Today I am posting a lot of Scripture, there is no way around it. My question would be “is this really true?” I mean these are some pretty deep words and STRONG warnings…..the way we talk? Our sexual behavior? Even the way we joke around? WHAT?:????? Isn’t God love?

Well I say read this a few times….slow…even read it out loud… ponder it….and then read it some more…. once you start to get it…. ask the Holy Spirit for answers. I promise you this… YOU WILL HAVE ANSWERS by the end of your time in this scripture….. take your time. It will change your life and everyone you come in contact with!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^a 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said:

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ~ Ephesian 5 ~

²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”^[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,^[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. ~ Eph. 4:22-32

The life we lead is a choice we make! Just because you say you are a Christian, or you follow Jesus does not mean that your life just changes like some king of magic potion you drank. The Bible clearly tells us “to throw off the sinful nature and to put on your new nature”

Some people follow and go deeper into their sinful nature than others and habits, addictions form in our lives, some lie without thinking, some cheat, steal, are unfaithful. The sinful nature of man is of the devil and his job is to “trap” you, ensnare you, defeat you and kill you. HE IS GOOD at what he does!! Your new nature when you accept Christ as your savior is of God and He says “be holy for I am holy” — We cannot live a holy life in our old nature and we cannot live a double life even though we may try. The ONLY way to live a holy life is to make the choice to PUT ON YOUR NEW NATURE — a new creation, in other words, Born Again!! It is then that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and are able to PUT OFF the old man.

We make the choice not to steal, lie, cheat, and the list goes on and on…. WE MAKE THE CHOICE and then we empowered to live in that choice by the very spirit that raise Jesus from the DEAD. And this is a daily choice until it becomes YOUR NATURE … mature in the faith…. when you fall in love with Jesus and your very nature wants to please him.

The choice is yours, but do not say “I tried it and it didn’t work for me” — it’s NOT magic it’s a LIFE

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Eph. 3:14-21

Take some time and really read this scripture — this is MY PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY!!! Be filled to the measure of ALL the FULLNESS OF GOD!!! Read it a few times, read it slowly, read it out loud, and then read it again. This is the truth that transforms.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. ²⁰ Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. ²¹ We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. ²² Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. ~ Ephesians 2:19-22 

This is the church, the body of Christ, we are all one, all on the same level playing field. This church is a powerful force in this world, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (the Bible) and the very cornerstone that holds it all together and in place is Jesus himself. The word says “we are carefully joined together in him, become a HOLY TEMPLE for the Lord” OH MAN…. need I even ask if you are important?

There are many today who have forsaken the body of Christ and decided to go at it alone, worshipping the Lord their way, in their life with no connection to the body of Christ. I say this is a very dangerous way to live and in reality it is NOT OF THE FATHER’S HEART! The church is flawed yes, and it will be until we are like Him… the church is made up of sinners!! (like you) BUT there is a day coming and coming soon where the church or body of Christ will look different and be different as we enter into the last days. I am telling you that if you are not connected now it will be VERY difficult for you to connect at that time. DECEPTION will take out much of the church….and at the same time revival will take place like we have never seen. A GREAT falling away and a GREAT revival at the same time. It will be a game changer for the body, denominational walls will fall, false religions will be exposed the true church will emerge!!

The problem will be knowing the true church from the false church….”wrong will seem right and right will seem wrong”……. DECEPTION!!!

Think and ponder upon these things.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

I pray for you constantly, ¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom^[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.^[g]

¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ~ Ephesians 1:16-21 

Two very important things here. first, that we can understand and have confidence the incredible rich and GLORIOUS inheritance that is offered to EVERYONE in this world. and secondly, that we will understand the incredible GREATNESS of God’s power for us!! This is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. I don’t know about you but I have never ever in all of my life heard of, met anyone or read about anyone who has the power to raise the dead!!

Jesus is ABOVE any ruler or any authority in this world!! What do you have to fear? If you understand this how could you NOT walk in confidence and JOY? Once you “get it” start praying for other’s to “get it” – your family and your friends, your co-workers and your school mates, your neighbors and the guy who takes your money at the gas station, your dr’s and to cop who writes you a ticket….. are you getting it? Pray this for EVERYONE!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!

¹⁷ But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. ¹⁸ They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. ¹⁹ These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

²⁰ But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,^{[g] 21} and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

²² And you must show mercy to^[h] those whose faith is wavering. ²³ Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,^[i] but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. ~Jude 1:17-23

This entire book is about people coming into the body of Christ (the churches) and pulling people away into sin, claiming to be prophets, teachers, having dreams from God but NOT being filled with the Spirit of God. They will destroy churches and pull people into Hell. So after warning the body about this he give instructions for us….

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,^{[g] 21} and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

This is number one… OUR OWN SALVATION and keeping ourselves safe in God’s love. (you can walk away or get caught up in a trap) then you can pull others up and snatch them out of the fire!! This is so important to understand… I’ve seen and I’ve fallen into the trap of trying to help others and end up falling into hell with them. ….

And you must show mercy to^[h] those whose faith is wavering. ²³ Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,^[i] but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

DO WITH GREAT CAUTION!!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

⁴ I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, ⁵ because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. ~ Philemon 1:4-5

How often do you really pray for others? Do you have a son or daughter in the “faith”? Someone you have personally led to the Lord, mentored them in their growth? Do yo have a spiritual father or mother in the faith? The LOVE that Paul has for Philemon is deep, it’s amazing and you can feel the great joy he has in this man. A man he trust and loves.

Is there someone in your life that you could write this letter to? If NOT please start asking God to help you in this area…. you should be mentored and be a mentor until the day you die.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

⁸ This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

⁹ Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees^[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. ¹⁰ If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. ¹¹ For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. ~ Titus 3

Bottom line here, this is the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Know it, believe and live it…. DO NOT fall into arguments about it, if someone is telling you a different truth…. don’t listen to them, in fact try to correct them but if they will not listen leave them alone and move on with your life. After all your salvation is more important than any person on tis earth.

Once again it’s KNOW NG the Word, Knowing the heart of the Father, knowing Jesus and knowing the Holy Spirit.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

Today I’m printing the entire 2nd chapter of Titus — there is NOT much I can add except this: DO THIS.. Be a Mentor and Have a Mentor — it is essential to your growth and survival as well as to others. YES YOU ARE IMPORATANT — Be!!!

2 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. ² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,^[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. ⁷ And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. ⁸ Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back ¹⁰ or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

¹¹ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. ¹⁴ He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

¹⁵ You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say. ~ Titus 2

Now go out and have an EPIC day today

I have been sent to proclaim faith to^[a] those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. ² This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. ³ And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. ~ Titus 1:1-3

God has positioned you and sent you exactly where you are for a destiny and a purpose. The place you live, the school you attend, the place where you work, God has placed you there to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to be a light, to speak truth, give hope and purpose to the world around you. My question is what are you doing with your life? Your faith? Your salvation?

Be a man or a woman that changes the world around them…. believe that God has placed you right where you are and then LIVE the LIFE He gave you, be faithful and true. Start with your own family!! God has a perfect plan to bring the Gospel message to the world and that plan is YOU.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!