Born to Die - Written on November 15th, 2008 | Who is this Man, Jesus the Christ, whom angels praise and children of God adore? The story goes back before the world was ordained and the stars began their first course. “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….” The birth of Jesus Christ was just the opening line to the great drama that would enfold in time. The great saga of Redemption and Salvation was to be written on the shore of the Jordan and on the cross of Calvary. |
Studying the Scriptures - Written on November 2nd, 2008 | Before we get into some simple steps to take to get the most out of Scriptures we must first address the concept of “Bible Study.” Can reading the Bible be considered “Bible Study?” The simple answer is no. Reading the Scriptures is part of Bible study, but by itself does not supply to us what is necessary for “life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).” To know God is to know who He is through the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit, through His Divine power, has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue… (2 Peter 1:3).” Notice, it is through the “knowledge of him” that the Holy Spirit has given us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” |
Be Encouraged - Written on August 30th, 2006 | Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
It is good to hear so many good reports about how people are growing in the Lord. Some people, like me, learn slower than others. But through it all, God has shown Himself strong on my behalf. One of the reasons I started writing Theword Newsletter was to encourage the visitors of Access Christian (www.accesschristian.com). We have seen people receive encouragement from the Prayer Ministry on Access Christian. Michael Martinez (www.glpministry.org) has received prayer requests and faithfully prayed for them while giving straightforward, biblical advice to all who asked for prayer. |
Without Knowledge - Written on January 12th, 2006 | For those not familiar with the book of Hosea, it may surprise you that in such a short book is found one of the most profound statements in the Bible. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6 a) Elsewhere in the Bible, specifically in Proverbs, another companion verse is found concerning the idea of a lack of knowledge. "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law." (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV) The New American Standard translation renders Proverbs 29:18 as, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law." The King James Version translates it: "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." |
Our First Love - Written on December 28th, 2005 | Many evangelists and pastors use the verse from Revelation in which Jesus says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ( Rev. 3:20 ) Though this verse is often used to bring people to the Lord Jesus for salvation, in context it should rather be used to encourage the Church. Jesus said this to the Church that was lukewarm, the Church of the Laodiceans, the Church that was neither cold nor hot. He said: "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." ( 3:17 - 18 ) Jesus said He wanted to dine with His church, to come with them and eat with them. He said "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches." (Rev. 3:22 ) |
Fear and Anxiety - Written on November 16th, 2005 | We all struggle in one way or another with fear and anxiety. Fear, in its natural form, helps us to recognize danger. But, as children of God, we are exhorted to live apart from fear. Anxious thoughts sometimes fill our hearts. We seem to lose control over our emotions and begin to allow our fear and anxieties dictate our actions. Listen carefully to the words of Proverbs 12:25: "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." When we try to control our own destiny, we soon realize that we are really in control of very little, if anything at all. The Bible is clear: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6 - 7) When we understand the will of God, which to rest in grace (1 Peter 1:13) and to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33), then we will understand God's promise to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). |
The Anchor of Our Soul - Written on October 28th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Exceedingly Great Reward - Written on September 14th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Who Am I - Written on September 1st, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Manner of Love - Written on July 28th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Liberty and Law - Written on July 22nd, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Our Independence Day - Written on July 7th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Perfected - Written on June 30th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
The Word of Grace - Written on June 24th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Duty, Honor, Country - Written on June 11th, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Seek God, and Know His Word - Written on June 3rd, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Working Hard but Missing the Lord - Written on May 21st, 2005 | Theword
?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)
Pastor Ernest Martinez
The Community Church of Devore |
Consider Your Ways - Written on May 21st, 2005 | "Consider your ways!" That is what the Lord said to His people in the book of Haggai. What does it mean to consider your ways? I believe that it goes without out saying, that considering one's way is more than an arbitrary or cursory review of one's life, but a life-long pursuit. The Lord God said to the children of Israel:
"Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other (Deuteronomy 4:39)." |
Bean Counters and Lazy Gluttons - Written on May 21st, 2005 | I often think that many of us think we deserve grace, and I include myself in that accusation. Oh, we will say, ?we don?t deserve God?s grace or mercy.? But that goes without saying. Grace is unmerited, underserved, and solely from the love of God. I think of the Pharisee who went up to the temple to pray and saw the lowly tax-collector. This story, found in Luke 18:9 ? 14, is striking because the person who truly received mercy was the one who deserved it the least. You probably think of yourself as the lowly tax-collector as I often do, but the more I see God?s grace, the more I see myself as the Pharisee. The Pharisee thought he was better because he tithed and didn?t fornicate, but God justified the tax-collector because he saw his own unworthiness. |
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