Andrew Golden's Blog, page 6

With Your Last Breath

Luke 23:42-43

42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

He didn’t do anything great. He didn’t preach a revival. All the thief did was accept Jesus. You can say he barely got in, but he made it. The thief was lost. He had no hope, but at that last minute, he called out to Jesus. So, don’t count out anyone. Don’t think they will never turn their life around. Just like the thief on the cross, they can cry out with their last breath.

Happy Easter

John 20:4-6
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Today, I thought about how the disciples must have looked running to the tomb. I can imagine the shock on their face when they saw the tomb was empty. All that was left was the linen he had been wrapped in. They wanted to know who had taken Jesus, but they soon found out that he had risen. Today is Easter. I know everyone has had the fun of hunting eggs and going to dinners. That is all good. Just don’t forget what Easter is truly about. It is the celebration of Jesus conquering death. It is the celebration of us being able to make it to heaven because he paid the price. We celebrate Easter because Jesus has risen, the tomb is empty, and through Christ we have salvation.

He Forgave Them

Luke 24:34-35

34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Today, if someone’s feeling get hurt, they act like the child and tattle on the person. If someone says something about our faith, we get angry and want to fight them. Could you imagine if Jesus acted like that? What if he said he had enough and called the legion of angels down? What if he ran and told, that’s the one who put the thorns on my head, and that’s the one who pulled my beard. However, he stood there and asked God to forgive them. Now that to me is strength, compassion, and love beyond measure. He could have called down the angels to destroy the ones beating him, but instead, he bore the cross. He then let them stick nails through his hands and feet. He let them stick a spear through his side. He let them do all these things because he knew his persecution would lead to our salvation. So, stop holding grudges on people who have wronged you and forgive them because they did much worse to Jesus, and he still wanted our heavenly Father to forgive them.

Be The Man Christ Called You To Be

Ephesians 5:23-25

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

God set instructions on how a household is supposed to be run. It is easy to follow, yet so many people use these verses to try and prove a point. Some people love to point out that it says for the woman to be subject to the man. They don’t want to read more. Because it says that we as men are supposed to love our wife as Christ loved the church. He did a lot of back breaking work for the church. So men, get up and go to work. Christ loves the churches unconditionally. Stop making your spouse feel like she owes you something because you go to work. Christ died for the church. I don’t even have to explain that one. Your wife is not your servant. She is your other half. So if you’re going to use this verse, learn to use it right, and stop treating your wives like they are less than you.

He Is God

Psalms 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Sometimes, we look at problems and wonder how we are going to climb the mountain. We may feel alone and feel as if we have no help. We will try to fix the problem on our own only to fail time and time again. We need to stop and know that God will help us if we just accept that without him, we can’t overcome anything. So, stop trying to take in your impossible battles on your own. Stand still and know that God is in control.

I Can Help You But I Can’t Carry It For You

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Galatians 6:5
For every man shall bear his own burden

Why is it that at the beginning of this chapter, we are told to bear one another’s burdens, but then just a few verses later, we are told everybody has to carry their own burdens? Well, it goes with the old saying about giving a helping hand, not a hand out. I can pray with you when you find salvation, but I can not pray for you to receive salvation. You must pick up the cross yourself. Your salvation is something you have to find. Now, when things happen and you get too weak to stand, there are enough of us to hold you up until you get your strength back. Most of us wish we could fully take your burdens, but we can’t. That burden you carry will become a victory, and with that comes your testimony. But do not think that you are ever alone. We are all followers of Christ, and we will all help you with the burdens you carry, but you have to do some of the work.

Fables

Matthew 24:37-39
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

People think that they have it all figured out. They believe they can go through life without care. Some believe that as long as you are a good person, you will make it to heaven. Others believe that maybe the universe will help them. They have a rude awakening when Jesus says that their time is up. None of us know when that will be, but it will happen. So stop listening to people who tell you as long as you set in a church pew on Sunday, you will be okay. Stop thinking the universe is going to send you good vibes. Turn your life to Jesus and punch your ticket to heaven. There is no other way but through him.

Plant The Seed Of Love

Galatians 6:7
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

What are you sowing? Are you sowing the love of God, or are you sowing hate and strife? Remember, you don’t plant corn and hope for a watermelon. So, you can plant hate and get love in return. Start planting the seed of love that Jesus told us to do.

Are You Prepared For What Matters

Matthew 24:43

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

If you knew your house was going to be robbed, you would have a police car on standby. If you knew that your car was going to break down, you would have it in the shop. When you know something us going to happen, you prepare for it. So, you know that one day you will stand in judgment and that you will have to  be prepared. You know that at any moment your life can end and you enter into eternity. So, are you ready? I pray you are.

Are Your Prepared For What Matters

Matthew 24:43

43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

If you knew your house was going to be robbed, you would have a police car on standby. If you knew that your car was going to break down, you would have it in the shop. When you know something us going to happen, you prepare for it. So, you know that one day you will stand in judgment and that you will have to  be prepared. You know that at any moment your life can end and you enter into eternity. So, are you ready? I pray you are.