Seedlings Archives - Eternal Promises

Battle Lines

Jeff Tobler — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 19:33:44 +0000

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you’ve repented of your sins, been cleansed, and given your life over to the Jesus, you may think all your problems will go away. Actually, things will be heating up? But don’t be afraid! Rejoice! The ending has been written in the History Book of all history books… Jesus is the victor! Praise the Lord!

However, there are dangers and, until we go home to see Jesus, we must be prepared for the battle. You will either overcome or be overcome. Find out how to overcome evil with good…

Praise the Lord! You’ve had an encounter with Jesus… you’ve been broken by the weight of sin and goldy sorrow led you to true repentance from sin andto the Lord (2 Cor 7:10). Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9) and the gift of redemption.

But what now? The battle begins!

While you were (before Jesus) blinded by the god of this world (Satan) (2 Cor 4:4), you weren’t of much interest to the wicked one. But everything has changed… you are now a soldier of Jesus Christ, and the battle lines have been drawn – but you serve a victorious King: the King above all kings, Jesus Christ, and He will lead you to victory in this battle by following His orders.

Great news! Jesus defeated death and Devil on the Cross, and with His power, you can resist Satan and win this battle, but you need to know how to fight and what weapons are needed (Eph 6). However, you can also give place the the Devil (Eph 4:27), and allow him to steal, kill, and destroy your walk with Jesus (John 10:10). DON’T GIVE PLACE TO SATAN by indulging in evil practices or thoughts. Rather:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
(James 4:7-8)

Temptation will be strong, but He has promised us:

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
(I Corinthians 10:13)

Beloved turn to God in times of temptation. Believe Him and His Word. Look for the “way to escape” in every situation… He is faithful! You are precious in the sight of the Lord, and nothing can separate you from the love of God (Ro 8:38-39). No one will pluck you from out of His hand (John 10:28-29). If you are abiding in the Lord, you are safe.

King Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet He didn’t sin (Hebrews 4:14). He understands the temptations, so you can call on Him in time of need. He left as this example to follow:

For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth:

Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again;

when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously:

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 you were healed.

For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

(I Peter 2:21-25)

Yes, all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). But greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). So:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
(I Peter 5:8)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He [Jesus] might destroy him [Satan] that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
(Hebrews 2:14)

Jesus, by dying on the cross for your sins and being raised from the dead, has defeated death and destroyed the power of the Satan over you. It is by Jesus’ name and His shed blood that we can thwart the advances of Satan and be overcomers!

Don’t be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:21)

Beloved babe in Christ, grow in strength and mature in your walk with the Lord by overcoming the wicked one.

I have written unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
(I John 2:14)

Notice how they’ve overcome the wicked one: the Word of God abides in them! The Word of God is the most powerful weapon you have against Satan. Among the weapons of spiritual warfare, I urge you to arm yourself with (memorize) as much scripture as possible. Why?

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Ephesians 6:17)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword…
(Hebrews 4:12)

Awake to righteous, and sin not! Set no wicked thing before you eyes. Break down any idol (affection of the heart) immediately. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Draw near to the living, loving God, Jesus Christ, who “is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24)

Until we see Him face-to-face,

Brother Jeff

The post Battle Lines appeared first on Eternal Promises.

Water Baptism

Jeff Tobler — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 19:30:21 +0000

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The message is very clear in God’s Word: When you repent and believe, one of the first steps in obedience is water baptism. Immersion is the model given us by Philip and John the Baptist. Any believer in the Lord can baptize you, not just your pastor. But make sure this believer is a mature follower of the Lord

Find out everything you need to know about water baptism.

Water Baptism

The response of a new believer is “Yes, Lord!” We are eager to see what He’d have us do… “What’s your will for me, Lord?” And, in this case, His will has already been revealed.

Be baptized in water.
Don’t delay.
Have another believer baptize you (this does not have to be your pastor – it can be any disciple of Christ).
Be immersed in living water, if possible.

Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave this command to His disciples (that’s you and me):

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…
(Matthew 28:19)

On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples and three thousand souls were saved that day, in obedience to the Master, and under His authority, he commanded them:

Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 2:38)

After the Apostle Paul’s radical encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and his subsequent belief, he was baptized immediately:

And now why are you waiting? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
(Acts 22:16)

When the evangelist Philip converted the eunuch, we was immediately baptized:

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

(Acts 8:35-39)

As you can see, God is not requiring you to be “perfect” before entering into the Kingdom of God. This growth and maturity happens after believing, baptism, and during discipleship.

So, what keeps you from being baptized? If you are committed to following the Lord, you should get baptized immediately. Contact us and we can help you with this wonderful next step.

The post Water Baptism appeared first on Eternal Promises.

How to grow in your faith

Jeff Tobler — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 19:09:56 +0000

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Beloved, repenting from sin and putting all your faith and trust in the Living God, Jesus Christ, is the first step in your walk of faith. You have much to look forward to as you look to the Lord for everything, every need, for Him to be your abundant joy! You also have much to be careful of – there are many dangers, if you’re not wise. But God is with you. He’s for you! So don’t fear, only believe!

Learn the essentials of “powerwalking” with the Lord:

WATER BAPTISM
“Why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized…” and “Repent and be baptized…” (Acts 2:38) This is what we read of the early believers. They believed and immediately were baptized. What should you and I do? Believe and be baptized (immersed) in water just like all the early believers did (Acts 8:36-39) And do it immediately! What a great way to show Jesus your love by obeying His command to believe and be baptized. As you will come to know, baptism is not just a “bath”, but spiritually and symbolically powerful.