Lighthouse Blog
A Christian blog with articles, devotionals and videos that will inspire and edify. All content is created from the belief that faith in Christ and Him crucified is how we receive every good thing from God. When our faith is in the correct object, the Holy Spirit can work through us, bringing out the Power of God in our life.
20
Jan '16
The Running Helping God
20
Jan '16
Are you in trouble today? Are your problems getting the best of you? Worries creating anxiety? Stress causing health issues? People in life causing you problems?
We have a running and helping God that runs to our side when we are in trouble. If we know Jesus Christ as our personal savior, the Lord stands ready to help us through all of the trials and tribulations of life.
Hebrews 13:6 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
The word helper is the greek word boethos (bo-ay-thos’). The word comes from two words, the first part ‘boe’ means a cry for help and the second part ‘theo’ means to run. Boethos is one who comes running when we cry out for help.
The word perfectly describes our Lord who is on standby, waiting and listening, ready to rush to our aid when we are oppressed. When we shout for help, God comes running to our aid!!!!
This will never change and God will always be there for us. Other people may try to harm us but we have a Heavenly Helper who will protect and help us.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
Be encouraged , the answer you are looking for is in the Cross!
15
Nov '15
What is Tithing?
15
Nov '15
Tithes and offerings is probably one of the most debated subjects in the Christian world. But it is the one time in the Bible that we can prove God or question Him as we give to the Work of the Lord.
We are commanded to bring 10% of all that we have back to the storehouse of God. The storehouse is where you are fed the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. The storehouse is where the work of God goes forth, sending back into the world.
The tithe goes into the work of spreading the Gospel by supporting the materials and ministers needed to do the work.
Based upon scripture, what is tithing?
Mathematically
The tithe is a tenth. “. . . and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee” (Gen. 28:11).
Scripturally
The tithe is a command “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase” (Deut. 14:22).
Morally
The tithe is a debt. “. . . Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Mal. 3:8).
Economically
The tithe is an investment. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38).
Spiritually
The tithe is a blessing. “I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
To understand and receive all the blessings of God, we have to tithe and offer back to the work of God
In closing, know that the tithe is a starting point. After we tithe we should prayerfully seek God about what we should offer.
15
Nov '15
Jesus and George Washington
15
Nov '15
Many in the United States try to separate the teachings of the Bible from government leaders. But a study of our founding fathers reveal a totally different opinion and outlook. One is the very first POTUS , George Washington. The following are a few quotes that reveal the heart of our first president. Without question it is easy to say President Washington would agree completely that leader of the government should be led from the truths of God’s Word.
Early on in the Revolutionary War George Washington issued the following order. “That the troops may have an opportunity of attending public worship, as well as to take some rest after the great fatigue they have gone through, the general in future excuses them from fatigue duty on Sundays, except at the shipyards or on special occasions, until further orders. We can have but little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our arms if we insult it by our impiety and folly.”
About our educational system
“What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.”
What all governments should acknowledge
“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors.”
A prayer offered by President Washington
“Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ. That living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.”
08
Nov '15
Closer To A Monkey
08
Nov '15
A few years ago, the illustrious Rabbi Jacob Kamenetzky made a trip to Israel accompanied by his teenage grandson. Ironically, these two deeply religious people had been seated in the airplane next to a prominent Israeli socialist leader and outspoken atheist, who had spent his whole life fighting against Orthodox values.
“After the plane reached its cruising altitude, the cynical atheist traveler couldn’t help noticing the way the teenage boy attended to the needs of his aged, bearded grandfather. He got up to get the old man a glass of water, helped him remove his shoes and put on some slippers, and otherwise demonstrated that the rabbi’s comfort represented his primary concern.”At one point, as the boy got up for yet another errand on behalf of the old man, the skeptical stranger could contain himself no longer.
‘Tell me something,’ he asked the rabbi. ‘Why does your grandson treat you like some kind of a king? I have a grandson, too, but he wouldn’t give me the time of day.'” ‘It’s very simple,’ the old man replied. ‘My grandson and I both believe in a God who rules the universe and created all things, including the first man. That means that in the boy’s eyes, I’m two generations closer to the hand of God Himself. But in the eyes of your grandson, you’re just two generations closer to a monkey.’ ” – GENE SHELBURNE
16
Oct '15
The Hiding Place of Sin
16
Oct '15
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.(Psalms 51:3-6)
This great prayer of repentance of David in the entirety of Psalm 51 is probably the greatest prayer of repentance ever spoken. Out of this Psalms we can see many things about sin from God’s viewpoint.
We must say we have sinned
We must acknowledge our sins to be forgiven (vs 3)– One of the problems with the modern church is sinners seeking to place blame on everything but themselves for their own problems. We must admit our wrongs which comes to a climax at the foot of the throne, being violation of God’s law, knowing that God is the offended party by what we have done wrong. We cannot blame others, we must accept personal responsibility for our own actions. Confession brings sin out of its hiding place and enables the sinner to take sides with God against it.
God is right
God is justified in Judgement of our sins (vs 4) All sin is a departure from God way to mans way. Therefore He is perfect and justified in Judgment of our sins.
Every person is sinful
The Sin Nature is in everyone (vs5) – We are all born in the “original sin” from the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3). Because of Adam failed, all who are born afterwards are born lost. The only means of escape from the judgement of sin is to be born again. Being born again is carried out by the sinner expressing faith in Jesus, that He died for us and arose again (Romans 10:9)
Only God has the answer
God alone can deal with the sin of the soul (vs6)- man has tried to deal with sin (drug addiction, adultery, alcoholism. etc) through programs and methods, but only God can forgive and set the man or woman free. Not only does God show his Mercy to us that leads to eternal life, but our faith in Jesus and His Cross also is Gods plan of Victory over sin in our daily walk. When our faith is in the correct object of Christ and Him Crucified, the Holy Spirit will help us with power from God to be victorious over the sin that plagues us. (Romans 6:3-5 , Romans 8:1-2) . If we try to have victory over sin by our own willpower, we will fail. (Romans 7:18-20)
Don’t just hide the sin within you. Let God’s Holy Spirit guide you into victory over sin and lead into eternal life!
Turn the Church Lights On!
There is this big fad in the modern christian service to turn the church lights off. It seems to be an effort to emulate the tactics of secular entertainment. Why is it not overly obvious that the church is to be separate and different from the world? Why would the church want to give the appearance of a rock concert or bar environment? Why would Christians want to sit in a church service where they could not read a Bible? It may seem innocent but what are we saying to the world and what are we teaching the next generation?
As I was meditating on these questions, I found a scripture that stands out in the Bible that gives us guidance on what is was like when Paul ministered. Acts 20:7-8 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. It was no accident the Holy Spirit gave this verse for the church.
Paul preached with the room well lit. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.(1st Thess 5:5) Turn the lights on in the church services, especially youth ministries. Get out of the darkness and let the light in!
– Pastor FL Wilson