3, "brethren, consider it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." I think Paul Washer was right when he said that Christians today are getting to thin skinned, they can't handle rebuke or trials. Yet I can't judge too Mich, for I know that I myself think this way at times and struggle with these things, which is why this passage helps me to remember who is in control of the good and the bad, all to a greater purpose.

This Is How We Overcome

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb..." Rev. 12:11

"We must take our sins to God! The Christian, when he sins, thinks that he must fight this battle for himself,wrestle with his own evil temper himself, and he himself must enter into conflict with his lusts and his besetting sins. But when he comes into the fight, he soon meets with a defeat, and then he is ready to give it all up. Take your sins to God, my brethren!

Take them to the cross that the blood may fall upon them, to purge away their guilt, and to take away their power.

Your sins must all be slain. There is only one place where they can be slaughtered-the altar where your Savior died.

If you would flog your sins, flog them with the whip that tore your Savior's shoulder. If you would nail your sins fast, drive the same nails through them which fastened your Lord to the cross. I mean, let your faith in the great Surety, and your love to Him who suffered so much for you, be the power with which you do conflict with evil.

It is said of the saints in heaven, "They overcame through the blood of the Lamb." That is how you must overcome.

Go to Jesus with your sins! No one else can help you! You are powerless without Him!

The most sinful are welcome to Christ. If your sin has become so outrageous that it were wrong for me to mention it; if it has become so tremendous in its power, that, like the chain and ball at the convict's foot, you cannot escape from it, yet still come with all your sins to Jesus!" Spurgeon

God sure is great! So great in fact that He wants us to turn to Him for help! Yet we rarely do until things seem out of control...
But this passage argues that we don't overcome by our power, we overcome by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. If this is in fact true, and you say you love God, then rest in Him, seek refuge in Him, and through Him overcome your sins!
With love,
Jesse

God's Grace is All Important

"By the grace of God — I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10

"Consider what you were — before saved by sovereign grace. Your heart was enmity against God, deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked! You did not have one pure desire, one holy thought, or one feeling of love to God.

Further, what would you have been — but for the grace of God? Look at the vilest, the most debased, the most debauched of our race — and you may truly say, " Such I may have been — but for free and sovereign grace!" James Smith

So friend, can you say that today? Do you truly have Gods grace? And if so be thankful for it and remember that we not only enter a narrow gate, but we also walk a narrow path to heaven! (Matthew 7) So live for Christ like he died for you! In such a way that the world seems reckless and fanatical...and thank God if you do, because He's the only reason you could...
With love,
Jesse

Content in Life

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Philippians 4:11

"Neither contentment nor discontentment arises from the outward condition, but from the inward disposition. If a man is not content in the state he is in, he will not be content in any state he would be in." John Mason

This is so true! One of the biggest keys to joy in life is contentment, not wanting more or less, but being faithful with what you have. The interesting part is that right before God writes this through Paul, in verses 4-7, God speaks of rejoicing always and to be careful for nothing but to let your requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and God will give you a peace that passes all understanding. This further shows that this contentment is in addition to rejoicing and praying, so that regardless of money, tragedy, or any other trials, you have a peace that passes understanding! Beloved, life is so much better when we are content about our riches and wealth in this world and restless about the eternal things!

Serve God Right

"Some people say much — and do nothing. But Christians do much — and say nothing. To deserve praise where none is obtained — is better than to obtain praise where none is deserved. The old maxim is worthy to be revived — he who desires honor, is not worthy of honor.

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men — to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.” A saint may be seen doing more works than any —and yet he does not desire to do any of the works to be seen. An alms which is seen, is by no means unpleasant to God, provided it be not given with a design to have it seen. Though good ends do not make bad actions lawful; yet bad ends make good actions sinful. The harp sounds sweetly; yet it hears not its own melody."William Secker

This passage spoke to me in an area that may not jump out at you right away. This passage caused me to think about the importance of prayer, to make sure and pray before every ministry you perform so that God can help to put your heart in the right place.

Don't waste your life!

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17. "Time is the gift of God. It is too precious a jewel to be worse than idly lavished away upon vanity. It is the wisdom of the wise to improve time to the noblest and best of purposes, in acquiring more knowledge of spiritual and eternal things. It is the foolishness of folly for God's wise virgins, at any time, so to debase themselves, as to sacrifice their precious moments upon heathenish altars, devoted to vain delights and sinful pleasures. We dare not, we cannot comply with these things, consistent with faith in Jesus, love to God, and a good conscience in the Holy Spirit. *

The days are evil; iniquity abounds; the love of many waxes cold; heresies prevail; the way of holiness is awfully neglected; but the Lord's arm is not shortened, that he cannot save: he can keep us close to himself, in the most perilous times. Constant watchfulness and earnest prayer are our daily duty, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Heb. 10:24, 25. " William Mason

Well today I decided to start posting what I get from these readings in hopes that it will help someone.

This passage makes me think very hard about the amount of time I spend or waste doing things that are pleasurable to me. Whether its spending too much time playing video games, watching movies and tv, or the most ridiculous case in which I sit and do nothing for hours, this passage shows me that time is a gift from God and should be used at least the majority of the time to give honor and praise back to him. I also really like the last verse that is written here, about encouraging each other with love, I feel like too often we point fingers out of hatred or other wrong motives, instead of how doing it out of a passion for the well being of the individual. It definitely makes me think about all the time I've wasted, as well as how my treatment of people can have an effect on them.

Also, check out this awesome video by the Christian rapper Lecrae. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Ps. I'm thinking strongly about starting a daily video posting, there are so many awesome inspiring videos out there that I have been blessed to see and would love to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Don't Return To Sin

"If a peasant's daughter were married to a prince, would she put on her old rags, or eat her poor food again? Christ the Prince of Peace has married you to Himself, and appointed you a rich estate. Will not you forever lay aside the filthy garments of sin, and slight those husks on which you fed before? It may be that you are so poor, that of your own you have nowhere to lay your head, and it is certain you possess not one foot of land that is your own forever. Yet are you an heir, a child, dearly beloved, both by God and angels. This honor have all the saints.

Once you were a great, a filthy sinner; oh, be holy, for Christ has washed you in His blood, justified you by His righteousness, and sanctified you by His Spirit, even when you were filthy to look upon. David had vile men for his soldiers; and Christ had publicans, harlots, and sinners for His companions. So God chose you when you had little morality, little ingenuity, or natural goodness. You are of the number of those few that shall be saved, and so strongly bound to be eminently holy." Andrew Gray

Living for Christ

"We may live for SELF, taking good care of our lives, not exposing them to danger, not making personal sacrifices, having a keen eye always for our own interests and advancement. By this plan of life, we may come to old age hale and with our strength unabated. People may congratulate us on our well-preserved state, and we may have considerable pride in the outcome of our prudence and carefulness. There certainly seems to be something quite pleasant and attractive in such a life—yet really it is only the grain of wheat remaining safe and dry in the garner, and kept from falling into the earth. It is well preserved—but there is no harvest from it. The life abides by itself alone, well enough kept—but with no increase. It has been no blessing to the world. It has wrought no ministry of love.

But there is another way to live. It is altogether to forget self—not to think of nor care for one's own life—but to throw it away in obedience to God and in the service of others. People will say we are foolish thus to waste our golden life, to wear ourselves out in toils that bring us no return, to make sacrifices for others who are not worthy. They sought to hold Jesus back from His cross. They said His life was too precious to be wasted in such a way—that it ought to be kept for crowning and for reigning among men. But we understand now that Jesus made no mistake when He chose the way of sacrifice. The grain of wheat let fall into the ground—has yielded a most glorious harvest! Jesus has never been sorry for the choice He made; He has never regretted Calvary!

The heart of the lesson is, that we cannot be blessings in this world—and at the same time live for our own selfish pleasures and desires. That which has cost us nothing—is worth nothing to others."

J. R. Miller

R.I.P. Greg McElroy, one of the greatest examples of this lesson I know of.

What and Why

Hello,
I just wanted to post a quick message about what this is and why I'm doing it. This is the Conformity to Christ blog that I started, named not only after a band I hope to start, but after a lifestyle I hope to attain. The past year has been a hard one for my relationship with Christ, I have strugglesd to attend meetings with other members of the body of Christ and failed miserably to be an example for God as I feel I have been before. I have failed to read and spend time with Him, and found money more important in my life then Him... This is my attempt to spend daily time  with Him as I know we all need more of. More time with Him leads to more joy, more peace, more love, and more of Him in our life. Daily time with God in prayer and reading is in my opinion  the most important thing that a growing  Christian (which we all should be) needs. Daily time with God is closely followed if not tied  by the second most important thing , faith portrayed by works. So it is my wish  to bring myself and as many people as possible to do more of these two things so that we may better honor the God who deserves all of us.