Only Jesus Can

People all over the world act like it is better to follow all the temporary things of the world for happiness and fulfillment. People want to have fun, have good times, and have activities and experiences, all of which are fleeting and never last. This is a great deception because nothing ever lasts. Nothing satisfies the heart. Only God, only Jesus can satisfy the longings that each of us has in his heart. No matter your age, only God can fill this void in your heart, in our hearts.

With all the things on this planet that we can get into, we have to ask ourselves- do they make my life better? Or worse? Are they beneficial or a waste of time?

Satan and his bunch deceive billions of people everyday into believing that everything around us will make our lives better, more fulfilled, more satisfied. All are lies. Remember, all he ever speaks are lies. He cannot tell the truth.

John 8:44 NIV

[44] You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 

https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.8.44.NIV

Remember this when all those temptations come that he hits us with in our minds. Whatever he says is not the truth. Any temptation to sin will not satisfy the longings of the heart. Only Jesus can do that.

Now, if Satan and his bunch messing with us isn't enough, the world perspective or culture tries to influence us everyday just by living on this planet. You cannot escape its persistant and continous influence, but you CAN ignore it. So simply don't let it influence your life.

Romans 12:2 NIV

[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.12.2.NIV

Lastly, if all that isn't enough to deal with, we still have our "human sinful nature" within us. These are those feelings, needs, appetites that are naturally within each one of us that try to get our attention or try to control us. 

Satan can use those too, lying to us, making us think we have to satisfy those urges or appetites. He'll say, "You're only human," "Nobody's perfect," "Why would God give you these urges if He didn't want you to satisfy them?" He's great at justifying anything or making it seem like it's no big deal. He's great at making you question things or doubt what God said about sins. "Did God really say you can't eat from that tree?" See? Goes all the way back to Adam and Eve in the garden. He hasn't changed much over time. He still lies, still deceives. 

The human sinful nature we have has to be under our control. We have to control it or it will control us. We CAN control it by the Holy Spirit's help inside us. We are "dead to sin," being in Christ now. So, we don't HAVE to do everything that enters our minds. *(Read Romans 6 and 7). 

So, now let's go deeper. Ask anyone, or yourself, who deals with sin or even good stuff, are you really happy? Are you really satisfied or content or fulfilled in your heart? Apply these questions to anything you do or have or participate in, in life whether good or bad. You fill in the blanks. Everything will give you a resounding, "NO."

Are you really happy doing drugs or smoking weed? Are you really happy getting drunk all the time? Are you really happy looking at porn? Are you really happy gossiping or talking about people all the time? Are you really happy living with that person that you are not married to? Are you really happy working your life away? Are you really happy smoking cigarettes all the time? Are you really happy making money and spending it? Are you really happy overspending, shopping, acquiring things, hoarding things? Are you really happy gambling and playing the lottery? Are you really happy scrolling and looking at everything on the internet? Are you really happy with experiencing that next concert, sporting event, cruise, or vacation?

See? We fill our lives up with things that are temporary and don't satisfy us. 

See? The questions could go on forever.

Apart from God, they are all temporary and fleeting. *(Read Ecclesiastes). Nothing lasts. Nothing satisfies forever. Nothing fulfills the longings of the heart forever. Only Jesus can do that. 

Jesus said," I am the way, and the truth, and the life..." John 14:6. He is REAL life. Only through Him do you find everything you are longing for deep in your spirit. Only Jesus can do that. Only the God who made you can do that. Only God, through Jesus Christ, can say like Bob Marley did in his one song..."Everything's gonna be alright!!!"

Do you want joy, peace, happiness, contentment, fulfillment, and satisfaction with your life? Only Jesus can give you these things. Only God can give you what your heart needs, which is Himself. Only Jesus Can!! Come to Him today. Give your life to Jesus today!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Don't Do It!!

In the story of the Invalid man at the pool of Bethesda, we learn an important lesson from Jesus with a simple sentence that he spoke to the man at the end of the account. Here is the entire account for you to read before I get into it:

John 5:1-15 NCV

[1] Later Jesus went to Jerusalem for a special feast. [2] In Jerusalem there is a pool with five covered porches, which is called Bethesda in the Hebrew language. This pool is near the Sheep Gate. [3] Many sick people were lying on the porches beside the pool. Some were blind, some were crippled, and some were paralyzed [, and they waited for the water to move. [4] Sometimes an angel of the Lord came down to the pool and stirred up the water. After the angel did this, the first person to go into the pool was healed from any sickness he had]. [5] A man was lying there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw the man and knew that he had been sick for such a long time, Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be well?” [7] The sick man answered, “Sir, there is no one to help me get into the pool when the water starts moving. While I am coming to the water, someone else always gets in before me.” [8] Then Jesus said, “Stand up. Pick up your mat and walk.”  [9] And immediately the man was well; he picked up his mat and began to walk. The day this happened was a Sabbath day. [10] So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “Today is the Sabbath. It is against our law for you to carry your mat on the Sabbath day.” [11] But he answered, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” [12] Then they asked him, “Who is the man who told you to pick up your mat and walk?” [13] But the man who had been healed did not know who it was, because there were many people in that place, and Jesus had left. [14] Later, Jesus found the man at the Temple and said to him, “See, you are well now. Stop sinning so that something worse does not happen to you.” [15] Then the man left and told his people that Jesus was the one who had made him well.

https://bible.com/bible/105/jhn.5.1-15.NCV

After all the excuses the man gave as to why he wasn't healed after being sick for 38 years, Jesus compassionately healed the man which was awesome! However, when Jesus saw the man later at the temple, he said a simple sentence to the man which had broad and far-reaching implications:

[14] Later, Jesus found the man at the Temple and said to him, “See, you are well now. Stop sinning so that something worse does not happen to you.” 

There it is. "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." The man must have done some sin which caused him to be sick for 38 years. 

The lesson as old as the Garden of Eden is that sin has consequences. Something always happens as a result of a sin someone has committed. This sentence is a cautionary tale in itself. The lesson? My dear readers, do not get wrapped up in sin because "something worse may happen to you."

Sin in any of its forms is not to be messed with. Do not think you can dabble in it, tinker with it, play around with it, or flirt with it. It will consume you, devour you, enslave you, and ultimately destroy you. It is not to be taken lightly. This is so serious. 

At the beginning, God told Cain exactly what I'm saying now:

Genesis 4:7b. NIV

[7b.]...But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Look at God's terminology here: "sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you." What does that sound like to you? Sounds to me like a lion getting ready to pounce on someone and kill and eat them. See the severity of sin with this one sentence? Sin is serious with serious life-altering consequences. Ultimately, it can kill you. "The wages of sin is death."(Rom.6:23a. NIV)

So, as God's children, don't have anything to do with it in its various forms. Don't think about sins, or what everyone else is doing, protect yourself. Don't give any sins that are all around you the time of day. Ignore it all, because we do not want the consequences of it!! Plus, haven't we had enough of it anyway?

1 Peter 4:3 NCV

[3] In the past you wasted too much time doing what nonbelievers enjoy. You were guilty of sexual sins, evil desires, drunkenness, wild and drunken parties, and hateful idol worship. 

Do not focus on sin, because what you focus on is who you will become. Don't do it!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Just Love People

In the current climate of the world, we just need to love people. We as Christians are called to be the "light of the world," Jesus said. How can we do that? It starts with our love for everyone. 

When I say love, I am not talking about the kind of love the rest of the world thinks of. People "love" ice cream, or they "love" their pet, or they "love" to go to the movies. The world attributes "love" to anything they like or makes them feel good. That's not the love I am referring to. 

The love I am referring to is the actions and conduct we should give to all people; no matter who they are, and no matter if those actions and conduct are received or rejected by others. Loving people is a decision we make regarding how we will treat everyone regardless of if we like them or not. Feelings are not involved with this mindset, but can develop as a result of our actions towards others.

So how can we truly love everyone? How can we be a "light" to the world around us.

Make a decision to treat all people like the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.13.4-7.NIV

See? These are conscious decisions we have to make on how we will treat everyone because our human sinful nature will fight against all these things. It is not natural to treat everyone the same using these actions. However, we are not alone, the Holy Spirit lives inside each one of us who are God's children. So we can do this with His helping us inside our minds.

So how do we truly love everyone?

We are patient with everyone.

We are kind to everyone.

We are not envious or jealous of others.

We do not brag to people.

We are not prideful or arrogant towards others.

We are not rude to people.

We are not selfish.

We do not get easily angered at people.

We do not hold grudges against people; but forgive them immediately.

We do not enjoy evil things people do.

We celebrate the truth.

We always protect people; trust people; hope in people; never give up on people.

See? Decisions we make on how to treat the people we encounter everyday.

When we treat everyone this way no matter what, then Jesus, by the Holy Spirit inside us, can shine His light through us into this dark world. Christians can change the world with this mindset on how to love all people.

Another great principle on how to love people is found in Romans:

Romans 13:10 NKJV

[10] Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.13.10.NKJV

This is not as specific as the first passage, but it is even more effective. It says love never does any harm to anyone no matter what. If we keep that mindset, then we will truly love anyone.

Never do harm to anyone at anytime. That's how we truly love people. How do we do that? The way I. Cor. 13:4-8 says to, which we already discussed.

Church? We represent Jesus on the Earth. We belong to him. Let's always make Him look great to those around us by how we love them, how we treat them. The world needs love from us. They need hope that comes from Jesus Christ our Lord. Let's love everyone now!

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post

Be Renewed

Sorry I've been gone awhile. I have been through several transitions in my life and am still going through them. Despite my circumstances, I am here for you as always. Okay, let's jump right into it today.

Despite our circumstances, our problems, our difficulties, our victories, or our defeats, Paul gives us a way to live everyday. He tells us how to face what we have to face in this life. He tells us in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.4.22-24.NIV

Stay focused, do this everyday.

"Put off your old self." Mentally put away who you used to be before you came to Christ. That's not who we are anymore. We are "in Christ" now and forever. So think about who you are now. You have to do this everyday because Satan will try to make you revert to your old self. We are not those who "shrink back" like Hebrews says, but are those who move forward in step with what God wants to do in our lives in the future.

"Be made new in the attitude of your mind."  Everyday renew your attitude as to who you are in Christ. You are God's child. You are adopted into His family, the kingdom of God. You are seated in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Your name is written in heaven. Your citizenship is in heaven. You belong to Jesus Christ. You are a member of the body of Christ, the Church. You are born again. You are saved by God's grace. You are justified by the finished work of Jesus. You will never be condemned. You are going to heaven. You have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. You will never perish. Nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You are forgiven of all sin. You are made perfect and holy once and for all by the finished work of Jesus Christ. No one can snatch you out of Jesus's hands. No one can snatch you out of the Father's hands. Your are forever sealed with the Holy Spirit inside you, the deposit which guarantees our inheritance which is to come. Our inheritance is kept in heaven for us and will never perish, spoil, or fade. This is our position. This is who we are in Christ. Renew your mind to these truths everyday because Satan will try to steal these truths from you.  (I can provide scripture for all these truths, upon request.)

"Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Be your "new self" in Christ. Live as children of God. 

How?

Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:1-21 gives specifics:

Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV

[25] Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. [26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold. [28] Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.4.25-32.NIV

Ephesians 5:1-21 NIV

[1] Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. [5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. [7] Therefore do not be partners with them. [8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. [14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” [15] Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [21] Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

https://bible.com/bible/111/eph.5.1-21.NIV

Paul emphasizes ways to be good now because we all represent Jesus now. Love God, love all mankind, and be good. That's the easiest way to explain all these specifics which are riddled all across the New Testament. 

So, put off old self. Renew mind everyday to who we are now, and live like it because we represent Jesus now. 

Love you all, 

JeffreyPost