Follow Him, That's What it is All About

"As you have therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,so walk in Him,rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,as you have been taught,abounding in it with thanksgiving.(from Colossians 2:6,7).
To walk in Christ is to live a life patterned after His.
What we read in Scripture should permeate every aspect of our lives and control every thought,word and deed.This is where a true and lasting peace can be found, a "peace that passes all understanding...a peace that the world cannot give."

It isn't about belonging to this faith or attending that Church, it's about emulating Jesus in everything you do. 

Four Quotes to Think About

1."God often giveth in one short moment what He hath a long time denied."
2. “Jesus has now many lovers of the heavenly kingdom but few bearers of His cross.”

3.“Sometimes my sin is not what I do; it also describes what I don’t do when I know I should.”
4.“On the day of judgment, it will be demanded of us not what we have read, but what we have done.”
Quotes by Thomas Kempis


Brothers and sisters--tomorrow is promised to no one. Do not forget that.

Slow Me Down Lord

Something a little different today. A reminder to appreciate the little things that we too often take for granted.


Slow Me Down Lord


Slow me down, Lord!
 Ease the pounding of my heart
By the quieting of my mind.
Steady my harried pace
With a vision of the eternal reach of time.
Give me, admidst the confusions of my day,
The calmness of the everlasting hills.

Break the tensions of my nerves
With the soothing music of the sighing streams
That live in my memory.
Help me to know
The magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art
Of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower;
To chat with an old friend or to make a new one;
To pat a stray dog,
To watch a spider build a web;
To smile at a child;
Or to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day
That the race is not always to the swift;
That there is more to life than increasing its speed.
Let me look upward
Into the branches of the towering oak
And know that it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord,
And inspire me to send my roots deep
Into the soil of life’s enduring values
That I may grow toward the stars
Of my great destiny.
Author--W. A. Peterson

In These Latter Days, pt.2. So what Do You Make of This?

"Because narrow is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." A quote from Matthew 7:14.
I am sure that most of us recognize that the quote above is the words of Our Lord. I am also sure that most of us understand the meaning of these words. I'll be honest, until I read this recently I had forgotten them. I recall thinking after reading this passage, wow,Jesus is actually saying that the way to eternal life is not all that broad and open. It is actually anything but.
This certainly contradicts what I call the "Big Tent" theory of Christianity. You know, the you can cherry pick what you choose to believe in the New Testament and you'll still be OK with God. Sadly there are many Christian faiths and denominations that do this, and worse yet, there are many that have watered down their beliefs as the culure has changed.
Jesus repeatedly said that following Him would be difficult.
Consider His words from Matthew Chapter 16: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me." He is saying that to truly follow Him it takes total committment and devotion.
Part of this effort involves following all His words and dictates. It appears to me that far too many Christians have come to believe the lie that being "saved by Grace" allows you to pretty much live as you think a Christian should live. But, does your perception match up with what Jesus said? I know at one time I fell victim to that lie.
So how do I know if I am living under my perception of what Jesus wants or His? His words from John 15 will give you an indication: "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." A verse or two down Jesus declares:
"If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you."
You may not have been persecuted for your Christian faith in this country(yet) and be thankful for that, but, people in certain cities of America have as well as far too many Christians around this world.
A few questions to ask in closing:
Do your friends and acquaintances know you are a committed Christian?
Are you in this world but not of this world?
Remember--"narrow is the gate."

Many thanks for taking the time to read my posts. Scroll down from here and you will see 50+ articles and other posts. If you know anyone who might enjoy this page please let them know about us.
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A Prayer For the Beginning of Your Day

"We implore Thy grace and protection for the ensuing day. Keep us temperate in all things, and diligent in our several callings. Grant us patience under our afflictions. Give us grace to be just and upright in all our dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men, according to our abilities and opportunities. Direct us in all our ways. Defend us from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take us, and all who are dear to us, under Thy fatherly care and protection. These things, and whatever else Thou shalt see to be necessary and convenient to us, we humbly beg, through the merits and mediation of Thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen."
Never be too busy to say a prayer upon arising.

In These Latter Days, pt.1--Temptation

In this age of what I call Big Tent Christianity, you know, the all inclusive, there really aren't any rules as long as it is done in love Christianity, temptation and the devil aren't spoken of in churches like they used to be.Heaven forbid! I guess this is because they want to keep the message "positive and edifying."
If you are a thinking,feeling person you realize that you encounter temptation many times during your day. What follows are a few thoughts on temptation taken from the book, My Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis. Let me start by saying two things about this book: #1.I realize that it is very common to say that this book or that book is THE book other than the Bible to read,but, My Imitation of Christ is that book. No book, except the Bible, comes close to the Godly truth, insights and wisdom found in My Imitation of Christ. Using countless Bible verses as well as comments and observations by Kempis, this book is a treasure. This little book is also an incredible encouragement.
#2. Written long ago, Thomas Kempis obviously is a Roman Catholic. To my fundamentalist and evangelical friends I'll say this, what traditionally offends many of you of that persuasion about the R.C.faith is held to a minimum in this book.
I'll leave you with this, I've read countless faith based books over the decades, this is the only book that I believe is worthy of being a companion to the Holy Bible.
Now to temptation, consider these thoughts:
"As long as we live in this world we cannot be without tribulation and temptation."
"Yet temptations are often very profitable to a man although they may be troublesome and grievous: for in them a man is humbled, purified and instructed."
"Inconsistency of mind and small confidence in God is the beginning of all evil temptations."
"Fire tries iron, and temptation tries a just man. We often know not what we can do; but temptation discovers what we are."

In closing: "Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil."


Many thanks for taking the time to read my posts, if you scroll down a little you will see some brief instructions under the picture (EOD) about posts on this page and on two Blogs that I have. If you know anyone who might enjoy this page please let them know about us.
My one Blog is from about eight years ago: www.worksfromfaith.blogspot.com
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Real Transformation, What it Takes

The following is written by a philosopher from India who has studied the Gospels,Jesus and Christianity. What he has to say is most insightful. I believe it is an accurate portrayal of what has become of much of Christianity and Christians in recent years. The last sentence in this quote says it all.
"Whatsoever you have been hearing about Jesus is not about Jesus, the real man: it is about the Jesus that Christians have invented, decorated to be sold in the market. The Christian Jesus is a commodity to be sold: Christ himself is a revolution. You will have to be transformed through Him. You can be a Christian conveniently...but you can never be a REAL Christian conveniently. If you are REALLY following Jesus, there is bound to be trouble.
If you adjust yourself to Christ, there will be a transformation: if you adjust Christ to yourself, there can be none."

Many thanks for taking the time to read my posts, if you scroll down a little you will see some brief instructions under the picture (EOD) about posts on this page and on two Blogs that I have. If you know anyone who might enjoy this page please let them know about us.
My one Blog is from about eight years ago: www.worksfromfaith.blogspot.com
This one is my Facebook page here, designed for those who don't use Facebook www.ofwhatoursaviorspoke.blogspot.com

The New Normal

While watching the N.Y.C.News Channel this morning they mentioned that for Easter sevices today there is a heightened security presence at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City as well as at the other major Christian churches across the nation.
I wonder how many viewers gave this comment any thought? That in this country it is now deemed necessary to offer protection for Christian worshippers.
This is the new normal.
How sad to see what has become of this country.

This is THE Day

This song says it all about the single most important day of the year for Christians. Through His sacrifice we have the hope for peace in this life and life eternal.
Russ Taff gives a moving and heartfelt rendition of this classic Gospel song. Just incredible.
If you haven't already, why don't you make today the beginning of your commitment to Jesus and His teachings? What better day to start?
Simply click the link below to begin the song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNaf99wEBN8&feature=share   

We Remember What He Did For Us On This Day

This is what we commemorate today, His sacrifice for us, please read The Gospel of John, Chapter 19, verses 1-37. I have included this portion of Scripture below. It is incredibly moving and powerful.


"PILATE therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him., Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid; and went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Cæsar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Cæsar. When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city; and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, add his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, the brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."

Be At Peace

And Jesus said: “Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Far too many people, including Christians, are worried and anxious about things they should not be troubled with. As Scripture says--"trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding."
May the following be a comfort to everyone.

Be At Peace
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace,then, and put aside all anxious thought and imaginations.
(from My Prayer Book,Rev. F.X Lasance).

Words That Believers and the World Should Heed

"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened,that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear."
(from Isaiah, Chapter 59)

Have we become so comfortable with sin in our lives that we no longer fear the consequences of it? I am speaking here of consequences in this life and after.
As you may have read in an earlier post regarding prayer, habitual sin, as we read in the quote by Isaiah above, leads to your separation from God.
As Believers we must examine ourselves daily and recognize whether or not we have sinned and "fallen short of the glory of God."

Pray For the Persecuted and Martyred Christians in the Middle East

The Bible says that near The End of Days, Christians will be delivered up, killed and hated by all nations (Matt. 24,9; Mark 13, 9-11; Luke 21,12-15).
The persecution and killing of Christians in the Middle East continues. Two Coptic Churches in Egypt were bombed today during Palm Sunday services, 40+ were killed, scores of worshippers were injured.
Please pray for these people as well as the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Pray also that something will be done to protect those whose only desire is to worship Our Lord and Savior in very dangerous region.

Twelve Signs of the Return of Jesus

In the Gospels the Son of God does tell us of the signs which must come to pass before the end of the world.
The twelve signs that must come to pass before the end are given as follows:

1) Many will come in the name of Christ and deceive many (Matt.24,5; Mark 13,6; Luke 21,8)
2) There will be wars and rumours of wars between nations and kingdoms (Matt.24, 6-7; Mark 13,7-8; Luke,21,9-10).
3) The first sorrows will be in the form of calamities: 'famines, pestilences and earthquakes in divers places', fearful sights and great signs from heaven (Matt.24,7-8; Mark, 13,8; Luke 21,11).
4) Christians will be delivered up, killed and hated by all nations (Matt. 24,9; Mark 13, 9-11; Luke 21,12-15).
5) Everywhere men will hate and betray each other (Matt.24,10; Mark 13,12-13; Luke 21,16-17).
6) Many false prophets will appear and deceive many (Matt.24,11).
7) On account of abundant iniquity (evil deeds and unrepented sin), the love of many will grow cold. Only those who endure to the end will be saved (Matt.24,12-13; Mark 13,13; Luke 21,19).
8) The Gospel will be preached throughout the world 'for a witness unto all nations' (Matt.24,14; Mark 13,10).
9) After this Jews will become Christians (Romans 11,25-28).
10) Preparations will be made for the coming of Antichrist, called the son of perdition and the beast. Preceded by false prophets and false signs and wonders, Antichrist will be a master of illusion, of 'shock and awe', taking away people's freedom, but making them think that they have been freed. He will persecute the true servants of Christ with rage and fury. The Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt for him to be enthroned there in the place of Christ - hence his name 'Antichrist', he who comes in the place of Christ (Matt, 24,15-24; Mark 13,14-22; 2 Thess.3-11; 1 John 2,18; Rev.13,1-8).
11) Signs will appear in the heavens, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, the sea and the waves will roar and the powers of heaven will be shaken (Matt.24,29; Mark,13,24-25; Luke 21,25-26).
12) The sign of the Son of man will appear in the heavens and then will take place the Second Coming of Christ with power and great glory. Angels will be sent and shall gather the elect together 'from the four winds' (Matt.24,30-31; Mark 13,26-27, Luke 21,27).


Serious Believers will study the Scripture quotes above in light of world events to see where we might be in regards to Our Lord's inevitable return.
As one devout Christian said--"It is later than you think."

What You Should Ask Yourself Each Night Before Bed

Have I tried to live this day mindful of the presence of God? Have I tried in all things to do His will? Have I murmured or been impatient with the reverses or the difficulties I have met?
Have I been guilty of any act or word contrary to truth,honesty or purity?
Have I given way to pride, envy or hatred? Have I spoken of the faults of others? Have I hurt anyone's feelings by my words or actions? Have I encouraged those who w...ere speaking of the faults of others?
Have I been seriously trying today to lead a holy life--by avoiding sin, loving God, and by being concerned for all with whom I come in contact? Do I live selfishly, as though the people with whom I come in contact did not matter to me?
Am I concerned over the salvation of the souls of those around me? Am I willing to inconvenience myself to help others? Am I kind only to my friends, or do I help also my enemies?

From an ancient Prayer Book


The Bible say in 2Corinthians:5--"Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves."
The above is one way do to this.

The Qualities of a Christian

It is often asked, so what are the qualities of a Christian? Is it someone who goes to Church on a regular basis? Is it a person who reads the Bible and prays daily?
Those are certainly things a Chrisitan should do but to see some of the qualities a Christian should have we need to go right to the source--Scripture. Consider the following:
"...that the older men be sober,reverent,temperate,sound in faith,in love; in patience the older women likewi...se, that they be reverant in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things---that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,to love their children, to be discreet,chaste,homemakers,good,obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise,exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,sound speech that cannot be condemned,that one who is an opponent may be ashamed,having nothing evil to say of you."
(from Paul's Epistle to Titus, Chapter 2.)
Paul pretty much spells it out here, it's a lifestyle brothers and sisters. It's the way we think and act.
Through God's Grace and His Holy Spirit,Christians can possess these qualities.

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

And Jesus said: "Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me."
1. To feed the hungry.

2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful.
4. To comfort the sorrowful.
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive all injuries.
7. To pray for the living.
May our faith be an active faith.

For Sacred Sunday--- I Can't Even Walk (Without You Holding My Hand).

A beautiful Gospel song by Marty Stuart for this Sacred Sunday---depend on Him for Everything.
Click on the picture to listen to the song.

Avoiding Temptation

Avoiding Temptation
The reason why so many people are left to only themseves in places of temptation is that they do not set the Lord always before them. When we permit our relationship with God to be broken, our defense is departed from us.
We must be men and women of prayer.Our petitions must not be faint,occasional, and fitful, but earnest,perservering and constant.
Once again--"trust in the Lord with all of your heart,lean not on your own understanding."...
Another relevant quote from 1Peter5:8-- "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."
Christians must be ever vigilant and active in their relationship with Jesus..