Talk Tuesday-Am I Really A Good Person?

No, I am not. Well, how do I know? By what standard do I measure my 'goodness'? Do I determine my 'goodness' by my neighbour's faults? I have heard many, including myself, at some point in life say, “I'm a good person. I'm not like....nor have I ever...''

Committed murder: Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." Matthew 5:21-22

Committed adultery: Jesus says, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28

Lied: "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:33-37

So far, I'm not doing so well by God's standards. The Bible states that, “..all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Wow, well if I'm such a sinner, is there any hope for me? Doesn't the Bible state that, "..God is love" (1 John 4:8)? Then why would God allow me to be born into a sinful nature then judge me by His unattainable Holiness?

Mishpat is the Hebrew word used in the Old Testament which means both judgment and justice. God's judgment is not separate from His justice. The Holiness of God requires a righteousness which we cannot attain. Yet because God is love He sacrificed His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, so that we could be reconciled back to Him. Jesus is the atonement for our sins. He is our righteousness. God's judgment means that the requirements of the law must be satisfied, which is justice. His justice translates into mercy and grace for us. Mercy, means that we are not punished or treated according to what we deserve. Grace means God's unmerited favour and forgiveness.

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." Romans 3:21-23

I no longer have to live a life subject to sin but can live a life in the Spirit. We will talk more about that next week. We long to hear from you. Please click on the comments link to share your thoughts and insights.

Movie Monday - The Gospel Message

Talk Tuesday-HAITI, A Lesson in Faith

The images of death and devastation in Haiti, portrayed on news stations throughout the world, are stunning. Yet, there is something so profound and beautiful emanating from within the depths of Haiti. FAITH.

Our BGO Movie Monday clip shows an interview of a 21 year old man pinned under a slab of cement, alive after 46 hours:

CNN Reporter: "What are you saying to yourself?"

"Myself? Uh, as I'm a Christian, I say Jesus, Jesus You know my life is in Your hands."

This is Job-like faith. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Job 13:15

There are many reports by various news agencies about the faith of the Haitian people. In an article by Arthur Brice, CNN, titled Many Haitians' Religious Faith Unshaken By Earthquake (January 19th, 2010 9:18 a.m. EST), the following is observed:

"The church gates were closed Sunday. The doors shuttered. But it seems Tuesday's quake has only strengthened the religious fervor many Haitians carry in their souls.

'A lot of people who never prayed or believed--now they believe,' said Cristina bailey, a 24-year old clerk. ' "

Another CNN article, by Jessica Ravitz, Haitians Everywhere United By Faith, (January 18th, 2010 6:00 p.m. EST), notes:

"Their unshaken faith and devotion to God is the same sort that plays out in other houses of worship, in living rooms and on the torn-up streets of Haiti...."

"On the streets of Port-au-Prince, with many of their churches crumbled, people have gathered to worship and sing Catholic and Protestant hymns."

This is astounding. In the midst of the one of the worst disasters ever known to Haitians, they show the world their FAITH in Jesus Christ. They are ministering to us, teaching us and calling us to repentance.

Do we LOVE GOD? Do we TRUST in Him? Have we RECEIVED JESUS CHRIST INTO OUR HEARTS AS LORD and SAVIOUR? Does our LOVE for GOD depend on our circumstances? Do we have an ENDURING FAITH?

Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

In the midst of tragedy they cling to Jesus. They know that GOD is Sovereign. Many are coming to salvation in Jesus Christ through repentance. They are worshipping and singing out to the Lord in praise. They have become painfully aware of at least 2 things that David wrote:

"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." Psalm 103:15-16

"But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him..." Psalm 103:17

Why did this happen? I don't know. In the Gospel of John Chapter 9, verses 1-3, the disciples ask Jesus why the man was born blind?

"As he went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?'

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." John 9:1-3

The work of GOD is being displayed through the lives of many Haitian survivors.

Please pray for the people of Haiti. Please donate financially to the various relief efforts in progress. Please remember that we do not know the time nor the hour for our own lives. Live each day for the LORD.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." John 6:19-21

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life, you only have to ask Him to come into your heart. Go before Him in prayer. Acknowledge that you are a sinner. Repent, ask Him for forgiveness. Acknowledge His death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead and accept His offer of everlasting life. Then ask Him to reign in your heart. Begin to attend church, join a Bible Study and go to prayer meetings, so that you will grow in your faith.

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

Movie Monday - Jesus, my life is in Your hands - Haiti

Talk Tuesday- Which Virgin Are You?

January is often a month of reflection and resolutions. Reflecting on the past can be good if we apply it to improving our future. I was recently reminded of how fragile life is. The news reported that a billionaire and his family perished in a helicopter crash. He had plans in 2010 to spearhead the construction of a 52 storey building. Yet all his plans came to a sudden, unexpected halt. Whenever I hear of tragedies, I immediately ask myself: Did they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour? Then I pray for the family left behind.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.'

" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

"But while they were one their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus warns us repeatedly in the Gospels to be ready for His return. It is not enough to be invited. It is not enough to seem prepared-we must BE prepared. The Parable of the Ten Virgins makes this very clear. It is imperative to have oil on hand so that we are ready to fill our lamps. The lamps will light the way. The light will allow us to see in the darkness, illuminating the path to the banquet hall door. The groom will come when it is dark, at the midnight hour. The door will only be open for a limited time. Then it will be shut. I shudder at the reality of a closed door and ask myself, 'Which 'virgin' am I?'

Isaiah 55:6 reminds us to, "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near."

What do you think the oil and the lamp represent? What can we do as Christians to be prepared? What hinders us from having at attitude of readiness? Can we help one another as we wait patiently? Please click on the comments link below to share your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our BGO 2010 resolution is to help the body of Christ be in a state of readiness. No one knows the time nor the hour. It could be now or it could hundreds of years from now. Yet the instruction from Jesus remains the same. Be Ready!

Movie Monday - Finishing Strong

5 Minutes Bible Study - True Trust

Prayer Wall - January

Please feel free to share your prayer requests and post your testimonies on the Prayer Wall. By posting your prayer requests you give us and the BGO family the opportunity to partner with you in prayer. When we share our testimonies we give God all the glory through Christ Jesus, and we encourage one another. Be blessed!

James 5:13 "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray."

James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

Bible Study Weekend - John 7:14-24

Jesus Teaches at the Feast

14Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
16Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. 19Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"

20"You are demon-possessed," the crowd answered. "Who is trying to kill you?"

21Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all astonished. 22Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath. 23Now if a child can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing the whole man on the Sabbath? 24Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Questions:

1. Jesus challenges his audience in verse 17, stating: "17If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. "

How does doing God's will lead us to the realization that Jesus Christ is the Messiah-the Son of the Living God?

2. What can we do, as believers, to ensure that we remain men and women of truth?

3. a) How does being legalistic blind us to the will of the Father?

b) What does Jesus reveal about the heart of Father God by healing a man on the Sabbath?

c) How can we guard our hearts against becoming legalistic?

Talk Tuesday - What is your New Year's Resolution?

Hey lets have some fun for the new year.  Share with your BGO friends your new year's resolution.  It's fun to share your goals and aspirations.  Happy commenting...

Movie Monday - 2010 Anthem - Just wanna' say..

We rang in the new year with this song from Israel Houghton. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Happy New Year

May God bless you and your family this New Year! We are so excited to grow in the Lord with you in 2010. Let us set our eyes on Jesus Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith!

"Always give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

In His Service,

Andrew and Natasha