Jesus Is Lord & Savior; NOT a Good Luck Charm

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People in the world are quick to attribute success to good luck.In the same manner, they will attribute failure to bad luck.Good luck is not in the Lord’s repertoire.Luck is NOT associated with any of His characteristics.The Lord is Great in ALL He does.

“Every good and perfect thing is from above and comes down from the Father of lights…” is how James 1:17 makes the point in our title. All God does is good. The book of Job reveals that any evil in our lives is allowed by God. God allows evil in the lives of His children to build our faith in His Power to prevail over the evil. We are on display for the angels and all the evil spirits in the heavens to see God’s powerful goodness revealed in and through us. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

God uses His children to maintain His Sovereignty over evil.Therefore, good luck is in no way associated with God’s goodness, grace, mercy, compassion and love for us.Luck and Jesus do NOT add up.

Those who are content to base their experiences on luck – whether good or bad – are living in darkness.They are awake naturally but ASLEEP Spiritually! This begs the questions, are you walking in your blessed life awakened to God’s goodness?  Do you associate everything thing that is good in your life with good luck? Do you equate your luck with God’s wrath? Are you believing that bad luck indicates God’s wrath? If so, be deceived no more.

Jesus is Light and in Him there is no darkness.David declares in Psalm 8:9 “How EXCELLENT IS Thy Name” as he concludes the 8th chapter.He starts the chapter declaring the same phrase.Loosely translated, the quote means The Name of the LORD is the most wonderful name in all the earth.His name initiates praise throughout the heavens‼️

David references Jehovah in the Old Testament where over 40 characteristics define His name.Here’s a few:

•Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)

•Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)

•Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)

•Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)

•Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)

•Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)

•Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)

•Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)

David considered all the wondrous works He has done.He looked up to the sky & marveled at His Divine handiwork of the sun, the blue sky, clouds, moon & stars.Then David looked at mankind, God’s handiwork.He marveled at how precious human beings are in His sight.David was convinced of God’s sovereignty!

Every aspect of our humanity demonstrates God’s excellence.Consider the nervous, pulmonary and cardiac systems & how they draw from each other.

The human body is a model of the Body of Christ solely exposed in the Pauline epistles. The Apostle Paul was given the commission to preach the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected it.(See Acts 13) Jesus told Paul to preach the gospel – Christ died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried and rose again from the grave on the 3rd day according to the Scriptures (1 Cor.15:1-4)

This is the Divine purpose of Paul’s ministry:

Act 26:18  “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

What more does God need to do to prove to you How excellent is His name?

It is a travesty & shame how humans – men, women, boys & girls- both then & now have gone from reverencing God as Creator to reverencing themselves as gods.

You see it in every arena:

•In the homes

•In the churches

•In the communities around the country

•In the world

People are worshiping each other & themselves more than God

Their blatant disregard for the fact that God is the source of their life-giving air for respiration and blood flow – PROVES why Jesus had to equip Paul with the gospel of the grace of God REVEALED in Jesus Christ’s death, burial & resurrection

The Power of this revelation revealed to Saul changed everything about his life

•his name changed

•his belief changed

•his message changed

God Empowered him to preach, teach and live the gospel of the grace of God

Every detail surrounding his changes were not due to luck – good/bad

IT WAS DIVINE PROVIDENCE! 

SALVATION IS A DIVINE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO RECEIVE & BENEFIT FROM Spiritually

•You will go through hardships

•You will go through disappointments, uncertainty, and yes CHANGES

But DON’T LOOSE YOUR FAITH

GOD IS GREAT & GREATLY TO BE PRAISED NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS.

GOD NEVER FAILS & THERE IS NO FAILURE IN TRUSTING JESUS AS Lord & Savior.

WHEN YOU PUT ALL YOUR TRUST IN Jesus Christ, LUCK is not a part of your experience as a child of God & member of the Body of Christ.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS ALWAYS THE CASE‼️

Included in Paul’s ministry is our final point concerning the title “Jesus is Lord and Savior; NOT a good luck charm.”

As Savior He saves us in 3 ways:

  • He is our source for salvation from our past & present sins. We must have faith in the blood of Jesus.
  • He also SAVES us from the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness in this world and spiritual wickedness in high places on a daily basis. We must have faith in the Power of the resurrection of Christ.
  • He will save us from the penalty of sin which is eternal separation from God. We are saved from the judgement the world & the Devil are guaranteed‼️ We must have faith in the gift of eternal life.

As Lord He is the Head of the body which is all those saints who, BY FAITH, believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is 1 Body and Jesus Christ Lords over it as the “brains” of the operation. Faith in Jesus Christ maintains His power to Lord (be Master)over every aspect of your life from day to day. 

In salvation you are baptized by the Spirit making you adopted into the family of God where you are complete in Christ. His baptism can never be undone‼️ God the Father becomes your Heavenly Father who is watching over you both day & night.Every name David rejoiced in is maintained in Jesus Christ. He has placed His Spirit in Us. This is what makes us “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Jesus makes EVERYTHING happen – the good times, the bad times, the easy times & the hard times – HE MAKES ALL TIMES GOOD AND PERFECT‼️

And luck has NOTHING to do with the outcomes because He is Sovereign

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Abraham: Faith In Uncertainty

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After a busy month of birthday celebration, Father’s day, two speaking engagements and a monumental 4th of July weekend, I am very thankful to be back in the office producing the Surfer Bible Study videos.  The blessings of the LORD continue to overwhelm me. Thank you for sharing with me in this time of certainty concerning the movement of Conqueror Ministries. This site will forever be a blessing.

This lesson demonstrates a fundamental approach to faith as a result of hearing the Word of God.  In 2015 we still must hear from God via the preaching, teaching and reading of the Bible for our personal faith in God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, to manifest and mature. Allow me to share with you how Abram teaches us how to “walk by faith, not by sight.”

Thank you for your support and purchasing my books.

Darrin  a.k.a. Rev. D

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Noah: A Lesson on Perseverance

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I have started posting videos on YouTube for men all around the world. This is the latest installment. God uses the opening of the video to display how perseverance works in my life. It is my hope that this ministry will sow seeds of inspiration to anyone who is recovering from the storms of life. My goal is to empower men to stand in the truth of God’s Word and in the hope of God’s plan being revealed in their lives. The Conqueror Lifestyle is changing lives!

Be blessed and stay in the race!

Darrin

Courage To Stand

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         Children of God, when trouble comes (and it always does) do not succumb to the trial and fail by employing your own strength. You can find the courage to stand up and not be overtaken when you know the Divine outcome of the Troublemaker. You can have peace in the midst of the storm through “the God of Peace.” Enjoy this “shot” by way of my mom – Sister Cheryl DeGroat-Payne.  
 Stay in the race!   Rev. D

       “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…” (Romans 16: 20).

Peace

The apostle Paul exhorts Christians in Rome to endure the hardships brought on by the wiles of the devil.  The Holy Spirit of God – through the believer’s faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for remission of sins – inducts us into the army of God.  The resurrecting power of His shed blood within believers empowers us to resist the enemy-until His return. We have the blessed assurance as good soldiers of Jesus Christ to know we are predestined to victory – the source of the God of peace. His message still resonates Divine truth to us today.

The God of peace foreknew -from eternity past, into eternity present and further to eternity future – our status as a lost and trouble-ridden humanity.  He loves us so much that he planned to divest himself of His glory by stepping down out of infinity and descending into time. Lowering Himself to human form, He became as we are – human – so that we could become as He is – Spirit.

Jesus said, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).  Jesus knew humans are heavily reliant on their five senses. He also knew we would live our lives with limitations stemming from ignorance of the oppression of the spirit world system against us.

These spirits dwell in the heavens and stand in opposition to God and us. They have a steadfast allegiance with Satan, the archenemy of God, as their head. He governs this world’s system, known as the Kosmos (GR.). The Kosmos hated Christ and it hates us.  Jesus said, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you (John 15:18).  He went on to say, These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I had overcome the world (John 16:33).

C.I.  Scofield wrote of the kosmos saying:

“In this sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the ‘order,’ ‘arrangement,’ under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure (Mt 4:8,9; Jn 12:31; 14:30; 18:36; Eph 2:2; 6:12; and 1 Jn.  2: 15-17).  This world-system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.” (Scofield Reference Bible footnote Revelation 13:8).

A “Hope” Shot

   “The God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly…”  The Word of God urges and encourages us to persevere in resisting the wiles of the devil with great confidence in Him and courage to trust Him. It promises we will find ourselves fully discharged from this ongoing spiritual battle. Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ is the foundation of the expectation of this promise being fulfilled.  In the meantime, encourage yourself in the faith (become more and more inclined to trust in the LORD) and await the thrill of having the neck of our enemy – Satan the devil – under our feet while witnessing the abject humiliation of our conquered foe.  Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet (Psalm 91:13) .

         The exclusive purpose in the manifestation of the Son Of God taking up human flesh is to destroy the works of the devil in and through the Body of Christ, which is called the Church (earlier referred to as the Army of God).  It is an organism comprised of believers. These are they that have surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ – as their Head. This is the mystery hidden in God throughout the ages. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. He did this by defeating the power of sin and death through His triumphant resurrection. 

Hebrews 2:14-18  (PHILLIPS) Since, then, “the children” have a common physical nature as human beings, He also became a human being, so that by going through death as a man He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might also set free those who lived their whole lives a prey to the fear of death. It is plain that for this purpose he did not become an angel; he became a man, in actual fact a descendant of Abraham. It was imperative that He should be made like his brothers in nature, if He were to become a High Priest both compassionate and faithful in the things of God, and at the same time able to make atonement for the sins of the people. For by virtue of his own suffering under temptation He is able to help those who are exposed to temptation.[i] 

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) 

May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.(Romans 15:13) 

The God of peace be with you all, amen. (Romans 15:33)
Cheryl DeGroat-Payne

[i] J. B. Phillips, “The New Testament in Modern English“, 1962 edition by HarperCollins

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Why Faith?

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Why is faith a necessary action in daily Christian lifestyles?  This question is often unspoken.  Yet I have come to realize that when it is left unsaid, life continues on human will which is limited.  Without faith in Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior in your life, death and eternity, a person is left to fend for themselves throughout the course of life. Depression, anxiety, fear, doubt and anger are issues of an absence of faith.

The Bible speaks to us about faith in Hebrews the 11th chapter. This chapter is often referred to as “the hall of faith” as it depicts multiple instances where faith is the guiding force bringing God’s will for mankind into existence.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The Greek word for faith is pistis. The meaning is the conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

  1. relating to God

    1. the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ

  2. relating to Christ

    1. a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God

The only way to tap into God’s determined will for our lives is by faith.  Any attempts to know, understand and manifest His will absent of faith is without merit in God’s sight.  We always need a secure positioning in our core belief system to realize God’s presence, power and peace in our lives. This necessity is established in and through our faith.
Why faith? It is the substance of everything we hope for.  Substance in the Greek is hypostasis a compound word derived from hypo meaning under and histemi meaning to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set
 God = Elohim the plural of El (1 of the names of Deity; the Creator found in Genesis 1 and the Creator’s connection to the created including man, namely Jesus Christ, the Son of God)
The Greek word for evidence is elegchos meaning that by which a thing is proven; a conviction or proof.  The apostle Paul simplified the development and growth of faith in this passage in Romans 10:17 (NET) “Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.“
You must know who you believe in. The only way to get to know God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit is through reading and hearing the Word of God rightly-divided.
Faith comes through hearing/reading the Word of God
Faith comes through hearing/reading the Word of God
All of the proof of God’s abilities are contained in His Word. You can’t believe in what you don’t know.  And you can’t survive on yesterday’s meal today. Your faith in God is the culminating effect of getting to know God through His Word on a daily basis.

Why faith? Faith in God and His Sovereignty over His Creations is the process by which we have access into this grace in which we stand. Trust in the foundational substance of all of God’s Spiritual resources by His substantial qualities, nature and persons of His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit establishes our faith, confidence, hope, strength and Power to be victorious in our Christian lives from day to day.

We trust in the actual existence of God, confirmed in Jesus Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us giving us newness of life by the regeneration of our spirits.  Through our daily surrender to Him by faith our spirits are renewed, our minds are transformed and our bodies become representative of His life  IN us. We become new creations IN Christ. This is the fundamental meaning of our directive to “get & stay IN Position!” Being justified by this faith, we have peace with God and we become joint heirs with Jesus Christ making us more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

Rev. D
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God’s Priceless Gift

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Now that Christmas is over many of you received all kinds of gifts – expensive, inexpensive, thoughtful, thoughtless, etc. – which you are now getting accustomed to having. For example, someone got a new coat and is getting used to it being in their closet. Now he can include it in his selection of outerwear choices or, more simply, she now has a coat to wear as opposed to not having one prior to the gifting. Anyway you look at it, the coat is a blessing and its new owner continues to receive the benefits of the blessing every time he/she wears it and it actually protects her from the elements of the world – the cold, rain, snow, high winds and stormy weather.

gift_box_red_bowGod‘s priceless gift, Jesus Christ, who’s birth we are to celebrate on Christmas day, is a far better gift than any earthly gift we can receive. But once Christmas is over, and the earthly gifts have lost their splendor, many people are still uncertain about the reason for the season. They go on living life, trying to be righteous in themselves, doing the best they believe they can to get on God’s good side. Many are attending all sorts of religious assemblies to manifest a sense of spiritual praise that is heavily influenced by human practices that ease God (who created the Heavens and the Earth) out and allowing for the God of this world – Satan – to have his way. Others are maintaining some appearances of goodness which they feel is their reasonable service to get to Heaven, when all the while they live in  fear, terror, and absolute abandon to the truth of their spiritual salvation and their place in eternal life.

The idea of Heaven seems to be a potential place of arrival often overshadowed by the fantasy of alternative ideas made possible by human imagination. Ecumenical ideas exist -brought about by devout, scholarly theologians – which offer competing approaches to reaching Heaven that are based in worldliness rather than God’s Word. Furthermore, the denouncement of Hell as being a real destination in God’s Word continues to have a growing audience.  it is much more comfortable to assert that Hell is here on Earth. Once the Word of God is challenged as one of many sources for man to understand the future, all kinds of human approaches to Hell become viable alternatives.  Human hope purports Hell as an uncertain aspect of the future that won’t be as bad as it is described. The worldwide deception of the existence of Hell is obviously winning as people are more focused on getting their Earthly wealth and prosperity, and living their best life now rather than getting ready for Judgement Day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ, the priceless gift of God, is Lord.

Thankfully, God’s grace is still making ways for His priceless gift to save lives. You may know someone, or you yourself may have found this “shot” in order to be a recipient of God’s gift to humans. Let any and all know that this good news is available. Here is how His priceless Gift can be yours too:

By faith you can receive His gift – which has 2 parts!
By faith, believe that Jesus Christ was born to die on the cross for your sin- past, present & future – and He was buried and rose up from the grave and now sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for you daily.    ***He loves you unconditionally.***    As you trust Him daily in your prayers to Him  (end your prayers “in Jesus name Amen.”)  your faith will mature & your life will be enriched more than you can possibly imagine. That’s Part #1 – forgiveness of sin.
Part # 2 is the best one – you are GUARANTEED Eternal Life IN Heaven.  By faith you know that you will spend your life after this life with Him in Heaven.


Here are some verses to help u in your developing faith:
Romans 10:9– because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
 10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.                       Rom 10:17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.
Romans 12:1-2

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice — alive, holy, and pleasing to God — which is your reasonable service.
12:2 Do not be conformed to this present world,but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God — what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand,
2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.
3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received — that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures


Galatians 2:20&21 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.
21 I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!


Ephesians 2:8-10 (gift part #1) 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.


Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of (faith) witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,
:2 keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

I John 1:8-10 8 If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

 

1John 5:13 (gift part #2) Assurance of Eternal Life    I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

May the grace of God wrap you in His everlasting care from this day forward. If we never meet in this Earthly life we will praise God together eternally in Heaven.
God bless you & Happy New Year.


Conqueror Ministries is always available for you to experience getting the “more” in Romans 8:37 on a daily basis.

Why We Need Grace

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Many people use the phrase “But for the grace of God, but for the grace of Godthere go I” as a way of expressing their personal account of God’s grace in and over their life. But my Uncle Junior has taken this personal account to another level by posing the question “Why do we need grace?”   His answers are truthful and will compel you to be more deliberate in your use of this popular phrase. I am so grateful to him for his willingness to be of service to Conqueror Ministries by way of his writings. We will continue to deliver them to you even in the New Year.  Please keep reading and get his spiritual shot of encouragement to trust God more.

At this time I want to thank you, our readers, for continuing to stop by and choose a spiritual shot.  May the God of all grace strengthen you, protect you and bless you during this holiday season and may the gift of a New Year be filled with precious accounts of His faithfulness in your life.
Stay in the race!
Darrin

 

So why is Grace so needed? 

Jesus said in John 6:37-44 KJV (37)All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (41) The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. (42) And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (43) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:65 KJV And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

This is not to be misunderstood – NO MAN can come to Christ unless he has been effectually drawn to Him by God the Father. This is why we need God’s grace.

Every man who is so drawn will be endowed with the matchless grace of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The gift of Eternal life also demonstrates His grace when He exchanges our human, sinful bodies for a glorified body, just like Christ’s at His resurrection, when we begin our eternal life. There are no exceptions to this clear teaching from God’s Word (the Bible).

Of course most men think of themselves as “good” and “capable of doing good” and they are able to go to God on their own, whenever they feel the need to.   This is the epitome of human deception. In your flesh you can NOT please God, nor can your human works make a difference to God.

 

But Scripture, which should be our final authority, proves man is a liar and unable to please God, as demonstrated below:

“Men are evil continually” Genesis 6:5 KJV And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

” Men love evil and hate good” Psalms 52:3 KJV Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

” Men unable to go to God” (John 6:65 given earlier)

“Men in the flesh (unregenerate state) cannot please God” Romans 8:7-8 KJV Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

” Men are under Satan’s control” 1 John 5:19 KJV And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

So as we consider the matter of God’s grace,and why we so badly need it, review this conclusion thoroughly.

“No one can come to God the Son unless God the Father enables him.” 

Ephesians 1:1-14 KJV Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: (2) Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We need the grace of God to realize who we can become IN Christ! The only reason anyone comes to Jesus Christ is because the Father has drawn him. Through Christ we are made complete and fit for the Master’s use. Our standing is made perfect in God’s sight through our faith in Jesus Christ and we are justified to find peace with God. We can live undefeated lives as we realize we are “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

Merry Christmas!

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Defining “Grace”

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After much time living life, ministering the Gospel of the grace of God along the Eastern Seaboard and representing the Conqueror Lifestyle, there is much that I must do to catch up here on ConquerorShots. God willing you will come by and get more “shots” for your spirit as God gives me the wisdom to serve them up.

Thankfully, my Uncle (mom’s brother) has agreed to contribute to ConquerorShots. He prepared a series of posts that I am grateful to publish on his behalf. Thank God for email, it still has significant purpose in the world of internet communications.  What is Grace? is the first of several posts on the way from Uncle Ralph (AKA Uncle June) who the Lord has gifted with a message of truth that will inspire you to work out your own salvation.

Philippians 2:12 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty – http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Phl&c=2&v=12&t=KJV#s=t_conc_1105012)

Thank you for continuing to stop by. Stay in the race! D

We often hear the word “Grace” but what exactly is it? Grace is the unmerited favor of God. It is where God shows us mercy, kindness, and patience instead of the judgement that we deserve for sinning against Him.grace

God’s grace cannot be earned by our actions or sincerity. It cannot be lost by our rebellion or sin. Grace is based on the character of God and not on our sincerity, performance, or ability to keep the Law of God. Otherwise, grace would not be grace. Here are some Biblical examples:

[Romans 11;6], ” But if it is by Grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

[Galatians 2:21], ” I do not nullify the Grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law (our own good works), then Christ died needlessly.”

[2 Timothy 1:9], ” who has saved us, and called (chosen) us with a Holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and Grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

If it were not for God’s Grace, we would not ever be saved from His righteous judgement. It was the Grace of God that worked in Christ who bore our sins in His body on the Cross.

 

1 Peter 2:24 KJV   Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

God’s grace makes it so that we might be forgiven and justified (i.e. declared righteous before a Holy God) by faith (Romans 3:23-28, 5:1 Read these verses often). And it is because of God’s gracious kindness to all who put their trust in His work on the Cross, they will receive forgiveness, Salvation from their sins, regeneration (i.e. God the Holy Spirit comes within you to impart new life: you are “Born-again), and the Eternal love of God epitomized in the precious gift of Eternal Life.

Again, God’s kindness to us is based on His character not on ours. His Grace to us is completely and totally an act of His free will and not based on any ability, merit, or performance of our own. God’s Grace is also manifested to the unbelievers also. Ultimately, all people deserve the judgement of God because all people have sinned.

 

Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

But, God does not execute His judgement upon all people right away. Instead, He is exceedingly patient and kind towards them. Please consider what Jesus said regarding loving our enemies even as God loves the unrighteous.

 

Matthew 5:43-48 KJV Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

May God’s Word fill your heart with a desire to seek Him, and Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.
Uncle Ralph
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How Do You Handle the Issue of Sexuality in 2014?

Posted on by conquerorshots

Everywhere you go someone else is promoting the homosexual lifestyle. If you are in any way uncomfortable with the discussion, what do you say? How do you respond to this ongoing socially relevant identification? More importantly, do you know what God has to say about it? If so, how do you stand for the truth of God’s Word and not be offensive to someone who has misconstrued the written word of the Bible? Better still, what do you do if the person you are speaking to does not even believe in the Bible?

For a compelling perspective on the historicity of homosexuality, specific Biblical analysis and a loving response to its increasing popularity I am posting this truthful Christian message to provide some life-changing honesty for you to answer all the questions above and more. Your sexuality IQ will be much appreciated by this content.

I pray that you will have an improved appreciation for the issues of sin and how it affects us through the judgement of others. homosexuality has taken on an identity that is increasingly permissive to humans while it is still sinful to God. We divide ourselves from the very people who are in our lives – broken, flawed, lost i.e. conquered by sin all because of their actions and we forget they too are created by God.  From a Biblical perspective, sexuality is a sin issue. Christianity is the antidote to sin. We are ALL born in sin. Therefore, you can not choose to identify someone by their sin. Furthermore, God is either the source of your spiritual life or He is not! If you truly buy into your need for a Savior because of your personal sin life, God is everything to you.  But if you do NOT buy into the Biblical content on sin then you are left with individual human perspectives. God has no official say. One is born homosexual today and perhaps one can also be born a witch or warlock tomorrow. Your human intellect and rationalization decides. You won’t concur with the notion that in God’s sight “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The moment we speak of what God has said about this specific matter, we see the glaring, diabolical opposition that pushes for its social relevance. Humans characterize sin to disavow God’s supremacy over it. Are you included?

Perhaps, like me, you too were once just like them “lost in your trespasses and sin…” and now, as a, good, wholesome Christian, you walk around with the antidote for sin in you and are now completely unwilling to reveal it to them because of your personal criticism. Enough is enough!  If you can share the good news of Jesus Christ that saved you, JUST DO IT! The saving is God’s business anyway. God can change anyone just like He changed me and you.

Stay in the race!

D

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Humble Thanks

Posted on by conquerorshots

After much time spent on releasing our second book “Qualities of a Conqueror Vol. 1” and experiencing real change personally, the Lord God Almighty beckoned me to write here. God willing ConquerorShots will regularly coincide with our “#TellUrSelf tweets.”  Ultimately you will experience spiritual delicacies to enhance your experience living the Conqueror Lifestyle. Our goal is to make it easier for you to get familiar with our Christian brand through our books, ConquerorShots, upcoming workshops and teaching materials and more all to enhance your walk with God through Christ Jesus one day at a time.

 

Psalm 136:26 NET BIBLE Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loyal love endures! If you have never read this chapter we suggest you do so and make it a regular reading for your personal gratitude prayers. Giving thanks, i.e. gratitude, is a necessary daily experience children of God, MTaCs, practice. We learn that in giving thanks we find the production of the fruit of the Spirit manifesting in amazing circumstances. God, who created the Heavens and the Earth, you and I and everything we appreciate while we are living day by day, is worthy of our daily gratitude because of His loyal love. The NET Bible uses the word loyal so perfectly here. No matter what we do, or do not do, in the way of service to God and others, God’s love for us NEVER changes! He is the most loyal love I have ever known.

 

When we put emphasis on gratitude for the material, human accomplishments – education, money, success, children, spouses, careers, houses, land, cars, boats, vacations et al – we are subject to the evil of deception and confusion as we focus on the Earthly rather than the Heavenly.  This is where the application of “Humble Thanks” is best realized. When you are in spiritual acceptance of your NEED for a Savior, and Jesus Christ is REAL to you, you willingly humble your human nature under the authority of God.

Wenceslas Hollar - The kneeling sinner
Wenceslas Hollar – The kneeling sinner (Photo credit: Wikipedia) A Depiction of Humble Thanks to God

By regular confession of sins, transgressions, iniquity, guilt,shame and fear before Him in prayer and thanksgiving for the simplest of blessings you come to realize through your need for His providence, you will humble yourself under God’s mighty hand for His continual protection and power in your life and the lives of others. The air you breath, the blood running warm in your veins, the activity of your limbs and your mind being sane and at peace become blessings of enormous praiseworthiness.

 

In humble thanks to God’s loyal love which endures through any and all human conditions, your gratitude will always be acceptable to God and it will reflect His love off of you into many other lives, situations, circumstances and conditions here on Earth. Heaven is our home but the Earth is our training ground. Be humble before God as your realize your spiritual training. Every scripture in Psalm 136 KJV ends with “His mercy endureth for ever” to emphasize that all of the human accomplishments acknowledged in the list exist because of the eternal endurance of God’s faithful, goodness and kindness towards His children. Give humble thanks daily and create your own list – IT WORKS!

 

Stay in the race!

 

Darrin

 

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