The word Grace used in verse 8 is connected to other words in this passage such as faith, saved and gift. The word grace does not stand by itself! However in the interest of time we will just cover the word grace here. Grace is many things! It is expressed in a person! We must remember grace is initiated by God! Grace is an act of God manifested in you and me which brings joy, peace, pleasure and gratification! It is God’s favor on your life! He bestows unmerited benefits on your life! At the end of the day grace has pardoned your sin! Grace is God doing for you what you cannot do for yourself! So is grace bestowed upon Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, agnostics and atheists? The internal grace God has given everyone is to know when we have done wrong! Then the product of sin will be guilt! Guilt is destructive unless you know what to do with it! If not you end up on drugs and other mind altering chemicals! We take our guilt to the Cross and receive more grace! Do not try to carry it yourself! I remember a lady years ago asked me if God can forgive any sin? I told her yes! She told me but i cannot forgive myself! I asked her if she was greater than God? To reject grace is to reject Jesus Christ! So then what do you have left? You create your own religious system or ideology to support a defense against grace! It might be secular or religious! It might be the evolutionist who says God has no part in creation of the world! It might be Islam or another religion justified by works that creates murder of yourself and others to get to heaven! It could be a Hindu who creates millions of gods to appease his guilt! If sin can be justified then more sin will follow! When you act in your own name or in the name of a man created god bad things happen! God gave grace to everyone by going to the Cross and being raised from the grave for our justification! God dying for your sin and guilt not by your own efforts! Grace is hard for some to receive because it removes their own efforts and places the burden of proof on God! It is the easyist thing to do but man will complicate by his own efforts! You have to be humble to receive a free gift but to reject grace borders on a idiot! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: jesus
Do You Know That You Know? 1 Kings 13:24
After the death of Solomon the Kingdom of Israel was divided! Rehoboam and Jeroboam were both bad leaders! Jeroboam tried to draw worship away from Jerusalem and Judah by setting up altar’s in the high places around Bethel. Jeroboam himself was trying to offer worship at these altar’s and hired low class people to be Priests! An old Prophet from Judah came over to Jerobaom and warned him not to offer worship from these altars! He did not listen and his arm was rent useless and the altar was rent and the ashes poured out! He asked the old prophet to pray to the Lord to restore his arm again! The old prophet prayed and his arm was restored again! The King was so happy he wanted to reward the prophet! The prophet said no for the Lord told him not to eat bread or drink water from this place! The old prophet rode his donkey back to Judah. Another old prophet from Bethel heard this story and his son’s saddled his donkey and he went out looking for this old prophet of Judah! This prophet of Bethel found this prophet of Judah and told him the Lord spoke to me and you are to go back to Bethel with me and eat bread and drink water? The prophet of Bethel said he was old and also heard from the Lord! So the prophet of Judah went back to Bethel and ate bread and drank water there! On his way back to Judah a lion attacked him and killed him! After this King Jeroboam continued in his evil ways! When God speaks to you you will know that you know! Confirmation by others is alright but if contradictions come to what God has told you follow God! This happened in our call to India from 1980-1983! God spoke to us in dreams and visions. We knew during this time period we were going to the mission field but did not know where? Then God fined tuned the call and in 1983 made it clear it was India. I went to our local Pastor’s in Denver Colorado and they did not seem excited? One Pastor told us we need to go to Bible College for 4 years! Another said he woud pray for us! Another Pastor told us he would send monthly support but never did! None would confirm our calling? I can understand their reluctance! Quit my career job at age 35. A wife with two small children under the age of four! No Bible training? However they did not know i met Jesus on my death bed in 1973! He raised me from the dead! After these dissappointments a short little Pastor by the name of Cho from Korea met us in a church parking lot. He prayed for us for about 30 seconds and told us we would be coming to Korea to be commissioned to India from Korea for three years! He was and still is the Pastor of the largest single church in the world with over one million members! The window opened to India for three years and never opened again! The rest is history! When you hear from God be sure you know that you know! Do not let anyone talk you out of it! If God told you not to go do not let anyone talk you into it! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
I-Pad on the Sky!
I had a dream last night! This was not a dream by some Jihadist dreaming he was trapped on some remote island with 70 virgins! This dream was about Bible Prophecy! In this dream the moon was projecting a focused light on the earth! This light was lighting up the sky of our hemisphere at night. The image against the night sky was like a giant computer screen several hundred miles long and high! Everyone on earth could see this and no one could miss it! Bible verses were being projected on this massive screen! These messages would change from one language to another! I stopped and asked people on the street what all this meant? Some people were excited and some were not just like today! Some people were gathered under tree’s trying to ignore the messages! Hiding from the Tree of Life? No one on earth had mobile devices! There was only one screen in the sky! Was this God’s way of reaching those who were addicted to mobile devices? My Bible says one day every eye shall see and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! God will get it done one way or another! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Guilt and Hope Matthew 11:28
We live in a fallen world! Violence, crime, natural disasters are all around us! From earthquakes, cyclones, floods, fires, pestilences and disease covers the world with tragedy! Wars and rumors of wars! From cop killers to Islamic Jihadist law and order seems like a distant hope? Political failures at home and gains by terrorists seems daunting! Guilt is the product of our fallen world! Guilt drives the Islamist terrorists! They believe the only sure way to get to Heaven is to commit Jihad! Kill themselves and others! How sad! God has a plan to defeat guilt and sin and it lead Him to the Cross! Jesus was raised from the dead for our fallen world! God shed His blood to cover our guilt! To reject God’s blood is to shed man’s blood! Guilt and sin leads to more sin! One sin to cover another! One lie to cover another lie! Bring your guilt to Jesus! Jesus said to come to Him those that labor and are heavy laden! A ship that is heavy laden will sink! Jesus bore your sin on the Cross! A yoke is designed for two oxen! Let Jesus come along side you and carry your load! Do not try to carry too much! God made you to trust Him! Not by your own efforts! Jesus went on to say He would give you rest! Rest means to pause from your own efforts! It means to refresh! That is why God gave us the Sabbath! At Creation God Himself rested from His work on the 7th day! Are you greater than God? Many have tried! The burn out of American families today is the result of not honoring the Sabbath! The 24-7 schedule takes no time for rest in the Sabbath! God not only saves us but he sanctifies us! Philippines 1:6 says we are confident that the good work He has begun in us He will perform in us until the day of Jesus Christ! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! His purpose within us will continue forever! Why miss out on the peace and joy of Jesus living in you? Pride and the fool says i can make it on my own! No one ever did! That was Satan’s plan! Sorrow and death is his constant companion! Do you want rest and freedom from guilt and shame? Ask Jesus! Humble yourself and ask for help! It is not that hard to do! What is hard to do and impossible is to try to live without Jesus! He will raise you up from your fallen condition! Pastor Oscar Cope, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Fairburn, Georgia.
Senior Lives Matter! 2 Samuel 17:27-29
Who was Barzillai? It is a name you might expect coming out of a Tarzan movie? It is a Hebrew name meaning steel or iron. Barzillai was the iron man of Gilead located in southern Israel. He was one of three men who helped King David flee his son Absalom who was trying to take the throne by force! David and his men were in the wilderness and needed provisions to survive! Barzillai was 80 years old when he rendered assistance to King David! He did so at great risks for if Absalom had won he would have executed Barzillai! D.L. Moody once said our Faith can only be exercised in the darkness! If you are a Christian waiting around for a Utopia to come so you can safely proclaim Jesus name it will never happen! Remember in scripture that after the thousand year rein with Christ Satan will be loosed for a season on the earth! Why? Maybe the Saints got a little to fat and lazy and their Faith went to sleep? Barzillai was a man of invincible charm! He had a son named Chimham. Barzillai was a highland chief who was wealthy, loyal, courteous, passionate and respected the King! He used his wealth to help others not to fill his own pockets! King David rewarded Barzillai by inviting him to live with him in the Palace at Jerusalem! He declined telling David he was an old man and he wanted to live his life where he was born and to be buried beside his father and mother. He was even loyal to his deceased parents! Where can you find such loyalty in the earth? However he did refer the invitation to others including his son. When it comes to doing good we must do all we can while we can as you can for God! King David on his death bed told his son Solomon the new King to be good to the descendants of Brazillai! Remember God has invited you to His Palace! Jesus said he has gone to prepare a place for you! He will take you home to be with Him forever! If you have already accepted His invitation then refer the invite to others! Thankyou. Pastor Oscar Cope, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Fairburn, Georgia
What Happened to Mohammad? Quran 46:9
Say: I am no new thing among the Messenger of Allah, not know i what will be done with me or you. I follow but that which is revealed to me by inspiration; I am but a warner open and clear. Comment: So the prophet does not know where he is going or his followers? Not much inspiration here! Can you imagine Jesus telling his followers he does not know where he is going or those who follow him? Sounds like a Democrat! Muslim’s pray for the peace of Allah to be on Mohammad? Is he not in paradise? Do we pray as Christian’s for the peace of God to be on Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Jesus is God! His disciples not in paradise? How could anyone in his right mind follow anyone who does not know where he is going and offers his followers the same plight? The Islamic terrorist kill people who cannot recite the Quran! This would be a good verse to remember in case you need it! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Have a Rewards Card?
2 Samuel 22:21 The Lord rewarded me……….. Rewarded means to restore or repay! You are appointed benefits conveyed to you under God’s sovereignty! God rewards good and punishes evil! Jesus said in my house are many mansions! The word house here in the Greek conveys a meaning of a dwelling place in regards to a family! The word mansion in the Greek conveys the idea of a continual dwelling place! You don’t get thrown out if you cannot pay the rent or the mortgage payment! The payment for your stay was paid on the Cross! The Land Lord or the mortgage company will love you until you miss one payment! A continual dwelling means forever! A mortgage company will reward you only after 30 years of regular payments! Your debt has already been paid! This dwelling place includes Christ and His family! No others! You can never use up these reward points because they number more than the sands of the sea! In my house are many mansions! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Lot Saved By Association! 2 Peter 2:7
Lot although saved by association was also vexed by association with the wicked citizens of Sodom! Lot chose the city and separated from his uncle Abraham. It was a well watered plain and looked good to the natural eye. Lot was wealthy and needed land for his live stock. Sodom was a prosperous city with much opportunity. It was certainly the Babylon of his day! He located his herds next to the big city! Lot knew that Sodom was corrupt with the sin of homosexuality! He tried to separate himself from the sin but played the political correct game! Lot had one foot in the Kingdom of God and one foot in the world! Can you have it both ways? Remember Judas tried that! Lot was attending to his animals in his tent next to Sodom and the next thing we see is he is sitting at the gate of the city! Normally the one sitting at the gate of the city was settling civil cases and collecting taxes! Meanwhile his uncle Abraham went to Canaan which was a dry land. However God promised Abraham all that he could see would be his and his descendants forever! Abraham built an altar there on a mountain and worshiped God! Lot was worshiping money at the city gate of Sodom. Jesus quoted in the Book of John said,”Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad.” One sacrifice to end all sacrifices! Was Lot on a competition run for wealth with his uncle Abraham? Pride before the fall. God got fed up with the sin of Sodom and sent two destroying angel’s to Sodom! Lot recognized them, worshiped them and invited them to his house! He was trying to protect them from the sin of the city! An attempted cover up! He was trying to preserve his business enterprise! The homosexual’s surrounded his home and wanted sex with the angel’s! Lot even offered his two daughters but it would not appease them! Sin and self-enrichment never mix! Lot tried to warn the city and some of his family members of impending judgment but they just laughed! They did not respect him! Lot had no witness left in him! Christian’s that are just like the world will lose the respect of the world! Even though God saved Lot and his immediate family Lot’s wife still in love with Sodom looked back and became a pillar of salt! The most interesting point of this story is God saved Lot and his two daughter’s because He remembered Abraham! Pray for your children! Your association with Christ could save them! We are saved because of our association with Christ! When God see’s our sin He remembers His Son on the Cross! Lot ended up living in a cave with his two daughter’s! They got him drunk and became pregnant by their father! Lot was the father of the Moabites and Amorites both mortal enemies of Israel! Both tribes were eventually destroyed! Israel live on! Lot never learned his lesson! How many times will God save you from bad decisions? Learn your lessons and study the Bible! Don’t repeat Lot’s mistakes! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Are There Believer’s in Hell?
Everyone in Hell is a believer! This is the wrong place to find out the truth about what Jesus said about Hell. Pastor Robert Jeffress Comment: Jesus talked three times more about Hell than he did Heaven! Sampler: Matthew 25:46 “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
What is a Familiar Spirit? 1 Samuel 28:7
Common sense would say a familiar spirit is a spirit you are familiar with! It is connected with Satan and sin! Before you were born again in Christ this is the spirit that ruled you! Saul sought a woman with a familiar spirit. Why? We will answer this soon! The word familiar spirit translated from the Hebrew means a necromancer. This is the occult practice of consulting the dead! It is one who proclaims to give revelation in uncertain times. Today a fortune teller or a palm reader would be an example. The Jews were strictly forbidden from engaging in this practice of consulting mediums! There is also another meaning for this Hebrew word. It can signify a leather bottle that may burst under pressure! Remember the Jeannie in the bottle! Remember Jesus said not to put new wine in old wine skins! A necromancer will beat skin stretched drums with chants and burn incense to draw spirits. The connection between the two meanings could be that a medium was seen as a container for a conjured spirit. Samuel the Priest had died and Saul had no one to consult about God’s plans and purposes for him. The Lord was angry at Saul for his disobedience! King Saul was facing the Philistine armies in war against Israel. God had already prepared David for the next King of Israel. Saul continued to try to contact God through the Prophet’s and the Urim. The Urim is a noun meaning fire. It refers to the fire of God’s judgment and God’s destruction of the wicked. It is used to speak of a form of idol worship! That is people burning other people in fire! Saul got no answers so his servant’s advised him to contact a woman that had a familiar spirit. So he went to the medium of Endor and Saul asked her to bring up Samuel’s spirit! Samuel was really upset for Saul disturbing him from the Bliss of Heaven! Samuel gave Saul the bad news that the Philistines were going to defeat him soundly! Saul was later killed in battle. The New Testament of our Bible also talks about spirits! There are unclean, dumb, foul, infirmity, divining, evil, bondage and world spirits. John warned us not to believe every spirit! In the case of Saul and the woman with the familiar spirit an evil spirit revealed a good spirit Samuel! It is usually God’s spirit that reveals an evil spirit! We must remember that at one time we were evil in sin apart from God! So our sin revealed the goodness of God sending His son Jesus Christ to atone for our sin! It was our wickedness that revealed the goodness of God! Remember this when you think you are so Holy above everyone else! John told us to try the spirits! He went on to say that every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ came in the flesh is from God! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com