What is God's Will For Us?

There is something very strange and yet very beautiful going on.

That's been the case since I first became a born-again Christian on 6 September 2019.

The dreams changed, the feelings changed, the practices changed, the studies changed, my days have changed.

And today, I was happily surprised that my Bible teacher friend shared the quote above, and to think I had just discovered Greg Laurie a couple of days ago.

My friend's Laurie quote EXACTLY matches this 4 May 2019 video I had been studying yesterday, something on knowing what God's Will is for us so it's most timely I incorporate both on this blog post.

I like pastor's Laurie approach of taking us to those places (this one filmed in Greece) where we can learn relevant Bible phrases and teachings, pretty much like Dr. David R. Reagan's many videos.

This method is effective in rounding out our education -- a great aid for baby Christians like myself.

In this video, pastor Laurie says:

"God's plan for you is better than your plan for yourself."

Another beautiful verse that pastor Laurie used in the video can be found here:

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, 

I urge you, 

brothers and sisters, 

in view of God’s mercy, 

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 

holy and pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper worship. 

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.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

(Scripture source: biblegateway.com)

Updated 18 January 2022

"Saved By Grace, Not By Good Works"

How the Bible corrects us so!

Many Roman Catholics think that by doing good works they can be saved.

But that's how their church has led them to believe, based on their catechism.

Biblical Christians, those who are faithful to God's Word, learn differently.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, 

it is the gift of God— 

9 not by works, 

so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

That verse (and the title of this post) is constantly used by Mike Gendron in correcting Roman Catholics, of which I once was, as Mike Gendron was once, too.

How humbling to be corrected by the Bible, the Word of God!

20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight 

by the works of the law; 

rather, 

through the law we become conscious of our sin.

Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God 

has been made known, 

to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ 

to all who believe. 

There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

24 and all are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:20-24 NIV

Another verse, proof of God's Grace, to enlighten us:

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, 

the glory of the one and only Son, 

who came from the Father, 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:4  NIV

This is also how we can strengthen our hearts in God:

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. 

It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, 

not by eating ceremonial foods, 

which is of no benefit to those who do so.

Hebrews 13:9 NIV

Scripture really has much to teach us.

Please open your heart to God's True Teachings from the Bible.

(NIV verses obtained from biblestudytools.com)

Updated 18 January 2022

Israel is God's Elect

A few days ago, I encountered the videos of John MacArthur, and have loved listening to his many teachings.

For this particular post, I will share some videos showing proof of how Israel had always been God's "elect" -- His chosen nation with whom He has made Covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

John MacArthur is adamant that we must get Israel right, and he says it beautifully:

"If you get your eschatology right, you get Israel right. 

If you get Israel right, you get your eschatology right."

What is eschatology?

It's been called the "science of last things".

Other pastors call it the "end times".

You may want to read the following related posts on Dr. David R. Reagan, Israel, and the end times:

"Israel: God's Nation"
"The Mountains of Jerusalem"
"On Walking Through the Old City of Jerusalem"
"On the Eastern Gate in Prophecy"

If you want to know how Israel had been manipulated by other nations, taking most of her land, click the article below:

"Promises and Betrayals Regarding Britain and the Holy Land"

Updated 18 January 2022

On Knowing the Enemy of Christ

1 John 5:19 

King James Version

19 And we know that we are of God, 

and the whole world 

lieth in wickedness.

It's time to know the enemy.

We are not battling flesh and blood:

Ephesians 6:12 

King James Version

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 

but against principalities, 

against powers, 

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 

against spiritual wickedness in high places.

He waits in ambush:

1 Peter 5:8-9 

King James Version

8 Be sober, 

be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil, 

as a roaring lion, 

walketh about, 

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, 

knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished 

in your brethren that are in the world.

He likes those disobedient to God:

Ephesians 2:2 

King James Version

2 Wherein in time past ye walked 

according to the course of this world, 

according to the prince of the power of the air, 

the spirit that now worketh 

in the children of disobedience:

He takes people away from God:

2 Corinthians 4:4 

King James Version

4 In whom the god of this world 

hath blinded the minds of them 

which believe not, 

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, 

who is the image of God, 

should shine unto them.

He is on a rampage for he knows the day of GOD draws near:

Revelation 12:12 

King James Version

12 Therefore rejoice, 

ye heavens, 

and ye that dwell in them. 

Woe to the inhabiters of the earth 

and of the sea! 

for the devil is come down unto you, 

having great wrath, 

because he knoweth 

that he hath but a short time.

Be not afraid, though.

Put your faith in the LORD JESUS.

Become born again.

Put on the full "Armor of God".

Meditate upon this verse:

James 4:7 

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

Related material:

Satan has a SERIOUS learning DISABILITY

Prince of the power of the AIR

The CRUSHED cherub

JESUS and Satan

DEFINITELY a copycat

The devil's DEVICES

How demons MESS with our MIND

That OLD serpent

Where Satan lives

The HOLY SPIRIT's REPROOF

On sin

Sin AWARENESS

FULL ARMOR

TWISTING of WORDS

Updated 20 April 2025

The Four R's of a True Believer of Christ

Being a baby Christian and a researcher on all things Christ -- while remaining true to the Gospel -- I've found that simplifying my own studies helps.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, I wanted to write about the four R's that will help baby Christians or those who may have lost their way.

Please click the four R's to view related articles:

1. Repentance.
We must accept our own sinfulness and be repentant of all our lost ways, thoughts, words, and actions.

2. Reconciliation.
The true believer wishes to form a new relationship with Christ after greater understanding.

4. Reliance.
Having been corrected, the true believer will only want to rely on the Gospel as the Word of God.

5. Robustness.
Those who love Christ will only receive protection from the "Armor of God" through His Word.

Updated 18 January 2022

An Urgent Message For Roman Catholics

To be unpopular is a given when you serve Christ:

Blessed are you when people hate you, 

when they exclude you 

and insult you 

and reject your name as evil, 

because of the Son of Man.

Luke 6:22 NIV

You can imagine the reaction and anger you will be getting from Roman Catholics when you share Mike Gendron's video above, "Roman Catholics Worship a Counterfeit Christ and Gospel While Denying 'Christ Alone'" as featured by Christian Answers TV (CAnswers TV).

But does it really matter? 

If you are a Roman Catholic or from another religion, you must view the video above and see how seriously the Gospel of Jesus has been perverted and must review your own doctrines and traditions as well.

I am all for that which is totally of Christ in His Grace and Precision.

The material below, provided by Larry Wessels of CAnswers TV, was totally sourced from the introduction of the YouTube video above.

For centuries the Roman Catholic religion said a person could not own a Bible & if they did they could not have their sins forgiven. One reason for this is the simple fact that Roman Catholicism does not teach what the Bible teaches. The Bible actually exposes Romanism as a counterfeit religion pretending to be authentic Christianity (2Cor. 11:4). For over 34 years, Evangelist Mike Gendron was a devout Roman Catholic and a strong defender of the "one true church." He was taught from a very early age, to trust and rely on the church, its priests, the sacraments and his own good works for salvation. However in 1981 while attending an evangelical seminar, he realized the Bible is the supreme authority for knowing truth. His new excitement and hunger for the inspired word of God led him to help organize the very first Scripture Study at a Catholic Church in Dallas. Mike soon realized that many of the teachings and traditions of the Catholic religion were not found in the Bible. After more study he discovered the Roman Catholic plan of salvation was diametrically opposed to the Gospel of grace revealed in the Bible. Savior. After discerning that God seeks worshipers in spirit and truth, Mike left the Catholic Church in 1985 for a church where the true Gospel is proclaimed and Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice.

In 1988 he left a successful career in corporate management to study at Dallas Theological Seminary. Four years later, during his last semester at DTS, Mike and his wife Jane's love for Catholics inspired them to begin a ministry that would point Catholics to the Lord Jesus Christ as their all sufficient Savior. Their hearts are now burdened for those who may be where they were for most of their life - eternally condemned and not even aware of it. Contact: Mike@ProclaimingTheGospel.org

Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (YouTube channel CANSWERSTV at https://www.youtube.com/user/CAnswersTV; see our other 185 videos on Romanism at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=... websites: http://www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, http://www.HISTORYCART.COM & https://www.muslimhope.com/ ) presents part 2 of the "Former Catholics for Christ Conference in Springfield, Illinois - May 17-19, 2019" by former Catholic Mike Gendron (his website is: https://www.proclaimingthegospel.org/ ) on the subject of "Christ Alone," one of the great Bible doctrines of the Reformation against Romanism.

Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone because all of our righteous deeds are tainted by sin (Isaiah64:6) and are not good enough for us to merit salvation. Therefore, because there is nothing we can do to obtain it, there's only one thing left for us to do, trust in what God has done in the person and work of Jesus.

Salvation is being delivered, being "saved," from the righteous judgment of God. All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are under a legal judgment from God. Therefore, in order to be saved from God's righteous judgment we need to be saved by what God has provided for us in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  That is the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

God is the standard of righteousness, not us. God says to be holy because he is only (1 Peter 1:16). This means that the standard is the character of God.  Holiness is the quality of God that is synonymous with his perfection, his sinlessness, and his inability to sin. He is perfect and righteous in every thought and every deed. His holiness is a quality of his essence a powerful and pervasive presence of incredible purity. This is the standard that God wants for us because it reflects his greatness and perfection. But because we fall short in our sins, we are not holy. Therefore, because everything we do is touched by sin, we are not able to accomplish what is necessary in order to be saved from the righteous judgment of God. God knows this, and so he provided for us a means of salvation. That means is through the incarnation of Jesus who is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9), who never sinned (1 Peter 2:22), and who bore our sin in his body and the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Remember that sin is a legal debt. Our legal debts were transferred to Christ and canceled on the cross (Colossians2:14).  Jesus did it all.  Therefore, all we have left is our faith in what God does. This is why the Bible says we are justified by faith (Romans5:1) apart from the works of the law (Romans 3:28).

So, faith alone in Christ alone is the only way to be saved because that is the only way to put complete and total trust in the work of God and not in our ability to be good enough to achieve or maintain our salvation.

We featured Mike Gendron in a past post.

(Bible verses source: biblegateway.com)

Updated 18 January 2022

How to Reconcile With God

How does one reconcile with God?

First, we must seek God and truly want Him in our lives:

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Secondly, we must bow to Him in all humility and accept how sinful we are:

“for ALL have sinned 

and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 3:23 NIV

Thirdly, knowing we were born of a sinful nature, we then must sincerely ask for repentance:

This is what the Sovereign LORD, 

the Holy One of Israel, says: “

In repentance and rest is your salvation, 

in quietness and trust is your strength, 

but you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15 NIV

Fourthly, we acknowledge the wisdom of being "born again" in Christ and accept Him as our Savior:

You Must Be Born Again

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, 

a ruler of the Jews. 

2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, 

“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, 

for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 

3 Jesus answered him, 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, 

unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

4 Nicodemus said to him, 

“How can a man be born when he is old? 

Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 

5 Jesus answered, 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, 

unless one is born of water and the Spirit, 

he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘

You[d] must be born again.’ 

8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, 

and you hear its sound, 

but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. 

So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, 

“How can these things be?” 

10 Jesus answered him, 

“Are you the teacher of Israel 

and yet you do not understand these things? 

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, 

we speak of what we know, 

and bear witness to what we have seen, 

but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, 

how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 

13 No one has ascended into heaven 

except he who descended from heaven, 

the Son of Man.[g] 

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, 

so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 

15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[h]

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[i] that he gave his only Son, 

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe is condemned already, 

because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, 

and people loved the darkness rather than the light 

because their works were evil. 

20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light 

and does not come to the light, 

lest his works should be exposed. 

21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, 

so that it may be clearly seen 

that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:1-21 NIV

Fifth, we let God take over our thoughts, words, and deeds for He alone knows what is best for us:

"He must become greater; 

I must become less."

John 3:30 NIV

And that takes complete faith in God:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him 

must believe that he exists and that he rewards those 

who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

In truth, God chose us.

He saw what we have in our hearts and thus:

“You did not choose me, 

but I chose you and appointed you 

so that you might go and bear fruit—

fruit that will last—

and so that whatever you ask in my name

 the Father will give you.”

John 15:16 NIV

What now?

We become new in Christ and our lives will have the greatest meaning, in a way the world can never have achieved in us.

Our eternal happiness comes from Christ alone, the Son of the Only Holy Father:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 

the new creation has come: 

The old has gone, 

the new is here! 

All this is from God, 

who reconciled us to himself through Christ 

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, 

not counting people’s sins against them. 

And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, 

as though God were making his appeal through us. 

We implore you on Christ’s behalf: 

Be reconciled to God.”

 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 NIV

I thank Joseph, my Bible teacher friend for supplying the essential verses which completes my new understanding of this relationship I'm having with Christ now.

Updated 18 January 2022